Growing Media

In this episode of The Gardener's Lodge Podcast, I'm joined by Jordan from The Shed Organics to explore the world of integrated pest management, and why everything you think you know about pests might be wrong. We dive into building resilient, healthy plants, working with nature instead of against it, and why a few aphids in your garden might actually be a good thing. From soil health to natural pest control strategies, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you grow a thriving, balanced garden without relying on chemicals. Jordans Soil Building Episode [https://podcasts.apple.com/fi/podcast/hands-in-the-soil-jordan-from-the-shed-organics/id1585572570?i=1000732751975] DESIGN STUDIO [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/uk-garden-design] GARDEN COACHING [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/gardencoaching] FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/free-perennial-garden-design-uk] FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload] ________ Episode Links: Jordans Website [https://www.theshedorganics.com.au/] Jordans Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theshedorganics] Jordans Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheShedOrganics] ________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge] The Gardener's Lodge Design & Media ©2026

I'm joined by lichenologist April Windle from The British Lichen Society to uncover the hidden world of lichens. What they are, how they grow, and why they're vital for biodiversity, air quality, and ecosystem health. We explore lichen identification, their role as bioindicators, and how they can even signal ancient woodlands and environmental change. We also touch on their cultural history, uses in natural dyes and medicine, and why gardeners should embrace lichens in their outdoor spaces. Plus, in Ask Mykal, I answer a common question about moss lawns and how to work with, rather than against, your garden conditions. DESIGN STUDIO [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/uk-garden-design] GARDEN COACHING [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/gardencoaching] FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/free-perennial-garden-design-uk] FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload] ________ Episode Links: April Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/aprilwindle.nature/] British Lichen Society Website [https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/] ________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge] The Gardener's Lodge Design & Media ©2026

The weeds in your local park? Some of them are dinner. This episode, I sit down with Leo Utton — the Barefoot Forager — a UK wild food expert and foraging workshop host working across Brighton and London. We dig into early spring edible plants, safe foraging practices, and the surprisingly rich history behind the wild foods growing all around us. Leo has a brilliant knack for bringing together old herbal texts and cutting-edge plant science, whether he's posting on social media or leading a group through the hedgerows. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned forager, this one's packed with seasonal inspiration. DESIGN STUDIO [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/uk-garden-design] GARDEN COACHING [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/gardencoaching] FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/free-perennial-garden-design-uk] FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload] ________ Episode Links: Leo's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thebarefootforager/]Leo's Website [https://www.barefootforager.com/]________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge] The Gardener's Lodge Design & Media ©2026

In this episode of The Gardener's Lodge podcast, Mykal sits down with Michael Marriott, one of the world's leading rosarians. After more than 35 years working with David Austin Roses, his voice and name have become synonymous with modern English roses. Michael's approach to growing roses is refreshingly simple, grounded in observation, practicality, and a deep respect for how plants naturally thrive. DESIGN STUDIO [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/uk-garden-design] GARDEN COACHING [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/gardencoaching] FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/free-perennial-garden-design-uk] FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload] ________ Episode Links: Roots and All Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rootsandallpod/] Roots and All Website [https://rootsandall.co.uk/] ________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge] The Gardener's Lodge Design & Media ©2026

Ever thought about sharing your garden online, but not quite known where to start? This episode is for you. Mykal sits down with Tom Coleman, a social media specialist working within the horticultural industry, to talk about how gardeners can show up online with confidence. From the do's and don'ts of posting your garden, to staying authentic and enjoying the process, this conversation goes beyond algorithms and focuses on sharing your love of plants in a way that feels natural and sustainable. Whether you're quietly posting for fun or thinking about growing a small following, this episode will help you feel more comfortable putting your garden out into the world. DESIGN STUDIO [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/uk-garden-design] GARDEN COACHING [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/gardencoaching] FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/free-perennial-garden-design-uk] FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload] ________ Episode Links: Tom's Website [https://www.imtomcoleman.com/]Tom's instagram [https://www.instagram.com/imtomcoleman/?hl=en]________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge] The Gardener's Lodge Design & Media ©2026

World-renowned planting designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin joins Mykal in the Lodge to talk all things planting design and reflect on a remarkable career in horticulture. Andrew is the founding director of the London College of Garden Design and a respected educator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. His career spans decades at the very highest level of the profession, including judging show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In this conversation, Andrew shares the hard-won knowledge and insight gathered throughout his career, much of which now forms the basis of his first book, The Modern Professional Planting Designer — an Amazon No.1 bestseller. DESIGN STUDIO [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/uk-garden-design] GARDEN COACHING [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/gardencoaching] FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/free-perennial-garden-design-uk] FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload] ________ Episode Links: Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer [https://andrewfishertomlin.com/]Andrews Instragram [https://www.instagram.com/fishertomlin/?hl=en] ________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge] Growing Media Production ©2025

Mykal is on a field trip this week to the Mountains Gourmet plot in the Mid Blue Mountains to visit Rhiannon Phillips, the founder of Mountains Gourmet. Rhiannon is passionate about supplying fresh, healthy, sustainably grown gourmet produce to her community. DESIGN STUDIO [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/uk-garden-design] GARDEN COACHING [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/gardencoaching] FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/free-perennial-garden-design-uk] FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload] ________ Episode Links: Mountains Gourmet Website [https://www.mountainsgourmet.com/] Mountains Gourmet Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mountainsgourmet] ________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge] Growing Media Production ©2025

Good Friend, Business woman & Tropical Terrarium expert Cass from Plant with Cass joins us in The Lodge to chat all about the wonders and ease of closed lid Terrariums. DESIGN STUDIO [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/uk-garden-design]GARDEN COACHING [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/gardencoaching]FREE PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/free-perennial-garden-design-uk] FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: DOWNLOAD [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload] ________ Episode Links: Plant With Cass website [https://www.plantwithcass.com/]Plant With Cass Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/plantwithcass/]________ Mykal's Links: thegardenerslodge.co.uk [https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/] Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge] Growing Media Production ©2025

Clancy Lester is an Australian Native Bee expert. Forget everything you thought you knew about bees. According to Clancy Lester, environmental educator and native bee researcher, the true heroes of Australia's pollination story aren't European honeybees, but thousands of native species that rarely get noticed—or understood. FREE NATIVE NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN DOWNLOAD: https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/freenativedesigndownload ________ Episode Links: Clancy's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beesandblossoms.aus/ Clancy's Website - https://nativebeehotels.com/ ________ Mykal's Links: Website - https://thegardenerslodge.co.uk/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegardenerslodgeuk/ Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thegardenerslodge Growing Media Production ©2025

Diego Bonetto, or otherwise known as theweedyone online is Australia's best known foraging expert having lead foraging workshops for more that 20 years. Diego and host Mykal chat about childhood farm life, fostering ecological empathy, the philosophy of foraging and his forthcoming book 'Eat Weeds: A field guide to foraging' CLICK HERE FOR PATREON [http://www.patreon.com/GrowingMediaAus] ________ Episode Links: www.diegobonetto.com [https://www.diegobonetto.com/] Eat Weeds - Diego's Book [https://www.diegobonetto.com/shop/eat-weeds-a-field-guide-to-foraging]Instagram @theweedyone [https://www.instagram.com/theweedyone/] ________ Mykal's Links: Instagram - @mykalhoare [https://www.instagram.com/mykalhoare/] Facebook - @mykalhoare [https://www.facebook.com/Mykalhoare] _______ Growing Media Links: Instagram - @Growingmediaaus [https://www.instagram.com/growingmediaaus/] Facebook - @Growingmediaaus [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingMediaAus]

Growing your own Christmas tree can be a rewarding for you as a gardener as it grows and prospers with you and your family year on year. Flying solo, host Mykal Hoare talks you though his guide for getting the most out of live potted Christmas trees. He shares his do's and don'ts for growing potted Christmas trees in Australia. CLICK HERE FOR PATREON [http://www.patreon.com/GrowingMediaAus] ________ Growing Media Links: GROWING MEDIA WEBSITE [https://www.bringthejungle.com.au/pages/growing-media-podcast]Instagram - @Growingmediaaus [https://www.instagram.com/growingmediaaus/] Facebook - @Growingmediaaus [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingMediaAus] _______ Mykal's Links: Instagram - @mykalhoare [https://www.instagram.com/mykalhoare/] Facebook - @mykalhoare [https://www.facebook.com/Mykalhoare]

Tom Bjorksten from Misty Creek Agroforestry in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is pushing the boundaries of carbon sequestration and exploring uncharted territory in the Australian agriculture industry. Join Tom and Host Mykal Hoare in conversation about his young Syntropic Agroforestry, his tree range meat chickens and the future in Community Supported Agriculture. CLICK HERE FOR PATREON [http://www.patreon.com/GrowingMediaAus] ________ Episode Links: www.mistycreekagroforestry.com.au [https://www.mistycreekagroforestry.com.au/] Misty Creek Agroforestry Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mistycreek.agroforestry/] ________ Growing Media Links: GROWING MEDIA WEBSITE [https://www.bringthejungle.com.au/pages/growing-media-podcast] Instagram - @Growingmediaaus [https://www.instagram.com/growingmediaaus/] Facebook - @Growingmediaaus [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingMediaAus] _______ Mykal's Links: Instagram - @mykalhoare [https://www.instagram.com/mykalhoare/]

'Farm It Forward' is a not-for-profit peri-urban farming social enterprise connecting landowners and local young people who are passionate about growing food. The project develops skills and creates training and job opportunities, while tackling social isolation and fostering community wellbeing. Join Host Mykal as he chats with 'Farm It Forward' coordinator Emmanuela Prigioni about community building through veggies. CLICK HERE FOR PATREON [http://www.patreon.com/GrowingMediaAus] ________ Episode Links: www.farmitforward.com.au [https://www.farmitforward.com.au/] Farm It Forward Spring Fundraiser [https://chuffed.org/project/help-us-continue-to-outgrow-the-status-quo] Farm It Forward Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/farmitforward/?hl=en] Emmanuela Prigioni instagram [https://www.instagram.com/emmanuelaprigioni/?hl=en] ________ Growing Media Links: GROWING MEDIA WEBSITE [https://www.bringthejungle.com.au/pages/growing-media-podcast] Instagram - @Growingmediaaus [https://www.instagram.com/growingmediaaus/] Facebook - @Growingmediaaus [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingMediaAus] _______ Mykal's Links: Instagram - @mykalhoare [https://www.instagram.com/mykalhoare/] Facebook - @mykalhoare [https://www.facebook.com/Mykalhoare]