The Plant Based Podcast

Surprise! Michael and Ellen are here with another episode of The Plant Based Podcast this week, taking a deep dive into all things Japanese gardening with garden designer, Makiko.

In this episode, Makiko shares her journey, from working in the hotel industry in Japan, to studying horticulture in the UK – where she now spends half her time. She reflects on her time working at The Chelsea Flower show and a number of Japanese orchid festivals over the past couple of years – sharing her appreciation for the plant with fellow orchid lover, Michael!

She also talks about her thoughts on wabi sabi gardening, her design inspiration, Gertrude Jekyll, and what she misses most about the UK when she's in Japan. She also shares her tips with Ellen about how to harvest Japanese rice and shares, how the Sakura's slow bloom reflects the Japanese mentality of being patient and present in the moment.

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This episode of The Plant Based Podcast is brought to you by our friends at Cobra. Cobra has the UK's largest range of lawnmowers with more than 100 models available, meaning that there is one for every size and type of lawn. The vast range of products from Cobra also includes hedge trimmers, grass strimmers, leaf blowers, shredders across petrol, battery and electric models. The range is constantly expanding with new products added on a regular basis. Throughout series 4, Cobra is giving a way a whole host of Plant Based Podcast prizes. Visit www.cobragarden.co.uk for more information or follow them on Instagram at @cobragardenmachinery. #cobragarden

In this episode of the Plant Based Podcast, Michael and Ellen sit down with not one, but two special guests to delve into the worlds of horticulture and social media!

In part one, Lucy from @SheGrowsVeg talks all about her personal journey – from leaving the hustle and bustle of the fashion industry and immersing herself into nature, growing different types of edible goodness and cultivating a social media following of more than 100,000 people! She also talks through her thoughts on social media, sharing how she gained her impressive following, how she deals with the pressure that comes from it and how she thinks it benefits the horticultural industry. Lucy also shares the inspiration behind her new book, Get up and Grow, which is out on 29th April!

In part two, Alex from The Essex Allotment shares his inspiration for becoming a market gardener, and how social media has turned his hobby into a business! He also chats to Michael and Ellen about what he hopes the future of his market farm will look like and shares some words of wisdom for anyone thinking about growing their own veg or wanting to start their own social media channel.

To round things off, winner of The Great British Bake Off, John Whaite, pops in for a gossip! From Bake Off to barrister and back to baker, he shares his journey and all the secrets from behind the scenes on his TV work.

Hear from Forage & Folklore all about the power of dandelions plus Joey and Katy from JoeyAndKatyCook.co.uk share a recipe for a delicious pasta creation.

Visit www.theplantbasedpodcast.net for more info and to win prizes!

The Plant Based Podcast:

www.theplantbasedpodcast.net

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This episode of The Plant Based Podcast is brought to you by our friends at Cobra. Cobra has the UK's largest range of lawnmowers with more than 100 models available, meaning that there is one for every size and type of lawn. The vast range of products from Cobra also includes hedge trimmers, grass strimmers, leaf blowers, shredders across petrol, battery and electric models. The range is constantly expanding with new products added on a regular basis. Throughout series 4, Cobra is giving a way a whole host of Plant Based Podcast prizes. Visit www.cobragarden.co.uk for more information or follow them on Instagram at @cobragardenmachinery. #cobragarden

Join plant fanatics Michael and Ellen as they chat all things orchids with Dan Pass, the Account Manager at the UK's largest orchid nursery, Double H Nurseries.

In this fact-filled episode, Dan gives us a glimpse into what it takes to grow their exceptional orchids, and what it's like to be supplying them to the likes of Marks and Spencer's and Waitrose. He also shares tips and tricks to help you care for your orchids at home, and even gives his recommendations for those starting their own orchid growing journey!

Dan also opens up about the disruption caused by COVID-19 and how it spurred them to diversify the business – transforming their Love Orchid campaign into an e-commerce opportunity, finding a way to deliver orchids and other plants to the doorsteps of their customers.

He also chats about the business' commitment to sustainability and how the founding family - the Stevenson's - are still present within the business five generations on, and how that helps to encourage the family-focused values the company prides itself on today.

If all that wasn't enough, there's also the latest gardening gossip with The Orchid Whisperer, a news round up and Joey and Katy from JoeyAndKatyCook.co.uk share their recipe for a delicious roasted butternut and butter bean stew!

Visit www.theplantbasedpodcast.net for more info and to win prizes!

The Plant Based Podcast:

www.theplantbasedpodcast.net

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This episode of The Plant Based Podcast is brought to you by our friends at Cobra. Cobra has the UK's largest range of lawnmowers with more than 100 models available, meaning that there is one for every size and type of lawn. The vast range of products from Cobra also includes hedge trimmers, grass strimmers, leaf blowers, shredders across petrol, battery and electric models. The range is constantly expanding with new products added on a regular basis. Throughout series 4, Cobra is giving a way a whole host of Plant Based Podcast prizes. Visit www.cobragarden.co.uk for more information or follow them on Instagram at @cobragardenmachinery. #cobragarden

In this episode, Michael and Ellen visit Perrywood Garden Centre in Colchester, to chat to owner and director, Alan Bourne.

Perrywood has been running since the 1950s. What first began as a way for Alan's parents to sell their home-grown goods, has since flourished into an extremely successful business, turning their pennies into millions – picking up a string of awards along the way!

Alan shares anecdotes of the business' early years and reflects on how his passion for growing plants made it possible to face any obstacles head-on. With COVID-19 being their most recent challenge, Alan opens up about its effect on the business – from his staff, plant stock and the shift towards mail orders. He also talks about his delight in the younger generations' interest in gardening, as well as having his three children working for the business that his father began all those years ago!

As well exploring Perrywood, this week's episode is jammed packed with special features! Tom from Forage and Folklore reveals the best plant to look out for at this time of year when foraging – sticky weed! There's also a quick fire news round with a round up of the recent plant based news and an extra special gossip section as superfan of the podcast, Alex known as 'gardening myself sane' joins Michael and Ellen for a gardening chat.

Visit www.theplantbasedpodcast.net for more info and to win prizes!

The Plant Based Podcast:

www.theplantbasedpodcast.net

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

This episode of The Plant Based Podcast is brought to you by our friends at Cobra. Cobra has the UK's largest range of lawnmowers with more than 100 models available, meaning that there is one for every size and type of lawn. The vast range of products from Cobra also includes hedge trimmers, grass strimmers, leaf blowers, shredders across petrol, battery and electric models. The range is constantly expanding with new products added on a regular basis. Throughout series 4, Cobra is giving a way a whole host of Plant Based Podcast prizes. Visit www.cobragarden.co.uk for more information or follow them on Instagram at @cobragardenmachinery. #cobragarden

Join us as we kick off series 4 of the Plant Based Podcast by championing small growers and celebrating independent nurseries. Michael and Ellen meet Ruth Goudy from Kiln Farm Nursery in Suffolk. Kiln Farn is a true family business. It's been in the family since 1932, and Ruth even grew up there! The nursery business started when she and her husband, Paul (who she met when he worked for her dad) rented a field, built a shed and started selling plants! Recorded in Summer 2020, Ruth reflects on how being an independent nursery without the constraints of big chain growers, allowed Kiln Farm to adapt in lockdown. They started taking veg orders over the phone, quickly growing from a handful of orders a day to 70! Demand grew so much that Ruth and Paul had to rally the troops and call on the local community to help with deliveries – summoning the true spirit of independent nurseries and the demonstrating the strong sense of community they have created. In the second half, Ruth gives Michael and Ellen a tour behind the scenes, shares her vision for the business, and explains how they choose what to grow and sell. The Plant Based Podcast:

www.theplantbasedpodcast.net

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Facebook

This episode of The Plant Based Podcast is brought to you by our friends at Cobra. Cobra has the UK's largest range of lawnmowers with more than 100 models available, meaning that there is one for every size and type of lawn. The vast range of products from Cobra also includes hedge trimmers, grass strimmers, leaf blowers, shredders across petrol, battery and electric models. The range is constantly expanding with new products added on a regular basis. Throughout series 4, Cobra is giving a way a whole host of Plant Based Podcast prizes. Visit www.cobragarden.co.uk for more information or follow them on Instagram at @cobragardenmachinery. #cobragarden

In the second of two special bonus episodes where Michael and Ellen interview each other, it's Ellen's turn to get the third degree! Michael delved deep to find out a surprising fact about Ellen's past, what she would tell her younger self all of these years later plus a quick fire question round and plenty of laughs!

The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net

Find two bonus episodes in the lead up to series 4 of the podcast which are about the hosts themselves!

In this first episode, Michael Perry is interviewed by Ellen Mary who gives some secrets away and delves into Michael's plant based past, future & everything inbetween...including what irritates him, what his plant star sign is & why he doesn't like his cooking critiqued!

All here on the plant based podcast.

The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net

In this bonus episode Michael and Ellen chat with the Adonis of the allotment, Richard Chivers about lockdown mental health, growing your own food and allotment communities. Richard is also a great cook so find out how he would cook all of your favourite homegrown vegetables.

The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net

This Christmas episode is full of mistletoe, new years resolutions and christmas trees! Plus, hear James Cornish from J&A Japonicas talking about the most popular christmas plant - The Poinsettia. Learn how to look after your christmas tree, hear listeners new year resolutions and enjoy some high jinks with Michael and Ellen. Merry Christmas everyone. The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net Additional articles for this podcast Poinsettia Care Tips and Why chose a real Christmas tree

Do you lift or mulch your Dahlias? In this bonus gossip episode, Michael and Ellen chat with friend of the podcast - Kirsty Ward (My Little Allotment) about what's going on down her plot. Plus there's other random gardening chat to keep you amused from bathtub Tulips to Michaels no lawn garden. The Plant Based Podcast: www.theplantbasedpodcast.net