Two Good Gardeners

Dan Cooper & Julia Parker
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The podcast for everyone who wants to enjoy growing their own flowers, fruit and vegetables. Presented by hosts Dan Cooper and Julia Parker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 5 days ago

    The Serge Hill Project with Becky Fincham and Millie Souter

    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.

    56 min

  2. 12 Jun

    A Passion for Perennials with Rosy Hardy

    Perennials are probably the most popular type of plant in the UK, but that wasn’t always the case. In this episode, we talk with Rosy Hardy, the Chelsea Flower Show’s most decorated female exhibitor. She has won 24 gold medals and helped many garden designers and colleagues win awards with her plants. Rosy explains how she helped make perennials popular over the past forty years and shares advice on choosing varieties that can handle our unpredictable summer weather. Later, Dan introduces an innovative plastic-free insect net made from plant fibres, and Julia recommends an unusual fruit that grows well in hot, dry summers. Website links: Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants website offering over 1200 perennials grown peat-free.A selection of Rosy's most resilient perennialsRosy Hardy Gardening on YouTubeDan Cooper GardenInsectonet Plastic-Free NetParker'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.

    1hr 7min

  3. 22 May

    London's Secret Eden With Sean Harkin

    Tucked away on the embankment, the Inner Temple Garden has a long and impressive history, including a time when it hosted what is now called the Chelsea Flower Show. In this episode, Dan and Julia chat with Sean Harkin, the Head Gardener, about how he and his team have made the garden a wildlife-friendly, award-winning space while honouring its horticultural roots. In a full-circle moment, we hear that the Inner Temple will host a brand-new plant fair on Sunday, 31st May, 2026. Dan also introduces new plant-based gardening gloves for summer, and Julia shares tips on how to do the Chelsea Chop. Website links: The Inner Temple Garden websiteAdvance tickets for the Plant Fairs Roadshow at the Inner Temple on 31st May 2026Dan Cooper GardenDonkey Gloves Bamboo Gardening GlovesParker's PatchHow to do the Chelsea ChopExpertly 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.

    52 min

  4. 8 May

    Borde Hill Blossoms with Jay Goddard and Mark Bobin

    Britain's country estates must honour their history while looking ahead. In this episode, we talk with Jay Goddard and Mark Bobin from Borde Hill in Sussex to learn how their historic garden became home to nearly 100 champion trees and a national collection of rhododendrons. We also hear about their exciting plans for a new 'garden to plate' restaurant, which will use produce from an edimental garden designed by Anne-Marie Powell. Plus, Dan explains why copper keeps slugs and snails away, and Julia gives an update on her efforts to grow a healthier lawn as she waits for a hollow-tine aerator to arrive. Website links:Dan Cooper GardenCopper Slug RingsParker's PatchBorde Hill's websiteRestaurant Isca websiteMore Information about the Plant Fairs Roadshow at Borde HillExpertly 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.

    44 min

  5. 24 Apr

    Some Like It Hot With Clare Kennett

    Chillies are prized for the heat and flavour they bring to cuisines all over the world. In this episode, your hosts talk to Clare Kennett of Clare's Chillies about what makes them so addictive and how to grow them successfully at home. Clare shares her top tips for success and common pitfalls when growing these fiery fruits. Also in this episode, Dan recommends a wildflower seed mix that can help restore the natural health of your soil, and Julia describes how to grow one of the chilli family's milder members, the Padron. As always, there's a list of jobs to do in your garden over the next fortnight and news of what Dan and Julia will be getting up to over the coming fortnight. Website links:Dan Cooper GardenWildflower Seeds for Soil HealthParker's PatchClare's Chillies on FacebookClare's Chillies on InstagramPlant Fairs Roadshow at Ramster Hall GardensExpertly 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.

    56 min

  6. 10 Apr

    The Kindest Garden with Marian Boswall

    When it comes to creating gardens for the greater good, no landscape architect approaches the subject with more knowledge, passion and commitment than Marian Boswall. In this episode of Two Good Gardeners, your hosts catch up with Marian to discuss the philosophy underpinning her latest book, The Kindest Garden, and learn more about Chalk to Coast, a visionary landscape project working to create a nature recovery corridor across Kent. Also in this episode, Dan extols the virtues of bronze tools, and Julia encourages gardeners not to panic if they didn't sow seeds in March. As always, the episode concludes with a list of jobs you can be doing in your garden over the next fortnight. Website links:Dan Cooper GardenPK Bronze ToolsParker's PatchMarian Boswall Landscape ArchitectsChalk to CoastExpertly 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 hr

  7. 27 Mar

    Gardening Off-Grid With Steve Edney and Lou Dowle

    In this episode, your hosts find out how Steve Edney and Lou Dowle of The No Name Nursery have created a stunning 3-acre garden-nursery that operates off the beaten track and entirely without mains services. The plant-loving partners share insights into how they garden off-grid and cultivate a wide variety of plants for sale as bare-rooted plants. Also in this episode, Julia describes how to grow your own ginger from supermarket-bought rhizomes, and Dan extols the benefits of Traditional Garden Growers, an innovative range of mulches and plant foods made principally from wool and straw. Your hosts round off with a list of jobs you can do in your garden over the next fortnight, and a reminder that the next Plant Fairs Roadshow event takes place at the Horniman Museum on Saturday, 4th April 2026. Steve's 'must have' aster - "Doellingeria umbellata". Flat-topped aster Website links:Dan Cooper GardenTraditional Garden Growers RangeParker's PatchThe No Name NurseryExpertly 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.

    57 min

  8. 13 Mar

    Dazzling Daffodils with Neil Miller

    Two Good Gardeners is back with a new series, sponsored by Plant Fairs Roadshow. In this season opener, your hosts discuss daffodils with Neil Miller, Head Gardener at Hever Castle in Kent and find out how the Astors' legacy is being continued by planting thousands of new bulbs every autumn. Also in this episode, Dan highlights an innovative frost-protection fabric that's made from plants, and Julia explains how to start onion sets in modules. Your hosts round off with a list of jobs you can do in your garden over the next fortnight, with a reminder that the next Plant Fairs Roadshow event takes place at Hever Castle on Sunday, 22nd March, 2026.Narcissus 'Hever Castle' will be available from Taylor's Bulbs in autumn 2026Website links:Dan Cooper GardenBiofleece frost protection fabricParker's PatchHever CastleExpertly 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.

    57 min
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About

The podcast for everyone who wants to enjoy growing their own flowers, fruit and vegetables. Presented by hosts Dan Cooper and Julia Parker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Cooper & Julia Parker
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dan Cooper & Julia Parker
  • Show Website
    Two Good Gardeners