The Gardener Ben Podcast

Gardener Ben

The Gardener Ben Podcast, honest conversations from the heart of the garden. Join Ben as he explores the world of gardening with real people sharing real experiences – from horticulture pros to passionate home gardeners, and sometimes stories far beyond the garden gate. Each episode is anchored with seasonal insights and updates from North Lodge, giving you a window into ongoing projects, tips, and observations in real time. Whether it’s English roses, modern cottage gardens, or everyday gardening challenges, expect practical guidance, authentic stories, and open, relatable conversations about what really goes on in gardens… and in life.

  1. FEB 23

    S3E3 Paige’s Story - Recovery

    S3E19 of The Gardner Ben Podcast sees me sharing with you not only a very personal and relatable conversation with Paige (not her real name), but also some incredibly personal and painful parts of my own journey. Paige is a recovering alcoholic and, in the hope of reaching just one pair of ears that may need to hear her story, wanted to share her journey to recovery with you all. Personally, I wanted to leave the episode completely unedited, intact, and exactly as it was recorded, so I confess it’s not my most tidy or polished episode, but its integrity was more important than its finish. If you or anybody that you know is struggling with anything that we discuss in this episode, please do either seek, or help them seek, the help you may need. I will make sure there are a few points of contact in the comment section below. The Gardner Ben Podcast is brought to you in association with Peter Beales Roses, winner of 30 Chelsea gold medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Go online and shop at www.atpeterbealesroses.com, and make sure that you’re following along on Instagram and TikTok. Next week, to conclude this current season, I’ll be joined once again by my husband, Mark, for a completely unscripted and informal conversation, discussing the highlights and lowlights of season three. Don’t worry, season four is already being recorded and is well underway. We also have some very exciting news to share with you next week, so keep your ears peeled for that. The podcast is edited by Home - Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain Use our tools and get help for your mental health | Mind Overview – Eating disorders - NHS GambleAware®️: Gambling Help & Gambling Addiction

    2h 28m
  2. FEB 16

    S3E18 National Chrysanthemum Society (Neil)

    S3E18 of The Gardener Ben Podcast features a conversation with Neil from @national_chrysanthemum_society. Neil shares how his passion for chrysanthemums started at a very young age, how the gifting of just a few plants sparked a lifelong love of growing, and how it led to his involvement with the National Chrysanthemum Society. This is a group of plants I have tried growing in the past with limited success. Still making up one of the largest cut flower crops grown worldwide, I’ve decided to give this lovely group of plants another go and was inspired by my conversation with Neil to order myself some rooted cuttings, which should arrive over the next couple of months. They will add a nice late splash of colour to the garden and hopefully be ready to cut and bring into the house in October and November. In my own garden, I’ve been processing that huge pile of weeping willow cuttings, creating dead hedges in organic spiral forms and cutting the excess up for firewood. The weather is still being incredibly unkind to us, so it’s hard to really get on with much in the garden. If you find yourself falling behind, please be kind to yourself — the task will still be there when the weather clears. There are now just two episodes left in Season Three. Next week’s episode is very long indeed. I have taken the decision to leave the conversation entirely intact and put it through absolutely no editing or post-production whatsoever. The share from Paige (not her real name) is incredibly personal and will resonate on such a relatable level with so many of you. She is a recovering alcoholic and wanted to share her story in the hope of touching just one person who may be in need of a helping hand. Tune in next week to listen to the full conversation. The Gardener Ben Podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, winner of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Go online and shop at www.atpeterbealesroses.com, and make sure that you’re following along on Instagram and TikTok. The Gardener Ben Podcast is edited by @mark_hamilton_anderson. #gardenerben #podcaster #gardeningpodcast #listennow #podcast

    1h 4m
  3. JAN 19

    S3E14 Nicola Soulful Wisdom Academy

    S3E 14 of the Gardener Ben Podcast is about mindfulness, self, and the quest to be present. It features a conversation with Nicola from @soulfulwisdomacademy. Nicola is a shamanic dragon priestess who I have visited several times for Reiki healing. It’s no coincidence that this particular podcast episode is scheduled, as it marks one year exactly since I visited Nicola for the first time. At the end of 2024 into 2025, I was really struggling with my mental health. I was incredibly depressed, lost, and weighed down, carrying pain, grief, and anxiety that I didn’t know how to let go of. I had lost the ability to hear the voice in my head. I couldn’t decipher which way was up or which way to turn next. Luckily, I had people around me to guide and help me, and although I had started personal therapy, I was determined to do as many things as possible to make myself feel as well as I could. One of these things was to try Reiki healing. The experience was beyond moving, and even if you’re sceptical, as I was when I first visited Nicola, the experience could not be doubted. So, at a time of year which is traditionally dark, depressing, and challenging for many of us that struggle with mental health issues, I wanted to bring you this personal conversation with Nicola, who shares with us the gifts that she has and her journey into using those gifts to help others like me. I really hope that you enjoy the conversation, and if there’s something that you’re struggling with, you reach out and ask for the help that you need. The Gardener Ben Podcast is brought to you in association with @peterbealesroses, winner of 30 Chelsea Gold Medals and creating timeless roses since 1968. Go online and shop at www.peterbealesroses.com. The Gardener Ben Podcast is edited by @mark_hamilton_anderson. Next week, we’re swinging back to the topic of horticulture and gardening, and I’m joined by Charles Carr from @hilliergardencentres. Until then, happy gardening. #gardenerben #podcast #podcaster #mindfulness #wellbeing

    1h 20m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Gardener Ben Podcast, honest conversations from the heart of the garden. Join Ben as he explores the world of gardening with real people sharing real experiences – from horticulture pros to passionate home gardeners, and sometimes stories far beyond the garden gate. Each episode is anchored with seasonal insights and updates from North Lodge, giving you a window into ongoing projects, tips, and observations in real time. Whether it’s English roses, modern cottage gardens, or everyday gardening challenges, expect practical guidance, authentic stories, and open, relatable conversations about what really goes on in gardens… and in life.

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