Roots and All - Gardening Podcast

Have you ever wondered who answers all those gardening questions that stump the rest of us? This week I'm chatting to Leigh Hunt, Principal Horticultural Advisor at the RHS, about what really goes on behind the scenes of the Society's advice service, the questions gardeners ask most often, and what those thousands of enquiries reveal about the way we're gardening in a changing climate.
Benny's Insect of the Week: Mexican Grass-Carrying Wasp
Links
RHS Gardening Advice
Please support the podcast on Patreon
And follow Roots and All:
On Instagram @rootsandallpod
On Facebook @rootsandalluk
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If you enjoyed this week's episode with Leigh, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:
Episode 210: Gardening in a Changing World
Darryl Moore discusses how gardeners can respond to the climate crisis by rethinking the way we design and manage our gardens. His ideas about working with plants, rather than against them, make this an excellent companion to Leigh's observations on the changing questions the RHS is receiving as gardeners adapt to new weather patterns and growing conditions.
Episode 321: Weathering It All
Sarah talks to writer and naturalist Matt Gaw about our relationship with weather, exploring how storms, drought and seasonal change shape both landscapes and our experience of nature. It complements Leigh's insights into how increasingly unpredictable weather is influencing the advice sought by gardeners across the UK.

Could the secret to better health be sitting in a simple jar on your kitchen counter? Today I'm joined by food writer and fermentation expert Rachel de Thample to explore how fermentation can rewild the gut microbiome, preserve the seasons, and prove that making your own fermented foods is much easier than most of us think.
Benny's Insect of the Week: The Bee Wolf
Links
The Fermentation Year: Everyday techniques and recipes to rewild your microbiome by Rachel de Thample
Rachel on Instagram - @dethample
Please support the podcast on Patreon
And follow Roots and All:
On Instagram @rootsandallpod
On Facebook @rootsandalluk
On LinkedIn @rootsandall
If you enjoyed this week's episode with Rachel, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:
Episode 371: Wild Edibles
Wendy Russell and Freda Farquharson explore the potential of wild edible plants, from citizen science and biodiversity to health and climate-friendly farming. Their conversation about making better use of overlooked plants is a great companion to Rachel's discussion of fermentation, seasonal eating and increasing the diversity of the foods we eat.
Episode 306: The Soil Habitat
Sarah talks to geologist and soil food web specialist Eddie Bailey about the living world beneath our feet, why healthy soils are essential for healthy plants, and how soil health ultimately affects our own wellbeing. It pairs perfectly with Rachel's explanation of the links between soil microbes, fermentation and the gut microbiome.

The biggest changes in how we care for nature might start just outside our front door. This episode, I'm joined by adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys to discuss his latest book, Unwilding, and explore why reconnecting with the natural world is less about escaping to the wilderness and more about noticing what's already around us—from litter picking to climate handprints, and the power of small, everyday actions.
Benny's Insect of the Week: The Weld Bee
Links
Alastair Humphreys – Official Website
Unwilded – Book Page
Please support the podcast on Patreon
And follow Roots and All:
On Instagram @rootsandallpod
On Facebook @rootsandalluk
On LinkedIn @rootsandall
If you enjoyed this week's episode with Alastair, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:
Episode 370: Remembering Our Nature
Brigit Anna McNeill joins Sarah to explore what it means to truly reconnect with the natural world. Together they discuss healing through plants, reclaiming our relationship with nature, and how slowing down and paying attention can help us rediscover our place within it. It's a thoughtful companion to Alastair's reflections on finding wonder close to home and building a deeper connection with the landscapes around us.
Episode 373: V-Wilding
Sarah talks to Randal Plunkett about his ambitious rewilding project at Dunsany Nature Reserve, where farming has given way to a hands-off approach that allows nature to recover on its own terms. From biodiversity and conservation to rethinking our role in the landscape, this episode complements Alastair's conversation about repairing the places we already inhabit rather than searching for wilderness elsewhere.

What if the plants around us are carrying stories we've forgotten? This week, I'm joined once again by Amanda Edmiston of Botanica Fabula to explore her latest book, a rich blend of folklore, social history and the enduring stories of plants. We talk about how this knowledge is passed down through generations, and why now is the perfect time to start asking the people around us about the plants and traditions they remember.
Benny's Insect of the Week: The Sieve-winged Snailkiller
Links
Website
Amanda on Instagram
Please support the podcast on Patreon
And follow Roots and All:
On Instagram @rootsandallpod
On Facebook @rootsandalluk
On LinkedIn @rootsandall
If you enjoyed this week's episode with Amanda, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:
Episode 104: Botanical Storytelling with Amanda Edmiston
Amanda first joined Sarah to explore the art of botanical storytelling, her work inspired by Elizabeth Blackwell's *A Curious Herbal*, and the rich connections between plants, history and storytelling. It's the perfect companion to this conversation, offering the beginning of Amanda's journey and the ideas that have since grown into her latest books.
Episode 347: Can Plants Help You Find Lost Things?
In this episode, Sarah talks to Christina Oakley Harrington about the folklore, history and magic of plants. Together they explore the stories and traditions that have surrounded herbs and flowers for centuries, making it an ideal follow-on from Amanda's discussion of plant lore, memory and the enduring power of botanical storytelling.

What if the biggest barriers to experiencing nature aren't natural at all? Today, I'm joined by author, poet and disability activist Bethany Handley to explore accessibility, belonging, and how redesigning our landscapes could create richer places for both people and wildlife.
Benny's Insect of the Week: The Cinnabar Moth
Links
Bethany's website
My Body is a Meadow The Book
Please support the podcast on Patreon
And follow Roots and All:
On Instagram @rootsandallpod
On Facebook @rootsandalluk
On LinkedIn @rootsandall
If you enjoyed this week's episode with Bethany, you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:
Episode 366: Universal Qualities of Healing Gardens
In this episode, Sarah talks to Sandra Schwarz about the restorative power of green spaces and the qualities that make gardens welcoming, supportive and healing. Together they explore how thoughtful design can help people connect with nature, making it an ideal companion to Bethany's conversation about accessibility, belonging and creating landscapes that work for everyone.
Episode 239: Growing Biodiversity
In this episode, Sarah chats with gardener Benny Hawksbee about bringing biology and ecology into horticulture. From creating wildlife-friendly gardens to challenging traditional gardening practices and encouraging community involvement, it's a natural follow-on from Bethany's discussion of designing landscapes that benefit both people and wildlife.