S1 Ep 34: Why Pollination Matters: Biodiversity, Bigger Harvests and Better Blooms!

S1 Ep 37: Grow Your Own Cut Flower Garden with Sarah Grey

Cut-flower farmer Sarah Gray of Bloom & Gray joins Martha and Jamie for a practical tour of the cut-flower calendar. From when to start hardy annuals and what to sow now, why flowers should be picked before pollination, which flowers earn their place in a productive cutting patch, and Sarah also breaks a bouquet into five useful elements and chooses her top five plants if you'd like to grow a small cut flower bouquet bed. They also discuss soil blocking for flower seeds without plastic pots, the growing British flower movement and Jeanne Baret, the pioneering botanist now recognised as the first woman known to travel around the world. And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below: Zinnia Zinderella Peach: https://shegrowsveg.com/product/zinnia-zinderella-peach/ We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch: hello@homegrownpod.com Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin Artwork: Rare Studio ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

S1 Ep 36: Growing with the Seasons: Solstice, Bolting and Midsummer Magic

This week, Martha and Jamie mark midsummer by looking at the garden as a seasonal calendar. They explore the idea of growing using the Wheel of the Year, and explain why changing day length can tell plants when to grow, flower, bolt or form tubers, and how we can use that knowledge to grow better plants. There is practical advice on sowing kohlrabi, fennel, spinach, radishes and Asian greens after the solstice, plus midsummer foraging ideas with lime or linden, honeysuckle and St John's wort. Martha brings the folklore too, from bonfires and love potions to A Midsummer Night's Dream, fireflies and the strange feeling of the year's longest days. And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below: Kohlrabi Dyna: https://shegrowsveg.com/product/kohlrabi-dyna/ We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch: hello@homegrownpod.com Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin Artwork: Rare Studio ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

S1 Ep 35: Drought Proof Gardening: Mulch, Containers and Water Saving Tips

In this episode, Martha and Jamie share practical ways to drought proof your garden, from mulch, compost and hydrophobic soil, to container watering tips, dense planting advise, drought-tolerant crops and wildlife support. They also explore the power of earth smiles, swales, zai pits, and what drought stress actually does to plants and how to over come it. A practical episode full of tips, personal anecdotes, and advise for building healthier soil and stronger garden systems. And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below: Chicory Rose of Venice: https://shegrowsveg.com/product/chicory-rose-of-venice/ We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch: hello@homegrownpod.com Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin Artwork: Rare Studio ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

S1 Ep 34: Why Pollination Matters: Biodiversity, Bigger Harvests and Better Blooms!

In this Episode Martha and Jamie are talking all about the importance of pollination! from practical ways to improve pollination in your garden, to the strange science behind flowers, bees, hoverflies and even vanilla. They'll offer practical advice for how to maximise your harvests for popular crops such as courgettes and sweet corn, and what to do with tired bees, as well as providing tips for pollinator-friendly planting, and discuss why our gardens are vital food sources for wildlife. And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below: Courgette Pineapple: https://shegrowsveg.com/product/courgette-pineapple/ We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch: hello@homegrownpod.com Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin Artwork: Rare Studio ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

S1 Ep 33: June in the Garden: What to Sow, Grow and Do!

June is here, so in this episode Martha and Jamie are talking about what to sow, grow, harvest and notice in the garden this month. From swede, French beans, summer flowers and tomato leaf pesto, to Miriam Margolyes, edible hedges, bumblebee safaris and open gardens, this episode is packed with practical June gardening advice and seasonal plant stories. And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below: Swede Mirian: https://shegrowsveg.com/product/swede-marian/ We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch: hello@homegrownpod.com Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin Artwork: Rare Studio ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.