The Dirt: the gardening podcast from Grow Your Own magazine

Grow the crops you actually want to eat, says Joe Harrison

Joe Harrison joins Blake and Rose to discuss the gardening triumphs and disasters that he’s encountered during his time growing on his Lowestoft allotment site. From trying out the straw bale technique for producing potatoes to not getting a tomato crop from some volunteer plants. Plus, GYO account manager Dan drops in to chat about the UK’s most-hated vegetables. 
 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get seven issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £29.99 (that’s £11.94 off!) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘GPOD7’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gpod7 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
 
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
 
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I’m cited as an expert but I’ve just spent longer making screw ups, says Nick Bailey

TV gardener Nick Bailey joins The Dirt team this week to pass on a simple trick for tackling any soil problem, reveal the unexpected garden pest that caused havoc with his apple tree bounty, and to explain exactly why a Mormon line-dancing disco has stopped him ever being able to enjoy watermelons again. We know you’ll want to hear more - so take a listen and remember to subscribe, rate and review wherever you get your podcasts! 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get seven issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £29.99 (that’s £11.94 off!) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘GPOD7’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gpod7 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag 
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag 
ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag 
 

I’m a bit of a Charles Dowding fangirl, says no-dig gardener Katelyn

Katelyn (from @inatinygarden) started out growing in her small back garden – and after being on an allotment waiting list for five years, she was thrilled to finally get the green light! With the extra space has come lots of exciting new growing opportunities for some of her favourite vegetables. And, of course, this wouldn’t be The Dirt without a variety of gardening fails and learning experiences along the way. 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get seven issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £29.99 (that’s £11.94 off!) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘GPOD7’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gpod7 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag 
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag 
ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag 

Use seaweed feed, invest in organic matter and make notes, says Claire Ratinon

From growing produce for one of Ottolenghi’s restaurants to adapting to the clay soil of her new Sussex garden, Claire Ratinon’s varied gardening experiences make for a captivating listen on this week’s episode. Find out the important lessons she’s learned along the way and why she thinks every gardener should take some time to slow down and reflect on their efforts. 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get seven issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £29.99 (that’s £11.94 off!) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘GPOD7’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gpod7 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag 
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag 
ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag 

Distract slugs with sacrificial chard kebabs, says Alexander Thompson Byer

Alexander Thompson Byer has been gardening for 14 years – inspired by the Ruth Stout method, his allotment places a large focus on putting nature first and using permaculture techniques to great effect. Plus, he’s got some quirky tips for upcycling Facebook finds into handy garden items! Hear this and all the usual gardening banter from the GYO team by listening now. 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get seven issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £29.99 (that’s £11.94 off!) by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘GPOD7’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gpod7 – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag 
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag 
ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag 

Gardening should be enjoyable – not a chore, says Frances Tophill

The Dirt is back for series 2 – and to kick things off the team are joined by the brilliant Frances Tophill. Frances reveals how she’s fallen in love with growing herbs this summer, the importance of neighbourly spirit when deciding which crops to plant in your garden, and shares the times that things haven’t quite gone to plan on the plot... 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘PODG’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag 
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag    
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Get ready for Season 2!

Clear your diary for Thursday 25th June - because The Dirt is back for round two, and first up we’ve got the wonderful Frances Tophill sharing her gardening secrets. Expect another series packed with incredible garden successes, plenty of useful horticultural hacks and the odd growing failure thrown in for good measure. Hit the subscribe button to never miss an episode! 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘PODG’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
Could you be our next guest? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag 
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag 
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The Grow Show: everything you need to know

Step through the virtual gates of The Grow Show and you’ll find five buzzing show areas: tools and kit, home to all the essentials to make your life in the garden easier; greenhouses and builds, where you will find under cover solutions for every space, as well as brilliant back-saving raised beds; kitchen garden, for all of your edible plot must-haves; flowers and foliage for beautiful blooms and bedding plants; and wildlife, gifts and clothing, to help you attract those beneficial creatures to your plot. Hear all about it on this special episode where Laura, Blake and Rose spotlight their favourite parts of the show. 
Visit The Grow Show at: https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/growshow  
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘PODG’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag 
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag 
ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag 

Re-live the best bits from series one

Use this bumper instalment of The Dirt as a chance to finally complete that big job in the garden you’ve been putting off! This week, Laura and Blake sit down to take a look back at the wonderful lineup of guests from series one and reflect on some favourite moments from the first series. Expect plenty of laughs, useful growing tips, the clumsiest of gardening moments, and a whole lot more! 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘PODG’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions.    
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag 
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag  
ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag  

Quick & Dirty: gardening apps, walks in nature and Brian May’s buttocks

As the promise of the last frost isn’t far away, the team are hardening off plants in the kitchen garden, and discussing whether stroking them before putting them outside actually works. Also on this week’s show: Rose is championing the best technology for giving help and guidance on the plot, Laura is thinking about how our love for getting outdoors will continue long after lockdown finishes, and Blake is sending a ‘get well soon’ message to Queen legend Brian May who had a painful gardening accident earlier in the week. 
🌱 Don’t miss our special offer exclusively for listeners of The Dirt – you can get three issues of Grow Your Own magazine for just £6 by calling 0800 904 7000 and quoting ‘PODG’, or visiting http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/podg – where you’ll also find the full terms and conditions. 
Could you be a future guest star of The Dirt? If you have some funny garden fails or easy growing hacks get in touch on thedirt@growfruitandveg.co.uk, or say hello on social media! 
ⓣ Twitter https://twitter.com/gyomag   
ⓕ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/growyourownmag    
ⓘ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growyourownmag