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The Happy Garden Podcast

Latest Episode

Chelsea Flower Show 2024

Episodes

44 minutes | Friday, 24 May 2024
The Chelsea Flower Show 2024 - what an exceptional show! Mollie went along to see the show gardens, the show displays, and the floral marquee. She chats to Miria Harris who designed the Stroke Association's Garden for Recovery. Hear about Miria's journey. She herself suffered a stroke and the journey to recovery, which is ongoing, is reflected in this wonderful space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 6 minutes | Friday, 17 May 2024
Horticulturalist Chris Baines talks about his own garden and attracting wildlife. He also discusses his show garden at Chelsea - the first ever wildlife garden 40 years ago - it had a strange reaction from people who didn't quite understand it at the time. Darren has a hanging basket masterclass. Andy Lound has a VERY sexy horticultural history this week! We'll be answering your gardening questions and having a jolly good giggle too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 22 minutes | Friday, 10 May 2024
An awful lot to cover in this episode! We find out about RHS Malvern Spring Show. Listener Penny tells us all about her hydroponic growing system. We find out about the catastrophic results of the Bugs Matter Splatter UK survey and ask what we can do about it. It's national hedge week, so Andy Lound has the history of the hedge. Darren's jokes will have you rolling in the aisles this week...oh and we also discuss the poor crane fly. No mouth. They can't eat, can't speak and their legs fall off very easily. Makes you grateful for every day really.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
1 hour 14 minutes | Friday, 3 May 2024
May is such a beautiful month in our gardens. This weeks we look at which insects we'll see in our gardens in May and what can be foraged. Chris Baines, one of the UK's leading environmentalists will be joining us to tell us all about International Dawn Chorus Day which he founded as a way to celebrate his birthday! Andy Lound has the horticultural history of the apple and we discuss World Naked Gardening Day. All that and a few giggles too, we look forward to joining you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 2 minutes | Friday, 26 April 2024
A very important episode this week. After a listener got in touch with a cautionary tail of how a blackthorn thorn in his finger resulted an overnight hospital stay, we talk garden safety. ROSPA join us to tell how we can all keep safe. Darren also discusses the subject of plants responding to music. We find out which plants enjoy which type of music! Lots more, included growing vegetables in small spaces, jobs for the week ahead and Andy Lound has the horticultural history of rhubarb. Lots to enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 19 minutes | Friday, 19 April 2024
Another jam packed episode. Mollie talks to the RSPB who reveal this years results of the Big Garden Birdwatch - who has done well this year? Darren explains the ins and outs of being buried in your own garden, you'll be surprised at what he has found out!Jimmy the mower talks to us about lawn care in this dreadful wet weather and Darren continues his seed sowing master class. Jobs, jokes, money saving tips and lots of other gardening titbits for you to enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 14 minutes | Friday, 12 April 2024
We do like to introduce you to fascinating people and this episode is no different! We meet Jimmy the Mower, who, thanks to one tweet that went viral, is now a turf influencer. The passion Jimmy has for his job is inspirational. Darren continues his series on getting plants started at this time of year. LOTS of reaction from last week's conversation about composting human bodies. Jobs, jokes, a bit of garden poetry, history of the watering can and hose....usual fascinating things! Come and join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 31 minutes | Friday, 5 April 2024
A fascinating episode. Mollie talks to the founder of a facility in America that composts human bodies. How? Why? We found out...Darren continues his series in profiling how to grow and prick out seedlings and answers your gardening questions. We also start a monthly foraging slot in an effort to save you some money. Andy Lound has the history of the tulip and we shall have some smiles along the way. Join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 4 minutes | Friday, 29 March 2024
Well, we're still dodging those showers, but plenty to be getting on with! Darren has his April edible foraging guide, his seed growing masterclass continues and he also answers your questions. Mollie chats to charity Froglife about their campaign "Stop Spawn Sales" raising awareness of selling wild caught spawn and tadpoles illegally. Andy has the horticultural history of carrots and there are plenty of jobs, jokes and smiles along the way. Join us for easter fun! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 6 minutes | Friday, 22 March 2024
At last, it is officially Spring! The wonderful charity Froglife join Mollie for a chat to discuss how frogs and toads have fared after what was the wettest February on record. Have they come out of hibernation early? What will that mean for them? Find out in this episode. Darren answers lots of your gardening questions and has a brilliant beginners guide to seed sowing. Lots more on this packed episode to enjoy too. Come and join us!For more information on Froglife, visit froglife.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 12 minutes | Friday, 15 March 2024
We chat to the Daffodil Society about these sunny beauties and find out about their annual show. Andy Lound brings us more horticultural history with the fascinating history of the greenhouse! Darren answers your questions and profiles exactly what we can be sowing and growing this week.For more info on the Daffodil Society, visit www.thedaffodilsociety.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 14 minutes | Friday, 8 March 2024
Well, we've had a bit of sunshine this week so we've been inspired to look ahead to the flower shows of 2024. Mollie talks to NGS who are getting ready for their second only show garden at Chelsea and Craighouse Cacti who will also be hoping for another Chelsea gold medal with their stand. Darren proudly profiles his workplace - the amazing Winterbourne gardens in Birmingham. He also answers some of your gardening questions, oh, and there is a surprise appearance too from The House Plant Band :-) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 2 minutes | Friday, 1 March 2024
Hear from Caroline Quentin as she talks us through creating her fabulous new book Drawn to the garden. Her passion is amazing. Andy Lound guides us through the history of using manure on our gardens. Darren explains care for air plants and lots of other horticultural tit bits to enjoy too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 3 minutes | Friday, 23 February 2024
Welcome to another pod! We hear from Kaleb Copper from Clarkson's Farm about some of the finds that have come up with the plough. Darren answers some of your gardening questions and Monty Don tells us why we must tolerate badgers and share our garden space. All the usual podcast horticultural bits and bobs thrown in too, thank you for joining us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 10 minutes | Friday, 16 February 2024
We are joined by the wonderful Pete waterman to discuss a bit of horticulture. He talks about King Charles' garden at Highgrove, trying to keep royal lavender alive and his favourite plant. Darren answers some of your gardening questions. A bit of horticultural history comes from Andy Lound. And there is a bit of laughter :-) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 13 minutes | Friday, 9 February 2024
Professor Alice Roberts chats to Mollie about archaeology found in the gardens of the UK and how her garden is her happy place. We hear from listener Rupert who grows Godfrey garlic, a true yet huge variety, he has tips for planting too. Darren answers an interesting question about a neighbour dispute over ivy, there are money saving tips, jobs for the week ahead... and as always, plenty of laughs throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 7 minutes | Friday, 2 February 2024
Well, what a rollercoaster of a podcast. The computer wasn't working properly and then it died altogether. Then Darren had a medical thing which meant he couldn't finish the end of it....oh the jeopardy! But the good news is, we made a fist of it. One listener has sprouting shop bought garlic, is it viable? We talk to a fabulous community charity which plants and looks after dozens of local orchards. Andy Lound brings us some more horticultural history...and there are a few giggles along the way. Join us...For more on the community orchards - www.fruitandnutvillage.org.uk Hosted on Acast. S...
1 hour 13 minutes | Friday, 26 January 2024
Welcome to another pod! George Plumptre tells us how you can open your garden for the National Garden Scheme - your garden does not have to be perfect! Andy Lound explains the history of wassailing. We meet Simon who runs an onion club down the local pub. Lots of your gardening questions answered, bit of rapping, bit of laughing, the usual thing :-) oh and Darren was high throughout...come and join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 35 minutes | Friday, 19 January 2024
All about the humble yet beautiful snowdrop. We hear from George Plumptre CEO of NGS about his forthcoming snowdrop zoom talk. We talk to galanthus.co.uk about why this little flower is so popular and just how much bulbs can fetch. Darren does some beautiful snowdrop poetry too. As always, we get some of your gardening questions answered - oh and be warned - there is a silly amount of silliness towards the end.... :-) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 19 minutes | Friday, 12 January 2024
Lots in this weeks pod. Adam Frost talks openly to Mollie about his struggles with mental health and what has helped him. Your gardening questions answered on spent hyacinths and where to start with making a veg bed from scratch. Mollie and Darren play Nut or Not, Andy Lound brings us the history of roses, money saving tips and lots of smiles. We hope you enjoy :-) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 18 minutes | Friday, 5 January 2024
Happy New Year Podbeans! Darren is still positive for covid but we still manage to make a fist of it! We hear from Kevin Beresford, the self proclaimed dullest man in Britain, about his latest calendar; Allotments of Redditch. Lots of gardening questions answered included an interesting slot on how to make compost, where to start on creating a compost heap at home. Jobs for the week ahead, the obligatory gardening jokes and a look at the wildlife winners and losers of 2023. There's a bit of laughter along the way :-) Thank you for being with us as we head in to a new year x Hosted on Acast...
56 minutes | Friday, 29 December 2023
Happy New Year friends! It's a slightly shorter pod, Darren has covid but he just about coped! We look at how to recycle your Christmas tree, a few jobs for the stormy week ahead and even though he's below par, Dazzler still manages to do some singing :-) See you next year. Enjoy. Mollie x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
59 minutes | Friday, 22 December 2023
Andy Lound makes a return this week with a look at the history of pea genetics. We have our final festive gift suggestion and questions answered on slippery decking and patios, freezing water butts and hellebore health. Along with a bit of festive fun. Merry Christmas from Mollie and Darren x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 17 minutes | Friday, 15 December 2023
We hear from Darren regarding the community projects he runs and how it helps people enormously in their lives - powerful stuff. In the run up to Christmas, we have home made gift ideas. Your gardening questions answered and your company cherished. Come and join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 13 minutes | Friday, 8 December 2023
A Christmassy feel! Darren has solid advice on looking after your Christmas tree in the house and all important tips for choosing your poinsettia, some interesting advice on your rights if it dies within days of you getting it home! We hear from Bob Sweet, the horticultural director of the BBC Gardeners World Live show at the NEC next year. Lots of your questions answered, bit of singing, bit of laughing....usual thing. Come and join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 20 minutes | Friday, 1 December 2023
Another fascinating episode! We find out how easy it is to hire your Christmas tree, you can have it delivered and then picked up after Christmas, you can even have the same tree each year! Mollie and Darrens Christmas cracker details of how to make horticultural bath bombs. We meet The Seed Card Company who have a fantastic range of products that you can plant. Plenty of your gardening questions answered and a ridiculous amount of laughing towards the end...well, it is nearly Christmas :-)www.theseedcardcompany.comwww.loveachristmastree.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
1 hour 15 minutes | Friday, 24 November 2023
Ever thought about a change of change of career? Darren tells us it's never too late to start a new one in horticulture. Christmas gift ideas begin with Mollie and Darren's Christmas Cracker. How on earth do experts find non native Asian hornet's nests? You'll be amazed how! Darren delves in to the benefits of a no dig garden. Lots of your gardening questions answered, with a bit of singing and laughing along the way. Come and join us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 21 minutes | Friday, 17 November 2023
A packed episode! We meet Fergus the forager who explains how mushrooms can be used for some surprising purposes and encourages us to experiment - and head down Mollie's Pickling parlour to learn how to preserve mushrooms for up to 2 years. Darren answers questions on the difference between indoor and outdoor cyclamen, choosing compost and gardening veganically. Learn how to deter mice from your homes, oh, and there's a bit of singing and laughing too :-) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 20 minutes | Friday, 10 November 2023
Delving in to the world of spiders, both garden and house varieties. Mollie talks to Buglife about these fascinating creatures. The amazing Andy Lound brings us the history of the foxglove and we hear from Keith who was taken to hospital with suspected sepsis after a simple prick from a rose thorn on his thumb. As a result, Darren discusses safety whilst gardening. As always, lots of advice, giggles and jobs for the week ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 12 minutes | Friday, 3 November 2023
We talk to The British Hedgehog Society about how hedgehogs have fared this year and the risks they face. Darren answers your gardening questions and we talk about which veg are easily propagated from the supermarket. Learn how to use all of those unripened tomatoes in the greenhouse, Mollie takes you down the pickling parlour to make chutney. As always, lots of fun too!www.thebritishhedgehogs.org.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Chelsea Flower Show 2024
The Happy Garden Podcast

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