BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast

In this special episode, Monty Don reflects on the gardening life that has inspired millions. From childhood chores that sparked a lifelong passion to becoming one of Britain's most loved gardening broadcasters, Monty shares the personal stories behind his remarkable journey. He talks about the simple pleasure of 'pottering', why getting his hands in the soil still brings him peace, and how gardening continues to support his wellbeing. Warm, thoughtful and full of humour, this conversation offers a rare insight into the experiences, people and moments that shaped Monty's enduring love of gardens and growing.

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This week, Claire packs pots with colour, tucks blueberries into fresh compost and opens the garden gate - or fence - for hedgehogs.

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Adam shares his expert approach to spring bulbs, from reliable naturalisers to show-stopping seasonal surprises. He explains why bulbs are essential for winter and spring colour, how to match them to the right conditions, and why he now pots many bulbs on before planting them out. Adam also shares favourites including snowdrops, alliums, narcissi, snake’s head fritillaries and Tulipa sylvestris, plus practical advice on buying in quantity, planting later in the season and avoiding common mistakes. A warm, practical guide to creating beautiful, long-lasting bulb displays.

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Got half an hour outdoors? Claire has three satisfying late-October jobs to make every minute count.

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Join singer-songwriter Will Young in his two-acre garden as he explores creativity, nature and the patience required to let a landscape reveal itself. In this conversation Will shares how historic walls and unexpected discoveries have shaped his approach. He discusses designing with structure, reusing materials, welcoming wildlife and finding calm through connection with nature. This warm conversation celebrates gardens as places of reflection, reinvention and everyday magic for everyone.

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Lift gladioli, outsmart weeds and turn autumn leaves into garden gold with Claire Vennis from BBC Gardeners’ World magazine.

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World-renowned clematis breeder Raymond Evison CBE shares six decades of experience growing, breeding and championing these spectacular climbers. He explains why clematis are best thought of as climbing perennials, how to prune the three main groups, and why planting deeply can help plants recover from wilt or damage. Raymond also offers practical advice on growing clematis in pots, taking cuttings, layering, watering, choosing scented and wildlife-friendly varieties, and combining clematis with roses, shrubs and trees.

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Grab your secateurs and your cosiest jumper: Claire's jobs this week will bring autumn wins for your garden, wildlife and weekend.

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We spend so much time admiring what grows above ground, but beneath our feet lies one of the most biodiverse habitats on Earth. Soil ecologist Dr Frank Ashwood reveals the remarkable hidden world within our gardens, from earthworms and fungi to springtails, mites, nematodes and tardigrades. Frank explains why healthy soil matters for plants, wildlife, carbon storage, flood resilience and climate change, and shares simple ways gardeners can protect it. Expect fascinating discoveries, practical advice and one memorable takeaway.

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Join Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast presenter Claire Vennis for early October garden wins with jobs for spring colour, a longer-lasting harvest and a garden buzzing with life.

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What gives a garden its shape, character and year-round appeal? Frances Tophill explores the plants and design principles that create lasting structure in the garden. From hedges, trees and evergreen shrubs to ornamental grasses and climbing plants, Frances explains how to build a garden that's beautiful in every season while supporting wildlife. She also shares practical advice on balancing structure with softer planting, adapting established gardens and creating spaces that evolve over time, whether you're designing from scratch or refreshing an existing plot.

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Beautiful, resilient and surprisingly easy to grow, could Siberian irises be the unsung heroes of our borders? Head gardener and National Collection holder Pamela Ferns shares her passion for these elegant plants and explains why they deserve much more attention. Discover the best Siberian irises for spectacular colour, where to plant them and how to keep them thriving, from watering and mulching to dividing established clumps. Pamela also explores the extraordinary diversity of the iris family, their benefits for wildlife and her mission to preserve rare cultivars before they're lost. Whether you're an iris enthusiast or complete beginner, prepare to be converted.

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Keep your garden glowing into autumn with Claire’s three feel-good September jobs: from flower power and fruity harvests to a wildlife buffet birds will love.

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Moved into a new-build home and wondering where to start with the garden? Garden designer and New Build Manifesto founder Andrew Jackson explains how to turn a blank patch of turf and fencing into a thriving, characterful space. From understanding compacted soil and creating structure with trees and shrubs to choosing resilient plants and welcoming wildlife, Andrew shares the lessons learned from transforming his own plot. Discover why you shouldn’t rush to fill every gap, how to design with the future in mind and why every new-build garden represents an exciting opportunity to create something beautiful, for you and for nature.

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Can an allotment become a blueprint for the garden of the future? Ecologist Nadine Mitschunas has transformed a once-overgrown plot into a beautiful, productive and wildlife-rich haven, and it's now been crowned our Gardens of the Year 10-Year Anniversary Best of the Best. Nadine reveals how naturalistic planting, perennial flowers, native plants and wildlife ponds have created a thriving ecosystem where nature does much of the work. She also shares how she's adapting to our changing climate with more trees, shade, dense planting and mulching, plus simple ideas every gardener can use to welcome more wildlife and build a more resilient garden.

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Keep your garden glowing into autumn with Claire’s three feel-good September jobs: from flower power and fruity harvests to a wildlife buffet birds will love.

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From choosing the perfect terracotta pot to creating spectacular seasonal displays, Monty Don shares his expert advice on gardening in containers. Discover why bigger pots often work best, how to create the ideal compost mix for different plants, and the secrets to watering and feeding for long-lasting success. Monty also reflects on his lifelong love of handmade pots, revealing the stories behind some of his favourites and explaining how containers can become an integral part of any garden design.

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Why buy new when your garden could be full of materials with a story? Frances shares her passion for reclaiming and reusing everything from old bricks and timber to windows, pallets and unexpected household finds. Discover how reclaimed materials can save money, reduce waste and bring personality to paths, patios, containers and garden structures. Frances also explains why working with what already exists can be creatively liberating, more sustainable and surprisingly accessible, even if you’re not a skilled DIYer. Packed with practical ideas and inspiration, this episode will have you looking at “junk” in a completely new way.

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This week’s cheerful garden checklist with Claire Vennis covers juicy harvests, alpine TLC and a simple way to help hedgehogs before winter.

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Growing your own food can transform the way you cook, eat and live. Cook, writer and grower Nelly Babazadeh shares how her Iranian heritage inspired a lifelong love of seasonal food and how gardening has helped her reconnect with nature, family and wellbeing. From preserving the harvest with homemade jams and pickles to reducing food waste and embracing slow living, Nelly offers practical tips to help you make the most of every ingredient and encourages you to savour every season.

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