Shows
Pot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#36 THE GARDEN PRESS EVENT - ISLINGTONIn episode 36 Joff Elphick visits the Garden Press Event at London's Business Design Center. Sue Morgan from Songbird Survival discusses the charity's work addressing the alarming 50% decline in UK songbirds over the past 50 years. She attributes this to complex factors including climate change, land use changes, pesticides, and habitat loss. Sue offers three key tips for bird-friendly gardens: provide shelter (places to perch and feel safe), food (through plants with berries and seeds), and year-round water sources. She also mentions their upcoming Chelsea Flower Show garden designed by Nicola Okey. Alexander Hall from Everedge talks...
2025-02-2646 min
Pot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#35 KATE BRADBURY talks about her book ONE GARDEN AGAINST THE WORLDIn this episode sponsored by Genus Garden Wear, Joff talks to Kate Bradbury about her new book ONE GARDEN AGAINST THE WORLD - in search of hope in a changing climate from Bloomsbury wildlife Kate is an award-winning writer specialising in wildlife gardening and the author of The Bumblebee Flies Anyway, Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything, How to Create a Wildlife Pond and The Tree in Your Garden. She’s the Wildlife Editor of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and has a regular Country Diary column in The Guardian. She writes regularly for the RHS The Garden magaz...
2024-06-251h 01
Pot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#34 THE GARDEN PRESS EVENT - Islington LondonIn this episode Joff hops on the train to Paddington and navigates the London underground to find The Business Design Centre in Islington, London. It's the Garden press Event and he get to talk to some amazing people who have produced some equally amazing and well thought out products. Previous guest on the podcast Andy from Dahlia Beach tells us about her flower farm, the highs and lows of growing flowers, and her plans for 2024. Joff tries to sell her a double decker bus. Sue O'Neil form Genus Gardenwear is launching a fabulous new product...
2024-02-2146 min
Pot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#33 ADRIAN BLOOM -FOGGY BOTTOM - a garden to shareIn this episode Joff talks to Adrian Bloom about his new book FOGGY BOTTOM - A GARDEN to SHARE. From breaking turf in an empty meadow in 1966, to its near maturity in 2023 it is the story of a garden and its plants. That’s a 56-year-old garden with stories to tell. More important in Adrian’s view is what the Foggy Bottom Garden represents today and how many more can benefit from sharing it. He shows and describes changes in weather and habitats, dramatic seasonal changes shown through the diversity of many worthwhile plants. How...
2023-11-2138 min
Pot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#32 DEREK GOW - straight talking rewilder-farmer-turned-ecologistDerek Gow is a farmer and nature conservationist. Born in Dundee in 1965, he left school when he was 17 and worked in agriculture for five years. Inspired by the writing of Gerald Durrell, all of whose books he has read - thoroughly - he jumped at the chance to manage a European wildlife park in central Scotland in the late 1990s before moving on to develop two nature centres in England. He now lives with his two children on a 300-acre farm on the Devon/Cornwall border which he is in the process of rewilding. Derek has played...
2023-04-1835 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#31 LIZ ZORAB with her book THE SEASONED GARDENERLiz Zorab is author of the bestselling 'Grounded – A Gardener's Journey to Abundance and Self-Sufficiency'. She spent more than 20 years working with specialist housing charities and in community development, with an emphasis on innovative volunteering practices. An award-winning gardener, she gained an RHS Silver Medal for a community-led garden featured on BBC's 'Gardeners World Live' in 2002. A health crisis led Liz to turn to her life-long passion for gardening and growing food as a career. Liz spent several years transforming her 0.8 acre plot in Monmouthshire into an abundant smallholding. She is now regenerating a tired and over-grazed 4.5 acre site us...
2023-03-1438 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#30 THE GARDEN PRESS EVENT 2023 - Islington, London. U.K.In this episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff Elphick takes his annual pilgrimage up to the big smoke where he visitis the old horticultural halls - now known as The Business Design Centre - to meet horticutlural businesses for The garden Press Event. He speaks to Simon for Hydrialife who tells us about his self contained award winning water fountain kit with rechargeable batteries and a programmable timer. Great for indoors or out. Kate from Capi-Europe has a great range of pots and water butts produced in a CO2 neutral factory and made completely from d...
2023-02-2343 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#29 The Generous Gardener - garden lectures and specialist plant salesThe Generous Gardener ran by Sarah Biddulph and Sarah Rivett- Carnac offer a series of garden lectures throughout the year in Rodmarton Manor a beautiful arts and craft property located in Gloucestershire between Cirencester and Tetbury. Lectures in 2023 are being delivered by a brilliantly curated set of speakers most of whom are well known to keen gardeners and people in the world of horticulture. Speakers include Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, Richard Miers, James Alexander Sinclair, Pippa Greenwood, Lulu Urquart and Adam Hunt, Jimi Blake, Niff barnes, Jinny Blom, Clive Nichols, and Georgie Newbury. Plant Sales are ran from Charlton...
2023-02-0121 min
Pot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#28 Chris Baines - THE RHS COMPANION TO WILDLIFE GARDENING - How to make a wildlife gardenIn this episdoe sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff talks to wildlife expert Chris Baines about his book THE RHS COMPANION TO WILDLIFE GARDENING - how to make a wildlif garden. First published in 1985 this book has now been fully updated and revised by Chris with new illustrations and highlights the changes in garden wildlife over the last 30 years. It incorporates the latest RHS research and updated best practice. Chris talks about his days on BBC Gardeners World in the late 80's with Peter Seabrook and his time at BBC pebble Mill in the 80's. This boo...
2023-01-1748 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#27 Barbara Segall - SECRET GARDENS OF THE SOUTH-EASTIn this episode sponsored by Genus gardenwear Joff Elphick talks to Barbara Segall about her new book GARDENS of the SOUTH-EAST published by Frances Lincoln. Within its 144 pages are 20 gardens many of which often remain overlooked but all of which display the passion of the owners or gardeners that look after them. It's a fascinating talk with not just the gardens, but many names of people involved in horticulture scattered throughout the episode for one reason or another. Jane perrone, Alys Fowler, Peter Donegan, Rocky Coles, Marcus Harper, Fergus Garrett, Clive Boursnell,Beth Chatto, Christopher LLoyd, Tom Coward,William R...
2022-11-2125 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#26 Michael Perry - Mr Plant Geek- HORTUS CURIOUSIn this episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff Elphick talks to Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek about his career in horticulture and his new book Hortus Curious - discover the worlds most weird and wonderful plants and fungi. We talk about his work with Thompson and Morgan where he worked on plants like the Tom-tato and the Egg and chips plant. His TV work with Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch and QVC. His latest book Hortus Curious covers a wide range of the world's most fascinating plants and fungi and we talk about Venus Fly...
2022-10-3142 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#25 Harriet Rycroft - POTS -a Bloom Gardeners GuideIn this episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff Elphick travels to the north of the Cotswolds to visit Harriet Rycroft, a garden speaker, consultant, writer, and an expert in container gardening. They talk about her book 'POTS' and wander around Harriet's back garden, home to nearly 800 pots. The book has 4 chapters - Learn - Plan - Grow - Care Harriet's advice is right plant, right place, and right pot, but at the same time do experiment and have fun. A few pests and how to manage them without resorting to chemicals Drainage, watering feeding. Irrigation Pot materials and...
2022-10-0437 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#24 The Malvern Autumn Show 2022In this episode sponsored by the amazing Genus Gardenwear Joff talks to a number of the interesting exhibitors that can be found at The Malvern Autumn Show. Andie from Dahlia Beach tells us how her company, the first cut-your-own Dahlia farm in the UK came about. She also telss us about her plans to open the farm for 'dig your own' dDahlia plants at the thend of October. (It's a secret at the moment. keep it to yourself!!) David Whittaker is from the National Hedge Laying Society and with his superb mobile trailer of bonsai'd hawthorn hedges explains...
2022-09-2427 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#23 Tamsin Westhorpe - Grasping the Nettle.In this Episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear I talk to Tamsin Westhorpe about her latest book Grasping the Nettle - tales from a modern country gardener. Tamsin is a hands-on gardener who opens her garden Stockton Bury near Leominster to the public. She had worked as a parks greenkeeper, an interior landscaper, she had her own shop, and is probably best known for holding the position of Editor at The English Garden magazine. We discuss her childhood in the 70's. Being brought up surrounded by chickens and other crestures. Her holidays to Poole in Dorset wh...
2022-09-2047 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#22 Silvana De Soissons, Natural Skincare for all SeasonsIn this episode sponsored by Genus Gardenwear Joff talks to Silvana de Soissons about her book Natural Skincare for all Seasons. Chapters in the book include An introduction to the skin. Plotting the skincare garden. Choosing skincare plants.The natural skincare garden through the seasons. Formulations and Techniques. Joff and Silvana discuss No dig gardening The use of 'weeds' in skincare. What are hydrosols, enfleurages, and tinctures How can we make a tussie-mussie bath-bomb? Gardeners hand scrub Sustainability Joff can be found here Find out more about Silvana's business by visiting t...
2022-07-2334 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#21 Sandra Lawrence - Miss Wilmott's GhostsIn this episode sponsored by Genus Performance Gardenwear Joff talks to Sandra Lawrence author of 'Miss Wilmott's Ghosts - The extraordinary life and gardens of a forgotten genius'. They discuss Ellen Wilmott, her upbringing, and her inherited wealth. The 11th century castle and the hidden 'treasures' in its damp cellars. The legendary parties at Ellen's home Warley Place. 'Wilmott Tombola' with dead mice and silverfish. Ellen Wilmott 'snubbing' the RHS after being awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour. Ellen's complicated friendship with Gertrude Jekyll. Why every Victorian lady should carry knuckle dus...
2022-06-1439 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#20 Kathy Slack author of 'From the Veg Patch'In this episode sponsored by the amazing Genus Performance Gardenwear Joff taks to Kathy Slack who's book 'From the Veg Patch' was published last year by Ebury Press. They discuss the vegetables Kathy grows and the some of the deliciuos recipes in the book.
2022-05-1143 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#19 The Garden Press Event, London 2022In this episode sponsored by the amazing Genus Performance Gardenwear Joff travels to the old horticultural halls in Islington, London, where he talks to the charities and businesses who attend the event. His first visit is to David Wyndham-Lewis of the horticultural charity Perennial who offer suppoert to those in the industry who may find themselves in financial difficulty for a number of reasons. He then talks to Richard Pennock of Haws watering cans, the words oldest watering can manufacturer who still make their product in the UK. Tom Willday of Willsow writes and publishes gardening books fo...
2022-04-2634 min
Pot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#18 Ben Dark - THE GROVEJoff talks to Ben Dark about his latest book The Grove - a nature odyssey in 191/2 front gardens. Ben Dark is such a wonderful writer - The Grove drew me in from the first line. Lia Leendertz The Grove is overflowing with delicious nuggets of cultural, social and garden history, - and I adore Ben's humour and humility in equal measure. Advolly Richmond A heartfelt romp through the wisteria and wilderness of London's horticulturally remarkable front gardens. Jack Wallington Fans of Ben Dark's mellifluous tones on The Garden Log Podcast will...
2022-04-0555 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#17 Peter Donegan-Landscape ArchitectJoff talks to Peter Donegan, Landscape Architect, lead designer for DIY SOS Ireland, and former host of the much loved award winning podcast The Sodshow. They talk about: 17th and 18thC gardens The Sodshow The Association of Professional Landscapers awards. Being a 'purple shirt' for DIY SOS Ireland Highly prized Sodshow merchandise. His involvement and designs for the WW1 Centenery Memorial Garden at Chateau de Péronne, France. Lonny Donnegan The horticultural charity Perennial This episode kindly sponsored by Genus Performance Gardenwear
2022-03-0754 minPot and Cloche Garden Podcasts#16 Alan Sargent-The Landscape LibraryJoff talks to Alan Sargent about The landscape Library, an online resource for head gardeners, gardeners, landscapers, and garden consultants. Alan, a busy expert witness in horticulture related cases has been in the business since the late 60's and has over 60 show gardens under his belt. We talk about- Responsibilities of a garden consultant Japanese Knotweed Design and Build Contracts Legalities of being a designer Public liability and employers liability Case Studies Appointing a head gardener Artificial grass Many thanks to the sponsor of this show MYWINDOWBOX Joff can be contacted at joffelphick@gmail.com His website...
2022-02-0131 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsThe Malvern Show and Glee at The NECIn this episode Joff goes to the Malvern Autumn Show where he talks to Vanessa from garden boot makers Poddy and Black. He learns about traditional trug making from Robin at The Thomas Smith Trug Shop and then talks to Marsha O'Mahony who has written abook 'The Scratch of the Hop' about hop growing and picking in the midlands. At Glee he chats with Annabelle Padwick from Life at No 27. Bumps into Lee Connoly aka The Skinny Jean Gardener, before talking with Elliot Webb from Urban-Farm-it. He rounds off the show with an update from an old...
2021-10-0541 minPot and Cloche Garden PodcastsThe Malvern Show and Glee at The NECIn this episode Joff goes to the Malvern Autumn Show where he talks to Vanessa from garden boot makers Poddy and Black. He learns about traditional trug making from Robin at The Thomas Smith Trug Shop and then talks to Marsha O'Mahony who has written abook 'The Scratch of the Hop' about hop growing and picking in the midlands. At Glee he chats with Annabelle Padwick from Life at No 27. Bumps into Lee Connoly aka The Skinny Jean Gardener, before talking with Elliot Webb from Urban-Farm-it. He rounds off the show with an update from an old...
2021-10-0541 minPot and Cloche Garden PodcastsThe Malvern Show and Glee at The NECIn this episode Joff goes to the Malvern Autumn Show where he talks to Vanessa from garden boot makers Poddy and Black. He learns about traditional trug making from Robin at The Thomas Smith Trug Shop and then talks to Marsha O'Mahony who has written abook 'The Scratch of the Hop' about hop growing and picking in the midlands. At Glee he chats with Annabelle Padwick from Life at No 27. Bumps into Lee Connoly aka The Skinny Jean Gardener, before talking with Elliot Webb from Urban-Farm-it. He rounds off the show with an update from an old...
2021-10-0541 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsButterfly ExtravaganzaThis episode is a veritable butterfly extravaganza. Joff talks to a wide range of people about butterflies, plants they need, and their specific habitat requirements. Joff meets Tricia Atkinson at Prinknash Abbey and has a tour of the nectar garden hearing about all the plants that are recommended for both the adult butterfly and the larvae. He spoke to ex national chairman of Butterfly Conservation Maurice Avent ten years ago and recorded their conversation on his battered old minidisc recorder. Thankfully the recording still exists and Maurice was able to tell him all about the h...
2021-02-0935 minPot and Cloche Garden PodcastsThe Malvern Plant and Garden Fair 2020Joff Elphick visits the Malvern Plant and Garden Fair and discusses Restios with Ray Rowe of Sunray Plants. Andrew from international charity Plantlife talks about their work and Rob Hardy of Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants talks about his Frilly Knickers (yes really!!) and the range of plants he has on offer. Joff also has a final chat with his gardening chum Geoff about the time consuming and often expensive task of staking plants. Many thanks to the sponsor of the show mywindowbox.com
2020-09-2225 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsGardening Products from the 2020 Garden Press EventIn this episode Joff travels to the big smoke and takes the tube to Islington where he visits The Garden Press Event at the Business Design Centre formerly the Horticultural Halls. He speaks to his favourite charity Greenfingers. The people behind the app and podcast Candide. Horty legends Rob and Rosie Hardy from Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants. James Mc Donald from Plant Surge demonstrates his unique watering aid and Steve Ratley from Henchman extolls the virtues of their highly popular tripod ladders.
2020-03-1732 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsThe RHS Malvern Autumn ShowIn this episode sponsored by MY WINDOW BOX Joff travels to Worcestershire in the UK to experience The RHS Malvern Autumn Show. With hundreds of exhibitors it has more than enough to fill a whole day and plenty more for members of the family who might not put horticulture at the centre of their lives. Joff has a great time and is extremely impressed with the organisation of the show which was very well attended on a bright though blowy day. Joff speaks to exhibitors about collecting old lawnmowers, groundsmanship, allotments, a record breaking collection o...
2019-10-0131 minPot and Cloche Garden PodcastsGardening Products from Glee 2019In this episode sponsored by MYWINDOWBOX Joff visit the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham to attend Glee-The UK's leading garden and outdoor living trade shoe.Set in huge halls and with over 500 exhibitors Joff had a busy day and walked over 8km! Joff talks to Charlotte from Natural Grower who offers organic and vegan fertiliser products and soil conditioners which are a by product of her renewable energy plant. He then discovers a company called Prongcroft a British self-start company from Nottingham who have developed an ingenious weeding and cultivating tool and a gardening kneeler...
2019-09-2136 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsNational Collection of Rambler Roses with Henry RobinsonIn this episode sponsored by MYWINDOWBOX Joff talks to Henry Robinson who looks after the National Collection of rambler roses in the UK. In a beautiful garden overlooked by his early 19c home Henry presides over 150 varieties of rambling roses. We explore the gardens looking at individual rose varieties while discussing pruning, care, and maintenance regimes. Henry opens the garden every year usually in the last month of June. Visit www.moorwoodroses.co.uk
2019-06-2341 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsGardening Products from The Garden press EventIn this episode sponsored by MYWINDOWBOX Joff travels to London to visit the old Horticultural Halls in Islington where the annual Garden Press Event is held for all members of the Horticultural Press to come along and look at products old and new. Joff talks to Johanna of Stone Globe Lights, a beautifully made range that are designed to blend in whatever your local stone and whatever the time of day or night. Simon from Willow Wand has an interesting product comprising woven willow wands that can be planted in pots or open ground to ma...
2019-03-2725 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsPam Ayres talks about her latest book The Last HedgehogIn this episode sponsored by mywindowbox Joff Elphick talks to poet, songwriter, author, and nature lover Pam Ayres. We talk about her 2018 bestseller 'The Last Hedgehog' and discuss the plight of our most loved and only spikey garden mammal. Pam kindly recites the book as well as part of another poem that she wrote way back in 1972. Ways of encouraging hedgehogs are discussed as well as how to plant up your garden to create a wildlife haven. Sarah Wilson from the Roots and All podcast tells us about her show and I...
2019-01-0237 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsJudith Hann talks about her latest book HERBSIn this episode sponsored by MY WINDOW BOX (www.mywindowbox.com) Joff Elphick talks to scientist, gardener, cook, and former Tomorrows World presenter (1974-1994) Judith Hann. Judith released a book 'Herbs-delicious recipes and growing tips to transform your food' in 2017 and it was promptly recognised by Gardens Illustrated as one of the top 14 gardening books of the year. Topics mentioned include The Herb Society, David Bellamy, fresh herbs in the 60's, Delia, Madhur Jaffrey, Ken Hom, and Franco Taruschio. We are treated to a guided tour of Judith's herb garden where we look at her collection of...
2018-10-0941 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsJohn Sales, part two, former National Trust Head of GardensIn this episode (part 2) sponsored by mywindowbox.com Joff Elphick talks to John Sales about his early days at The National Trust (1972-1998) We find out how The Trust has changed, choosing trees with GST, policy making, or not, and The garden History Society and Westbury Court. Also, visiting Vita, Pam, and Sybil.'Nookiness'. Should the Trust be more selective? Easter egg hunts at Hidcote. WHY? Grahams humble hatchback, and THE best place for a top class valet. Plus more inside information. You heard it here first!
2018-05-1749 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsJohn Sales former National Trust Head of GardensIn this episode (Part one of two) sponsored by mywindowbox.com Joff Elphick talks to Johns Sales. John has just brought out a book; Shades of Green-My Life as The National Trust Head of Gardens (Unicorn). John talks of his early memories as a wartime child and of catching the gardening bug. We go on to discuss his first job in a nursery growing Cape Heaths, begonias, and cyclamen for the christmas market. Of particular interest is his account of working with Graham Stuart Thomas, and of Graham's legendary work ethic. He meets 'sloans' for the first...
2018-03-2646 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsBarnsley House, Miserden Nursery, and Product ReviewBarnsley House, Richard Gatenby, Miserden Nursery, Julie Dolphin, Geoff Carr, Product Review. In this episode I talk to Richard Gatenby, Head Gardener at Barnsley House Gloucestershire former home and garden of Rosemary Verey. We talk about Rosemary, and about iconic features in the garden including the Temple Garden, The Lime Walk, The Laburnham Tunnel, The Frog Fountain, The Gothic Summer House, The Knot Garden, and The Potager. I also talk to Julie Dolphin, a former BBC Gardeners World Researcher who now runs a beautiful nursery, The Nursery at Miserden, with her husband in the winding ba...
2018-02-1447 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsStephen Anderton discusses his book 'Lives of the Great gardeners'.Joff Elphick speaks to The Times garden writer Stephen Anderton about his book 'Lives of the Great Gardeners'. They talk about Charles Jencks and The Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Alexander Reford from Les Jardins de Metis (Reford Gardens), Lawrence Johnston,Hidcote, and Vita Sackville-West and Sissinghurst. They talk too about Stephen's own garden in Wales. Geoff Carr joins Joff in 'The Long Border' and P.R. team discuss a favourite item in a Product Review. It's all a secret until the recording starts. Joff decides he must have this item. But what's it called and where can...
2018-01-2536 min
Pot and Cloche Garden PodcastsA Preview Show with Excerpts from Upcoming EpisodesJoff Elphick speaks to authors, head-gardeners, writer, growers, and nursery owners and gets them to talk about their lives, books, businesses, and passions. There's a regular Product Review section where gardening gadgets and gizmo's are tested and opinions given. Host Joff Elphick is a gardener in The Cotswolds, England and has worked in several large gardens including Le Manoir aux quat'saisons, Barnsley House, as head-gardener on a private estate, and also in the gardens of a cookery school. He had an office job in the gardens department of The National Trust and now looks after several gardens i...
2018-01-1521 min