10 fabulous podcasts for the gardener

PODCASTS are a great way to take in new information and broaden your knowledge.

You can enjoy them while you are relaxing, on a walk, or even when you are outside gardening, farming, and taking in nature.

With all these aforementioned activities working very closely together, here are my top 10 podcasts to do with all things outdoors:

1. Gardening with the R.H.S

Trusted gardening professionals from the Royal Horticultural Society offer seasonal advice, inspiration, and practical solutions to gardening problems. 

With each podcast about half an hour long, great discussions are had on a broad range of topics, from what is that weed to boosting your soil health, to forest gardening.

2. Talking Gardens

This podcast was created by the team behind the renowned magazine Gardens Illustrated. The host, Stephanie Mahon, interviews like-minded experts in the horticultural field about the gardens they work in and what details could be found within their dream garden. Fergus Garrett, Tom Stuart-Smith, and Alice Vincent all feature on the series, to name but a few. 

These 30-40-minute podcasts are an ideal listen on a relaxed Sunday morning while sipping a cup of coffee.

3. Farming for Nature

Another great podcast, Farming for Nature has produced a series of podcasts by farmers broadly providing an overview of an array of ways to make space for nature on the farm. 

These topics range from ‘Working with nature to benefit a micro dairy’ to ‘How to entice barn owls to your farm’. This thought-provoking podcast is a must listen for nature lovers.

4. The Organic Gardening Podcast

For those with a keen interest in the world of organics, a topic which has become more prevalent in recent years, this is the podcast for you! You will receive advice and tips from the UK’s leading organic gardeners which can then be put into practice in your own organic garden, no matter how big or small.

5. The Signpost Series

This is the podcast version of the Signpost Series webinars. Hosted by Teagasc, these on-trend and topical podcasts discuss the pathway to a more environmentally friendly way of farming. 

Through the power of podcasts, the topics discussed in the webinars have reached a broader audience of farmers and those with an interest in agriculture.

6. BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast

This podcast does exactly what it says on the tin! It is also hosted by the presenters of the world famous TV show Gardeners World. From the greener gardener to the gardening expert, this podcast is sure to provide some nifty tips and tricks as it moves into a broad range of themes in a fun and uplifting manner. Presenter Adam Frost and food director of BBC Good Food, Cassie Best feature periodically, creating delicious meals with produce taken straight from plot to plate.

7. Organic Matters

Hannah Quinn-Mulligan, an Irish organic farmer, hosts interviews with fellow farmers and others in the organic industry at home on their farms and businesses around the country. 

She dives into the reasons behind turning organic from a high-pressured commercial environment. 

Hannah uses this podcast to promote organic farming and discusses ways of promoting organics further with those she interviews.

8. Bee keeping - Short and Sweet

These short episodes are geared towards bee keepers and those with an interest in bee keeping. Though it may not be for everyone, bee keeping has become more popular due to the publicity surrounding the critical status of bees, making this podcast and the information shared by Stewart Spinks of the utmost importance. Stewart is a mentor to thousands of bee keepers worldwide through the power of social media.

9. Master My Garden Podcast

This is the most popular Irish gardening podcast in recent times. The timing of its popularity coincided with people having more time in their gardens during the global pandemic. With new episodes weekly, the host, John Jones tackles listeners’ questions, answering them in a simplistic and understandable way. 

One of my personal favourite episodes is number 157, with Kitty Scully, co presenter of current TV show Home Grown. 

Kitty has had a diverse career in organic horticulture and is always great for sharing the knowledge she has gained along her travels.

10. On The Ledge

On the Ledge is a podcast all about indoor gardening. The benefits of it are many, especially if that is the only place you have to garden. But those participating in indoor gardening may find success harder to attain than in an outdoor setting. Presenter Jane Perrone has had a keen interest in house plants since a young age and covers all matter that one can think of when it comes to indoor plants, through this podcast that has been running now for almost six years.

Whatever platform you get your podcasts from, have a listen to one or two of the above mentioned this weekend and see what draws you in for more. 

Share the ones you like with family and friends and let’s spread the love of all things outdoors, and in a small way gain knowledge on how to make our outdoors a better and more enjoyable place to be for all.

Working in the garden can be a solitary activity and having some company in the form of an interesting podcast providing information about a particular topic is a great way of gaining new information while immersed in all those seasonal jobs! Happy Spring Gardening!