Internationally renowned, award-winning garden designer Dan Pearson talks to Chris about his exciting project to breathe new life into the gardens of a ruined castle high in the Cumbrian hills. Garden writer Melissa Mabbitt shares the down-to-earth secrets of making great compost, following a recent visit to RHS Garden Harlow Carr to meet 'Queen of Compost',  Alison Mundie. Finally, food writer Mark Diacono discusses the last in his 'Tastes to celebrate' series: cooking apples – sharing favourite varieties, great ways to use and store them and giving some cultivation advice too.

Dan Pearson's designs for Lowther Castle, secrets of great compost, celebrating the tastes of cooking apples

A peek behind the scenes at The Garden magazine with exclusive interviews, gardening advice and more. Come behind the scenes with editor Chris Young as we meet the people behind the stories and articles featured in the UK's biggest gardening magazine, The Garden. Each month we'll be delving a little deeper into a range of horticultural topics, meeting garden designers, wildlife experts, nurserymen and women and other luminaries of the gardening world. For more information see www.rhs.org.uk/thegardenpodcast

Home & Garden

Leisure

In the final edition of The Garden Podcast, Chris is joined by garden writer and podcast regular Melissa Mabbitt for a look back at the highlights of the programme in 2020, an extraordinary year in gardening. Including an interview with a new RHS President with perhaps the best name ever; a discussion on garden-making with Rachel de Thame and a celebration of an unsung veg garden hero with food writer Mark Diacono. Plus we talk to a Wisley-based horticulturist who's also called Chris Young about the delights of growing indoor ferns as houseplants. 

This is the final programme of the series. Thank you so much for listening, and we hope you'll join us on our main podcast feed – Gardening with the RHS – where we'll continue to feature content from our award-winning magazine for RHS members, The Garden. Please see links in the show notes.

A frond farewell

Renowned florist Simon Lycett offers tips on what you can pick from your garden to make homegrown floral displays this Christmas. Designer Adolfo Harrison reveals the thought processes behind a joyful and striking small urban garden featured in the magazine this month. Plus columnist Lia Leendertz shares her thoughts on the value of gardens for health and wellbeing.

Homegrown Christmas decorations, city garden design and gardens for wellbeing

This month, Chris speaks to one of Britain’s foremost ornamental grass experts, Neil Lucas – proprietor of Knoll Gardens. From tiny seslerias to towering miscanthus, Neil shares tips on choosing and using grasses in a variety of situations. Historian Ambra Edwards discusses the legacy of legendary 17th-century plantsman and polymath John Evelyn. And finally, broadcaster Michael Perry talks about an unusual new plant on the block that’s as good outdoors as it is as a houseplant – the exotic-looking and drought-tolerant mangave*.

*Please note, the naming of these plants is a controversial topic; botanically they are listed variously as Agave, × Mangave and Mangave.

Grasses, John Evelyn and mad for mangaves

How do you pick the perfect pear? Food writer and grower Mark Diacono shares tips on growing, storing and eating this most delicious of autumn fruits. Dr Andrew Ward of Norwell Nurseries gives tips on growing asters and Peter Jones of RHS Garden Wisley takes an expert look at tulip trees (Liriodendron).

Pears, asters and tulip trees

Chris talks to incoming RHS President Keith Weed about what he hopes to achieve in his new role. Writer and Wisley graduate Holly Farrell extols the virtues of learning your trade with an RHS Diploma in Practical Horticulture, highlighting some of the incredible opportunities that this iconic course can open up. Plus Alan Street of Avon Bulbs shares his love of an unusual late summer flower: Eucomis or pineapple lily.

Dan Pearson's designs for Lowther Castle, secrets of great compost, celebrating the tastes of cooking apples

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