Shows
The Plot Thickens - No-Dig, Allotment LivingThe Raw Edit.The sun shines once again at Sandridge Road Allotments as Karin get to grips with her new headset and the pair try to improve the sound quality! They reflect on their week on the plot, planting in the gooseberries, popping along to Festival of Permaculture with You Tube's Huw Richards, and Vicky gets a little political talking about Chris Packham's Environmental Protest.
September is proving to be a flurry of activity on the plots, chopping and dropping, prepping the beds, pruning and planting the fruit trees and generally loving life at the allotment as we move into autumn.
You might...2023-10-0337 min
The Seed PodBasics of EcologyToday we take a step out of the garden and into the classroom with a little lesson in Ecology. We discuss some aspects that are important for gardening and just plain interesting!The books we spoke about today were:Thinking in Systems by Donella MeadowsSong of the Dodo by David QuammenSilent Spring by Rachel CarsonSilent Earth by Dave GoulsonWilding by Isabella Tree2022-07-0823 minThe Seed PodGardening Journeys with Liz ZorabRichard and Becky chat to the fabulously inspiring Liz Zorab of Byther Farm. Liz tells us about her journey from bed bound to small holding and YouTube star!Check out Liz's YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe0Ha5QljsCV5UqIkobBrcQAnd Her Book Grounded:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grounded-Gardeners-Journey-Abundance-Self-Sufficiency/dp/18562330222022-06-0444 minThe Seed PodTomato Chat!This week, we're going lighthearted with a simple chat about tomatoes. We discuss our favourite varieties, when we sowed, when they flower, problems we can get with them and a few unusual solutions to these problems!2022-05-2144 minThe Seed PodGardening and Climate Change, with Professor Dave GoulsonThis week, Richard and Becky are joined by Professor Dave Goulson, author of the best-selling book Silent Earth, along with Bee Quest, The Garden Jungle, A Buzz in the Meadow, A Sting in the Tale, Gardening for Bumblebees and more. We discuss what the changing climate could mean for us as gardeners and our insect fauna. We also discuss what we can do from our own patches to help fight against climate change. 2022-05-0741 minThe Seed PodNo Dig Gardening with Stephanie HaffertyRichard and Becky catch up with author and no dig gardener, Stephanie Hafferty to talk about no dig gardening and gardening holistically for a healthier, greener garden. You can find more information about Stephanie and links to her books at www.nodighome.com2022-04-2345 minThe Seed PodNew Growers Guide, Part TwoIn this Episode Becky and Richard discus the next steps to getting your growing space up and running, including the pros and cons of raised beds, filling spaces with perennials and more. 2022-04-0954 minThe Seed PodStarting a New GardenIn this episode, Becky and Richard explore some ways to make starting a new garden or allotment slightly less of a daunting task. 2022-03-2546 minThe Seed PodWinter GrowingBecky and Richard discuss why growing over winter is important, and how exciting it can be too!They also discuss some crops that you can grow over winter to turn your plot into a productive paradise all year round.2021-09-1136 minThe Seed PodLet's Get Composting!Becky and Richard discuss composting this week. It's featured regularly throughout the podcast, so it's about time there was an episode on it. We discuss why it is an important thing to do, and how to do it, plus a few tips to make it easier, simpler and overcome a few problems people might have with their compost. 2021-08-2242 minThe Seed PodSoil science for beginnersBecky and Richard talk about the incredible life in our soil and how it is the key to successful organic gardening.Made in association with Harvst Mini Greenhouses. Use the code SEEDPOD for 10% off!2021-08-0857 minThe Seed PodSummer Pests and DiseasesBecky and Richard discuss some of the common pests and diseases we encounter in the summer months in our gardens and what we can do to organically manage them.Made in association with Harvst Mini Greenhouses. Use the code SEEDPOD for 10% off!2021-07-2552 minThe Seed PodEpisode 11 - Kids GardeningIn this episode Richard and Becky discuss the importance of getting kids involved with Gardening, and setting up positive associations with being outside and growing food. They also talk about simple things that we can do to keep children entertained on the allotment, whilst allowing us to get the gardening done. 2021-07-1140 minThe Seed PodEpisode 10 - Summer LovingThis week Becky and Richard are discussing the summer solstice, what it means for our gardens, our plants and for us.We also talk about what we are doing in our gardens right now, what challenges we are facing and what we are sowing, planting and harvesting!2021-06-2753 minThe Seed PodEpisode 9 - WeedsRichard and Becky discuss one of their least favourite things; weeds. What is a weed, and what exactly is the point in them? And what if understanding these things helps us to manage them? 2021-06-1353 minThe Seed PodEpisode 8 - GreenwashingAs organic gardeners we are conscious of the affect we are having on the environment. We want to make good decisions about the products we are using. Sadly, savvy marketeers know this. Richard and Becky talk about Greenwashing in the horticultural industry and how to avoid it. Huge thank you to Sara Venn for her help with the ideas in this episode. 2021-05-3032 minThe Seed PodEpisode 7 - Myths and MisconceptionsRichard and Becky discuss some common gardening myths and pieces of dubious advice, and compare them to the current scientific wisdom!2021-05-1652 minThe Seed PodEpisode 6 - Come What MayBecky and Richard discuss another turning point in the gardening calendar here in the UK; May. They talk about their favourite crops to sow in May and also the coming of that all important last frost date!Warning: this episode contains material that some listeners may find offensive.2021-05-0253 minThe Seed PodEpisode 5 - Peat Free AprilRichard and Becky talk to garden writer and organic farmer Sally Morgan about why Peat is such an important resource and about the campaign Peat Free April.2021-04-1831 minThe Seed PodEpisode 4 - Why We Don't Use FertilisersBecky and Richard discuss why they don't use fertilisers in their garden. They discuss the scientific reasons for this approach, and how it works practically for us as gardeners. 2021-04-0444 minThe Seed PodEpisode 3 - All Things SpringBecky and Richard talk about what spring actually is, what it means to them and all of the dangers and delights that spring holds for gardeners.2021-03-2148 minThe Seed PodEpisode 2 - SeedsRichard and Becky talk about what seeds are, what seeds to sow now, and how to show seeds the respect they deserve!2021-03-0740 minThe Seed PodEpisode 1 - IntroductionYour hosts Richard and Becky introduce themselves and how they got into gardening and talk a little bit about how they run their gardens, and their own principles of organic gardening. 2021-02-2829 minThe Seed PodTeaser TrailerComing soon...! The Seed Pod 🌱Hosted by grow your own enthusiasts Richard Chivers and Becky Searle, we will dig into the world of organic grow your own gardening. We will be sharing seasonal advice, looking at different practices and approaches to gardening and also sharing stories from our own food growing experience. 2021-02-1200 min