In this bonus episode of The Dirt, the GYO team talk favourite veg for the Christmas table, ideal gardening gifts and reflections on the 2022 season. With a ridiculous party game and cracker jokes, it's packed full of cheer that will certainly

The whole point of gardening is to experiment and learn from your mistakes, says Mark Dwelly

Dec 2nd, 2022 39m 41s

This week, we're joined by Mark Dwelly, head gardener at Audley Stanbridge Earls. Mark explains how he landed his fulfilling career, as well as some handy time and money saving hacks that you could put to use on your own plot. Plus, the GYO tea

There’s something about that feeling of being cocooned in the polytunnel, says Hannah Bates

Nov 25th, 2022 44m 38s

This week, the team is joined by senior horticulturist and tutor for The Therapy Garden, Hannah Bates. Hannah discusses the mindful nature of certain tasks in the garden, as well as how everyone makes their mark on growing spaces.Plus, the t

Instead of a beekeeper, I’m a bee host, says Kevin Hancock, founder of the Gardener’s Beehive

Nov 18th, 2022 1h 1m

On this episode of The Dirt, we're chatting to Kevin Hancock, founder of the Gardener's Beehive. Kevin tells us all about his Eco-Beehive invention and why gardeners all over the country love it. He also shares fascinating information about hon

It’s my dirty little secret that I’m not very good at seed sowing, says Pollyanna Wilkinson

Nov 11th, 2022 42m 22s

This week, we're joined by multi-award-winning garden designer Pollyanna Wilkinson. Polly explains her fascinating career change to garden design, as well as some hilarious growing mishaps that have given her the confidence and insight to creat

The garden has so many faces, and you can love them all, says the RSPB’s Adrian Thomas

Nov 4th, 2022 54m 51s

This week on The Dirt, we are joined by the RSPB's wildlife gardening expert, Adrian Thomas, who shows us that gardening for wildlife can take many different forms and can suit your own plot style. He also highlights that you never know what yo

Anyone who can grow a cauliflower deserves a medal, says Kathy Slack

Oct 28th, 2022 51m 5s

This week, we're joined by food writer, stylist, photographer and kitchen gardener Kathy Slack, who celebrates the rewards of bringing crops from the plot to the plate. With talk of supper clubs, gluts and a pig romance involving pumpkins, it's

The way I garden is rooted in letting go of control, says Poppy Okotcha

Sep 16th, 2022 39m 39s

This week we’re joined by ecological home grower Poppy Okotcha, who tells all about her special relationship with her garden, and her mission to treat this space with the love and respect it deserves. Plus, the GYO team chat about the menta

Gardening cuts across all ages and cultures, says Mark Ridsdill Smith

Sep 2nd, 2022 39m 43s

This week we’re joined by gardening author and container growing expert, Mark Ridsdill Smith, who tells all about his inner city gardening journey, and how to get great harvests from any space. Plus, the GYO team chat weather, and smart upc

On the farm we’ve achieved the full sustainable cycle, says chef Clodagh McKenna

Aug 26th, 2022 42m 50s

This week we’re joined by television chef, author and gardener Clodagh McKenna, who tells all about her sustainable farming lifestyle, handy slug-repellent hacks, some top preserving tips and much more. Plus, the GYO team discuss grass cutt

If a plant won’t grow without spraying, grow something else, says The National Trust’s Andy Eddy

Aug 19th, 2022 38m 5s

Have a bit of fun, experiment - and 'steal with pride' says Andy Eddy, from The National Trust. This week, we chat to Andy about working at the inspirational Osterley Park, why looking after soil is key, and how you don't need to feel pressured

To me, there’s no such thing as green fingers, says Dominica McKevitt, Head Gardener at Ardgillan Castle

Aug 12th, 2022 37m 29s

Even professionals make mistakes, says Dominica McKevitt, Head Gardener at Ardgillan Castle. This week, we chat to Dominica about her gardening journey from childhood, all the wonderful crops growing at Ardgillan Castle and much more! Plus,

Gardening takes away all of life’s deadlines, says Carl Mintern from Self Sufficient Hub

Aug 5th, 2022 44m 15s

In this brand new series of The Dirt, we're chatting to Self Sufficient Hub's Carl Mintern on his exciting growing journey over the past few years. We discuss the disconnect between seed to plate and how to tackle this, the mental health benef

My wee killed my fruit tree, so always stay hydrated on the plot, says Kevin Wilson

Mar 31st, 2022 49m 8s

Essex-based gardener Kevin Wilson shares his fruit growing journey, including his biggest achievements and fails on the plot. As well as this, the team talks gardening prescriptions, a campaign to get kids into veggies, and a frog the size of y

Soil is the foundation of life, says David Jeffrey

Mar 24th, 2022 37m 8s

David sheds light on his top gardening mantra, being beaten by blight and much more in this jam-packed chat. As well as this, the team talks secret gardens, looking at pests differently - and of course, chillies!The Dirt is sponsored by Gard

Apparently, male pee is good for your compost, says Lee from 2nd City Cottage

Mar 17th, 2022 43m 18s

I never realised how important bamboo sticks would become in my life, says allotment grower Lee, who runs 2nd City Cottage, a YouTube channel dedicated to recording the highs and lows of his growing season on the plot in Birmingham. In this epi

It’s really rewarding – I know where our food comes from, says Rachel from gardening blog Don’t Crop Me Now

Mar 10th, 2022 33m 8s

Gardening has changed a lot over the years, says allotment grower Rachel from Manchester. In this episode, Rachel discusses her growing journey with her husband, their gardening blog Don't Crop Me Now, and the unique ways in which she preserves

When it comes to growing, the Victorians really were ahead of their time, says Heidi Savage

Mar 3rd, 2022 38m 5s

Gardening is a process of trial and error, and Anglia Ruskin student and allotment gardener Heidi Savage fully embraces this fact. She shared fascinating findings from her research of Victorian growing practices on this week's episode, includin

Something always goes wrong, but people looking around the gardens don’t see that, they say it is just beautiful, says the National Trust’s Jonny Norton

Feb 24th, 2022 48m 59s

Gardening fails are regular, but are rarely noticed by others - and we learn a lot from them, says Jonny Norton of the National Trust's beautiful Mottisfont garden. He also shared his top tips and no-dig lessons on this week's episode.The Di

Cottage garden vs traditional veg beds – which is best?

Nov 19th, 2021 19m 36s

Grow Your Own magazine editor, Laura and The Plant Based Podcast’s Ellen Mary are discussing the pros and cons for quaint cottage gardening and good old fashioned veg beds. What's your verdict?🥕 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for li

To feed or not to feed you plants – Laura and Ellen discuss this burning question!

Nov 12th, 2021 25m 47s

Grow Your Own magazine editor, Laura and The Plant Based Podcast’s Ellen Mary are discussing feeding plants, feeding soil – or not feeding at all! They also hear from some social media followers to get to the bottom of this question – should yo

To chit, or not to chit? Laura and Ellen have their say

Nov 5th, 2021 18m 1s

Grow Your Own magazine editor, Laura and The Plant Based Podcast’s Ellen Mary delve into the world of potato growing and discuss their own traditions. They also hear from some listeners to help answer this week’s question – should you chit your

Do you save or buy seeds? Laura and Ellen discuss this hot topic!

Oct 29th, 2021 26m 57s

Grow Your Own magazine editor, Laura and The Plant Based Podcast’s Ellen Mary are taking a look at the benefits of saving seeds and buying seeds this week. They also hear from some listeners to help answer this week’s question – should you save

Are you the proud owner of a greenhouse or a polytunnel? Laura and Ellen discuss which is best

Oct 22nd, 2021 22m 24s

The Plant Based Podcast host, Ellen Mary, and Grow Your Own magazine editor, Laura, discuss the benefits of growing in different undercover spaces – and pit them against each other! They also draft in some opinions from The Dirt listeners to he

Gloves or no gloves? Laura and Ellen discuss a topic that is more controversial than you might think!

Oct 15th, 2021 20m 59s

Grow Your Own editor Laura and The Plant Based Podcast host, Ellen Mary discuss the benefits and the drawbacks of getting your hands in the dirt. They also draft in some listeners of The Dirt to help answer this week’s burning question – gloves