Two Good Gardeners

For their season finale, Dan and Julia talk to Becky Fincham and Millie Souter from The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health, the non-profit initiative set up by Tom & Sue Stuart-Smith around their family home in Hertfordshire. Inspired by Sue Stuart-Smith's bestselling book, 'The Well Gardened Mind', Becky leads a host of programmes that introduce local schools, community groups, charities and cancer survivors to gardening. Becky is joined by Millie Souter, Head Gardener for the renowned Plant Library at the Tom Stuart-Smith Studio. Millie takes care of 2000 varieties of herbaceous plants and low shrubs, plus 500 different bulbs, set out in a grid system. We find out how plants earn a place in the library and how gardeners and plant enthusiasts can make use of this world-class resource. Also in this episode, Julia explains how to collect and store your own seeds, and Dan discovers a fun way to personalise your gardening gear.Website links:More about the Serge Hill ProjectBook tickets for the Serge Hill Plant FairMore about Sue Stuart Smith's Book, 'The Well Gardened Mind'Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tucked away on the embankment, the Inner Temple Garden has a long and impressive history, including a time when it hosted what is now called the Chelsea Flower Show. In this episode, Dan and Julia chat with Sean Harkin, the Head Gardener, about how he and his team have made the garden a wildlife-friendly, award-winning space while honouring its horticultural roots. In a full-circle moment, we hear that the Inner Temple will host a brand-new plant fair on Sunday, 31st May, 2026. Dan also introduces new plant-based gardening gloves for summer, and Julia shares tips on how to do the Chelsea Chop.Website links:The Inner Temple Garden websiteAdvance tickets for the Plant Fairs Roadshow at the Inner Temple on 31st May 2026Dan Cooper GardenDonkey Gloves Bamboo Gardening GlovesParker's PatchHow to do the Chelsea ChopExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chillies are prized for the heat and flavour they bring to cuisines all over the world. In this episode, your hosts talk to Clare Kennett of Clare's Chillies about what makes them so addictive and how to grow them successfully at home. Clare shares her top tips for success and common pitfalls when growing these fiery fruits. Also in this episode, Dan recommends a wildflower seed mix that can help restore the natural health of your soil, and Julia describes how to grow one of the chilli family's milder members, the Padron. As always, there's a list of jobs to do in your garden over the next fortnight and news of what Dan and Julia will be getting up to over the coming fortnight.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenWildflower Seeds for Soil HealthParker's PatchClare's Chillies on FacebookClare's Chillies on InstagramPlant Fairs Roadshow at Ramster Hall GardensExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, your hosts find out how Steve Edney and Lou Dowle of The No Name Nursery have created a stunning 3-acre garden-nursery that operates off the beaten track and entirely without mains services. The plant-loving partners share insights into how they garden off-grid and cultivate a wide variety of plants for sale as bare-rooted plants. Also in this episode, Julia describes how to grow your own ginger from supermarket-bought rhizomes, and Dan extols the benefits of Traditional Garden Growers, an innovative range of mulches and plant foods made principally from wool and straw. Your hosts round off with a list of jobs you can do in your garden over the next fortnight, and a reminder that the next Plant Fairs Roadshow event takes place at the Horniman Museum on Saturday, 4th April 2026.Steve's 'must have' aster - "Doellingeria umbellata". Flat-topped asterWebsite links:Dan Cooper GardenTraditional Garden Growers RangeParker's PatchThe No Name NurseryExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan and Julia look back on 2025 with a lighthearted New Year Quiz packed with laughs and unexpected revelations. Discover which fungus Dan would describe himself as, and what weed he would munch to treat gout - don't try this at home! Julia proves she knows her Niwaki, but not her onions and can't remember what lurked in her granny's drawers. Listen carefully, and all will be revealed! The episode ends with the announcement of an exciting new sponsor for Series 7, The Plant Fairs Roadshow. To find out where they'll be stopping this year, keep scrolling down. Two Good Gardeners will return in late February/early March 2026 with eight additional episodes featuring brand-new guests and many brilliant gardening tips.PLANT FAIRS ROADSHOW 2026SNOWDROP & EARLY SPRING1 February, 11am-3pm Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent TN17 4JASPRING22 March, 10:30am-3:30pm Hever Castle, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG4 April, 11am-4pm Horniman Museum & Gardens, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ19 April, 10am-5pm Arundel Castle & Gardens, Arundel, W. Sussex BN18 9PA26 April, 10am-3pm Ramster Gardens, Godalming, Surrey GU8 4SN10 May, 10am-3pm Borde Hill Gardens, Haywards Heath, W. Sussex RH16 1XP31 May, 11am-4pm NEW! The Inner Temple Garden, Temple/Blackfriars, London EC4Y 7HLSUMMER7 June, 9am-4pm NEW! Chiswick Flower Market, Old Market Place, Chiswick High Rd, London W4 2DR14 June, 11am-4pm Benington Lordship Gardens, Stevenage, Herts. SG2 7BS28 June, 10:30am-3:30pm EXTRA DATE! Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG5 July, 12pm-5pm Parham House & Gardens, Storrington RH20 4HR26 July, 11am-4pm ADVANCE PURCHASE ONLY The Serge Hill Project, Featherbed Ln, Herts. WD5 ORTAUTUMN5 September, 11am-4pm EXTRA DATE! Horniman Museum & Gardens, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ13 September, 10am-3pm West Dean Gardens, Chichester, W. Sussex PO18 ORX20 September, 10am-3pm Borde Hill Gardens, Haywards Heath, W. Sussex RH16 1XP27 September, 11am-4pm Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham, Kent ME13 9TXWebsite links:Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchPlant Fairs RoadshowExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Cross is a 4th-generation flower grower and the proprietor of Crosslands Flower Nursery. Specialising in the cultivation of alstroemerias for the cut-flower trade, Ben is one of a diminishing number of commercial growers in the UK. Dan and Julia find out why the big supermarkets aren't supporting British growers and where our cut flowers really come from - you might be surprised! Along the way, they learn how easy alstroemerias are to grow in your own garden or greenhouse, so why not have a go?Jobs for the fortnightMany seed and bulb merchants are releasing their new catalogues and plant lists now. Place orders early for any unusual varieties that might sell out quickly.Add a thick layer of nutritious compost to your vegetable beds. If you’re unlikely to be doing much gardening between now and spring, you might want to cover them with cardboard to stop weeds from germinating.Get your tulip bulbs in any time between now and Christmas, but don’t forget about them. If you need to keep them for a while, make sure they’re somewhere cool, dry, dark and well ventilated, so they don’t go mouldy.Protect and stake your brassicas - Brussels and broccoli are prone to leaning over or snapping in high winds. Support emerging broad beans sown outside and keep an eye out for peckish pigeons.Check apples stored last month for signs of rotting, and remove any blemished ones immediately. Don’t worry if you still have apples to pick.Tidy up strawberry plants and pot up any baby plants sent out on runnersBuild new compost bins to accommodate the massive volume of leaves, weeds and cleared vegetation that need somewhere to go at the end of the year Clean bird baths and top up bird feeders.It’s the final window to plant autumn onion and shallot sets, and get ready for garlic next month.Prune apple and pear trees from now until the end of February before new growth starts.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchCrosslands Flower NurseryTo order Ben's alstroemerias, drop him a line at crosslandsflowernursery@gmail.comExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan and Julia talk to Rose Armstrong of McBeans Orchids, one of Britain's oldest and most illustrious nurseries. Your hosts discover what makes orchids such a vast and successful plant family and what's needed to grow and propagate them successfully at home. Before you ask, rainwater IS required, so get collecting now! Later in the episode, Julia explains how to overwinter your favourite chilli plants, and Dan describes the difference between bypass and anvil secateurs. As always, there's a handy reminder of the jobs you can be doing in your garden over the next fortnight to round off.Jobs for the fortnightMulch around the base of plants and over empty beds and borders. Over winter, worms will busily pull the organic matter into the soil, improving its structure. Collect leaves and add them to your compost heap, or pack them into jute sacks. They’ll slowly decompose to make leaf mould—one of the most precious ingredients in good compost. Shredding them will make them break down faster.Brush paths with coarse sand or use a jet washer to remove moss and algae, which can become slippery when wet or icy.In exposed gardens, reduce the height of tall shrubs such as roses, buddleia, and lavatera to prevent them from rocking in high winds. For the same reason, newly planted trees should be staked low down.Turn off the water supply to outdoor taps and drain hosepipes before storing them. Install a water butt if you need a ready supply of water over winter.If you’ve experienced blight, black spot, rust, or mildew this season, it's essential to remove and destroy any infected plant matter. Cutting off this year’s hellebore leaves is a good idea, allowing an uncluttered view of the nodding blooms in spring.Take a walk around the garden and inspect the large shrubs and trees, noting any branches that appear as if they might fall. Remove them yourself using loppers or a pruning saw if you feel able. If in doubt, call an arborist for a second opinion and to carry out the work. Do the same exercise for fences, garden buildings and ornamental structures, such as pergolas. Give the lawn one last cut, avoiding emerging bulbs - some early-flowering varieties can appear above ground well before Christmas.Order and plant bare-rooted plants. This is one of the cheapest and most environmentally friendly ways to create a hedge, rose garden, orchard or woodland area. Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchMcBean's OrchidsExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dan and Julia chat with Toby Shaull of Zophian Plants about his journey from pro-skateboarder and carpenter to specialist plantsman and pioneer of alternative growing mediums. Toby is part of a new generation of nurserymen gently nudging small-scale, commercial horticulture into the 21st Century.Toby will be offering plants for sale at these forthcoming events;Plant Fairs Roadshow at Mount Ephraim Gardens, Kent - Sunday, 28th September 2025Great Dixter Plant Fair - Saturday, 4th and Sunday, 5th October 2025Jobs to do in your garden this fortnightKeep deadheading dahlias and give them a potassium-rich liquid feed to boost flower production; this will also help maintain their vibrant colours as the weather cools.Prepare hyacinths and narcissi for Christmas by potting them up in peat-free compost before popping them in a cool, dark place until new growth is 5-6cm long.Bring houseplants inside that were evicted for the summer. Remove dead or damaged leaves and check underneath the pots for slugs and snails.It’s your last chance to cut topiary and hedges before winter.Order overwintering onion sets and plant them this month or next. Nudge them into the ground with their tips just protruding.Remove greenhouse shading.Tidy tomato plants by cutting off leaves that shade any fruits still left to ripen. It’s still relatively warm, so tomatoes will continue to grow if they receive enough light.Freeze any excess fruit if you are short on time; tomatoes and berries can be frozen whole.Divide older or very large rhubarb crowns to create new plants; this will also rejuvenate the existing crowns.Order sweet pea seeds, these can be sown in the autumn or next spring, often, the best varieties sell out quickly.Dan's featured products:Signature Potting Trowel - perfect for filling pots with compost and a lovely gift for keen propagators.Signature Slim Transplanting Trowel - ideal for moving self-seeders and planting small bulbs. Minimises disturbance of neighbouring plants.Signature Disc Weeder - a round 'Hori Hori' for cultivating, weeding, scraping off moss, clearing gutters and removing weeds from cracks in paving.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchZophian Plants InstagramExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last episode of this series, your hosts, Dan Cooper and Julia Parker, talk to Guy Watts and Jason Gilford of Architectural Plants about what makes the perfect sculptural specimen, the challenges of running a nursery during a heatwave, and how much risk to take when choosing borderline hardy plants. Julia shares her favourite architectural edibles, and Dan recommends mini shears for creating prize-winning Niwaki - all will be revealed when you listen!Two Good Gardeners will return in Autumn 2025 for a sixth series - subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts for updates and special bonus episodes.Website links:Architectural Plants WebsiteDan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchBook Tickets to listen to Julia in conversation with Marian Boswall on 22nd JulyExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dan & Julia chat to Lorraine Caley of Caley Brothers, gold medal-winning mushroom growers. Lorraine and her sister, Jodie, have built a thriving business by running mushroom-growing workshops and selling mushroom kits, gaining fame with their eye-catching, intriguing displays of edible fungi at the Chelsea Flower Show. If you don't know a lot about fungi, listening to this interview is a must! Later in the episode, Julia shares her experience of growing oyster mushrooms using a kit, and Dan suggests ten things you can do in your garden over the next fortnight. Here's a reminder:Jobs to do this fortnightPlan spring bulb displays for autumn planting, succession planting for late summer colour and cropping. Arrange for someone to water your garden if you’re planning a holiday in July or August.Sow annual flowers for an extended season of colour, salads for summer, vegetables for autumn cropping, all the autumn and winter-picking brassicas and biennial flowers to bloom next spring. Plant container-grown shrubs, roses, perennials and climbers. Summer bedding and dahlias. Plant up containers of all shapes and sizes.Prune early-spring-flowering shrubs, taking care not to disturb nesting birds.Harvest asparagus, broad beans, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, mint, parsley, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, spring cabbage, spring onions, strawberries, gooseberries, and elderflowers.Pick - peonies, roses, delphiniums, lupins, alstroemeria, sweet peas, lavender. Please give them a long drink in a bucket of cold water before arranging.Buy - plants that fill the ‘June gap’, young vegetable plants, bedding plants, peat-free compost for containers, tomato and lawn food, liquid seaweed and weeding tools. It might also be a good time to invest in a new hose or watering can.Enjoy the early mornings and long, light evenings, the increasing temperatures, and strawberries and gooseberries eaten straight from the plant.Visit - open gardens and nurseries across the country, but especially those specialising in roses. Website links:Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchCaley Brothers' websiteExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dan and Julia talk to Charlotte Denne of Kent Wildflower Seeds about her family business, growing native wildflowers in your garden, and the groundbreaking exhibit she's taking to the Chelsea Flower Show. We learn how wildflower seeds are produced for sale and which are best suited to beds, containers and meadow areas. Julia highlights the many wildflowers you can eat and throws in some cultivated ones for good measure, while Dan suggests two products to help create the perfect seedbed for outdoor sowing. Your hosts conclude with a list of jobs to do in your garden and share what they're getting up to over the next fortnight.If you notice a little background noise during this podcast, that's Julia's builders working around the clock to complete her new extension! We hope the sound of busy tradesmen won't impact your enjoyment of this uplifting episode.Jobs to do in the garden this fortnightRegularly water direct-sown seeds, including wildflowers, new plantings and containers.Sow biennials, eg dianthus barbatus, hesperis & digitalis.Chelsea Flower Show week is a good week to cut back herbaceous perennials and herbs. This will extend the flowering season and produce more growth.Feed strawberry plants in flower and make sure they are watered regularly.Throw netting over strawberries and other soft fruit.Divide houseplants that are getting too big.It's a good time to propagate spider plants, monstera, coleus and philodendrons.Sow more salads, beetroot, radish, peas and spring onions for later crops.Earth up potatoesPlant out sweetcorn or sow if you have not started yet.Watch out for pests namely, lily beetle, asparagus beetle and box moth caterpillar, all three can destroy overnight.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's article on sowing a wildflower meadowDan's article on the Chelsea ChopParker's PatchKent Wildflower Seeds WebsiteExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dan & Julia talk to Katie Derham, BBC Radio 3 broadcaster, Queen of the Proms, and Strictly Come Dancing finalist, about how she combines her love of gardening and music. Julia grows tomatoes from shop-bought fruit, and Dan shares alternative Easter gift ideas. Your hosts round off with a list of jobs to do in your garden over the Easter holidays.Katie's Instagram account - https://www.instagram.com/thekatiederhamMusic in Bloom on BBC Radio 3 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001yr8jDan's alternative Easter gift ideas - https://www.dancoopergarden.com/collections/easterWebsite links:Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchKew WakehurstExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, Dan and Julia set the scene for Series 5 of Two Good Gardeners. They share what caught their eye at the Garden Press Event in February and what hot topics are coming up later in the spring. Listen to find out whether Dan can speak Cornish and how Julia managed to break her nose.Episode 1 will be released on Friday, March 28th 2025Dan's article:Heritage vegetables - what they are and why you should grow them Website links:Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchProduced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.