Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

Geeta Mehta, author of Japanese Gardens, talks about the beauty, philosophy, and deep cultural roots of Japan's garden traditions. We delve into how these serene landscapes reflect harmony, mindfulness, and a unique dialogue between nature and design. Links Japanese Gardens: Tranquility, Simplicity, Harmony by Geeta Mehta & Kimie Tada  [https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8971/9784805309421] Geeta Mehta [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geeta_Mehta] on Wikipedia Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Geeta Mehta you might also enjoy this one from the archives:  Episode 271: Japanese Maples with Miles Hayward Summary: In this episode, Sarah Wilson speaks with Miles Hayward, an expert in Japanese Maples and founder of Miles Japanese Maples nursery. They delve into the different types of maples, how to grow and care for them, and what makes these trees so iconic in Japanese garden design. Miles also shares insights into how he built his nursery around quality, sustainability, and deep botanical knowledge. Web Link [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/japanese-maples/] Episode 118: Tokachi Millennium Forest with Dan Pearson & Midori Shintani Summary: Sarah interviews renowned garden designer Dan Pearson and head gardener Midori Shintani about the Tokachi Millennium Forest project in Hokkaido, Japan. The episode explores the forest’s design philosophy, the fusion of traditional Japanese landscape principles with ecological awareness, and the challenges of working on a project with a 1,000-year vision. It’s a profound conversation about stewardship, beauty, and long-term thinking in garden design. Web Link [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/podcast-89-tokachi-millennium-forest-with-dan-pearson-midori-shintani/] Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]

Joshua Sparkes is a grower whose innovative, soil-centered approach blends regenerative principles with a deep reverence for the natural world. We dig into his unique style of farming, how it’s shaped by observation and experimentation, and why it offers a glimpse into what must be the future of sustainable food production. Links The Collective at Woolsery [https://woolsery.com/] Joshua Sparkes on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joshua_sparkes/?hl=en-gb] Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Joshua Sparkes you might also enjoy this one from the archives:  Episode 328: Soil, Health & Nutrition Guest: Sam Hamrebtan Link: Roots and All [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/soil-health-nutrition/] Nutritional therapist and sustainable cooking expert Sam Hamrebtan explores the vital connection between soil and the nutrients in our food. As the founder of the Life Larder newsletter and Course Director at CNM’s Natural Chef School, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge on how growing practices impact the quality of what we eat. Episode 306: The Soil Habitat Guest: Eddie Bailey Link: Roots and All [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/306-the-soil-habitat/] Eddie Bailey, a geologist, organic no-dig gardener, and soil food web specialist who runs Rhizophyllia, discusses the soil food web, what inhabits the soil habitat, why soil health impacts plant health and ultimately our health, and what you can do to get the best out of your garden. Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]

Ecological designer and waterway whisperer Emmaline Bowman, talks about her mission to heal landscapes through nature-led design at her practice Stem Landscape Architecture & Design. We dig into the magic of restoring ecosystems, how nature-led design is possible and feasible from a business perspective and the knock-on effects of starting the ball rolling one green space at a time. Links www.stemlandscape.com [https://www.stemlandscape.com/] Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Emmaline Bowman you might also enjoy this one from the archives:  Episode 208: Ecological Gardens with Sid Hill [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-179-ecological-gardens-with-sid-hill] This week’s guest is eco gardener, landscape designer, permaculturist, horticultural thinker and garden experimenter, Sid Hill. Sid is concerned with building gardens that can sustain people and wildlife and he’s talking to me today about his particular brand of gardening, what we can do differently to improve our gardens and the whole discipline of horticulture in the UK. Episode 232: Ecologically Integrated Gardens [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/ecologically-integrated-gardens/] My guest this week is Shawn Maestretti of Studio Petrichor, a design studio working out of California. Shawn’s personal mission is to reconnect with the natural world, tread lightly on the land, nurture biodiversity, protect water, and bring people together. We speak about how Studio Petrichor designs with these values in mind and the systems and techniques that are used to achieve these goals. Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]

I’m joined by Pete Case from the Freshwater Habitats Trust to dive into the world of garden ponds—why they can be crucial for wildlife, how to create one, and what makes them such a powerful tool for conservation right in your own back, or front,  garden. Whether you've got a bucket or a full-blown pond, this one’s for you. Links www.freshwaterhabitats.org.uk [https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/] The Pond Book [https://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/advice-resources/buy-the-pond-book/] Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Pete Case you might also enjoy this one from the archives:  Episode 312: Gardening for Amphibians [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/gardening-for-amphibians/] Will Johansen is from Froglife, a conservation group devoted to protecting amphibians and reptiles. Will’s here to discuss practical ways we can support amphibians in our gardens, from building simple ponds to creating safe spaces where they can thrive. Will gives tips and advice to help you make a real difference for these often-overlooked creatures. Episode 274: Natural Swimming Ponds [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/natural-swimming-ponds/] Caroline & Jon have created the most amazing swimming pond in their back garden and have documented their journey on social media, posting videos of year-round swimming adventures and pond-life. If you need inspiration to tackle a garden project you’ve always thought was just a pipe-dream, listen in as Caroline & Jon offer their refreshingly optimistic and can-do approach. Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]

Today’s episode is a bit different because I’m not well at the moment and the podcast has taken a back seat to hospital visits and sleeping lots I’m afraid. But, out of something negative comes a positive because I decided to re-master and re-release an episode from the back catalogue, and this week we’re dipping back into Episode 97 with Doug Tallamy. But we’re not just hitting replay. We’re bringing new light to it, inspired by last week’s conversation with the incredible Kelly Morse… Links Bringing Nature Home: How you can sustain wildlife with native plants by Prof Doug Tallamy [https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8971/9780881929928] Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Kelly Morse you might also enjoy this one from the archives:  Episode 58: A New Garden Ethic [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/podcast-32-a-new-garden-ethic-with-benjamin-vogt/] Sarah talks to garden designer and author Benjamin Vogt about his book A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future.  Benjamin writes in his book how it’s imperative that we take up a new style of gardening, a new garden ethic, and that we do so fast. Benjamin explains what it means for him to garden with every species in mind and what happens when we separate ourselves from the rest of our garden’s community. Benjamin Vogt runs Monarch Gardens, a prairie garden design practice. His own garden was named a top outdoor space of 2012 by Apartment Therapy and has been featured in Fine Gardening, Garden Design, Nebraska Life, the Omaha World Herald, the Lincoln Journal Star and on KOLN. Episode 218: Creating Wildlife Habitats [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-189-creating-wildlife-habitats/] This episode, my guest is Catherine Heatherington. Catherine is a garden designer and consultant and she’s the author of several books about landscape. Along with Alex Johnson, Catherine is a co-founder of Design Wild Associates, a design practice that encourages wildlife into even the smallest of urban spaces and Catherine and Alex have co-authored the recently released book ‘Habitat Creation in Garden Design’. Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]