Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

I’m joined by designer Will Tomson, whose work blends creativity with a deep commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. We chat about some of his exciting projects involving recycled aggregates, who inspires him, his Talking Plants events which he runs with Amy Langron and Katy Merrington, plus we lift the lid on a new and exciting event happening this September for anyone interested in practical, hands-on gardening tips from the best in the game.  Links Talking Plants website www.talkingplantssheffield.co.uk [http://www.talkingplantssheffield.co.uk/] Talking plants instagram @talking_plants_sheffield Symposium tickets [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-plants-digging-into-the-detail-tickets-1414290383609] Creative Cultivation website [https://www.creativecultivation.co.uk] Will Tomson/Creative Cultivation instagram @creativecultivation [https://www.instagram.com/creativecultivation/?hl=en] Amy Langron @amy_langron_landscapes [https://www.instagram.com/amy_langron_landscape/?hl=en] Katy Merrington @katymerrington [https://www.instagram.com/katymerrington/?hl=en] Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 222: Nature from the Rubble — I’m speaking to landscape architect Sally Bower. Sally has just been awarded the main RHS prize for her Bursary Report titled ‘Nature Rising from the Rubble’ which looks at gravel and recycled aggregate gardens in Essex and London. Specifically, Sally looked at John Little’s Hilldrop garden, RHS Hyde Hall, Beth Chatto’s gravel garden, the Langdon Nature Discovery Car Park and the Horniman Museum Grasslands garden and her findings were invaluable if you’re interested in designing with or growing in these types of media, and Sally had some surprising findings of note too.  Listen here [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/nature-from-the-rubble/] Episode 239: Growing Biodiversity with Benny Hawksbee — My guest this week is gardener Benny Hawksbee. Benny has a background in biology and gardens with one eye on biodiversity. His projects include the Eden Nature Garden, a community garden designed to be a haven for people and wildlife, and John Little’s garden in Essex. We talk about how Benny brings biology and ecology into his work, what we can all do to garden for wildlife whilst reducing our input in terms of resources and how we can involve the community in building and using gardens that work for everyone.  Listen here [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/growing-biodiversity/] Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall] And follow Roots and All: On Instagram @rootsandallpod [https://www.instagram.com/rootsandallpod/] On Facebook @rootsandalluk [https://www.facebook.com/rootsandalluk/] On LinkedIn @rootsandall [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rootsandall/?viewAsMember=true]

Pat Thomas is Director of Beyond GM, and we explore the hidden realities of GMOs, the implications of new "Precision Breeding" legislation, and how these changes could affect gardeners, small-scale growers, and our food future. From campaigns like Stop Hidden GMOs to looking at the global landscape regarding GMO policies, Pat offers essential insights and practical advice on where to learn more and how to take action. Links You can help fund the legal case by donating at CrowdJustice [https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-hidden-gmos/] Check out the Stop Hidden GMOs website [https://stophiddengmos.uk/] for more information Read more about GMOs at Beyond GM [https://beyond-gm.org/] Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 338: Real Organic vs Regenerative Farming — I’m joined by Dave Chapman, host of the US chart-topping Real Organic Podcast. We dive into the rise of “regenerative” as the latest industry buzzword, the troubling reality of corporate consolidation in agriculture, and how antitrust issues are threatening the future of truly organic food. We also explore the key differences between organic food markets in the U.S. and the EU—and what they might mean for growers and consumers alike. Listen here. [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/real_organic_regenerative_farming/] 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. Listen here. [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-179-ecological-gardens-with-sid-hill/] Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]

Lee Miller lived many lives—model, surrealist, war correspondent—but it was in the kitchen and garden at Farleys House that she found a kind of peace after the chaos. In this episode, Lee’s granddaughter Ami Bouhassane discusses her book Lee Miller: A Life with Food, Friends and Recipes, and offers an intimate portrait of her grandmother’s postwar years. We explore how cooking became a creative outlet, the mystery of the unpublished Entertaining Freezer, and the role of the garden in shaping Lee’s later life. Links Lee Miller Archives (official site [https://www.leemiller.co.uk]) – Explore her life as a surrealist, model, war correspondent, photographer, and gourmet cook, with access to archives, exhibitions, and images. Farleys House & Gallery (official site) [https://www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk] – Visit the Sussex home and sculpture garden of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, with information on guided house tours, seasonal exhibitions, and booking details. Other episodes if you liked this one: Episode 324: “Kitchen Garden Living” with Bailey Van Tassel [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/kitchen%E2%80%91garden%E2%80%91living/] — we dig into the art of seasonal, sustainable kitchen gardening, echoing Lee Miller’s own relationship with her garden at Farleys House.  Episode 328: “Soil, Health & Nutrition” featuring Sam Hamrebtan [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/soil%E2%80%91health%E2%80%91and%E2%80%91nutrition/] — an exploration of how growing practices shape the nutrient quality of our food, beautifully complementing our discussion of Lee’s experimental cooking.  Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]

Writer and naturalist Julian Hoffman joins me for a dive into his latest book Lifelines, exploring the fragile beauty of threatened landscapes, the deep connections between wildlife and culture, and what it means to belong—to a place, to a species, to a song. From regent honeyeaters losing their voices to the shifting borders that divide both people and animals, Julian shares stories that remind us of what’s at stake, and what still remains. Links www.julianhoffman.com [https://julian-hoffman.com/] Julian on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jhoffmanprespa/?hl=en] Other episodes if you liked this one: 🎧 Episode 53: “Irreplaceable” with Julian Hoffman In this earlier visit, Julian explores the imperative of protecting wild landscapes and the deep human-place connections that motivate conservation efforts. We dive into the loss of habitats and the meaning of biodiversity for future generations 🔗 Listen here: https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-53-irreplaceable-with-julian-hoffman/ 🎧 Episode 197: “Britain’s Birds” with Benedict Macdonald  Naturalist, conservationist and writer Benedict Macdonald. Benedict has recently released a new book ‘Cornerstones’, which talks about how by restoring cornerstone species we can help turn around the current impoverished state of nature in the UK. His previous book ‘Rebirding’ was how I first came to know of his work and I’ve been a great admirer of his work ever since. We talk about the numbers of UK birds, how land management needs to change in order to stop the loss of species in this country and what we can do at a garden level to make changes. 🔗 Listen here: https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-168-britains-birds-with-benedict-macdonald/ [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/episode-168-britains-birds-with-benedict-macdonald/] Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]

Episode 342: Healsville Sanctuary: Creating Habitats Luke Boyle is the Horticulture Manager at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia—a leading conservation zoo nestled in native bushland, dedicated to protecting and showcasing Australia’s unique wildlife. We chat about the incredible work Luke and his team are doing to ensure the sanctuary is not just a safe and enriching haven for animals, but also an inspiring and welcoming place for human visitors. Links * Healesville Sanctuary – Official site (Zoos Victoria) Discover updates on their conservation projects, visitor information, and how to support their wildlife work: https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/ [https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/] * Zoos Victoria “Fighting Extinction” Program Learn how Healesville Sanctuary is part of statewide efforts to protect and recover threatened species through breeding, habitat restoration, and research: https://www.zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction/ [https://www.zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction/zoo.org.au+6zoo.org.au+6en.wikiped] * Helmeted Honeyeater Release (May 2025) Read about the recent release of critically endangered helmeted honeyeaters from Healesville into the wild—an inspiring milestone in their breeding program: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/09/helmeted-honeyeater-release-healesville-sanctuary-cardinia-south-east-victoria-breed-wild-population [https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/09/helmeted-honeyeater-release-healesville-sanctuary-cardinia-south-east-victoria-breed-wild-population] About Luke Boyle After completing a gardening apprenticeship at Swinburne University, Luke worked with various landscapers and gardeners and also at a local council managing reserves and remnant vegetation. Studying landscape design and construction at night school as well as a short course run by the national Trust called Save the Bush, inspired him to look at the protection and restoration of bushland as a career. Luke started at Healesville sanctuary in 1993 where he is the Curator of Horticulture presently Other episodes if you liked this one: 🍃 Episode 329: Wildlife Gardening, Australia Style Summary: Sarah Wilson speaks with AB Bishop, an expert in Australian native plants and wildlife-friendly gardens. They explore how thoughtful garden design—using local species, layered planting, and wildlife features—can create rich habitats that echo the mission of Healesville Sanctuary. 🔗 Listen here [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/wildlife-gardening-australia-style/] 🍃 Episode 332: Garden Wildlife Ponds Summary: Sarah chats with Pete Case from the Freshwater Habitats Trust about establishing garden ponds that serve as crucial wildlife refuges. They cover design tips, ecological benefits, and how even small water features can support biodiversity—paralleling the conservation focus at Healesville. 🔗 Listen here [https://rootsandall.co.uk/podcast/garden-wildlife-ponds/] Please support the podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall]