Nancy Matsumoto discusses her new book Reaping What She Sows, an exploration of the women transforming our broken food system from the ground up. We talk about what an alternative food system really looks like, why women are at the forefront of this movement, and how they're reimagining the way we grow, distribute, and consume food could offer a more just, sustainable, and human-centric future.

Links

Reaping What She Sows by Nancy Matsumoto

Other episodes if you liked this one:

Episode 263: Ooooby – Out of Our Own Back Yard
In this episode, Pete Russell discusses how the platform Ooooby links customers with small‑scale local growers, promoting a shift away from the large industrial system and toward local, independent food supply chains.

Episode 338: Real Organic vs Regenerative Farming
This episode features Dave Chapman and delves into the broader food‑system issues: corporate consolidation in agriculture, how "regenerative" is being used (or misused) as a buzzword, and how the choice of farming systems impacts equity, transparency and consumer trust.

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This episode, Nicolas Salazar of Guardians Worldwide explores the often-overlooked role of rocks in our designed environments. We discuss their carbon storage potential, their deep relationship with plants, and why removing rocks from landscapes may have more impact than we think. It's a conversation that challenges us to see rocks not as static objects, but as vital, living parts of ecological systems.

Links

www.guardiansworldwide.org

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Episode 41: Natural Stone with Giles Heap
In this episode, host Sarah Wilson speaks to Giles Heap of CED Stone about sourcing natural stone ethically, using materials appropriate to location and job, UK local‑stone options, production/process environmental impacts, permeability and drainage issues with hard surfaces and the future of stone products.

Episode 222: Nature from the Rubble
In this episode, landscape architect Sally Bower discusses her RHS‑bursary‑winning report exploring gravel and recycled aggregate gardens in Essex and London (including Hilldrop, Hyde Hall, Beth Chatto's gravel garden, Langdon Nature Discovery Car Park and the Horniman Museum Grasslands garden) and shares surprising insights for designing with or growing in these media.

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Gardens Illustrated editor Stephanie Mahon has curated the magazine's first ever book, The New Beautiful — a celebration of gardens that reflect today's shifting ideas of beauty, sustainability, and design. We discuss what defines a 'Gardens Illustrated' garden, how the featured spaces in the book were chosen, about the evolving role of perennials to the challenges of capturing a garden's true character in a photograph, Stephanie shares insights from her years at the forefront of garden publishing — and offers a glimpse into where garden design might be heading next.

Links

www.gardensillustrated.com

The New Beautiful: Inspiring Gardens for a Resilient Future

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Episode 295: Picture Perfect Gardens with Mark Bolton
In this episode, freelance photographer Mark Bolton discusses his approach to capturing gardens and interiors for editorial and commercial clients. He shares insights into creating visually appealing garden spaces and offers tips for gardeners looking to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their own gardens.

Episode 354: Modern Planting Design with Andrew Fisher Tomlin
Garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin explores contemporary planting design, focusing on how modern approaches are shaping the aesthetics and functionality of gardens. He discusses trends, challenges, and the evolving role of planting design in creating beautiful and sustainable garden spaces.

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Luke Coleman is the founder of Luke Coleman Gardens, an Edinburgh-based studio known for bold, climate-resilient gardens rooted in story, ecology, and craft.

Luke was named RHS Young Designer of the Year 2025, winning Gold, Best Construction, and People’s Choice at the Wentworth show. His work draws on landscapes from the Scottish Highlands to the Cape Floral Kingdom, exploring how gardens can tell stories of resilience and culture.

We talk about his design principles, what resilience means in a garden, and how gardens might bring cultures together.

Links

Website: lukecoleman.co.uk

Instagram: @lukecolemangardens

Other episodes if you liked this one:

Episode 305: Building on Nature
In this one, Sarah speaks with Nick Townsend of NatureScaping about how to integrate wildlife‑friendly features into garden construction and landscape design. They explore how hardscape and structural elements can support or harm biodiversity.

Episode 222: Nature from the Rubble
Sarah talks with landscape architect Sally Bower, whose work studies gardens using gravel, recycled aggregate, and other resilient growing media. They delve into designing with “non‑traditional” soils and how these gardens can help wildlife.

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Environmental scientist and author Shannon Jade talks about her work and her book A Song for the Earth — a poetic, hopeful take on the climate crisis. We talk about the themes in the book, our connection to nature, and the importance of finding your voice, whatever form that takes.

Links

• A Song for the Earth on Amazon UK
• A Song for the Earth on Goodreads
• A Song for the Earth on Bookshop
• Shannon Jade online
• Shannon Jade on Instagram
• Shannon Jade on TikTok

Other episodes if you liked this one:

Episode 336: Creating an Ark
In this episode, Sarah talks with landscape designer and rewilding pioneer Mary Reynolds about her mission to turn gardens into wild sanctuaries. They explore how even small patches of land can play a part in restoring biodiversity.

Episode 340: The Nature of Resilience
Author Nic Wilson joins Sarah to share how her relationship with the natural world supports her through chronic illness. They discuss the ways nature mirrors our inner worlds and offers space for healing.

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Dr Linda Birkin is the dynamic entomologist and wildlife gardener who stole the show at the recent Talking Plants event with her energetic and informative talk on creating living gardens that welcome all creatures great and small. Find out how she came to champion bugs, and how you can join in with her mission to make gardens a haven for wildlife.

Links

www.ljbees.uk

Instagram @drljbees

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Episode 244: The Biodiversity Gardener
Paul Sterry, ecologist, author and photographer, joins the podcast to discuss how even small gardens can play a huge role in reversing biodiversity loss. He shares insights into practical wildlife gardening, the importance of scrub and edge habitats, and how gardeners can maximise their patch’s ecological value using native planting, structural diversity, and a bit of wildness.
Link

Episode 322: Garden Wildlife Ponds
Pete Case from the Freshwater Habitats Trust explores the vital role ponds play in supporting biodiversity. In this episode, he explains how to create and maintain garden ponds for wildlife, the importance of clean water, how pond size and shape affect its ecology, and how even the smallest container of water can benefit invertebrates, amphibians, and more.
Link

Please support the podcast on Patreon

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Acclaimed garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin discusses the craft of planting design, the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the profession, and the evolving role of planting designers today. He also shares insights from his new book, The Modern Professional Planting Designer, which is a novel and interesting look at the processes behind successful planting design.

Links

www.andrewfishertomlin.com

The Modern Professional Planting Designer: Creating Beautiful, Sustainable, Resilient Gardens for the Twenty-First Century

Other episodes if you liked this one:

Episode 94: James Basson of Scape Design
James Basson of Scape Design, working from southern France, talks naturalistic planting, use of native species, matrix/grid planting in large landscapes, and how to design resilient planting schemes.
Link

Episode 205: Gardening on a Gradient
Carol Smith, garden designer and lecturer, discusses designing and establishing gardens on sloping sites — site assessment, design, planting, and the challenges and opportunities slopes bring.
Link

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Paulette Whitney of Provenance Growers in Tasmania is a grower, cook, and the author of Broccoli and Other Love Stories. We explore the world of seeds, soil, and flavour—from the challenges of gardening in Tasmania’s unique climate, to Paulette’s favourite herbs, root veg, and go-to meals after a long day in the garden. Along the way, Paulette shares how chefs inspire her to try new varieties and how her twin loves of growing and cooking continue to nourish her life.

Links

Provenance Growers - A thriving market garden and edible plant nursery in Lutruwita, Tasmania, run by Paulette Whitney. They grow produce, plants, and preserves with organic and regenerative methods.

Also featured on Salamanca Market's site:
Provenance Growers at Salamanca Market

Broccoli & Other Love Stories – Murdoch Books

https://www.murdochbooks.com/browse/book/Paulette-Whitney,-Provenance-Growers-Broccoli-&-Other-Love-Stories-9781922616876

Other episodes if you liked this one:

Episode 334: Food Farming Revolutionary

Joshua Sparkes, a regenerative grower, discusses his experimental, soil-centred practices and deeply respectful approach to the land. It’s a meaningful exploration of how observation, experimentation, and a love of soil can shape future-focused, sustainable food systems.

Link

Episode 328: Soil, Health and Nutrition

This episode features Sam Hamrebtan, a nutritional therapist and sustainable cooking expert. She delves into how growing practices directly influence food quality and nutrition—demonstrating the intimate connection between soil care and what ends up on our plate.

Link

Please support the podcast on Patreon

And follow Roots and All:

On Instagram @rootsandallpod

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On LinkedIn @rootsandall