Loving Your Garden - Better Gardening Podcast

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In this special seasonal edition of the Loving Your Garden podcast, John Stirland and I sit down to reflect on the gardening year just gone – and look ahead to what comes next.

As is customary at Christmas, we're joined by the renowned garden designer David Stevens (22 Chelsea medals, including 11 Golds) for a relaxed, thoughtful conversation about how gardens evolve over time – through trial and error, changing seasons, and growing confidence.

From drought and erratic weather to winter interest, shrubs as the backbone of a garden, moving plants (yes, even at the “wrong” time), and choosing trees for small spaces, this is a conversation grounded in experience rather than theory. There’s plenty here for newer gardeners, and just as much for those who’ve been digging for decades.

If you’ve ever planted everything you like and only later realised it doesn’t quite work… you’re among friends.
Link to the Video with illustrated plants and garden design here:
https://youtu.be/ru_LEJgaRhY

☘️ Topics include:
– How gardens evolve year by year
– Why shrubs matter more than fashion
– Choosing plants for winter interest
– Moving plants with confidence
– Trees and structure in small gardens
– Planning a garden around how you use it

Whether you’re listening with a cup of tea over Christmas or planning for spring, we hope this episode keeps you inspired.
💬 Got a question for John? Or fancy sending us some fan mail? Drop us a line: [email protected]
📘 Join our thriving Facebook group: LYG on Facebook

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Struggling to get wildflowers growing in your garden? You’re not alone! 🌿
Gardeners are often surprised at how challenging it can be to grow wildflowers successfully, so we've been chatting to Dr Ana Attlee, co-founder of Seedball, to find a simpler solution to creating a haven for wildlife.
In this podcast, horticulturist and broadcaster John Stirland joins Loving Your Garden Founder Rod Whiting, along with Ana, to share a simple, proven method for growing wildflowers - perfect for beginners or anyone looking to attract more bees, butterflies, and birds to their garden.

Ana explains how their innovative approach removes the mystery from wildflower cultivation, helping gardeners of all levels achieve quick, effective results.
We also discuss the best spots and soil conditions for wildflowers, easy tips to encourage wildlife and colour in your garden

✨ And there's a 20% discount on Seedball products for Loving Your Garden subscribers. 
💬 Got a question for John? Or fancy sending us some fan mail? Drop us a line: [email protected]
📘 Join our thriving Facebook group: LYG on Facebook

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It's been an interesting Summer! It started with drought, then the rains came, and as the nights begin to draw in, it's turned unseasonably cool. Signs of Autumn are already showing, certainly in my East Midlands garden (UK). After a relatively quiet spell, the transition to Autumn is a busy time for gardeners and our resident horticulturist, John Stirland, suggests some jobs to consider, such as creating a compost pile and scarifying the lawn. Twenty minutes in John's company is always an education and never a minute wasted, so enjoy!
💬 Got a question for John? Or fancy sending us some fan mail? Drop us a line: [email protected]
📘 Join our thriving Facebook group: LYG on Facebook

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As the sun turns up the heat, so do the challenges in our gardens. In this summer edition of the Loving Your Garden podcast, I’m joined by our resident horticulturist John Stirland and award-winning garden designer David Stevens for a lively and practical chat about gardening through the warmer months.
We explore clever ways to keep your plants happy during hot, dry spells, how to water wisely, and what to plant right now for colour and resilience. Whether you’re battling parched borders or planning a summer refresh, this episode is packed with tips to help your garden thrive through the heat, with design tips from an eleven-time RHS Chelsea gold medallist.
Check out the chapters if you’re short of time – but we reckon you’ll want to hear the whole thing.
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/OyWh8uJ-qn0
💬 Got a question for John? Or fancy sending us some fan mail? Drop us a line: [email protected]
📘 Join our thriving Facebook group: LYG on Facebook
📬 Sign up for our free gardening newsletter: LYG Newsletter

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This might just be our best episode yet from LYG HQ!
Steve Fives is officially Loving Your Garden’s most engaging member – with more views, comments, and conversations than anyone else in the group… including me, and I run the place!
Steve’s garden is something you have to see to believe, so if you’d rather watch this episode, head over to our YouTube channel: Watch on YouTube
But don’t go just yet – Steve’s also a brilliant speaker, and this conversation on creating lawn envy is well worth a listen. He explains how he took over a tired, uninspiring garden and transformed it with lush lawns and a selection of palm trees, more at home in the Caribbean than Cheshire. Alongside our resident horticulturist, John Stirland, Steve shares lots of practical tips for anyone wanting to give their garden that wow factor.
Check out the chapters if you’re short of time – but we reckon you’ll want to hear the whole thing.

💬 Got a question for John? Or fancy sending us some fan mail? Drop us a line: [email protected]
📘 Join our thriving Facebook group: LYG on Facebook
📬 Sign up for our free gardening newsletter: LYG Newsletter