Growing Up Podcast

Andy Perry and Kate Perry

For those who love to grow, who are happiest in the garden, allotment or greenhouse. Hosted by Andy and Kate, a green-fingered couple who love growing, and are on a mission to share the joy of all things plant-related.

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144 episodes
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Episodes144

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Today · 33 min
Gardening Jobs for August
Send us Fan Mail If you're listening as this episode goes live, we're right in the middle of August—a month that's often overlooked in the gardening calendar. Many people think the busiest part of the season is behind us. The borders are full, vegetables are cropping, herbs are thriving and perhaps, for the first time all year, you're actually getting to sit outside and enjoy the garden. But August is actually one of the most important months of the year. The work you do now doesn't just affect how your garden performs over the next few weeks—it has a huge influence on autumn, winter and even next spring. Today's episode is all about those essential gardening jobs for August. We'll cover ornamental gardens, vegetable patches, herb gardens, containers, lawns, wildlife gardening and greenhouse jobs. Along the way I'll share plenty of practical tips and explain why these jobs matter rather than simply giving you a checklist. So grab yourself a cup of tea—or perhaps something cold if it's another warm day—and let's get started. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
July 27 · 34 min
10 Late Summer Gardening Mistakes to Avoid
Send us Fan Mail Now, if you've been enjoying the garden over the past few months, you might be thinking that the hard work is behind you. The borders are full, the herbs are thriving, tomatoes are ripening and everything feels a little more relaxed. But here's the thing... Late summer is actually one of the most important periods of the gardening year. The decisions you make over the next few weeks can have a huge impact not only on the remainder of this growing season but also on next year's garden. Today we're talking about 10 common late summer gardening mistakes that even experienced gardeners make—and, more importantly, what you should do instead. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
July 20 · 36 min
Can you seriously plant herbs now during July?
Send us Fan Mail We are back onto home territory here with a really geeky episode dedicated to the amazing herbs of summer, herbs that you can plant now and enjoy but also herbs that you can sow during the next few weeks to enjoy further ahead. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
July 13 · 34 min
Lavender: a journey through culture, history and growing your own
Send us Fan Mail Did you know that lavender has been treasured for thousands of years? From ancient Roman gardens to modern-day cottage borders, this beautifully scented plant has a rich history—and it's still one of the most popular plants for gardeners today. In this episode of our gardening podcast, we explore the fascinating history of lavender, why it has remained a garden favourite for centuries, and share our top tips for growing healthy, fragrant lavender that flowers year after year. You'll learn: 🌱 The history and origins of lavender 🌞 The best place to plant lavender 💧 How often to water lavender ✂️ When and how to prune lavender 🌸 Tips for bigger blooms and healthier plants 🐝 How lavender benefits bees and other pollinators 🏡 The best lavender varieties for UK gardens Whether you're growing lavender in pots, borders, or a cottage garden, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you get the very best from your plants. 🎧 Listen now and discover everything you need to know about growing lavender successfully! The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
July 6 · 38 min
Gardening Jobs for July
Send us Fan Mail Wondering what gardening jobs you should be doing in July? In this episode, we cover the essential July gardening tasks to help your garden thrive throughout the summer. Whether you're growing flowers, vegetables, fruit, or maintaining your lawn, you'll discover practical tips to keep everything looking its best during one of the busiest months in the gardening calendar. We'll discuss what to sow in July, plants to prune, vegetables to harvest, watering advice during hot weather, lawn care, greenhouse jobs, pest control, and simple maintenance tasks that will reward you with healthier plants and bigger harvests. Whether you're a beginner gardener or have years of experience, this episode is packed with expert gardening advice to help you make the most of your garden this month. In this episode you'll learn: Essential gardening jobs for July What vegetables and flowers to sow now July pruning and deadheading tips Watering strategies for hot summer weather Vegetable garden maintenance Lawn care in July Greenhouse gardening tasks Common garden pests and how to deal with them Tips for healthier plants and bigger harvests If you're looking for a complete July gardening checklist, seasonal gardening advice, or practical tips for your vegetable garden, flower beds, or allotment, this episode has everything you need. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
June 30 · 40 min
We overstretched ourselves. Heatwaves, kebabs and Monty Don.
Send us Fan Mail This is quite a raw and honest update in which we explain why this episode is being released late and update you on the last very, very full-on last two weeks of life for us here. We chat about the impacts of the heatwave, the importance of watching gardeners world with a kebab and offer some warm weather gardening advice. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
June 15 · 33 min
Companion Planting - the most requested topic so far!
Send us Fan Mail This week, Kate deep dives into the truth and myth of companion planting. Buckle up, everyone, this is a very geeky deep dive into a gardening topic that so many people have requested! Enjoy! The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
June 8 · 35 min
What can you sow in June? Isn't it too late?
Send us Fan Mail This week we chat about all of the amazing crops that you can sow during the month of June. June is a very, very busy month that sets up the second half of the summer growing season. Grab a cup of tea and join us as we make a very long list of sowings to make this month. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
June 1 · 34 min
Gardening Jobs for June
Send us Fan Mail How did we get to June already? Is anyone else saying that? This week we dig deep into gardening jobs for June. This is a very busy month, so grab a drink, buckle up, we are diving straight into a packed gardening month in which the rate of growth accelerates sharply. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
May 26 · 36 min
Gardening During a Heatwave? Grab a cold drink....
Send us Fan Mail This week we sit in a very, very warm studio to discuss gardening during a heatwave, why this can cause problems and tactics that you can employ to make sure your plants dont suffer! The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
May 18 · 38 min
Changing career into horticulture? Let's make that jump a little bit easier.....
Send us Fan Mail Today we talk to Dan and Cathy who are telling us about 'Working for Gardners', an organisation that is on a mission to support those who are thinking about making the jump into working in the horticultural industry. We know that so many of you have thought about making such a change and that you will be as excited to hear the chat with Dan and Cathy as we were! https://www.wfga.org.uk/ The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
May 4 · 35 min
Gardening Jobs for May
Send us Fan Mail May is such a busy month for gardeners. Whether you are gardening on an allotment, in a small garden or even just on a windowsill, May is the month where everything becomes very, very fast-paced, busy and exciting. There is so much that you can do in the May growing space, and in this episode, we talk through the long list of May gardening jobs! The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
April 27 · 55 min
The reality of being a woman working in horticulture
Send us Fan Mail This week, Kate sits down to chat with a friend of the show, Kendall, to compare their own experiences as women working in horticulture, discussing the obstacles, challenges, but ultimately the joy that comes from engaging with growing things. About Our Guest: Kendall Marie Platt is a Horticultural therapist & space holder for garden curious women. She is the founder of Adventures with Flowers and supports women to create their own garden sanctuary as they use gardening to avoid burnout. She brings together horticultural therapy and sensory-led garden design to create spaces that don’t just look beautiful, they restore you daily. It’s beauty that heals, rhythm that restores and design that supports your body and mind. She does this through her 1:1 horticultural therapy support programme and her membership the Seed. She also hosts regular garden-along sessions to help attendees quiet their minds in their garden. Socials Substack: https://substack.com/@kendallmarieplatt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendallmarieplatt/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventureswithflowers Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-marie-platt/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adventureswithflowerstv Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/adventureswithflowers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kendallmarieplatt Main Website: https://www.adventureswithflowers.com/ The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
April 20 · 41 min
Gardening for Bees
Send us Fan Mail There has never been a more important time to design your garden for the benefit of local bees. It's surprisingly easy and really fun. We are calling for a revolution as we all look to make our gardens more bee-friendly. Who is with us? The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
April 13 · 42 min
Small space, big harvest - the joy of small scale food growing
Send us Fan Mail Today we’re talking about one of our favourite topics: growing food in small spaces — balconies, patios, tiny backyards, fire escapes, even sunny windowsills. If you’ve ever thought: “I don’t have enough room.” “I only have a balcony.” “My yard is basically a postage stamp.” “I rent, so I can’t dig anything up.” This episode is for you. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
April 6 · 37 min
Gardening Jobs for April - SUCH an exciting month in the growing space.
Send us Fan Mail In this VERY special episode, we talk about the gardening jobs that you definitely should be doing during the month of April. This is a very busy month in which daylight is slowly increasing and the garden is most definitely coming to life! The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
March 30 · 44 min
Growing a Flower Farm with a Business Plan
Send us Fan Mail So many of us dream of setting up a flower farm, but Jen from @life_on_the_lot has done exactly this. This week Jen sat down with Andy to talk about the story so far, the highs, lows and the learning experiences of setting up a flower farm from scratch. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
March 23 · 46 min
All Natural Pest Control? Is it possible?
Send us Fan Mail This week, Andy chats to Becky Searle of @sow_much_more on Instagram about how you can adopt an entirely natural approach to pest control that will actually provide long term benefits for your growing space. https://www.instagram.com/sow_much_more/ The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
March 16 · 36 min
How to Grow Tomatoes - Tomato Revolution is back on the show!
Send us Fan Mail Lance from the amazing Tomato Revolution is back on the show this week and co-hosting with Andy as they chat about all things tomato growing. We talk about when to sow your tomatoes, why too much heat can be a bad thing for your seedlings, and Lance even recommends some unusual varieties to grow. Check them out here: https://www.tomatorevolution.co.uk/ The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356
March 9 · 37 min
Planting Hardy Herbs During Early Spring
Send us Fan Mail This week we deep dive into the wonderful world of hardy herbs, that don't mind the cold days of early Spring and actually fill a gap in the garden. This week our business - Urban Herbs - opened it's online shop for Spring orders and we are so grateful to you for your support. The Growing Up Podcast is proudly sponsored by the amazing First Tunnels. We are big believers in the benefits of growing in a polytunnel and genuinely believe in the quality of the products that First Tunnels supply. Check out the link below to order your own tunnel. If you would like honest advice before making your purchase please don't hesitate to reach out to us! Check them out here➡️ https://rb.gy/55t356