Loving Your Garden - Better Gardening Podcast

Autumn has arrived - and there’s plenty to be getting on with in the garden.
Rod Whiting is joined by Loving Your Garden and Boom Radio’s resident horticulturist John Stirland for a practical guide to making the most of this special time of year.
They look at how to help lawns recover after a long, hot summer, why now is such a good time for sowing grass seed, which spring bulbs should be planted now, and which are better left until later - plus autumn care for roses, climbers and shrubs.
John also shares some of his favourite plants for winter colour, tips for preparing the greenhouse for the colder months, and explains why autumn can be the perfect time to make bigger changes to the garden while the soil is still warm.
And, after creating his own pond last autumn, John reveals just how quickly the wildlife moved in - from newts to dragonflies and damselflies.
A relaxed, practical half-hour packed with timely advice and ideas to help you enjoy your garden through autumn and prepare it for the seasons ahead.

💬 Got a question for us? Or want to send us some fan mail? Drop us a line: rod@lovingyourgarden.org
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How can gardeners make a real difference for wildlife?
Rod Whiting is joined by Boom Radio’s nature expert Mary Porter and resident horticulturist John Stirland to explore simple, practical ways to turn your garden into a haven for birds, bees, butterflies, hedgehogs, and countless other creatures.
Following one of the hottest, driest summers in recent years, they discuss how wildlife is adapting, the plants that provide food when it’s needed most, why ponds are such valuable habitats, and how a few small changes can have a surprisingly big impact.
Along the way you’ll hear about hummingbird hawk moths, kingfishers, dragonflies, grass snakes and the simple joys of watching nature return to your garden.
Whether you have a window box or several acres, this episode is full of ideas to help wildlife thrive through every season.

💬 Got a question for us? Or want to send us some fan mail? Drop us a line: rod@lovingyourgarden.org
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Hotter summers, wetter winters and increasingly unpredictable weather are changing the way we garden. So how should we adapt?
Horticulturist Alison Marsden, who divides her time between Britain and a Mediterranean garden in France, joins Rod Whiting and resident expert John Stirland to explore practical ways of making our gardens more resilient. They discuss healthier soils, smarter planting, water management, Mediterranean-inspired ideas that work in Britain, and how to create gardens that are ready for the climate of the future.
Practical, optimistic and packed with ideas for gardeners across the UK.

💬 Got a question for us? Or fancy sending us some fan mail? Drop us a line: rod@lovingyourgarden.org
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Food prices may be rising, but growing your own needn’t be difficult.
In this episode of the Loving Your Garden podcast, Rod Whiting and horticulturist John Stirland are joined by kitchen gardener and food writer Stephanie Hafferty, author of The Productive Garden.
Stephanie shares her advice on getting started with growing your own food, the easiest crops for beginners, why mistakes are part of the learning process, and how to make the most of even the smallest growing spaces. The discussion also covers succession sowing, preserving harvests, peat-free compost, natural approaches to pests and disease, and what to sow now for crops later in the year.
Whether you have a large vegetable plot, a few raised beds, or simply some pots on a balcony, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you grow more food and enjoy greater success in the garden.

Stephanie's website:
https://nodighome.com/

💬 Got a question for us? Or fancy sending us some fan mail? Drop us a line: rod@lovingyourgarden.org
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Dahlias are bold, flamboyant, sometimes slightly outrageous - and one of the great stars of the late summer garden.
But they can also feel a little intimidating. When do you plant them? Which varieties are easiest to grow? Do you have to lift the tubers every winter? How do you support them, feed them, protect them from pests, and keep them flowering into autumn?
In this episode, Rod Whiting is joined by Dahlia expert Kim O’Brien - Head Gardener at an RHS-funded garden in Cambridgeshire, flower grower, floral designer, BBC local radio gardening expert, regular Gardeners’ World speaker, and columnist for Amateur Gardening magazine.

Her passion for Dahlias really shines through, and the tips keep on coming.

💬 Got a question for us? Or fancy sending us some fan mail? Drop us a line: rod@lovingyourgarden.org
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