Mike Palmer - Garden Designer & Consultant

12/08/2024

A humorous new article, on the hottest day of the year, about how the weather this year has affected our gardening activities and fun.

Rain, more rain, a day of sunshine here and there and then, cold, miserable days

What should we gardeners do? Have a read because I have a few words to say about things! 

Tap link below - it’s free!

https://open.substack.com/pub/mikethegardener/p/let-the-sunshine-reign?r=27r8d3&utm_medium=ios

21/07/2024

Do you love gardening and plants?

Then you’ll love my gardening blogs and stories over on Substack.

I’m Mike Palmer, a professional gardener, garden designer and garden writer, and I have a fortnightly column in the world’s oldest gardening magazine, Amateur Gardening.

I write about gardening, plants and my stories from over 20 years of professional gardening. And there are some great stories, some funny, some sad and some almost hard to believe, but all based on real-life events.

It’s free to subscribe, so why not pop over there now and have a look.

You can also find me on Instagram as .

See you there!

Mike 🖐🏼

Award-winning, passionate gardener, garden writer and Amateur Gardening magazine columnist. Popular gardening podcaster and social media influencer. Co-Chair of the Garden Media Guild.

01/03/2024

A new diary article on my Substack today.

A nightmare journey on the tube, some naughty plant spends, painting it black, some gardening jobs, a delicious Sunday roast, all served with a good dollop of humour.

Tap link below to read now.

London tube nightmare, the arrival of Noah's Ark and Paint it Black

23/12/2023

My latest article 'Is There Anyone Out Here' is a humorous look at gardening vs Christmas 'Things to do' lists.

Tap the link below to have read.

Of course there isn't, and don't feel guilty!

19/12/2023

In this fascinating episode, I chat to Charles Carr, who is the Head of Wholesale Nurseries at Hillier Nurseries Limited.

Charles took me on a tour of the site and it's just incredible to see this massive operation, and the technology thats in use, the skills of the staff all around the site and most importantly, the quality of the plants that are produced.

I chat to Charles about his role and, as with so many conversations I've had in this series, we talk about the impact of climate change and going peat free and how the industry is responding to these very real challenges. Hilliers Nurseries are pretty much peat free, and they have some fascinating technology to help them learn about this new growing medium.
And for all of us, whatever the size of our garden, we too will need to learn about how to grow our plants in a peat, free medium.

As you might expect, we cover a lot of ground within this discussion, including pests and diseases, what happens during the winter months, the importance of learning and development for staff, new plant development, and Charles own plant passions and of course lots more.

Thank you all for listening to this series of the Mike The Gardener – Gardening Podcast and I will be back in the new year with one more episode for this series, before picking up again in spring with Series 7.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024.

Mike

In this fascinating episode, I chat to Charles Carr, who is the Head of Wholesale Nurseries at Hillier Nurseries Limited. Charles took me on a tour of the site and it's just incredible to see this massive operation, and the technology thats in use, the skills of the staff all around the site and mos...

28/11/2023

Good evening folks!

❗️Exciting news❗️

Three years ago I joined the rather fabulous Garden Media Guild to progress my garden writing, having had a few pieces published in various gardening & garden design magazines.

Four months after joining the Guild we went into lockdown and I took to Instagram and until recently my writing, which I love doing, has been put on the back burner.

A few months back, I started writing again on Substack and have had an incredible response from all of you - thank you!

A couple of weeks ago I was approached by the lovely , the new editor of Amateur Gardening magazine magazine who has asked me to write a fortnightly column for the magazine.

Needless to say I'm absolutely delighted.

My first article published digitally today or hard copy on Saturday is 'Winter Gardens - it's not all about the holly and the ivy' and it's a rather special three page spread with pictures of me (well, you can't have it all) and my garden.

You can buy the magazine from your local newsagent or subscribe online - it's really easy! It's a great, informative, feel-good magazine with some incredible writers.

18/08/2023

Fancy a quick, lighthearted read?

My new Substack post takes a closer look at fashion in gardening.

- How important is fashion in the garden?
- Are you a floral fashionista?
- Are you a horticultural Carrie Bradshaw?

Tap here to read now!

Fashion slave, trend setter or happy gardener?

12/06/2023

In this week's, episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat to Gardeners' World presenter, garden designer, and author, ADAM FROST.

Probably one of the most requested chats from all of you over the last two years, and finally it's happened.
In an open, frank and very honest, interview Adam talks about:

🌱His career to date.
🌱Working alongside the legend that was Geoff Hamilton.
🌱His new garden
🌱His own recent health issues
🌱“An Evening with Adam Frost” UK shows, and much , much more

Adam will be appearing at this year's Gardeners' World Live in Birmingham 15-18 June. Check show press for his appearances and schedule of activities.

My thanks to Adam, his team and the BBC Gardeners' World team for their help in arranging this chat.

As always, please don't forget to follow/subscribe and leave a review if you are able.

And, as always, I will see you next week.

In this week's, episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast, I chat to Gardeners' World presenter, garden designer, and author, Adam Frost. Probably one of the most requested chats from all of you over the last two years, and finally it's happened. In an open, frank and very honest, intervie...

26/01/2023

We're back!

A brand new episode of the Mic the Gardener - Gardening Podcast out today with a fantastic interview with the Queen of Herbs, the wonderful Jekka McVicar.

This episode was recorded last year just weeks before the sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

Click link below to listen.

It's a good 'un, I have to say.

Create, distribute, host, and monetize your podcast, 100% free.

06/10/2022

Good morning folks!

This week’s episode of the Mic The Gardener - Gardening Podcast features award-winning garden writer and author Barbara Segall ().

In this episode we chat about Barbara‘s brand-new book ‘Secret Gardens of the South East - A Private Tour’ published by Frances Lincoln and Quarto Books and featuring photographs by Clive Boursnell.

We chat about how the book came about, Barbara‘s career, her friendship with the late, great Peter Seabrook, her plans for the future and of course lots more.

To listen head to the link in my bio or in my stories or head towards your preferred podcast platform and search for Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe and if you’re able please leave a review.

Thank you!

Mike

Hello and welcome back to this weeks episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast sponsored by Natural Grower. If you're look for amazing results with all your fruit and vegetables, flower beds, lawns and house plants, then Natural Grower's award-winning, certified organic peat-free compost...

29/09/2022

NEW GARDENING PODCAST.

Hello and welcome back to this weeks episode of the Mic the Gardener – Gardening Podcast sponsored by Natural Grower. If you're look for amazing results with all your fruit and vegetables, flower beds, lawns and house plants, then Natural Grower's award-winning, certified organic peat-free compost...