Listen Now

Garden design used to be easier when gardens were more orderer shapes. You could copy what the neighbours had done, or look in books or magazines for ideas on design. But modern gardens can be all sorts of shapes and sizes, which makes it harde to design.There are a few simple tips to follow for internal corners (Fill) and external corners (Wrap) - if you want ot know more - just tune in an listen.PlantPlots.com - making gardening easier.Support the show

You might think shade is just a place the sun doesn't shine on - but in terms of gardening know-how, shade is a little more nuanced!This weeks episode is about how shade affects the plants in the garden, and what you can do to make sure the dull bits in your garden shine and thrive.Oh and you'll find out what Cholophyll A's favourite 2 colours are!PlantPlots.com - making gardening easierSupport the show

Did you know there are 3 types of slopes: Up Slopes Down Slopes  and Side Slopes Each presents a different challenge in a garden. Should you terrace,  and how would you plant a garden that isn't flat? Listen in  it could save you time money and a lot of un-needed effort.PlantPlots.com : Simple Practical and Affordable Garden Deisgn advice for every garden - even wonky ones!Dealing with sloping gardens : Simple Design for a small sloping garden : Planning Tips for Sloping GardensSupport the show

This week what are the problems associated with narrow gardens. These can be narrow alley type spaces in city environments or the traditional long gardens often found in  older terrace housing. There are a few design tricks you can use to make either space feel like a bigger wider and more interesting spaceNarrow side alleysLong thin garden design and narrow spacesGarden Design GalleryPlantPlots.com - making gardening easierSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

This week Rachel starts tackling the designg issues many gardens have. So what and how can you design your garden easily if its wider than it is deep and the only view you see is the end fence.Simple practical and affordable design solutions for every type of garden ( & even if you don't like gardening much!)PlantPlots Design GalleryCool Stuff we just likeSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

Not every plant can grow on a balcony well, why oh why then do all the images on the interenet give the impression anything will grow beautifully in that tiny little space.Balcony gardens are effectively 1 of 3 types of garden - a sauna, a shady cave or a mountain top. If you want plants that will thrive and look gorgeous - then you need to think like a plant!Vertical Gardening - tips for growing plants anywhere except in the ground!Support the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

Garden privacy is important, but there is a trade off. 100% private means 100% enclosed -nothing gets in and you can't see out.So is there a better way to make gardens feel more private without retrating behind big greeen hedges and walls... well obviously otherwise it would be a very short podcast! Better Garden Design by PlantPlots.Support the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

We all experience this at some point in our lives - we move to a place where for the very first time there is an outside space - that's all yours to play with!  So you want to make a garden..... but where to start, how do you begin, what style should you choose...  Once again Rachel takes you through the thought process, because if you know what could go wrong before you begin to create your garden... it won't.7 best garden design tipsGarden Design for BeginnersPossibly the best little garden design book ever! Support the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

Gardens hve to cater for everyone, but all too often they simply become a  lawn with a swing. So how in an average small garden can anyone create a family friendly space...? How to make a garden interesting for kidsHow to plan a family friendly gardenCan Football goals, kids and garden plants coexist happily?  there is a way; just!Support the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

Welcome back to the new spring series of the Plotting shed. This week Rachel discusse how you can learn to design your garden without having to spend thousands!  THis is the first of 10 podcasts aimed at helping you design a garden - without needing a garden designer! A rissky strategy for a garden design company to adopt... but you could always buy me a ko-fi! :)See more on beginner garden design or have a look at gardens we have created or learn 7 simple rules to affordable garden designSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has downloaded and listened to this series of The Plotting Shed.  This is the last show in this series - we will be back in the Spring of 2022 with a new exciting series.So what will happen in the world of gardening in 2022, where is gardening going and what should you be focussing on for next year.PLUSa few little snippets of information and facts you might not have ever known about plants!The 5 best plants for freshening your air are: Epipreminum Aureum (Pothos); Spathiphyllum Wallisii (Peace Lily) Dypsis Lutescens (Areca Palm); Sanseveria Trifasciata ( Mother in Laws Tonngue) and Ficus Bougainina (Weeping Fig).Peter Wohhlebein - The Hidden Life of Trees and finally the worlds longest plant name.... Ornithogalum Adseptentrionesvergetulum !! :) Please do get in touch and let me know what you would like us to focus on for the next Plotting Shed Series in March next year.  Email rachel@plantplots.comSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

This week Rachel takes the best products and information from the Landscapers Show  so you know what innovation in ideas and products are available.  Turn your garden into a fun orchestraClever vertical gardening / living wall productsEasy simple cost effective products to counter some effects of climate changeBiodegradable weed membranesConvert your drive into a ground source heat pumpJoin the Great British Garden Festival for 2022AND SOME REALLY EXCITING NEWS - THE NEW PLANTPLOTS WEBSITE IS NEARLY FINISHED, AND IT'S LOOKING AMAZING. DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON We'll be back with our end of the year podcasts in a couple of weeks time -so bye for now :)p.s - PlantPlots has no connection with any of these companies and does not endorse these companies or products over any other, the links are for information purposes onlySupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

Up the Wall Gardening - This weeks show hosts Rachel and Helen discuss how to garden above ground. So planting in pots, baskets or growing plants on balconies or in vertical gardens.  Too often the wrong types of plants are used - which only makes more work for you! As our aim is to always make gardening easier...  There are lots of tips and hints on the best plants to use, so you get a better display that looks gorgeous; and is also easier to look after!Read more at PlantPlots.comBrisbanes Urban JunglesSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

What makes a good garden plant? How should you choose plants for the garden?  This week H and Rachel discuss what makes plants work in any garden,  and how you can use our simple definition to help you get the planting right for your gardens.See the plants we think every garden should have :)Plus we discuss some of the new plant suppliers that have popped up, who are changing the way plants are bought and sold, to minimise waste and be more environmentally friendly.Candide GardeningGardenizeSproutlFoli8Support the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

Following on from last weeks podcast - part 1. This weeks discussion looks at how your decision making process can help you make better garden choices - that are good for you, good for your garden and better for the environment.And we still haven't got to the 'whack-a-mole' plan for better garden design.... that's coming up next week folks.   :)PlantPlots.comOh and do let us know what you think about the podcast - good or bad, we want to make sure you enjoy our content, so drop me an email rachel@plantplots.com Thank youSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

This weeks discussion is not about how you can become a better gardener not by the skills you acquire, but because of the decisions you make.  Understanding why you garden influences the decisions you make about your garden, but sometimes 'stuff' gets in the way and we end up following a different path. Your garden has to deliver for you; and meet your requirements, and its OK for you to choose what those are.Our aim is to make gardening easier - for you.  PlantPlots.comSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

How does your gut react to your garden?  This week Rachel and Helen discuss the real science behind your mood, your health, your gut and your garden!Now this is 22 minutes you won't want to miss!PlantPlots.com - where we make gardening easier and you happier! - hopefully! :) Support the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

This week H and I continue challenging  garden convention. This week's episode we talk about why flower shows and garden centres make your life more difficult - especially if you are a novice gardener. Plus what you can do to stop you buying plants that won't, don't and can't work in your garden.  We have decided to subvert garden convention by launching the 'Garden Liberation Front' - freeing millions of wanabee gardeners from nonsensical constraints and conventions. Your garden is what YOU want it to be.#Itsmygarden - send us a picture of what you think defines your garden as being yours. What is it about your garden than makes you happy! Tweet/Pin/Instagram/email/or share your picture on our Facebook page. #itsmygarden - join our little green garden revolution!  :)Help with designing (and deconstructing your garden) can be found hereSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

This week H and I challenge garden convention. Why are gardens described in a certain way, what should your garden be and why the horticultural industry and garden media make gardening more difficult than it needs to be.We have decided to subvert garden convention by launching the 'Garden Liberation Front' - freeing millions of wanabee gardeners from nonsensical constraints and conventions. Your garden is what YOU want it to be.#Itsmygarden - send us a picture of what you think defines your garden as being yours. What is it about your garden than makes you happy! Tweet/Pin/Instagram/email/or share your picture on our Facebook page. #itsmygarden - join our little green garden revolution!  :)Pictures of the Garden of Solitude by Studiospin.itHelp with designing (and deconstructing your garden) can be found hereSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)

Ever wondered why when you create a garden, it never seems to deliver what you had hope? After all you've got the lovely green lawn, flowers borders by the fence and space for the kids to run around... so why isn't the garden the space you'd hoped for?Garden design needs to change to reflect how you want to use the garden - not what's in the garden. This week Rachel introduces Helen Mayors Peach - a very good friend (and super clever person) to discuss why the normal garden layout - just isn't any good.If you want to read more about Rachels really user friendly gardening ideas - try her fabulous new book I Want to Like my Garden - it really is a garden changer.Also visit PlantPlots.com for garden advice to help you make your gardens betterSupport the show (https://www.ko-fi.com/theplottingshed)