Two Good Gardeners

For their season finale, Dan and Julia talk to Becky Fincham and Millie Souter from The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health, the non-profit initiative set up by Tom & Sue Stuart-Smith around their family home in Hertfordshire. Inspired by Sue Stuart-Smith's bestselling book, 'The Well Gardened Mind', Becky leads a host of programmes that introduce local schools, community groups, charities and cancer survivors to gardening. Becky is joined by Millie Souter, Head Gardener for the renowned Plant Library at the Tom Stuart-Smith Studio. Millie takes care of 2000 varieties of herbaceous plants and low shrubs, plus 500 different bulbs, set out in a grid system. We find out how plants earn a place in the library and how gardeners and plant enthusiasts can make use of this world-class resource. Also in this episode, Julia explains how to collect and store your own seeds, and Dan discovers a fun way to personalise your gardening gear.

Website links:

More about the Serge Hill Project
Book tickets for the Serge Hill Plant Fair
More about Sue Stuart Smith's Book, 'The Well Gardened Mind'
Dan Cooper Garden
Parker's Patch

Expertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.

This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perennials are probably the most popular type of plant in the UK, but that wasn’t always the case. In this episode, we talk with Rosy Hardy, the Chelsea Flower Show’s most decorated female exhibitor. She has won 24 gold medals and helped many garden designers and colleagues win awards with her plants. Rosy explains how she helped make perennials popular over the past forty years and shares advice on choosing varieties that can handle our unpredictable summer weather. Later, Dan introduces an innovative plastic-free insect net made from plant fibres, and Julia recommends an unusual fruit that grows well in hot, dry summers.

Website links:

Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants website offering over 1200 perennials grown peat-free.
A selection of Rosy's most resilient perennials
Rosy Hardy Gardening on YouTube
Dan Cooper Garden
Insectonet Plastic-Free Net
Parker's Patch

Expertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.

This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tucked away on the embankment, the Inner Temple Garden has a long and impressive history, including a time when it hosted what is now called the Chelsea Flower Show. In this episode, Dan and Julia chat with Sean Harkin, the Head Gardener, about how he and his team have made the garden a wildlife-friendly, award-winning space while honouring its horticultural roots. In a full-circle moment, we hear that the Inner Temple will host a brand-new plant fair on Sunday, 31st May, 2026. Dan also introduces new plant-based gardening gloves for summer, and Julia shares tips on how to do the Chelsea Chop.

Website links:

The Inner Temple Garden website
Advance tickets for the Plant Fairs Roadshow at the Inner Temple on 31st May 2026
Dan Cooper Garden
Donkey Gloves Bamboo Gardening Gloves
Parker's Patch
How to do the Chelsea Chop

Expertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.

This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's country estates must honour their history while looking ahead. In this episode, we talk with Jay Goddard and Mark Bobin from Borde Hill in Sussex to learn how their historic garden became home to nearly 100 champion trees and a national collection of rhododendrons. We also hear about their exciting plans for a new 'garden to plate' restaurant, which will use produce from an edimental garden designed by Anne-Marie Powell. Plus, Dan explains why copper keeps slugs and snails away, and Julia gives an update on her efforts to grow a healthier lawn as she waits for a hollow-tine aerator to arrive.

Website links:

Dan Cooper Garden
Copper Slug Rings
Parker's Patch
Borde Hill's website
Restaurant Isca website
More Information about the Plant Fairs Roadshow at Borde Hill

Expertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.

This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chillies are prized for the heat and flavour they bring to cuisines all over the world. In this episode, your hosts talk to Clare Kennett of Clare's Chillies about what makes them so addictive and how to grow them successfully at home. Clare shares her top tips for success and common pitfalls when growing these fiery fruits. Also in this episode, Dan recommends a wildflower seed mix that can help restore the natural health of your soil, and Julia describes how to grow one of the chilli family's milder members, the Padron. As always, there's a list of jobs to do in your garden over the next fortnight and news of what Dan and Julia will be getting up to over the coming fortnight.

Website links:

Dan Cooper Garden
Wildflower Seeds for Soil Health
Parker's Patch
Clare's Chillies on Facebook
Clare's Chillies on Instagram
Plant Fairs Roadshow at Ramster Hall Gardens

Expertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.

This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.