Introducing Two Good Gardeners

I have been very quiet here lately, for which I apologise. Following a few subtle prompts, I thought I had better explain myself!

Dan Cooper Garden has been taking up more and more of my time as I prepare for a busy spring season selling at specialist plant fairs and garden openings all around the south and east of the UK. I’m popping up at some spectacular venues, including Saltwood Castle, Hatfield House and The American Museum in Bath – you’ll find details for April and May here. I have also been sourcing new products, writing lots of articles for the website and developing unique new services such as garden consultations and garden mentoring. It’s no wonder I’m feeling exhausted, but what a privilege it is to be doing what I love. I try to remind myself of that every day.

Since November, I’ve also been working on an exciting new project, a podcast with my friend and fellow gardener Julia Parker. We made a pilot episode in November (I called it a mock cast!), and finally, we have recorded and released episode 1. It’s available everywhere you’d usually find a podcast; on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Acast, or you can listen to it by tapping the play button below.

We know there are lots of gardening podcasts out there already. We are trying to make programmes that are finely tuned to the season, offering sound, credible, friendly advice at a comfortable pace with a dash of humour and a splash of personality. We are genuine, amateur gardeners who love what we do. We want to share our successes and failures so listeners can take comfort and enjoy their gardens. We take our hats off to everyone who makes a podcast – it’s not as easy as you imagine!

So, without further ado, I invite you to listen. We’re recording the next episode in a little over a week and welcome any feedback and suggestions for improvement. Please be kind. The first time around, we were concentrating so hard that we barely knew what we were saying! Happy listening. TFG.

The Serge Hill Project with Becky Fincham and Millie Souter – Two Good Gardeners

For their season finale, Dan and Julia talk to Becky Fincham and Millie Souter from The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health, the non-profit initiative set up by Tom & Sue Stuart-Smith around their family home in Hertfordshire. Inspired by Sue Stuart-Smith's bestselling book, 'The Well Gardened Mind', Becky leads a host of programmes that introduce local schools, community groups, charities and cancer survivors to gardening. Becky is joined by Millie Souter, Head Gardener for the renowned Plant Library at the Tom Stuart-Smith Studio. Millie takes care of 2000 varieties of herbaceous plants and low shrubs, plus 500 different bulbs, set out in a grid system. We find out how plants earn a place in the library and how gardeners and plant enthusiasts can make use of this world-class resource. Also in this episode, Julia explains how to collect and store your own seeds, and Dan discovers a fun way to personalise your gardening gear.Website links:More about the Serge Hill ProjectBook tickets for the Serge Hill Plant FairMore about Sue Stuart Smith's Book, 'The Well Gardened Mind'Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local.This episode was sponsored by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, which brings beautiful British-grown plants to stunning venues across the South East of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. The Serge Hill Project with Becky Fincham and Millie Souter 56:15
2. A Passion for Perennials with Rosy Hardy 01:07:27
3. London's Secret Eden With Sean Harkin 52:15
4. Borde Hill Blossoms with Jay Goddard and Mark Bobin 43:52
5. Some Like It Hot With Clare Kennett 55:34

Categories: Bulbs, Container gardening, Flowers, Fruit and Veg, Podcast, Seeds and Sowing, Urban Gardens, Weather