Growing Together

In this episode, Ann and Coxy have some great tips for gardening in the springtime and also discuss bees, moths, butterflies and more! Coxy visits Claire at the Seedswap, Ben gives us some top tips for growing vegetables, and Ann talks to Helen about foraging locally. Don't forget to apply for the competition at the end of the episode for the chance to win some great prizes!

Join Ann & Coxy at the Adhurst Estate allotments for an allotment catchup and some gardening top tips for February.  Coxy visits Hinton Ampner for an interview with the head gardener Chris Skinner, and Ann discusses the upcoming seed swap with Claire Vennis at Winton House in Petersfield on the 14th March.

Join Ann & Coxy at the Adhurst Estate allotments as we swing into a new gardening year. This month we take the opportunity to look ahead to gardening and horticultural events coming up in the local area. Coxy offers advice on the best tasks to complete in your garden or on your allotment this month, and Ann takes receipt of a brand new protective frame for her vegetables. You can contact Ann & Coxy via our website https://shineradio.uk/contact or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500. Growing Together is a monthly production from Petersfield's Shine Radio.

Ann and Coxy have put on their Christmas jumpers and headed to the most festive place in the Petersphere...Wylds Farm! They immerse themselves in the festive surroundings and get involved with wreath making and finding out all about the 60 year history of the farm from cattle to Christmas trees! It's a Christmas treat! 

It wouldn't be October without the presence of a massive bright orange pumpkin or two and we've got them in abundance in this episode. Coxy's pumpkins are doing very well but there's an anxious wait for the competition to see if he has indeed grown the heaviest on the Adhurst Estate Allotment. Ann takes a trip to the Rogate Pumpkin Patch to chat to Slade Farm's Pete Davey about pumpkin growing on a large scale. We hear from fellow allotmenteers about their highs and lows of growing this year and we find out what you can be doing in the garden this month. 

Ann and Coxy take shelter in the shed at the allotments as the September rain has arrived. They talk about the vegetables that do well when planted later in the season and the excitement of growing potatoes ready for Christmas dinner! Coxy is passionate about pumpkins and there's serious competition on the allotments this year. He also shares the news we've been waiting for...did his flowers make it to the wedding of the year?! 

Ann and Coxy are back at the Adhurst Estate Allotments. Ann is filled with excitement to see what has flourished whilst she's been on holiday but also has to face the crushing disappointment when she discovers that her sweet corn has been nibbled by animals! It's also been a challenging time for gardeners with prolonged dry weather. Fellow allotmenteers Dougie and Eric join them to introduce a new initiative for plot holders at the allotments. 

The summer is upon us and so are the gardening shows. In this episode Coxy heads to Birmingham for Gardeners' World Live and Ann stays closer to home with a trip to the plant fair at Gilbert White's house.     

It's the most prestigious event in the gardening calendar, The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 and Coxy is thrilled to be in the stunning grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea for his first visit to the show - he's even allowed producer Kirsty to come with him!  He speaks to Helier Bowling, Nicola Oakey, Katy Terry, Dr Lindsey Roberts, Nelly Hall, Simon Burvill and the Chelsea Pensioners. 

It's that time of the year again where Ann and Coxy leave the Petersphere and take a trip to beautiful Beaulieu in the New Forest for the Gardeners' World Spring Fair.  In this episode they speak to Emma, Charles and Chris from Hilliers, Oliver Parsons from the RHS, father and son from Headley Jonny & Inigo and Kelly-Jane Leach.  Kelly-Jane Leach is also known as @Dirtygardenhoe on instagram. You can view her profile here

Spring has finally sprung at the Adhurst Estate Allotments and there is excitement in the air about what this growing season will hold for Ann and Coxy. They also get expert growing advice from the garden goddess Helier Bowling and Ann meets Brigitte from Let's Grow Flax.

Steve is reunited with Claire Vennis to talk about the much anticipated third Petersfield Seed Swap. He also interviews local gardening legend, David Petche, who has received a recognition award from the RHS for 50 years of allotmenteering.  

Steve, Ann and Coxy are together for a special Christmas allotment gathering. They discuss their highlights from the gardening year, what garden related presents they hope Father Christmas is bringing them and their growing plans for 2025. And it wouldn't be a Christmas special without a bloopers reel. Hoe hoe hoe - Merry Christmas and Happy Gardening! 

Steve catches up with Ann at the Adhurst Estate Allotments to review her first year as an allotmenteer, they chat about what went well and what Ann has learnt from her first growing season. They also share their plans and aims for next season and Ann is preparing a new plot for expansion!  Steve then heads over to Blackmoor to meet Neil at Southern Fruit Trees to find out all about Espalier fruit trees. 

It's spooky season and there's a lot of talk about pumpkins as Coxy worries about the size of his and where he will come in the annual competition. Steve takes a trip to Wylds Farm to find out about their new venture and it's not just all about the Christmas Trees! And we hear from some of the winners in the Petersfield in Bloom competition. 

Steve and Coxy are preparing their allotment plots for autumn and winter. There's some rivalry and disappointment over pumpkins and Steve takes a trip to the quintessential Steep Flower Show, how did he get on this year? 

Coxy and Ann are in charge in this episode as Steve leaves the Petersphere for a summer holiday. They share what crops are ready for harvesting, Ann reflects on what worked and what didn't in her first season as an allotmenteer, Coxy has purchased yet another hoe for his collection and we hear from Eliza Fewings about the Mind peer support gardening group at the community garden. 

It's early July and it's very soggy down at the Adhurst Estate Allotments as Steve and Coxy catch up under the shelter at the community garden. Steve also meets Rowan Roberts, the swarm co-ordinator for the Petersfield and District Beekeepers Association. Rowan shares some fascinating facts about honey bees, swarms and what to do if you spot Asian Hornets. 

Steve and Coxy are reunited back at the Adhurst Estate Allotments and catch up on what's hot (certainly not the weather!) and what's not doing so well on the plot for this time of year. Coxy introduces us to his Dad as he shares some of his gardening wisdom and Steve takes a trip to Anglesey to spend some time with his Dad in the garden too. 

Join Steve Amos as he continues his journey through the beautiful show gardens of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In this episode he speaks to The National Autistic Society garden design team, Radio DJ Nick Grimshaw, Blackmore & Langdon Delphiniums, Hampshire Carnivorous Plants and Nelly from Alitex. 

It's the biggest event in the gardening calendar, The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 and Steve is delighted to be here on press day. In this episode he speaks to Kyle McHale, Kate Cotterill and Lucy Hutchings, Ann-Marie Powell, Baz Granger, Dame Prue Leith, Irish musician CMAT, Darren Everest, Sparsholt College and the Children with Cancer UK Charity. 

It's Bank Holiday weekend and Ann & Coxy have taken a trip to the BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair at Beaulieu. As well as filling a wheelbarrow full of purchased plants for their plots, they caught up with Sue Kent and Ellen Mary to chat about useful and edible weeds. Meanwhile Steve is at the Adhurst Estate Allotments learning all about composting with Horticultural Consultant Bev Exall. 

Steve, Ann and Coxy have made it to the allotment all at the same time for their first recording all together! They chat about what's going on at this busy time of year, including planting potatoes and sweet peas. Steve also chats to tree surgeon Matt Marriot about the pollarding of the chestnut tree on Sheet village green. And the three lucky winners of the Gardeners' World Spring Fair competition are revealed. 

Hear the reveal as Steve Amos and Coxy pull the winners from the prize flower pot in our competition to win free tickets to the BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair.

It's a busy day down at the Adhurst Estate Allotments but before Steve and Coxy start working through their long to do list, they have a catch up in the 'chairman's shed'. Coxy is inspired by Steve's prize winning carrots, they discuss all the veg that they plan on growing this year - if the mice can keep away from the seeds and Steve takes a time travelling tour through the ancient gardens of Britain at Butser Ancient Farm. 

In this episode Steve Amos catches up with long time gardening friend Coxy, we hear about the success of Petersfield's second Seed Swap, the community garden has a beautiful new eco shelter and Ann Marden is the newest member of the Adhurst Estate Allotments. 

Steve is back at the Adhurst Estate Allotment where he talks to his long-time allotment neighbour Coxy. They discuss what they're sowing now as well as their plans for the coming growing year. Steve also heads to Hedgefest at the Petersfield Community Garden where he speaks to Ian Turner and Phil Paulo from The Tree Council and PeCAN trustee Melanie Oxley.

On a rainy February morning, Claire and Steve are alone at the soggy Adhurst Estate Allotments sheltering in Steve's 'Chairman's Lodge' - a make-shift lean-to!  They discuss the importance of green spaces for good mental health, potato and dahlia tubers and how much they are looking forward to Spring. Joining them is Kate Forrester from Four Acre Farm in the New Forest who talks about her journey to start a market garden from a tired piece of land and Head Gardener Ben Pope is preparing for the seed-sowing frenzy coming soon. Claire is moving on from Growing Together and leaves the podcast in the capable, and sometimes muddy, hands of Steve. Growing Together is sponsored by De Mellow and Co - financial advice for you, your family and your future.

It's time to start seed sowing! Claire and Steve discuss how to germinate tomato, aubergine and pepper seeds. From Steve's plot at the Adhurst Estate Allotments, and with the sound of children playing in their mud kitchen nearby, they also talk about planning your gardening space, give advice for pruning roses and look forward to the upcoming seed swap. Joining them in this episode is RHS Wisley Garden Manager Sheila Das who shares how her love of horticulture and growing edibles began, as well as the importance of soil health with the 'no dig' approach to the World Food Garden.

It was a chilly morning recording the first Growing Together podcast of the year. Meeting as usual at the Adhurst Estate Allotment, Claire and Steve were bundled up in layers, armed with hot drinks and even a hot water bottle!  With plans to ease slowly into the growing year, they share advice for sowing sweet peas, germinating onion seeds, how to chit potatoes and propagator excitement. If you're desperate to see spring colour, Mark Porter, trustee of the National Garden Scheme, reassures that gardens are opening very soon for viewing snowdrop and spring bulbs.  Plus there's the enticing promise of cake - and it may surprise you to find out what variety of cake is a NGS favourite.  Head Gardener Ben Pope returns with The Working Garden Diary for January with advice to 'garden by the seasons'.  In this episode, Ben has plans to try something new this year, greenhouse inspiration, how to prune and why you should be eating sprouts now.   Listen to a new episode of Growing Together at the beginning and middle of the month.

Happy new gardening year! To start the new year with gardening inspiration, Claire and Steve revisit some of their favourite Growing Together podcast interviews from 2023. With Francis Tophill's passion for growing your own, Lee Connelly's campaign for more gardening in schools, the Drag Queen Gardener challenging gardening stereotypes, Lucy Hutchings' edible growing, Leigh Johnstone's Giving Garden and 3 garden designers showcasing gardening styles over the years - hear from some of the most interesting UK gardening voices in this special episode. Claire Vennis and Steve Amos will be back at the Adhurst Estate Allotment with gardening advice and expert interviews in mid-January.

Meeting for the last time this year, Claire and Steve slip and slide in the mud to Steve's plot at the Adhurst Estate Allotment. Steve advises when to sow onions from seed, Claire explains how to take care of autumn-sown sweet peas and they both share their Christmas gardening wishes.  Head Gardener Ben Pope brings an update of December garden-life in the Working Garden Diary, along with a sprinkling of Christmas cheer, and Nick Rook-Blackstone, owner and occasional Chief Elf at Wylds Christmas Tree Farm, talks all things Christmas trees!

It was a beautiful morning at the Adhurst Estate Allotment for Petersfield's inaugural Tree Festival.   Claire and Steve met Ian Turner and Phil Paulo from The Tree Council, who were offering tree care advice and workshops throughout the day. They discover plans for community tree planting with charity Fitzroy's Rural Skills Project, how to create fairies and stick men from nature and talk to visitors to the festival who are looking forward to future crumbles from their newly purchased fruit trees! Representatives from PeCAN and East Hampshire District Council explain how the festival began, the success of the day and future plans to bring the growing community together. Growing Together is Shine Radio's gardening magazine podcast with a new episode twice a month. Listen at www.shineradio.uk on your favourite podcast app.

The Growing Together gardening magazine podcast It's still very squelchy at the Adhurst Estate Allotment! In this episode, Claire and Steve discuss how to dig up and store dahlia tubers, cutting back autumn raspberries, plans for community composting and the benefits of being outside no matter what the weather. Tony Kirkham, former Head of Kew Gardens Arboretum, joins Claire at Dorset's Sculpture By The Lakes to talk about his fabulous career and Head Gardener Ben Pope has advice for how to look after your garden this time of year, what you can be doing in the garden and how to stay warm while you're in the garden!

The Growing Together gardening magazine podcast It's a bit squelchy outside, and on a chilly Autumnal morning Claire and Steve are back at the Adhurst Estate Allotment. In this episode, there's advice for planting garlic, shallots and tulip bulbs, adding water butts and trees to your gardening space and bringing the outside in for gorgeous autumnal displays. Joining them is Laura Bower from the People's Trust for Endangered Species with advice for looking after wildlife this time of year and expert basket maker and willow weaver Mollie McMillen from her East Hampshire workshop. For gardening advice and expert interviews twice a month, listen to Growing Together with Claire Vennis and Steve Amos, the gardening magazine podcast from Shine Radio. Growing Together is sponsored by De Mellow and Co - financial advice for you, your family and your future.

Claire and Steve enjoy the mid-October evening colour at the Adhurst Estate Allotment and it's a magical place to be. It's also the time of year to think about what worked this year in the garden, what didn't and how you're going to plan your growing areas for next year. The autumn months can be very productive in preparing for the following years growing. Helen McAra from Wild Seasons Foraging takes Claire foraging in the Hampshire countryside and explains the dos and don'ts of wild food hunting and Ben Pope is back with a second instalment of The Working Garden Diary - collecting seeds, drying hydrangea flowers, lawn care and enticing offers of cake! Join Claire Vennis and Steve Amos twice a month for gardening tips, advice and expert interviews in Growing Together.

It's early October at the Adhurst Estate Allotment. The flowers are still bright and enjoying the sun, as are Claire and Steve! There's a lot to do in the garden this time of year including pruning rambling and climbing roses, tidying plots, sowing hardy annuals and seeds for wildflower meadows. Pumpkins are nearly ready for weighing too - have you grown some this year?  Joining Claire and Steve are Lucy Lee from Ramshackle Flowers, who sows, grows and dries flowers throughout the year and Jon Munday from the Blackmoor Estate, who is surrounded by fruit trees as the Apple Tasting Day approaches. Listen to Growing Together, twice a month, with Claire Vennis and Steve Amos.  Recorded at the Adhust Estate Allotment in Hampshire and supported by Alitex.

It's Hay Day at the Adhurst Estate Allotment and time to cut back the meadow in the orchard.   While looking forward to the orchard fruit, Claire and Steve discuss bulbs - spring and garlic - local apple tasting and some garden 'housekeeping' for this time of year.   Featuring in this episode is the first instalment of the Working Garden Diary with Head Gardener Ben Pope and designers of an award-winning showcase garden from the BBC Gardeners' World Autumn Fair.

Early September at the allotment and there's a lot going on.  Harvesting, clearing and tidying plots, collecting seeds... and partaking in giant vegetable competitions. How do you protect your plot over winter? Are you going to create a dead hedge? Have you thought about what your Spring garden will look like?  And what on earth is pumpkin rowing? Claire and Steve discuss all the above and more in the latest episode.   They're also looking forward to Hay Day in the orchard and another flower show for Steve to showcase this year's produce at. Joining them is Jan Knowlson from the South Downs National Park with an update on the ReNature initiative and Peter from Petersfield's Men's Shed has advice on how to make a wooden planter. 

Sitting in the middle of the Miyawake Forest, planted at the allotment last year, Claire and Steve discuss the gardening year so far - and what weather we've had! There's excitement for expanding pumpkins, advice on how to cut back wildflower areas and meadows, dahlia staking ideas and upcoming hedgerow delights. Joining them are cut flower growing expert Helier Bowling with autumn sowing inspiration and Lynette Clarke from the Steep Flower Show with news of this year's 102nd village show.

Back at the Adhurst Estate Allotment, Claire and Steve catch up on what's new at the plot, including some uninvited guests! Steve has started showing some of his produce at local shows and Claire is planning to order spring bulbs soon.  Joining them in this edition is Eddie from the Traditional Garden Growers, who reveals how sheep wool can enrich soil, and Petersfield Physic Garden volunteer Mike lovingly talks about this hidden gem in the heart of the town. Join Claire Vennis and Steve Amos, twice a month, for gardening advice, interviews and chat. Sponsored by Alitex Glasshouses, modern Victoria glasshouses, based in South Harting.

Dodging the rain and fuelled by delicious ice cream from Hackney Gelato, Claire and Steve spent a busy day at the world's largest flower show, which was also celebrating it's 30th anniversary. And talking of anniversaries, Plant Heritage celebrated their 45th anniversary in the Floral Marquee and Business Manager Gill Groombridge explains more about the conservation work of this important charity. Leigh Johnston, otherwise known as the Beardy Gardener, introduces his pioneering Giving Garden.  A direct result of his own struggles with mental health, Leigh shares his own story and how he hopes his garden will provide support and inspiration. Also featured are specialist growers of cosmos, eucalyptus and dahlias.

Claire visits the BBC Gardeners' World Live show, at the NEC in Birmingham, to meet with and talk to garden experts and designers. This hour-long episode features vegetable growing inspiration, urban and balcony gardening, beautiful borders, no dig advice, organic gardening, ideas to help wildlife, encouraging young people in horticulture and a love affair with peonies!  Steve will be joining Claire at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival for the next Growing Together.

On a hot summer's evening, Claire and Steve record this episode of Growing Together in a private garden in Hampshire. There's innovative watering ideas as we learn to cope with hot weather and climate change - including a solar panelled well - a love of visiting open gardens, wildflowers, too many courgette plants and a confession from Steve! With special guests National Garden Scheme garden owner Karen Llewellyn and garden designer Emma Atkinson.

While Steve tends to his award-winning dahlias, Claire visits this year's Chelsea Flower Show. Saving oak trees, forestry education, gardening with no limits, encouraging young gardeners, celebrating heroines of horticulture, admiring Alitex's trade stand, head gardener advice and cinnamon buns are top of the agenda for this eclectic edition of Growing Together. With thanks to Geraint Richards, Head Forester at the Duchy of Cornwall, author Robert Penn, Drag Queen Gardener, Skinny Jean Gardener, Pollyanna Wilkinson, Nelly Hall, Julia Parker and Ben Pope.

With the blossom still in bloom and growing times about 2 weeks behind where they usually are, Claire and Steve squelch and squash their way to the Adhurst Estate Allotments. They're joined by Alitex's Nelly Hall with her second Chelsea Flower Show 'Growing Diary' and tree expert Phil Paulo talks about healthy hedgerows as part of National Hedgerow Week. There's also advice for growing dahlias and beans, feeding your plants and what to do if you see a swarm of bees. Join Claire Vennis and Steve Amos in Growing Together, twice a month.  Sponsored by Alitex Glasshouses.

In this special episode, Claire goes solo to the BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair in Beaulieu while Steve tends to his greenhouse! Kevin Smith, editor of Gardeners' World Magazine, promotes Plot to Plate, gardener and presenter Francis Tophill has plans for an edible prairie meadow and Sparsholt College champions emerging garden designers as their show garden supports the cancer charity Maggie's. Join Claire Vennis and Steve Amos in Growing Together, the gardening podcast - new twice a month - from Shine Radio.

Gardening for wellbeing and mindfulness is top of the agenda in this episode of Growing Together with Claire and Steve.  It's so important to get your dose of Vitamin G! Joining them is Beth Benning from the charity MIND with a new Petersfield Gardening Club and Nelly Hall with the first instalment of her 'Growing Diary' for Alitex's trade stand at the Chelsea Flower Show. There's also advice for planting courgettes, protecting against late Spring frost and the reveal of what was enjoying nocturnal digging in Claire's potato patch! Growing Together is sponsored by Alitex Glasshouses, modern Victorian glasshouses, based in South Harting. Listen to a new episode at the beginning and middle of each month.

Claire and Steve meet for a second time this month at the Adhurst Estate Allotment for gardening chat and advice - and they're delighted to welcome Alitex Glasshouses as a supporter of the podcast!  Also joining them in this episode is Bea Attley from the Petersfield Pumpkin Growers Association and Neil and Catherine Wallsgrove from Pepperpot Herbs. There's advice for potato planting and dahlia cutting as well as a pumpkin-growing challenge and herb inspiration. Join Claire and Steve, twice a month, to grow together.

Growing Together is growing and you can now listen to a new episode twice a month, full of gardening advice and chat, as well as interviews with experts. Claire and Steve are once again at the Adhurst Estate Allotments, thrilled with the success of Petersfield's first Seed Swap and enjoying the warmth of the Spring sun (when it comes out!).  There's lots to sow and plan for this month with Steve launching his Project Carrot and Parsnip 2023 and Claire trying new seeds for her new cutting flower garden. You can also win tickets to the BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair and get involved in Petersfield in Bloom too. With expert interviews from Mark Porter at the National Garden Scheme and medicinal herbalist Jo Dunbar.