How can gardeners make a real difference for wildlife?

Rod Whiting is joined by Boom Radio’s nature expert Mary Porter and resident horticulturist John Stirland to explore simple, practical ways to turn your garden into a haven for birds, bees, butterflies, hedgehogs, and countless other creatures.

Following one of the hottest, driest summers in recent years, they discuss how wildlife is adapting, the plants that provide food when it’s needed most, why ponds are such valuable habitats, and how a few small changes can have a surprisingly big impact.

Along the way you’ll hear about hummingbird hawk moths, kingfishers, dragonflies, grass snakes and the simple joys of watching nature return to your garden.

Whether you have a window box or several acres, this episode is full of ideas to help wildlife thrive through every season.

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Hotter summers, wetter winters and increasingly unpredictable weather are changing the way we garden. So how should we adapt?

Horticulturist Alison Marsden, who divides her time between Britain and a Mediterranean garden in France, joins Rod Whiting and resident expert John Stirland to explore practical ways of making our gardens more resilient. They discuss healthier soils, smarter planting, water management, Mediterranean-inspired ideas that work in Britain, and how to create gardens that are ready for the climate of the future.

Practical, optimistic and packed with ideas for gardeners across the UK.

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Food prices may be rising, but growing your own needn’t be difficult.

In this episode of the Loving Your Garden podcast, Rod Whiting and horticulturist John Stirland are joined by kitchen gardener and food writer Stephanie Hafferty, author of The Productive Garden.

Stephanie shares her advice on getting started with growing your own food, the easiest crops for beginners, why mistakes are part of the learning process, and how to make the most of even the smallest growing spaces. The discussion also covers succession sowing, preserving harvests, peat-free compost, natural approaches to pests and disease, and what to sow now for crops later in the year.

Whether you have a large vegetable plot, a few raised beds, or simply some pots on a balcony, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you grow more food and enjoy greater success in the garden.

Stephanie's website:
https://nodighome.com/

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Dahlias are bold, flamboyant, sometimes slightly outrageous - and one of the great stars of the late summer garden.

But they can also feel a little intimidating. When do you plant them? Which varieties are easiest to grow? Do you have to lift the tubers every winter? How do you support them, feed them, protect them from pests, and keep them flowering into autumn?

In this episode, Rod Whiting is joined by Dahlia expert Kim O’Brien - Head Gardener at an RHS-funded garden in Cambridgeshire, flower grower, floral designer, BBC local radio gardening expert, regular Gardeners’ World speaker, and columnist for Amateur Gardening magazine.

Her passion for Dahlias really shines through, and the tips keep on coming.

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Take a walk through the personal garden of multi-award-winning designer David Stevens.

In this episode of Loving Your Garden, I’m joined by Boom Radio’s gardening expert John Stirland as we explore multi-award-winning designer David Stevens' own 100-foot suburban garden — a space full of ideas, inspiration, and practical lessons for gardeners of all levels.

From clever use of space and planting for year-round interest, to working with soil, structure, and light, David shares how he brings together design and plantsmanship to create a garden that feels both natural and constantly evolving.

Along the way, we discuss:

 • Designing a garden as a “journey.”
 • Making the most of space in a typical suburban plot
 • Choosing the right plants for sun, shade, and soil
 • Creating structure with trees, shrubs, and borders
 • Encouraging wildlife and working with nature
 • Practical tips you can use in your own garden

This is a relaxed, insightful walk around a real garden — with plenty of ideas to take home.

You can watch the accompanying film of the garden here: 👇
https://youtu.be/BGWATXrFF84


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...Be sure to listen to this relaxed conversation with two fabulous gardeners: my co-host, John Stirland — Boom Radio’s gardening expert — and horticulturist, broadcaster and RHS judge, Martin Fish.

It was a real pleasure to reunite this former BBC TV gardening double-act and spend half an hour chatting about Spring gardening in Martin’s Lincolnshire spread, with the birds providing the background soundtrack.

We begin with the problem many gardeners are facing after a wet winter — moss in the lawn — before moving on to dividing herbaceous perennials, pruning, planting, irrigation, and finally pests.

There’s plenty to take in, so if you’d like to jump to specific topics, take a look at the chapter guide.

It's a great way to start Season 6, and our thanks to Martin for his time and use of his splendid young garden. 

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Check out Martin's FB Site for regular features and videos:👇 https://www.facebook.com/PTrowels/?locale=en_GB

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In this special seasonal edition of the Loving Your Garden podcast, John Stirland and I sit down to reflect on the gardening year just gone – and look ahead to what comes next.

As is customary at Christmas, we're joined by the renowned garden designer David Stevens (22 Chelsea medals, including 11 Golds) for a relaxed, thoughtful conversation about how gardens evolve over time – through trial and error, changing seasons, and growing confidence.

From drought and erratic weather to winter interest, shrubs as the backbone of a garden, moving plants (yes, even at the “wrong” time), and choosing trees for small spaces, this is a conversation grounded in experience rather than theory. There’s plenty here for newer gardeners, and just as much for those who’ve been digging for decades.

If you’ve ever planted everything you like and only later realised it doesn’t quite work… you’re among friends.

Link to the Video with illustrated plants and garden design here:

https://youtu.be/ru_LEJgaRhY


☘️ Topics include:
– How gardens evolve year by year
– Why shrubs matter more than fashion
– Choosing plants for winter interest
– Moving plants with confidence
– Trees and structure in small gardens
– Planning a garden around how you use it

Whether you’re listening with a cup of tea over Christmas or planning for spring, we hope this episode keeps you inspired.

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Struggling to get wildflowers growing in your garden? You’re not alone! 🌿
Gardeners are often surprised at how challenging it can be to grow wildflowers successfully, so we've been chatting to Dr Ana Attlee, co-founder of Seedball, to find a simpler solution to creating a haven for wildlife.

In this podcast, horticulturist and broadcaster John Stirland joins Loving Your Garden Founder Rod Whiting, along with Ana, to share a simple, proven method for growing wildflowers - perfect for beginners or anyone looking to attract more bees, butterflies, and birds to their garden.

Ana explains how their innovative approach removes the mystery from wildflower cultivation, helping gardeners of all levels achieve quick, effective results.
We also discuss the best spots and soil conditions for wildflowers, easy tips to encourage wildlife and colour in your garden

✨ And there's a 20% discount on Seedball products for Loving Your Garden subscribers. 

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It's been an interesting Summer! It started with drought, then the rains came, and as the nights begin to draw in, it's turned unseasonably cool. Signs of Autumn are already showing, certainly in my East Midlands garden (UK). After a relatively quiet spell, the transition to Autumn is a busy time for gardeners and our resident horticulturist, John Stirland, suggests some jobs to consider, such as creating a compost pile and scarifying the lawn. Twenty minutes in John's company is always an education and never a minute wasted, so enjoy!

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As the sun turns up the heat, so do the challenges in our gardens. In this summer edition of the Loving Your Garden podcast, I’m joined by our resident horticulturist John Stirland and award-winning garden designer David Stevens for a lively and practical chat about gardening through the warmer months.

We explore clever ways to keep your plants happy during hot, dry spells, how to water wisely, and what to plant right now for colour and resilience. Whether you’re battling parched borders or planning a summer refresh, this episode is packed with tips to help your garden thrive through the heat, with design tips from an eleven-time RHS Chelsea gold medallist.

Check out the chapters if you’re short of time – but we reckon you’ll want to hear the whole thing.

Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/OyWh8uJ-qn0

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