The Newt Podcast

S2:E9 The Great Garden Show Question Time

On Saturday 16 May, we welcomed renowned gardening experts Alan Titchmarsh, Marian Boswall, Charles Dowding, Tony Kirkham and Matthew Pottage to field questions from visitors inside the Story of Gardening. Recorded in front of a live audience at The Great Garden Show 2026, this special episode is hosted by our very own head gardener, Harry Baldwin, who leads a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation with five of the UK’s most respected horticultural voices. From practical gardening advice and planting philosophies to reflections on nature, design, and the gardens they nurture themselves, this lively discussion is packed with insight, humour, and personal stories for gardeners of every level.   The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/] and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. [https://www.sound-matters.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/buy-membership] to visit our estate yourself, stay the night [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/hotel], or shop The Newt [https://shop.thenewtinsomerset.com/uk]online.  Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/partner-gardens] and inspirational Sister Estates [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/sister-estates]. Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset [https://www.instagram.com/thenewtinsomerset]

S2:E8 Voices of the Garden

Ahead of The Newt's inaugural Great Garden Show 9th-17th May 2026, we take you into the gardens to meet the team members getting their areas ready to show off their splendour.  Voices featured:  * Head Gardener, Harry Baldwin * Espalier fruit trainer, Henry Thurgood * Colour gardens lead, Joe Dransfield * Victorian terrace lead, Deanne Lewis * Head of Ornamental Gardens, Andy Apples The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/] and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. [https://www.sound-matters.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/buy-membership] to visit our estate yourself, stay the night [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/hotel], or shop The Newt [https://shop.thenewtinsomerset.com/uk]online.  Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/partner-gardens] and inspirational Sister Estates [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/sister-estates]. Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset [https://www.instagram.com/thenewtinsomerset]

S2:E7 Compost of The Newt

Pete Olley, Head of Compost at The Newt, takes us on an exploratory journey into the heart of The Newt's compost heaps. We begin in the prunings, clippings, peelings and coffee grounds and end in the 'black gold' so coveted by gardeners and growers alike. Pete explains the processes at work, how to compost 'like a Newt', the keys to success, tips on how to get started at home, and what happens to all the kitchen waste that you put in your 'food waste bin' that is collected on recycling days. The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/] and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. [https://www.sound-matters.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/buy-membership] to visit our estate yourself, stay the night [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/hotel], or shop The Newt [https://shop.thenewtinsomerset.com/uk]online.  Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/partner-gardens] and inspirational Sister Estates [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/sister-estates]. Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset [https://www.instagram.com/thenewtinsomerset]

S2:E6 Buffalo of The Newt

Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), form an important part of the Newt’s farm. Their milk is used by Margaretha Van Dam, the Newt’s Head Cheesemaker, for the signature cheeses made in the Creamery at Castle Cary railway station, a couple of miles from The Newt’s HQ. Cameron Knee, The Newt’s Farm Manager, takes us on a tour around the buffalo farm and brings us mic-to-nose with these remarkable, fascinating, gentle giants. We join Cameron and his team at milking-time in the milking-parlour, then follow the milk’s journey to the Creamery. The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/] and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. [https://www.sound-matters.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/buy-membership] to visit our estate yourself, stay the night [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/hotel], or shop The Newt [https://shop.thenewtinsomerset.com/uk]online.  Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/partner-gardens] and inspirational Sister Estates [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/sister-estates]. Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset [https://www.instagram.com/thenewtinsomerset]

S2:E5 Jim The Gamekeeper

Jim Pitcher, Gamekeeper of The Newt, introduces us to the animals of the estate - some familiar, and others less so. Jim has worked on the estate for decades, and has watched how it has changed over all those years. He has also seen how the English landscape has changed in those years and shares his insights about wildlife management and countryside traditions. Come ear to beak with a menagerie of extraordinary birds, hear the thunder of deer hooves and the gentle wisdom of a true countryman. The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/] and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. [https://www.sound-matters.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/buy-membership] to visit our estate yourself, stay the night [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/hotel], or shop The Newt [https://shop.thenewtinsomerset.com/uk]online.  Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/partner-gardens] and inspirational Sister Estates [https://thenewtinsomerset.com/sister-estates]. Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset [https://www.instagram.com/thenewtinsomerset]