We've had a few April showers so far this month and we are feeling a little bit soggy!  In this episode we talk about the realities of gardening during the month of April and share some tips about getting the most from your April garden. It's important to share a positive message that as gardeners, we all love to moan about the weather, but it really does keep our lives interesting doesn't it? This episode of the Growing Up Podcast is sponsored by the fabulous outdoor clothing brand...

In this episode, we discuss how you can bring wildlife into your growing space, boost your local environment and eco system and also boost productivity. We discuss the perils of working with frogs and every gardeners favourite topic: slugs. Buy ourselves and our guests a coffee 👍 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/growinguppodcast More in-depth growing advice 📺

In this episode, we are joined by Ed from Roots Allotments to chat through essential gardening jobs for the month of April.  Some of you will just be getting started in the garden whereas others will have windowsills absolutely filled with seedlings.  Either way, we have you covered in this week's episode! Buy ourselves and our guests a coffee 👍 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/growinguppodcast More in-depth growing advice 📺

Almost exactly a year ago, Kate formally came to work full-time at Urban Herbs, growing, selling and promoting herb plants as a full-time job.  She left behind a full-time job in event management and so this shift represented a dramatic change. One year later Kate answers the questions that you have sent in to ask her about her dramatic career change.  This turned into a really honest chat about the rollercoaster year that we have had and we hope that it represents a hopeful message to many...

In this episode, we travel back in time, to a world that didn't have easy access to medicine or reliable food supplies.  We discuss a world in which gardens were vitally important and provide a really interesting insight into the medieval world.   Andy was once a history student and this episode of the Growing Up Podcast might just be his favourite yet. Buy ourselves and our guests a coffee 👍 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/growinguppodcast More in-depth growing advice 📺

Gardening here in the UK the pace of growth changes radically throughout the year.  It's something that we are gardeners totally accept but we rarely hear it talked about. So in this episode, we chat about the 'acceleration of growth' and how you can prepare for it. The season is really getting started now and we hope you enjoy this chat. 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the moment but love recording these pods and sharing the joy of...

In this episode, we deep dive into the many beautiful varieties of herbs that are perfect for planting now in the early spring period.  We share growing tips for how you can get the most from your herb garden during the spring period.  But most importantly we chat and share our genuine joy of growing these amazing varieties. 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the moment but love recording these pods and sharing the joy of growing with you....

In this episode, we are joined by Ed from Roots Allotments as we share our love of allotment growing, the magic of community growing spirit, and the truly exciting work that is happening at Roots Allotments. The energy that Ed brings to this episode is truly infectious as we share the simple joy of growing and the manifold benefits that this act brings. 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the moment but love recording these pods and...

In this episode of the Growing Up Podcast, we tell the story of the Spring of 2020, a season that turned into a spring like no other.  For so many of us our gardens became refuges during the long months of lockdowns as more experienced gardeners shared their knowledge on social media and others rediscovered the simple joy of growing things. In this episode, we read some of your stories from the lockdown spring and reflect just how important gardening was to so many of us during this time. 👉...

In this episode we talk about our love of Farmers Markets, what they are, why they matter, and how important they have been to our story.   Join us for this nostalgic journey into a world of artisan bread, cheese, plants, and food ethics.   Is there a farmers market near you? Let us know what you think of them. 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the moment but love recording these pods and sharing the joy of growing with you. We...

In this episode we talk all things February, it's such a strange month in the garden and so we chat to Shannon, a friend of the show and Diary of a Lady Gardener on Instagram about essential gardening jobs for February. This can often be the coldest month of the year,  but also a month that brings blue skies, sunshine and SO much hope. Really hope that you enjoy the chat. 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the moment but love recording...

In this episode, Andy and Kate chat about the reaction to Andy's video showing the results of his front garden growing project and explore the importance of slow living in an increasingly 24/7 culture. We talk about generational change and rapidly changing perspectives on food growing. We really hope that you enjoy joining us for this raw and largely unedited chat. 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the moment but love recording these...

In this episode, we talk about the idea of starting a horticultural business.   So many people have reached out to us over the years and said how much they have thought of career-changing - starting a career in the horticultural sector.  This week we dig a little deeper, talking honestly about our story over the last decade but also sharing our excitement about the future. There are so many opportunities in horticulture. And it's the best job in the world. Let us know what you think! 👉 WE...

In this episode, Andy and Kate chat about varieties that we are excited about planting in 2024.  Get ready for a really informal, chat between the two of us as we chat about our 'couple gardening goals' for the growing season. We started recording without a plan and simply opened Kate's 'to sow' seed box. We really hope that you enjoy this slightly different and very unplanned episode. Spring is coming - who else is excited? 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We...

In this episode, we chat with a friend of the show James Wong about whether or not it's possible to genuinely grow food to save money.   It's proven to be a surprisingly controversial subject, to talk honestly about the idea of growing food to save money and so we were fascinated to hear what James Wong had to say on this subject. Really hope that you enjoy this chat as much as we did. 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the moment but...

In this episode, we dig deep into gardening jobs for January.  Andy is joined by Dan, Head Gardener of Winterbourne House and Gardens as we chat on a rainy day about practical jobs that you can do NOW in January to get your garden off to the best possible start to the year. Each month in 2024 we aim to release a podcast offering practical advice, tips that you can implement at that point in the year.  All too often gardening advice tells you what you should have done 6 weeks earlier - and we...

Kate is BACK for this Pre-Christmas episode of the Growing Up Podcast. We talk about our gardening highlights of 2023, amazing highs and a few light hearted lows.  It was so lovely to sit together and consider the growing season that is ending shortly. We find that December is a month for gardeners to sit, reflect and plan ahead and this is exactly what we do in this episode.  We talk about our growing hopes and dreams for 2024 and invite you to join us in sharing your growing resolutions...

In this week's episode, we talk to Katy and David who run the fabulous Root 13 house plant shop here in Birmingham.   Like ourselves they took a less-than-traditional route into horticulture, embracing a love of growing houseplants during the pandemic and now sharing the joy of growing these amazing plants with their customer and on social media. You will hear the emotion and passion as we chat with them about these amazing plants and their story. Are you a houseplant-growing geek...

Growing food to save money?  Is it possible?   Can you truly be self-sufficient, growing food in a front garden?   This week we take a deep breath and dive deeply into the subject of growing food to save money.  We didn't think that this would be particularly controversial but it turns out that our messaging around this subject on social media has caused a very, very strong reaction. We talk a little bit about why this might be the case and how much we have loved growing food this...

We all sometimes feel that we are the head gardener of our corner of planet earth but today we talk to Daniel Cartwright, who is genuinely the Head Gardener at Winterbourne House and Gardens in Birmingham.  We chat honestly about the challenges and opportunities in designing, curating and maintaining a heritage site.  We talk honestly about the importance of bringing a new generation into the horticultural industry and describe the amazing space that is Winterbourne House and Gardens. ...

Something a little bit different, this week Kate was unable to join us on the Growing Up Podcast so I was joined by Thersa (Mum!).  What we actually recorded was 45 minutes of giggles, and chat about the nature of seasons and why gardening for well-being is really serious and vitally important.⁠ This week we talk very honestly about the link between the gardening seasons and the ebb and flow of life.  How it's so important to embrace a little "autumnal mentality" sometimes both in the garden...

Why has it taken us so long to record an episode about the beautiful herb plants that have defined the last decade of our lives?  Grab yourselves a drink, sit back, and join us as we chat about our favourite herb plants. Herbs are beautiful plants that you can plant in your allotment, garden or grow indoors, but the truth is that these plants have the power to really transform your food and your mood, and are the perfect 'gateway plants'.  They make you fall in love with growing things, they...

We are joined on the Growing Up Podcast by James Wong, Ethnobotanist, presenter, and author of the amazing series 'Grow Your Own Drugs'. He is also a current panelist on the BBC Radio 4 programme, Gardeners' Question Time.   We chat to James about his story but fundamentally why plants matter, the provable benefits that they bring, and whether growing potatoes if stranded on the surface of the planet Mars is a good idea. We know that you are going to enjoy this chat! 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR...

In this week's podcast, we travel back in time to 1940s Britain and explore the Dig for Victory Campaign.  We talk about the realities of growing food during wartime and explore the impact that this had both economically, practically but also emotionally. This week we introduce special guests Potaoe Pete and Doctor Carrot.  Listen to the podcast to become acquainted with these wartime characters. 👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the...

In this week's episode, we talk to Lance from Tomato Revolution.  You will love hearing Lance's incredible passion for growing tomatoes, it's truly incredible.  Join us as we go down a very geeky horticultural rabbit hole and learn about unusual heirloom varieties of tomato, the process of developing new varieties of tomato, and the link between tomatoes and Star Wars.   👉 WE HAVE A HUGE FAVOUR TO ASK 👈 Did you enjoy our podcast? We don't have a sponsor at the moment but love recording...