Growing Together

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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Petersfield In Bloom, the flower growing and display competition, has launched for 2023!

Organised by the Petersfield Town Council, the competition is supported for the first time by the gardening podcast Growing Together.

With 13 categories, including 2 new ones this year: 'Grow Your Own' and 'Special 2023 Coronation Theme', Kathryn Ellis-Blandford from the town council spoke to Growing Together presenter Claire Vennis about the competition in more detail.

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It's Compost Week UK, March 13th-19th.  Petersfield's Community Garden chair Sue Edberg explains the various ways compost is made at the garden and volunteer Sue Dillon encourages more families to come to the garden on Saturday mornings.  

There's also good news for the garden's fundraising efforts for their planned Eco Structure too.

Claire Vennis presents the gardening podcast Growing Together for Shine Radio. 

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Hampshire-based gardener Helier Bowling won 5 stars for her cut flower garden on the Alitex stand at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show last July.

Claire Vennis from gardening podcast Growing Together met Helier in her greenhouse to find out where her love of growing flowers started, what flower seeds she likes to grow and how she's broken her own growing rule!

Listen to the Growing Together podcast for regular gardening advice, tips and interviews.

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There's still time to see the Houseplant Takeover in the Glasshouse at RHS Wisley, open until March 12th.  

RHS Garden Manager Emma Allen describes some of the plants on display that make up the amazing 'Deep Sea Dive' exhibition to Shine Radio's Claire Vennis, and looks forward to a new Orchid display coming soon.

Claire Vennis presents the gardening podcast Growing Together from Shine Radio.

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The Petersfield Young Farmers are hosting a charity Dung Run on Sunday 25th March, after last year's success.  All profits will be split between the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and the Petersfield Young Farmers Club.

Young Farmers Jack and Henry, as well as PYF mentor Gwen Woodruff, spoke to Shine Radio's Claire Vennis about the Young Farmers' Club and the quality of the dung!

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The yellow daffodils in March remind us of sunny days to come and this month is all about preparing for the sowing frenzy of April.

With the transition from Winter to Spring, where the garden starts to bloom again, it's time to prepare your plots, sow a few early seeds AND - come to the first ever Petersfield Seed Swap on March the 26th, from 4 until 6pm at the Half Moon pub in Sheet.

Garden Goddess Helier Bowling also gives advice for a cut flower garden after her 5 star success at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show last year.

Happy Gardening!

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There's a lot to prepare for the gardening year ahead this month as Claire and Steve discuss at the Adhurst Estate Allotments.

It's time to sow chillis, aubergines, tomatoes, broad beans, sweet peas (if you haven't already) and more.  Potato tubers can start to chit and dahlia bulbs need to be gently woken up.

Also with pruning advice from local tree expert Phil Paulo and a Houseplant Takeover at the RHS Wisley with Garden Manager Emma Allen. 

And look out for details of Petersfield's first seed swap - coming soon in March!

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Happy new gardening year! Claire and Steve meet at the Adhurst Estate Allotments in the January sun to give gardening advice and discuss 2023 gardening plans.  

With early sowings of tomato and pepper seeds, ideas for how to put your unwanted Christmas tree to good use, bare root advice and a visit from some young gardeners.

Award-winning garden designer Ann-Marie Powell shares her gardening wishes for the year and Maia Smith introduces her new florist shop on Lavant Street called Maia's Flowers.

If you are interested in a Petersfield Seed Swap please let Claire and Steve know by emailing [email protected] or calling 01730 5 55 500.

Happy gardening!

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It’s December and a new tree plantation is taking root at the allotments, garlic and onion sets are sown and Susanna Jarrett from Flowers By The Bridge gives expert Christmas wreath tips. 

Steve and Claire also share their top 3 Christmas gardening wish lists.  What's on yours?

Listen to a new Growing Together every month with Steve and Claire from Petersfield's Shine Radio on shineradio.uk or on your favourite podcast app.

Happy gardening!

Photo credit: Susanna Jarrett

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After an unusually mild October, a bumper crop of apples and still-flowering dahlias, it's time to get on with autumnal garden jobs including looking after the soil in your garden, cleaning greenhouses and pots and planting out garlic.

Wildlife is thriving at the Adhurst Estate Allotment with a healthy population of dormice and its bare root season too. Claire visits Southern Fruit Trees in Blackmoor to find out more about this local fruit tree specialist.

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Exciting new plans are afoot at Wisley as Shine Radio's Growing Together presenter Claire Vennis discovered when she visited the 30th Wisley Flower Show and met with RHS Wisley Garden Manager Emma Allen.

In this special Growing Together episode, the dahlias are on full display in the main Show Tent, Pepperpot Nursery suggest herbs to keep you healthy over the winter, there's a recipe to keep beasties off your hosta leaves, unusual willow structures and bulb advice from Holland.

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Claire and Steve meet at the Adhurst Estate Allotments to enjoy the autumnal sun and the last of the year's blooms as they discuss their gardening year.

There's still work to be done in the garden with gathering dahlias and protecting the tubers, preparing the soil for the winter and getting ready to sow garlic, onion sets, broad beans and sweet peas, amongst other jobs.

And bare root season is coming!  Next month, we meet with the bare root experts at Greatham-based Southern Fruit Trees.

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Enjoying their harvest, Claire and Steve discuss how challenging this gardening year has been.

Steve's passion for dahlias shines through as he gives advice for how to look after these late summer blooms and Claire preps her plots for the autumn with plans to plant hardy annuals, alliums and autumn broad beans.

There's great excitement as the Pumpkin Competition heats up at the Adhurst Estate Allotments in memory of the Petersfield Pumpkin Society's Bob Keevil.

Join Claire Vennis and Steve Amos every month for a new Growing Together from Petersfield's Shine Radio.

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This year's Steep Flower Show turns 101 and there's something for everyone at the village's afternoon event on Saturday August 27th, as committee member Steve Amos tells Shine Radio's Claire Vennis.

However, the show is in dire need of more volunteers.  If you'd like to get involved come to the show and talk to some of the committee members or email [email protected]

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With the recent heatwave in July, Claire and Steve discuss the effect the hotter weather is having on the garden and gardeners alike.

Claire has a mystery muncher in her garden, Steve muses over his rambling runner beans and they inspire each other with plans for Autumn tulip bulbs!

There's also advise on what to do with wildflower meadows, taking salvia cuttings, a blackcurrant vodka recipe and Steve treats us to a live carrot-picking from his Carrot Project as he takes a peek at how they are growing.

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The RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is the world's largest annual flower show.  Celebrating it's 31st anniversary, and the first to be held since the start of the pandemic, the emphasis this year is on the joy of wellness and mindfulness with nature being at the centrepiece.

Shine Radio's Claire Vennis met Hampshire gardener Helier Bowling who, along with some new friends, had the opportunity to showcase a home-grown garden at the festival. 

Claire also spoke to the 4 designers of the Get Started show gardens - Lucy Welsh, Imogen Perreau Callf, Gardeners' World's Sue Kent and Hamzah-Adam Desai.

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Paul Abbott at Durleighmarsh Farm used to run the Isle of Wight lavender farm to much success, winning an RHS gold medal.  He still has a passion for lavender and is cultivating new varieties as he explained to Shine Radio's Claire Vennis.  

With tips for how to look after and prune lavender plants too!

For more gardening tips, advice and chat tune in to Growing Together on shineradio.uk.

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Steve and Claire dodge the rain as they enjoy the growing surroundings at the Adhurst Estate Allotment on a summer's evening.

This month there's advice on how to 'stop' dahlias to gain more flowers, what you can still plant to harvest later in the summer and which plants require a high nitrogen feed.

Steve's Project Carrot is growing well, The Big Pumpkin Experiment is on its way, there are lots of cucumbers and chillies in the greenhouse and Claire has plans for her tired strawberry patch.

Paul Abbott from Durleighmarsh Farm also talks to Claire about his passion for lavender.

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This month, Claire and Steve are at the Adhurst Estate Allotment early in the morning along with lots of singing birds!

Steve has so many dahlia plants he doesn't know what to do with them and is even trying out Claire's more 'relaxed' approach to gardening.  

With recommendations for specialist growers and advice for how to dry out tulip bulbs, look after roses, grow happy and healthy courgette and pumpkin plants and to help alleviate  hay fever symptoms, they also talk about various growing competitions at the allotment and look forward to the coming harvest.

Take time to relax in your garden and enjoy your hard work - and please let us know if you have a rhubarb gin recipe.  We'd love to try it out!

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This year's Chelsea Flower Show is back in May for the first time since 2019.  

With 13 show gardens, 12 sanctuary gardens, 20 smaller designs and trade stands as well, the most anticipated flower show of the year is indeed in full bloom.  And there's a lot of Hampshire green-fingered talent on display as well as Shine Radio's Claire Vennis discovered...

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From their sunny spot on the Adhurst Estate Allotment, Claire and Steve update on what they've been growing, hardening off and planting out as the gardening season picks up pace.

In this episode, there's dahlia advice, successional sowing to avoid a glut (hopefully!), uninvited badgers, risky brassicas, a thumbs-up for sphagnum moss in hanging baskets and various structures you can create for climbing beans.

With additional interviews from Matt Biggs and Frances Tophill at the BBC Gardeners World Spring Fair.

Will you be taking part in No Mow May?  Claire and Steve would love to hear from you! You can contact them on 01730 555500 or email [email protected].

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Steve and Claire are back for a second time this month as the growing season hots up - and so does the weather!

From their sunny spot on Steve's Adhurst Estate Allotment, they update on what to sow now and what to pot on, various ways to get rid of slugs, the benefits of using vermiculite and making their own plant food.  It could get very smelly.

Growing Together is presented by Claire Vennis and Steve Amos and is recorded at the Adhurst Estate Allotments, twice a month during the growing season.

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April is a busy gardening month. Join Claire and Steve as they catch up on Project Carrot, share what they've sown and give advice on what to grow in pots.

They also talk about growing lots of sunflowers, admit to their failings in growing brassicas and take part in some unusual mint tasting too.  But beware - don't be in a rush to plant out; April can provide some shockingly cold frosts.

Claire Vennis and Steve Amos recorded Growing Together at the Adhurst Estate Allotments in Petersfield.

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With luckily only a few casualties from February's storms, the Adhurst Estate Allotment is starting to come to life with vegetable and flower seeds sprouting - and the odd weed too.

Claire plans to encourage more pollinators into her garden this year, Steve's Project Carrot is very much 'go' and if you want to plant bare roots get them in the ground this month.

Claire also talks to guest tree expert Phil Paulo from Future Shoots about new tree initiatives taking place in Petersfield this month and how you can help too.

With lots of gardening chat and advice, Growing Together is presented every month by Claire Vennis and Steve Amos.

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As the first signs of Spring colour start to emerge, Claire and Steve head to the Adhurst Estate Allotments for a February catch up from the comfort of Steve's allotment shed.

There's lots of excitement as preparations start for the growing year ahead.  Steve updates on his 'project carrot', Claire explains why she's wary of growing potatoes - and it's not for the squeamish - there's thrifty gardening tips and great advice for how to grow prize-winning dahlias.

Presented by Claire Vennis and Steve Amos.

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As a new year begins, we bid a fond farewell to the amazing Ann-Marie Powell and welcome a new co-presenter to Growing Together - Adhurst Estate Allotment chair Steve Amos joins Claire for gardening chat, ideas and advice.

We're optimistic for the 2022 gardening year as we gently start to prep the garden, sow a few seeds and discuss projects we'd like to try.  Who's joining Steve in trying to grow 3 foot prize-winning carrots?! 

We also talk about the importance of vernalisation and Steve's 'secret blend of fertilizer and compost'.  Let's hope he reveals what's in it next time...

We'd love to hear from you so do get in touch if you have a question or would just like to say 'hello'.  We'll also be recording at the Adhurst Estate Allotments once the weather warms and look forward to meeting you there.

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How are you planning to decorate your house this Christmas?  Ann-Marie and Claire have lots of great ideas on how to bring the outside in this season.

With gardening chat and advice - as well as a bulb-planting confession - this month's Growing Together also has Ann-Marie falling in love with her garden and our gardening wishes for next year.

Happy Christmas!

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After a short break, Ann-Marie Powell and Claire Vennis are back with seasonal gardening tips and chat.  

This month they re-cap September's Chelsea Flower Show - including celebrating all of Ann-Marie's recent awards, amazing! - prepare the garden for next year's Spring, give advice on how to take pelargonium cuttings, agree how delicious Autumn raspberries are and have a passionate discussion on re-wilding.

Take time to enjoy your garden and enjoy the Autumn jobs.

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We have a lot to celebrate in this month's Growing Together - it's our first birthday, a special birthday for Ann-Marie and we've been chosen as one of the top 25 gardening podcasts in the UK. Thank you so much for listening!

With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show taking place in September this year, Ann-Marie tells us what her rural-refined, Hampshire-wild inspired garden will look like with Gaze Burvill's beautiful furniture and Arthur Parkinson's fabulous floral displays from Sarah Raven's gorgeous collections. What more could you want?

There's lots of home-grown garden chat too - and don't forget to order your bulbs this month if you haven't already done so.

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It's been a strange gardening year - freezing cold, soaking wet and then hot hot hot.  

This month, Ann-Marie and Claire talk about what can still be sown, collecting seeds for next year's growing or as gifts for friends and keeping your kit clean - while wearing a bikini in the sun preferably. 

They're encouraged by the growth of community gardens with the wellbeing that comes from it, so evident in our own Petersfield Community Garden.

And Ann-Marie gives an insight to what delights the upcoming Chelsea Flower Show hopes to bring this September - and it sounds magical. 

Growing Together - Saturday mornings at 7, Monday evenings at 6 and Wednesday evenings at 8 - and always online at shineradio.uk or on your favourite podcast app.

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This month Growing Together comes from the magical Petersfield Community Garden.  Chair Sue Edberg and volunteers Alex and Linda warmly welcome Ann-Marie and Claire back to this amazing community space, even though it’s raining!

With a new pond, plans afoot for a large wooden communal structure and an unusual but fantastic use for sheep wool, there’s lots of tips, advice and inspirational garden chat too.

Everyone is welcome at the Petersfield Community Garden - to meet like-minded people, grow some fruit and veg or if you’d just like to play a musical instrument in the orchard!

Saturday mornings at 7:30, Monday evenings at 6 and Wednesday evenings at 8 - and always online at shineradio.uk or on your favourite podcast app.

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After the wettest May, Ann-Marie and Claire are hoping for the sun to shine in June - aren’t we all!

With everything being slightly behind schedule, there’s a rush to get plants from seed trays into the garden.

Ann-Marie has some great top tips from feeding plants to lining pots and Claire recommends hanging baskets for tumbling tomatoes and planting herbs in flower borders.

They’re both also taking on the gardening design police!

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With April showers few and far between last month and so many frosts, the tulips are suffering but the daffodils have been amazing, as have the muscari and Ann-Marie's new favourite anemone Mr Fokker.  Such a gorgeous blue!

This month Ann-Marie and Claire break the rules, discuss how to prune and layer clematis and reveal a kind way to get rid of lily beetles.

With Chelsea now scheduled to take place in September, Claire finds out what plans Ann-Marie has for her show garden and Ann-Marie gives us a sneak peek of her soon-to-be opened Wisley gardens, with a virtual tour.

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After recording remotely for the last few months, Claire and Ann-Marie are happy to be back together in Ann-Marie’s garden again.

April is a busy time in the garden and, accompanied by blackbird song, they share what seeds they’ve already sown and what they’re going to sow this month.  

Ann-Marie has new arches in her garden for cobaea and squash plants to grow up and Claire discusses what small tree could work well in her garden.

With advice for colour, companion planting, seeds swaps, planting to remember loved ones and a surprise recipe, this month’s Growing Together is bursting with excitement for the coming growing season.

Growing Together from Petersfield’s Shine Radio - Saturday mornings at 7:30 and Wednesday evenings at 8 - and always online at shineradio.uk or on your favourite podcast app.

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It’s March and there’s a lot to be getting on with in the garden as Spring begins and the days grow longer.  Ann-Marie and Claire discuss what seeds they’ve started to sow and where they’ve sown them - let’s just say there’s not a lot of space in their kitchens.

Ann-Marie announces news of her new book ‘My Real Garden’ and they remember a year ago when lockdown started and how important our green spaces have become.

With tips on planting summer bulbs and creating wildlife ponds for biodiversity, Ann-Marie and Claire share a few gardening confessions too.  It’s all in this month’s edition of Growing Together.

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In February’s Growing Together Ann-Marie and Claire are recording remotely, but that doesn’t stop them from feeling connected as they discuss how lockdown can bring time to plan for the coming year’s garden - and they’re getting organised!

With tips on how to train roses, when to move dormant plants and which seeds to sow now for an early crop, Ann-Marie and Claire also discuss how this year, perhaps more than ever, gardening can bring people together.

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Ann-Marie and Claire visit the Petersfield Community Garden for their January Growing Together programme.  They meet with chair Sue Edberg and volunteers Sarah, Alex and Leslie to find out more about the garden and all it offers.  

It’s the first time visiting the garden for both Ann-Marie and Claire and they are given a very warm welcome on this cold winter day. 

Open to all who wish to come along, the Community Garden is a safe place for anyone who would like to learn more about gardening, get stuck in with a project, meet new people or simply to just sit and have a cuppa.  You’ll always be met with a friendly smile and, in the colder months, a warm campfire!

With emphasis on gardening for physical and mental wellbeing, Leslie tells us that coming to the garden has helped her regain mobility and speech since her debilitating stroke a few years ago and Alex says she has changed her working hours to fit in visiting the garden. 

Sarah explains how the garden is working with local surgeries, mental health charities, youth clubs and schools to help with social prescribing and hopes 2021 brings more opportunity for the garden to help more people, both young and old.

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How do you make your Christmas wreath? Claire and Ann-Marie discover they have very different methods, but both are great ways to get out in the garden and forage for foliage!

How about making a wreath for a lonely neighbour or putting a few small bulbs and compost into an empty jam jar decorated with ribbon as a little gesture of seasonal gardening gifting.

Ann-Marie lets us into a bulb-planting secret and plans to plant more sweetpea seeds around Boxing Day in her continuing sweetpea experiment, as well as sowing tomato seeds for an early crop, hopefully.

Poinsettia discussion - what do you do with them after Christmas and what type of Christmas tree do you choose?  This year we’re choosing the more ‘characterful’ ones.  Lots of handy tips and advice for December decorating but watch out for those flower frogs!

To contact the programme email [email protected] or call 01730 555 500.

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As the weather turns wetter and colder and the days grow shorter, why not brighten your garden with fairy lights?

Both Ann-Marie and Claire recommend warm, white lights to add a glow to the garden during winter.

Lights are available to buy in the shops now for Christmas (Claire just didn’t pack hers away from last year!) and look into solar ones as a good option too.

Garlic bulbs can be planted, as can tulip bulbs - finally!

We talk about compost bins, hot bins with steam and Ann-Marie’s worm friends in her wormery - who provide amazing amounts of plant food!

Remember to feed the birds and put out water for them.

Best thing to do in the garden as the nights draw in: wrap up, lie on the grass and stare at the stars ✨

You can email Ann-Marie and Claire at [email protected] or 01730 555 500.

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The new Growing Together show from Shine Radio. The temperatures are falling and the nights are drawing in. Ann-Marie Powell and Claire Vennis are out in the garden with tips and advice for October.

You can contact Ann-Marie and Claire on [email protected]

Music by Mark Vennis
Audio production by Nina Vennis
(it's a family show)

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Ann-Marie Powell and Claire Vennis welcome you to Shine Radio's new monthly gardening show.

We want Growing Together to be the brighter gardening show for anyone keen to make the most of a garden, big or small in the Petersfield area.

With passion, experience and still new things to learn, Ann-Marie and Claire share advice and expertise every month. 

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