This week on Home Grown, Martha Swales (@marfskitchengarden) and Jamie Walton (@nettlesandpetals) dive into the wonderful world of fruit trees. From why winter is the perfect time to plant one, to quirky apple history and some truly wild varieties, they explore everything you need to know before adding a tree to your garden, balcony or allotment.

Martha and Jamie taste unusual apples, unpack the magic of grafting, and share incredible stories like that of Johnny Appleseed the American Pioneer. They break down pollination groups, self-fertile varieties, pruning styles and the top mistakes people make when planting young trees. Plus they answer your questions on growing fruit trees in pots and choosing the right varieties.

The duo also run through the best companion plants for healthy, happy fruit trees before finishing with some delicious recipe inspiration, from pear tart to crumble.

We love hearing your questions - do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Shadia Oseni

Exec Producer: Charlotte Dawes

Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's an exciting week on Home Grown, Jamie Walton (@nettlesandpetals) and Martha Swales (@marfskitchengarden) are joined by their very first guest. Gardener, author and TV presenter Frances Tophill.

Frances has inspired a new generation to see gardening as a way to live more gently with the world. From her work on Gardeners’ World and Love Your Garden to her own wildlife-filled home life, she shares her thoughtful take on growing for joy, biodiversity and balance.

She reveals her brave fashion choices at her first TV audition, her passion for pottery, and how her fabulous new book delves into the mystery and folklore of wildflowers

Plus she tackles the questions that matter, from cats or dogs to the contentious choice of Gardeners’ World vs Love Your Garden.

We love hearing your questions - do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Shadia Oseni

Exec Producer: Charlotte Dawes

Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a cosy November catch-up with Home Grown hosts Martha Swales (@marfskitchengarden) and Jamie Walton (@nettlesandpetals). This month, the nights are long, the frosts are biting, and the garden is quietly slipping into its winter state.

Martha and Jamie chat seed tins, your reviews, the good the bad and the ugly, plus why leaving your leaves might be the best gift you can give your garden. They dive into the science and folklore of November’s Beaver Moon, the biggest supermoon in years, and share their favourite late-season harvests, from saffron to borlotti beans.

There’s talk of bonfire traditions, caterpillars, and whether we should still be feeding the birds. Plus, a gentle reminder that dormancy can be a gardener’s secret weapon.

So settle in for a soothing hour of muddy boots, lunar magic and practical garden wisdom.

We love hearing your questions - do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Shadia Oseni

Exec Producer: Charlotte Dawes

Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home Grown is getting ghoulish. Martha Swales and Jamie Walton are rolling up their sleeves for a Halloween special packed with creepy curiosities, squash shaped secrets and plenty of pumpkin mischief. Jamie reveals why the scariest thing about Halloween pumpkins is the mountain of them wasted every year, and why spooky squash deserve the spotlight instead. They share the need-to-know differences between pumpkins and squash, when to grow them, top varieties that taste incredible and clever ways to save space while still growing a monster harvest.

Martha digs into the eerie origins of Halloween, from ancient Celtic bonfires and roaming spirits to Irish traditions that eventually brought pumpkin carving to the world. Jamie throws in fang-tastic food tips so you can eat, store and reuse every last bit of your harvest.

There is a frightfully fun quiz, pumpkin festival facts (including a palace with its own Rapunzel tower and 450,000 pumpkins) and seasonal recipes to help you banish food waste. Expect folklore, flavour and a wickedly good time in the garden.

We love hearing your questions - do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Shadia Oseni

Senior Producer: Jack Carter

Exec Producer: Charlotte Dawes

Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Q&A time on Home Grown! 🌿 Jamie Walton (@nettlesandpetals) and Martha Swales (@marfskitchengarden) dig into your burning gardening questions – from how to revive an unruly allotment plot to keeping mischievous cats out of the veg beds.

Along the way, they reveal a bit of friendly book rivalry, share their grand plans for the Home Grown gardening podcast’s future, and offer plenty of grow-your-own advice, honest chat, and down-to-earth laughter.

We love hearing your questions - do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Shadia Oseni

Senior Producer: Jack Carter

Exec Producer: Charlotte Dawes

Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The No Dig Revolution with Martha Swales (@marfskitchengarden) and Jamie Walton (@nettlesandpetals)

In this episode of Home Grown, hosts Martha Swales and Jamie Walton explore the magic of the No Dig gardening method, proving that sometimes the best gardening happens when you simply let nature lead the way.

They discuss how leaving the soil undisturbed helps create thriving ecosystems, healthier plants, and fewer weeds. Expect earthy chat, an infamous Soil Your Undies experiment, where you can discover just how alive your soil really is, and the fascinating science showing that soil can boost your happiness, thanks to beneficial microbes.

Perfect for anyone who loves gardening but hates the backache, this episode celebrates the beauty of doing less and growing more, showing how lazy gardening can actually work in harmony with the natural world.

We love hearing from you - do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Shadia Oseni

Senior Producer: Jack Carter

Exec Producer: Charlotte Dawes

Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s tomato time! Martha Swales (Marf's Kitchen Garden) and Jamie Walton (Nettles and Petals) dive into the wonderful, rosy, glorious world of everyone’s favourite gateway veg. They share harvesting highs, planting tips, and taste their way through the mind-boggling range of tomato varieties bursting out of their beds. Martha makes her case for the unbeatable Sun Gold, while Jamie shows off some seriously impressive beefsteaks.

There’s also a potted history of Britain’s uneasy relationship with the so-called “devil’s fruit,” and a trip (in spirit, at least) to Spain’s legendary La Tomatina festival — where there are actual rules about how to throw a tomato.

Expect juicy chat, a few pips of chaos, and plenty of ideas for what to do when your garden is overflowing with homegrown tomatoes.

We love hearing from you - do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor: Hugo Hertz

Socials Producer: Shadia Oseni

Senior Producer: Jack Carter

Exec Producer: Charlotte Dawes

Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is it! Episode one of Home Grown, our brand-new podcast all about growing, gardening, and everything in between

And in today's episode, October is here, bringing crisp mornings, fiery leaves, and plenty to keep gardeners busy. In this episode of Home Grown, hosts Jamie Walton (Nettles & Petals) and Martha Swales (Marf’s Kitchen Garden) share what’s happening on their plots this month — from planting garlic and spring bulbs to cabbage to help the caterpillars and protecting tender plants before the first frosts.

There’s a cheeky haiku celebrating the spirit of autumn, plus a slightly terrifying tale about blackberries and Michaelmas that might make you look twice at your fruit bowl. With practical tips, seasonal laughs, and a good dose of October atmosphere, this episode helps you make the most of the garden.

Do subscribe so you never miss an episode and please get in touch. We love hearing from you.

Email: [email protected]

Insta: @homegrown_thepod

YouTube: @HomeGrownwithMarthaandJamie

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Socials Producer: Shadia Oseni

Senior Producer and Editor: Jack Carter

Exec Producer: Charlotte Dawes

Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something exciting is sprouting! Home Grown is a brand-new gardening podcast hosted by two of the UK’s brightest horticultural voices: Jamie Walton, better known as Nettles & Petals, and Martha Swales of Marf’s Kitchen Garden. Together they share their knowledge, enthusiasm, and love of growing your own veg.

The full launch is coming soon, but for now enjoy this pilot episode. Martha and Jamie dig into September, the month of the autumn equinox, with tips on seed saving, harvesting the last of the summer vegetables, and sowing crops for the cooler months ahead. It’s a celebration of balance, endings, new beginnings, and even a little giant veg.

Subscribe now and get in touch at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.