The Garden Log

Ben Dark

The Garden Log is an award winning /gardening/history/botany podcast from Ben Dark

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105 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes105

Newest first

Apr 25, 2018 · 27 min
#25 Sun, slugs and soil
In this episode we consider the daffodil munching meadow slug, contemplate the effects of house-fires on wisteria vines and try out new stripes for the lawn It's a blazing bonanza of horticulture and anecdote! thegardenlogpodcast@gmail.com
Apr 4, 2018 · 17 min
#24 Nerine dreams
In this episode we scoop holes in the mud and smear in fabulous summer bulbs Also, how to pot nerines and writing better by knowing less
Mar 28, 2018 · 27 min
#23 Snake oil, shams and the hell that man hath wrought: A week in the garden with The Garden Log
In this episode we do muddy battle with a pine tree, try some new shade lovers and take a trip to the nursery for coffee and carrot cake
Mar 21, 2018 · 28 min
#22 Tree circles, espaliers for uninspiring spaces and how to build a rugged rockery
In this episode we explore the art of shrubby bondage, get bold with big boulders, take a trip to Kew gardens and cut some turf A momentous week for gardening and gardeners alike
Mar 14, 2018 · 27 min
#21 How to pot dahlias, protect your orchard roses and generally be a much better gardener
In this episode we learn the arcane arts of the dahlia fancier, build a wall around the Malvern Hills and sow seeds of coming summer's army. No podcast has muddier boots
Mar 7, 2018 · 24 min
#20 The Beast from the East
In which I talk about sweet peas, fall off my bicycle and get snowed on.
Feb 28, 2018 · 27 min
#19 Designing with bulbous bedding, pricking out and dividing deciduous ferns
In this episode we talk out pricking out, split a male fern, prepare for artic blasts and admire a mushroom cloud of hazel. Its just bursting with info-microbes!
Feb 21, 2018 · 32 min
#18 Cold Comfort
A blue fingered tale of citrus pruning and acer potting. Featuring Wilson 'Snowflake' Bentley and William 'Bury Me In My Tree' Lucombe
Feb 11, 2018 · 24 min
#17 Shade grass, Nairn's London and semi-digested tulips
We're getting shady with hakonechloa, geums and liriope. Also Nairn's London, and a load of half eaten tulips The important thing to remember about this episode is that every time I say Tangerine Dream I actually mean Totally Tangerine
Jan 31, 2018 · 23 min
#16 To the treehouse
In this week's episode we discuss the Felco fetish, winter prune wisteria, plant parrotia and have a seedy talk. All plants, all gardens, all recorded in a treehouse.
Jan 25, 2018 · 25 min
#15 Hangovers, horti-talk and hardy geraniums
We go shopping for specimen trees, drink lots of tea and cut back epimediums. There's also info on dividing hardy perennials and advice on how to stop gardeners destroying gardens.
Jan 18, 2018 · 22 min
#14 The Diet of Worms
In this episode of the gardening podcast Ben talks about worms, foxgloves and the art of the Japanese garden. A wriggly, wiggly horticultural treat.
Jan 10, 2018 · 25 min
#13 Breaking new ground
In this episode we talk deadwood, Pope, bonsai and hope. With excitement and worry the ground is broken on a new area of the garden. Ben surveys the damage wrought by winter and fails to clean the greenhouse.
Dec 21, 2017 · 24 min
Episode 12: There's no business like snow business
It's bare root hedges with Philip of Macedon and thick-headed gardeners with Mr Kipling in this barnstorming episode of The Garden Log
Dec 13, 2017 · 25 min
Episode 11: Himalayan nutmeg, protecting tree ferns and freezing half to death on a small tractor
This wintery broadcast investigates how to put the garden to bed for winter and debunks some ancient Chinese wisdom. Also, green alkanet, blackbirds, foxgloves and hylotelephium. Maybe a hot cup of tea would go well with this episode?
Dec 6, 2017 · 26 min
Episode 10: How to pot paperwhites, prune figs and scandalise your great great great grandmother
In this episode we take to the waves with a question from the canal-side. I'm talking the language of flowers and giving evergreen advice for early December. Join me for another muddy-kneed tour of the English garden. Thegardenlogpodcast@gmail.com @bensgarden
Nov 29, 2017 · 29 min
Episode 9: If dandelions were hard to grow
This was a windy, thrifty, rotten sort of week. I'm talking medlars, erotic Persian gardening, phytophthora and robin training. Just November things. @Bensgarden thegardenlogpodcast@gmail.com
Nov 22, 2017 · 23 min
Episode 8: Compost leeching, Iris psuedacorus and psychological tips for leaf collection
Now back in England, hands firmly in the soil, head high in the clouds. Its time to talk compost. Also, I'll be flagging some issues with Iris pseudacorus and conducting a survey of the flowering plants still braving the November chill. As always, questions and feedback to thegardenlogpodcast@gmail.com @Bensgarden Happy gardening!
Nov 15, 2017 · 18 min
Episode 7: Dystopian flower beds made easy!
This week's special edition focuses on planting a spectacular, long flowering border to keep you radioactively warm all winter. Plants used for this project: Allium moly Erigeron karvinskianus x Heucherella 'Kimono' Hylotelephium spectabile 'Carl' Gaura lindheimeri 'Sparkle White' Kniphofia 'Toffee Nosed' Mahonia eurybracteata 'Sweet Winter Sisyrinchium striatum
Nov 8, 2017 · 29 min
Episode 6: Social learning in squirrels, the Ipomoea report and dairy farming with Richard Burton
Another wander through the gardening week. In this episode it's time to talk tulips. I tell the story of my Morning Glory and commiserate with a listener over his dismembered tiarella.