The Blooming Garden – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the Blooming Garden podcast, host Jane Westoby talks all things Dahlia breeding with Pam Lyons from the Untamed Garden. 

Exploring  Pam's journey from Alaska to the UK, her passion for growing and breeding dahlias, and the various challenges and joys that come with it. How  The Untamed garden breeding programme started  and essential topics such as isolation techniques, seed collection, and the unpredictability of growing dahlias from seed. 

Takeaways

• Dahlias can be grown successfully even in challenging climates like Alaska.
• Isolation techniques are crucial for successful dahlia breeding.
• The unpredictability of genetics in dahlias can be both a challenge and a joy and can lead to unexpected and beautiful results.
• Cutting blooms early encourages more branching and blooms.
• Let the bees do the work if you are starting out and don’t have any specific goals

Resources mentioned in this Episode:
Dahlia Breeding Blogpost
Growing Dahlias Blogpost

Follow The Hampshire Seed Company and the untamed Garden :
The Blooming Garden Podcast
instagram.com/thehampshireseedcompany
thehampshireseedco.com

Rate, Review & Follow

• If you love gardening and you have found this podcast useful then please consider to rate and review the show. It helps us to keep going and produce even more resources for you to grow and sow better. 
• If you haven't done so already then do follow the podcast now and let us know what you loved most about this episode. 

Heritage Seeds with The Heritage Seed Library 

In this episode of the Blooming Garden podcast, host Jane Westoby speaks with Catrina Fenton from Garden Organic about the significance of heritage seeds and The Heritage Seed Library in their 50th Anniversary year. Discussing the origins of the library, the importance of seed saving, and the role of volunteers in conservation efforts. Katrina shares insights on how to become a seed guardian, the process of saving seeds, and the viability of different seed types. The conversation also touches on the commercialization of heritage varieties and the future of sustainable gardening.

Takeaways

• Heritage seeds are crucial for biodiversity and sustainable gardening.
• The Heritage Seed Library was founded to protect endangered seed varieties.
• Volunteers play a vital role in seed conservation efforts and anyone can become a seed guardian and help grow heritage seeds.
• Seed viability varies by type; some seeds last longer than others.
• Saving your own seeds is easy from open pollinated varieties. 

Resources mentioned in this Episode:
How long do seeds Last Blog Post
How to save your own seeds Bog Post
www.gardenorganic.org.uk

Follow The Hampshire Seed Company:
The Blooming Garden Podcast
instagram.com/thehampshireseedcompany
thehampshireseedco.com

Rate, Review & Follow on Apple Podcasts 

• If you love gardening and you have found this podcast useful then please consider to rate and review the show. It helps us to keep going and produce even more resources for you to grow and sow better. 
• Scroll to the bottom of the page, tap to rate the stars, and select write a review. 
• If you haven't done so already then do follow the podcast now and let us know what you loved most about this episode. 

Are you ready to kick start your garden and improve your sowing & growing skills? Or are you a flower farmer wanting to be more profitable? 

 In the first episode we talk about:  

Succession planting  to ensure continuous blooms throughout the growing season.

Know your frost dates for effective timing.

Utilize planning tools like our Sowing Calendars and Planting SChedules

Selecting a diverse mix of flowers for maximum space.

Understanding your local growing conditions.

The hungry gap!

Timing is everything in flower farming and gardening .

Listen in to discover how you can get organised and master your dream gardening goals for the year!
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Resources mentioned in this Episode: 

The Hampshire Seed Company Annual Seed Sowing Calendar

The Hampshire Seed Company Excel Automated Calendar 

Growing Lisianthus Blog Post
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Follow The Hampshire Seed Company: 

The Blooming Garden Podcast

instagram.com/thehampshireseedcompany

thehampshireseedco.com

Rate, Review & Follow on Apple Podcasts 

If you love gardening and you have found this podcast useful then please consider to rate and review the show. It helps us to keep going and produce even more resources for you to grow and sow better. 

Click here, scroll to the bottom of the page, tap to rate the stars, and select write a review. 

If you haven't done so already then do follow the podcast now and let us know what you loved most about this episode. 

In this episode of the Blooming Garden podcast, host Jane Westoby from The Hampshire Seed Company talks to fellow Flower Farmer Jen from Jen on the Lot about her journey into flower farming. They discuss the importance of planning, market research, and the challenges of starting a flower farm. Jen shares her experiences transitioning from an allotment to a larger farm, the strategies she employs to decide what to grow, and the significance of pest management. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, including overcoming imposter syndrome and the importance of community support. Jen offers valuable advice for aspiring flower farmers, emphasizing the need to balance growing with business acumen.

Takeaways

• Utilize local resources to inform decision-making.
• Planning and forecasting are crucial for success.
• Don't be afraid to pivot your business strategy.
• Engage with your audience for market feedback.
• Start with a solid infrastructure for your farm.
• Pest management is a key consideration in farming.
• Enjoy the process and celebrate your achievements.
• Calculate your growing space for maximum yield.
• Be prepared for startup costs to be higher than expected.
• Community support is vital in the flower farming industry.

Resources mentioned in this Episode: 
Business Resources 

Follow The Hampshire Seed Company and the untamed Garden : 
The Blooming Garden Podcast
instagram.com/thehampshireseedcompany
thehampshireseedco.com

Rate, Review & Follow 

• If you love gardening and you have found this podcast useful then please consider to rate and review the show. It helps us to keep going and produce even more resources for you to grow and sow better. 

• If you haven't done so already then do follow the podcast now and let us know what you loved most about this episode. 

In this episode of the Blooming Garden podcast, I discuss the essential aspects of seed sowing, focusing on the often-overlooked process of seed stratification. Explaining  how to recreate natural conditions for seeds to germinate, emphasizing the importance of temperature, light, and moisture and providing  practical tips for gardeners to improve their seed germination success. 

Takeaways

• Seed stratification is crucial for certain seeds.
• Understanding your seeds' needs to improve germination rates.
• Temperature and light play a  significant role in seed germination.
• Water and oxygen are also  essential for seed growth.
• Using heated mats to speed up germination.
• Moisture levels must be monitored closely during germination with lids to help maintain moisture

Resources mentioned in this Episode: 
Seed Stratification Blog
Growing Orlaya Grandiflora Blog
Growing Bells of Ireland Blog
Growing Lisianthus Blog

Follow The Hampshire Seed Company :

• The Blooming Garden Podcast 
• instagram.com/thehampshireseedcompany
• thehampshireseedco.com

Rate, Review & Follow 
If you love gardening and you have found this podcast useful then please consider to rate and review the show. It helps us to keep going and produce even more resources for you to grow and sow better.  If you haven't done so already then do follow the podcast now and let us know what you loved most about this episode. 

This week, I'll be diving into one of my all-time favorite flowers—Matthiola Incana, or scented stocks. If you’ve ever struggled to grow them, you’re not alone. I spent years getting it wrong before finally cracking the code. Now, they’re a staple in my cutting garden, perfect for weddings, arrangements, and filling the air with that incredible, spicy-sweet scent. In this episode, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned—what works, what doesn’t, and how you can grow the most beautiful scented stocks from seed.

Takeaways

• Stocks thrive in cool conditions, so sowing early is key to getting tall, strong stems.Only about half of your plants will produce double blooms, but there’s a way to identify them early.
• Spacing and staking make all the difference—too far apart or left unsupported, and they’ll flop.
• Heat stress ruins stocks. Anything over 21°C can affect flower development, so keeping them cool is essential.
• Stocks are a one-hit wonder. Once you’ve cut them, they’re done, which makes them great for succession planting.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

How to Grow Matthiola Incana (Scented Stocks) – Blog

Follow The Hampshire Seed Company

The Blooming Garden Podcast
Instagram.com/thehampshireseedcompany
thehampshireseedco.com

Rate, Review & Follow
If you love gardening and found this episode helpful, please take a moment to rate and review the show. It helps me keep going and create even more resources to help you grow and sow with confidence. And if you haven’t already, make sure to follow the podcast and let me know what you loved most about this episode.

In this special last-minute episode, I address the flood of questions I've received about sweet peas—from customers, journalists, and bloggers. I share my personal tips on when and how to sow sweet peas, the benefits of autumn versus spring sowing, and how to keep your plants strong and blooming from May through September. Whether you’re dealing with leggy seedlings or wondering if you should soak your seeds, I break down everything you need to know to enjoy a vibrant display of sweet peas all season long.

Takeaways

• Sweet peas are hardy annuals that bloom best when sown in autumn for early flowering the following year.
• Sowing in a greenhouse or cold frame helps prevent leggy growth, while ensuring proper airflow minimizes the risk of damping off.
• Pinching out tall, floppy tips not only keeps the plants bushy but also lets you root the cuttings for extra plants..
• Regular cutting every two to three days prevents seed set and encourages continuous blooming.
• After years of practice, I’ve discovered that soaking sweet pea seeds isn’t necessary
• Protect your seeds and seedlings from pests like mice, squirrels, and slugs with simple covers or barriers.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Growing Sweet Peas Blog
Sweet Peas from Cuttings Blog

Follow The Hampshire Seed Company and The Untamed Garden
The Blooming Garden Podcast
Instagram.com/thehampshireseedcompany
thehampshireseedco.com

Rate, Review & Follow

If you found this episode helpful, please consider rating and reviewing the show. Your feedback motivates me to continue sharing practical gardening advice and tips. And don’t forget to follow the podcast to stay updated with the latest episodes. Happy growing, and see you next time.

In this episode, I sit down with Rainy from Cherry Tree Flower Farm to talk all things willow. From growing it successfully in wet conditions to harvesting, weaving, and using it in floristry, Rainy shares her incredible knowledge built over years of working with this sustainable and versatile plant. Whether you're looking to grow willow for weaving, floristry, or even as a windbreak, this episode is packed with expert advice.

Takeaways

• Willow thrives in damp soil but still needs full sun to grow well.
• The best way to plant willow is from a cutting—just push it into the ground and let nature do its thing.
• Harvesting is best done in winter when the leaves have dropped and the sap has gone down.
• Willow must be coppiced (cut back) every year to produce long, straight rods for weaving.
• Different varieties are suited to different purposes—choose the right type based on what you want to use it for.
• Dried willow can last indefinitely if stored correctly and can be rehydrated when needed.
• Willow is fantastic for wildlife, providing early-season pollen for pollinators.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Cherry Tree Flower Farm
Flowers from the Farm
ArbTalk – Free Woodchip for Gardens
The Living Jigsaw – Book on Garden Ecosystems
Ben Raskin’s Book on Woodchip
Tolhurst Organic – Sustainable Farming

Follow The Hampshire Seed Company and The Untamed Garden

The Blooming Garden Podcast
Instagram.com/thehampshireseedcompany
thehampshireseedco.com

Rate, Review & Follow

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show. It helps me create more episodes packed with useful, practical advice to help you grow with confidence. And if you haven’t already, make sure you’re following the podcast so you never miss an episode.

Do you want to double your flower harvest without adding a single extra row? Whether you’re a flower farmer, a backyard grower, or just someone who wants more blooms from less space, today’s episode is for you!

I’m sharing the three essential techniques every grower needs to maximize production—without extra land, fancy tools, or complicated setups. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your flowers stronger, taller, and blooming for longer, this episode is packed with practical, actionable advice to help you do just that.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the 3 pillars of more blooms:
The power of cut-and-come-again flowers—why some plants thrive when you keep cutting and which varieties are the best for it.
Pinching for bushier, more productive plants—which flowers love a strategic snip (and which ones don’t!).
Succession sowing made simple—how to keep your cutting patch producing all season long without that dreaded mid-summer gap.

Must-Have Resources & Links:
FREE Download: My cheat sheet of which flowers to pinch (and which ones to leave alone!) – [Grab it here]
Read the Full Blog: A step-by-step breakdown of how to put these techniques into action – [Click here]
Related Episode: Love this topic? Check out my Blogpost on Cut-and-Come-Again Flowers –  [Click here]

Let’s Connect!

📸 Share your success: Tried any of these techniques? I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @thehampshireseedco and let’s chat.
⭐ Support the podcast: If you found this episode helpful, please leave a quick review! It helps more growers find this content and keeps me motivated to share even more tips.
🎧 Subscribe & Listen: Never miss an episode! Follow The Blooming Garden Podcast on your favorite platform.

Happy growing, and I’ll see you next time! 

Ever sown seeds early in the season, only to watch them sit there doing nothing for weeks? Meanwhile, someone sows the same variety a few weeks later, and suddenly their plants are thriving while yours are still sulking. So what’s going on?

The answer lies in daylight length and the Equinox. In this episode, we’re diving into how plants measure light, why some flowers simply refuse to grow before the Equinox, and how you can time your sowings perfectly for better results.

I’ve learned these lessons the hard way—sowing too early and watching seedlings struggle, then waiting just a little longer and seeing them take off like rockets. Timing really is everything, and today, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned so you don’t have to make the same mistakes!

 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✔️ What the Equinox is and why it affects plant growth
✔️ How photoperiodism works and why some plants respond to light differently
✔️ Why Cosmos, Zinnias, and Sunflowers sulk if sown too early
✔️ The best timing for sowing short-day, long-day, and day-neutral plants
 ✔️ Real-life examples from my own seed sowing this year

Resources & Links Mentioned:
Read the Full Blog Post on the Equinox & Plant Growth →HERE
Explore My Favourite Flower Seeds & Growing Guides →HERE

Share & Subscribe!
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow grower who might be sowing too early! And don’t forget to subscribe to The Blooming Garden Podcast so you never miss an episode.

I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever had seeds sulk because they were sown too early? Let me know in the comments or tag me on @thehampshireseedcompany with your thoughts!

Thanks for listening, and happy growing!