Home Grown with Martha and Jamie

With household budgets under increasing pressure: how can we grow more while spending less? In this weeks episode Martha and Jamie share practical ways to make gardening more accessible and sustainable, whilst also being less wasteful. From seed saving and propagating plants to homemade compost, DIY garden projects and turning weeds into fertiliser, they explain how to set up closed loop systems and grow more while spending less. Martha also delves into the amazing story of Terra preta, an extremely fertile, dark anthropogenic (man-made) soil created thousands of years ago by indigenous populations in the Amazon Basin. Looking at what can we learn from this ancient method to help boost our own gardens fertility today.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below:

Cottagers Kale:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/kale-cottagers/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

In this episode, Martha and Jamie break down everything you need to know about the power of herbs. They explain what herbs actually are, how to grow them in different conditions, their go-to herbal tea recipes, companion planting combinations, and why they are some of the easiest and most useful plants you can grow. From saving money on supermarket herbs and propagating from cuttings, to supporting pollinators and using them in the kitchen, this episode if full of practical advice you can use in any space.

If you like to support Jamie's first children's, the link is below, and thank you so much!

https://geni.us/PlantsNeedFriendsToo

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below:

Corsican Mint:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/herb-mint-corsican/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

In this episode, Martha and Jamie break down everything you need to know about gardening in busy month of May. They cover what to sow, what to plant out, why you may want to walk bare foot in the garden before planting, and how to manage the shift into late spring conditions. From hardening off and common mistakes with feeding tender crops, to late spring folklore and wildlife, this episode gives you practical advice to help your garden thrive.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, you can find the link below:

Drying popcorn Fiesta:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/drying-corn-fiesta/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

What are heirloom seeds and why do they matter? In this episode, Martha and Jamie are joined by Lucy Hutchings and Kate Cotterill from She Grows Veg. They explore the wonderful world of heirloom seeds, what makes them different, unusual varieties you should give a grow, and why flavour, diversity and storytelling matter in growing food. From storage tomatoes you can eat in winter and seeds for a changing climate, to biodiversity and the future of our food, this episode is packed with practical ideas and fresh perspective.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, you can find the link below:

Storage Tomato Hanging Prince:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/storage-tomato-hanging-prince/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

In this episode, Martha and Jamie break discuss how to get our gardens summer ready! and how to grow heat loving fruit, veg and flowers successfully in the UK. They explain what tender plants are, how to protect them, and how to avoid common mistakes that lead to failure. From melons and cucumbers to beans, tomatoes and summer flowers such as cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers and more, they share practical advice to help you grow more food with less frustration. We will even discover the fastinating origin of the cavendish banana.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below:

Melon Rich Sweetness:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/melon-rich-sweetness/

Cosmos Apricot Lemonade:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/cosmos-apricot-lemonade/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

In this episode, Martha and Jamie explore the varied and intriguing world of perennial vegetables and why they are one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to grow food. From interesting ways to use classic crops like asparagus and rhubarb, to unusual perennials you may not of heard of - but will want to grow! they break down how to plant once and harvest for years, reduce effort in the garden, and build long-term growing systems.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below:

Perennial Nodding Onion:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/perennial-nodding-onion/

Perennial Onion Red Bunching:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/perennial-onion-red-bunching/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

In this episode, Martha and Jamie break down everything you need to know about gardening in April. From what to sow, how to grow your own utensils, and how to catch up if you feel behind, to dealing with unpredictable weather, slugs and seed starting challenges. They share practical advice on crops like beans, melons, leafy crops, tender plants and bed preparation tips, while also exploring seasonal highlights such as bluebells, things to forage for, and early harvests.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below:

French Bean 1500 Year Old Cave Bean:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/french-bean-1500-yr-old-cave-bean/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

In this episode, Martha and Jamie break down companion planting and how different plants support each other within a growing system. From additions to classic combinations such as tomatoes, basil and marigolds, to lesser know companions for productive and diverse gardens. They share their top practical tips, discover which symbiotic pairing combines to create coral reefs, and explain the biology behind plant relationships, from pest control to soil health.

If you would like to pre-order a copy of Jamie's children’s book there is a link below, thank you for your support! 💚 

https://geni.us/PlantsNeedFriendsToo

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below:

Marigold, Lucy's Starburst:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/marigold-lucys-starburst/

Strawberry Drying Corn:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/drying-corn-strawberry/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

In this episode, Martha and Jamie are joined by Jason Williams to explore what’s possible when growing food in small, urban spaces. From his beginnings on a balcony 18 floors up in Manchester to becoming an award-winning designer and educator, Jason shares how constraint can spark creativity. They discuss the realities of high-rise gardening, edible pond plants, and how even the smallest spaces can support biodiversity and meaningful harvests. Drawing on insights from urban systems like sponge cities in China, this episode blends practical advice with a powerful reminder: you don’t need land to grow, just the willingness to start.

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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

In this episode Martha and Jamie discuss how to more grow food when space is limited. They share practical strategies for small gardens, balconies, patios and window boxes. Discuss succession planting, vertical growing, container layouts and crops that produce quickly in small beds. And cover projects such as worm farms, mini wildlife ponds and how to create a small but biodiverse ecosystem. Martha also explores the history of intensive market gardening in London and looks at shade-tolerant edible plants from Japan.

If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below:

Spring radish, the 18 day radish:

https://shegrowsveg.com/product/spring-radish-de-dix-huit-jours/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

[email protected]

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton

Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin

Artwork: Rare Studio

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