BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast

Should gardens always be neat and tidy? In this episode, Monty Don makes the case for embracing a little unruliness in the garden. He explains how balancing structured planting with wilder spaces can create healthier habitats for wildlife, improve biodiversity and make gardens more resilient. From lawns and long grass to weeds, mulching and healthy soil, Monty shares practical advice on gardening with nature rather than against. Along the way, he explores why gardens are works of craft rather than wilderness, and how adapting our expectations can help us create beautiful, thriving spaces for both people and wildlife.<...

Claire shares the simple sweetcorn trick every gardener should know, plus late-summer jobs for roses and dragonflies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Monty Don joins us to celebrate one of the stars of the late-summer garden: the dahlia. From favourite varieties and colour combinations to overwintering techniques and growing dahlias in containers, Monty shares how he uses these vibrant plants to keep Longmeadow looking spectacular well into autumn. He also reflects on the creation of his famous Jewel Garden, explains why late-season interest is so important, and reveals the other plants he relies on to bring colour and drama when many gardens are beginning to fade. Packed with practical advice and gardening inspiration. Learn more about your...

Frances Tophill explores the joys, challenges and emotions of creating your own garden. From deciding what to keep, remove or rehome, to choosing plants that reflect your personality and support wildlife, Frances shares honest insight from her own gardening journey. She talks about leaving a much-loved garden behind, planning a new urban wildlife experiment and why a garden doesn’t need to look professionally designed to be meaningful. With practical ideas, thoughtful reflections and plenty of encouragement, this episode is for anyone ready to put their own stamp on a growing space. Learn more about yo...

Join Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast presenter Claire Vennis for a lively late-summer potter through the jobs worth doing now - from jazzing up heucheras to sowing spinach and saving seeds for bees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Ashley Edwards as he reveals what really goes on behind the scenes of DIY SOS. From designing life-changing gardens in just days to working through 2am finishes, Ashley shares the chaos, community spirit and emotional moments that make the show so special. He talks accessible planting, sustainable reuse, favourite low-maintenance plants, and the joy of seeing families enjoy their transformed spaces. Plus, hear about his horticultural journey from Kew to Sicily, Horatio’s Garden, Gardeners’ Question Time and Gardeners’ World, with plenty of practical inspiration along the way. Learn more about yo...

What makes a garden truly welcoming? In this episode, BBC Gardeners' World presenter and garden designer Arit Anderson explores how thoughtful garden design can create spaces that work for everyone, regardless of age, ability or gardening experience. From sensory planting and accessible pathways to community gardening projects and intergenerational growing, Arit shares practical ideas for making outdoor spaces more inclusive. She also discusses how gardens can support wellbeing, tackle loneliness, inspire young people to connect with nature and help communities thrive. Whether you have a large garden, a balcony or no garden at all, there's inspiration for everyone.<...

Will your buddleia give butterflies one last feast, are your tomatoes ready for their big August moment, and could a simple splash of water turn your garden into a wildlife hotspot? Join BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine's Claire Vennis for three easy, feel-good jobs to do now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What makes a garden feel calm, balanced and timeless? Award-winning garden designer Tomoko Kawauchi shares how her upbringing in rural Japan continues to shape her approach to creating beautiful outdoor spaces. In this episode, she explains the simple design principles that work in gardens of any size, from using structure and circulation to choosing plants for function rather than fashion. Tomoko also discusses designing with nature, adapting to climate change, improving soil health and creating spaces that encourage people to slow down and reconnect with the outdoors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

In this inspiring episode, broadcaster, garden designer and author Mark Lan explores what accessible gardening really means. Following a life-changing accident, Mark discovered the restorative power of plants and went on to champion inclusive outdoor spaces that work for everyone. He shares practical ideas for designing gardens around ability, from wide paths, sensory planting and resting places to thrifty approaches that remove financial and physical barriers. With warmth, honesty and plenty of expert insight, Mark shows how gardens of any size can boost wellbeing, welcome wildlife and help more people enjoy growing. Learn more about...

This week, Claire's quick and practical gardening jobs are to trim lavender, clean bird boxes and how to grow bigger beetroot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Celebrate the joy of summer harvests with Frances as she shares why growing your own tastes better, how to choose crops that are useful, beautiful and good value, and why perennial veg deserves a place alongside annual favourites. From tomatoes, squash and kale crisps to cut flowers, sweet peas and plants for natural dyes, this warm, practical chat explores the many rewards of a productive garden and proves it’s never too late to sow, grow and harvest something delicious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Award-winning garden designer and TV presenter Danny Clarke (The Black Gardener) reveals how to create a garden you love without spending a fortune, whatever size gardening space. Danny shares the personal story of how he found his way into horticulture and offers practical, budget-friendly design ideas that make an immediate difference. Encouraging gardeners to plan slowly and thoughtfully, prioritise plants over lawn for lower maintenance and more wildlife, choosing resilient plants that suit your space and conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we head into August, Claire takes you through giving those borders a freshen up, taking salvia tip cuttings and planting out spring cabbages Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 How can we grow food in a way that's rooted in heritage, but forward thinking enough to support biodiversity and sustainability for generations to come? Gemma Sturges is the Kitchen Garden Supervisor and organic gardener at Audley End House and Gardens and has spent more than a decade managing the historic walled kitchen garden. Growing heritage fruit and vegetables, nurturing soil health and caring for perennial crops and traditional produce in a fully organic way, Gemma shares how she grows to build sustainable gardens that support wildlife, celebrate biodiversity and connects to the generations of growers before us....

Transform your balcony into a beautiful, wildlife-friendly garden with expert advice from BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Ashley Edwards. In this practical episode, Ashley shares how to choose lightweight containers, create stylish planting schemes and select tough plants that can cope with wind, shade and drought. He also explores clever watering ideas, balcony ponds, compact trees, outdoor furniture, composting and ways to make even one pot count for wildlife. Whether you have a tiny urban balcony or a small paved space, discover how to grow with confidence, experiment with plants and turn your outdoor area into a relaxing, colourful retreat....

Claire is back this week with easy jobs for summer gardens that can make a real difference, but don’t take long - this week refresh your containers, give your lawn some TLC and have a bit of a tidy up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sharing her expert advice on gardening and growing plants on a budget, Frances reveals how to find bargain buys at nurseries and garden centres and advises to choose smaller pots, healthy roots and plants with strong growth points. She explains when it’s worth splashing out on statement plants, why trees can be a smart investment, and how swapping seeds, growing from supermarket scraps and rescuing discounted perennials can save money. Packed with practical tips on buying, planting, watering and nurturing new plants, get more from every pound while creating a thriving, beautiful garden. Learn mo...

How can spending time in nature improve our health? In this episode, GP, broadcaster and bestselling author Dr Amir Khan explores the science behind nature's remarkable benefits for both our physical and mental wellbeing. From the calming effects of birdsong and green spaces to creating a wildlife-friendly garden filled with ponds, pollinator plants and butterflies, Amir shares practical ways to make the most of the natural world. He also discusses his work with Butterfly Conservation, why our gardens play a vital role in protecting wildlife, and how even the smallest green space can become a sanctuary for both people...

Claire enjoys a cheerful mid-July potter to collect seeds, give strawberries some TLC and suggest easy ways to give garden wildlife a helping hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices