Scotland Grows Show Scotland Grows

In this episode, M.T. O'Donnell chats with Rona Dodds, the passionate owner of Quercus Garden Plants. Nestled at 850 feet above sea level on a northwest slope with poor clay soil, Rona’s nursery is a testament to resilience and dedication.
As she shares her journey of transforming a challenging landscape into a thriving garden space, Rona provides insights into plant propagation, weathering storms, and the daily hurdles and triumphs of running a nursery.
Learn about Rona's top plant picks for Scottish gardens, and pick up invaluable tips for new gardeners, as we delve into the world of Quercus Garden Plants, based at Whitmuir Farm, Lamancha EH46 7BB.
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to subscribe to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
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This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £6 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £6 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows24 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.
Find out more here: www.nts.org.uk/roots
 
 

 

Ray Cox is a seasoned professional photographer who has specialised in garden photography for over 22 years. Ray’s deep-rooted passion for horticulture has carried him through a diverse career that includes farming, journalism, and environmental writing. His stunning photography work has graced the pages of national newspapers, magazines, and iconic garden publications. 
 

Ray shares his journey from his family's horticultural background to becoming a renowned garden photographer. He also shares his creative process to capturing the beauty of gardens across Scotland and Northern England.
We delve into the nuances of garden photography, including the benefits of drone photography, tips for amateur photographers, and the joy of capturing year-round garden beauty, and hear more about Ray’s unique service for creating personalized coffee table books capturing the essence of gardens through the seasons.
Join us as we explore Ray Cox's journey and insights into the enchanting world of garden photography. Whether you're a gardening enthusiast, an aspiring photographer, or simply someone who enjoys nature’s beauty, this episode is sure to inspire and inform.
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Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to subscribe to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
--------------------------------------------
This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £6 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £6 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows24 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.
Find out more here: www.nts.org.uk/roots
 

Meet the inspiring Katrina Gelderbloem, a passionate gardener and permaculture enthusiast from East Ayrshire. Katrina, alongside her family, has transformed their quarter-acre plot into a thriving food forest and a productive vertical garden, practicing permaculture principles, reducing and repurposing waste whenever they can. 
Their eldest son, Clayton, is autistic and nonverbal, and Katrina delves into how gardening has significantly impacted Clayton’s home education and development, offering him a unique outdoor classroom experience, and opens up about the triumphs of educating in a gardening context.
Katrina's passion for gardening extends beyond cultivation, she has authored a series of children’s books and a workbook that encourage youngsters to explore gardening and the great outdoors, available on Amazon.
Katrina shares her quest for self-sustainability and tips on integrating permaculture into your own gardening practices in this episode, and shares their daily life in the garden on Instagram, and in the pages of Scotland Grows Magazine as a regular columnist.
Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country picking up tips, plant recommendations, and stories along the way.
--------------------------------------------
Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to subscribe to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
--------------------------------------------
This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £6 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £6 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows24 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.
Find out more here: www.nts.org.uk/roots

Have you ever wanted to chuck your corporate job and retrain as a gardener? Or even try your hand at designing a garden to be judged at a national competition?
 
Kate McClorey did both, leaving a high-powered IT career to turn her gardening hobby into a new career. Kate talks us through completing the RHS L2 with distinction, a 6 month course at RBGE in practical gardening to help back up the theory, followed by a WRAGS (Work and Retrain as a Gardener Scheme) placement at Floors Castle in Kelso where she is now Assistant Head Gardener.
 
Winner of the inaugural Scottish Garden Design Competition at Scone Palace Garden Fair in 2023, Kate has entered the competition again this year as she extends her garden design and plantswoman skills, and her honesty around the design process is a breath of fresh air.
 
Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country picking up tips, plant recommendations, and stories along the way.
--------------------------------------------
Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to subscribe to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
--------------------------------------------
This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £6 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £6 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows24 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.
Find out more here: www.nts.org.uk/roots

Michael Lawrie, Head Gardener at Threave Garden at Castle Douglas in Dumfries & Galloway, and Head of The School of Heritage Gardening there, is the guest in this episode.
 
Threave’s wonderful garden has been created over the years by students at the National Trust for Scotland’s School of Heritage Gardening and is a fine example of landscaped beauty, and we chat not only about the garden but about the adjoining nature reserve on the Threave Estate.
 
We also get to find out more about the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Heritage Gardening Show, back for 2024 on Monday 6th May with plant sales, workshops, garden talks and tours, and a craft fair throughout the day, with Threave’s own team of expert gardeners on hand, as well plenty for children including face painting and wildlife activities.
 
Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country picking up tips, plant recommendations, and stories along the way.
--------------------------------------------
Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to subscribe to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
--------------------------------------------
This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £6 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £6 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows24 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.
Find out more here: www.nts.org.uk/roots

Season 5 of the Scotland Grows Show kicks off with horticultural heavyweight Dougal Philip taking us on a Director's journey through the thriving community of over 120 member gardens united under Discover Scottish Gardens.
 


 


We unfold the map to these botanical beauties and discuss how this organisation not only markets, but supports member gardens throughout the seasons and encourages a slow tourism approach by immersing yourself in garden visiting clusters.
 


 


Dougal gives us a glimpse into his favourite gardens to visit and shares his long-standing involvement with Discover Scottish Gardens and Scotland’s Garden Scheme; his journey from a landscape gardener to managing New Hopetoun Gardens; his approach to garden judging, and the insights gained from decades of experience in Scottish horticulture.
 


 


Dougal has great tips to share on the importance of having seating in the garden and of creating stunning garden views from your home. Plus, he reveals his top three plant picks which is sure to inspire you.
 
 

Welcome to the Scotland Grows Show, the podcast which celebrates everything that is good in Scottish gardening, as we join gardeners around the country picking up tips, plant recommendations, and stories along the way.
--------------------------------------------
Be sure to sign up to our mailing list so we can let you know when new episodes are published.
Scotland Grows magazine is our digital title which celebrates Scottish gardening, and drops into your inbox 6 times a year. If you would like to subscribe to receive a copy, just follow this LINK.
You can follow Scotland Grows on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'd love to have your company there!
And of course, you can always find your share of gardening goodness on our website at scotlandgrowsmagazine.com.
--------------------------------------------
This series is sponsored by ROOTS, a subscription from the National Trust for Scotland which helps both your garden and Trust gardens thrive.
For £6 a month you will be sent a ROOTS pack every six weeks, with gardening gifts, including Scottish seeds six times a year, stories about Scotland’s plant life, and tips from  expert Trust gardeners, as well as an invitation to two exclusive ROOTS events a year with the Trust gardens team.
Whether you buy ROOTS for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, your £6 a month will go towards supporting Trust gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. Sign up today at nts.org.uk/roots and use the code Grows24 to receive an extra packet of seeds in your first pack.
Find out more here: www.nts.org.uk/roots