Hosted by the author and journalist, Helen Cross and landscape garden designer, Camellia Taylor the new podcast series will share personal stories from individuals whose lives have been transformed through horticulture, visiting hospitals, prisons, community gardens, and schools to hear firsthand accounts of its impact.
“We all know that gardening and being outdoors is good for us—there’s a wealth of evidence supporting this. Gardening on the Mind will explore why it’s so beneficial, while also addressing the challenges in making it more widely available and ensuring vital projects receive the funding they need. We’ve uncovered so many inspiring stories that illustrate just how life-changing gardening can be. We want to bring these stories into the mainstream—educating and inspiring listeners along the way,” explained Helen Cross.
Focussed on the challenges and successes of integrating horticulture into education and healthcare, Gardening on the Mind, will highlight the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of gardening, addressing issues such as the mental health crisis, obesity epidemic, NHS pressures and the climate emergency.
Taylor has a background in psychology, working with victims of domestic abuse and children on the autism spectrum to becoming a sought-after garden designer, adds: “This is a vital topic, deeply connected to my work as a garden designer. Our relationship with green spaces and nature has a profound effect on health and wellbeing, yet access to these benefits remains unequal. More needs to be done to integrate nature into everyday spaces, whether in schools, hospitals, or urban environments. The podcast will also explore the critical role of soil in sustaining life, highlighting why it should be valued, protected and nurtured rather than overlooked. I hope Gardening on the Mind inspires listeners to advocate for change—whether that means ensuring every school has a thriving garden where children can connect with nature, learn, and grow, or encouraging hospitals to incorporate green spaces that support both staff wellbeing and patient recovery. Our relationship with nature should be symbiotic, a continuous exchange where we nurture the environment and in return, it nurtures us.”
Helen and Camellia will be joined by leading voices in the field, offering expert insights, practical advice and innovative solutions for incorporating gardening into daily life for a healthier, more sustainable future. Guests on the podcast will include:
- Dr Sue Stuart-Smith, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and author of the Well Gardened Mind
- Dr Richard Claxton, GP and founder of Gardening4Health
- Sarah Raven, gardener, writer and author
- Nick Burton & Duncan Hall, garden designers
- Anna Greenland, gardener and author
- Kathy Slack, vegetable grower and writer
- Angela Smith, RHS community outreach worker in Scotland
- Laura Honor, school gardening advocate and founder of Skool Beanz
- Jo Dorant (Go Flourish), teacher promoting school gardening
- Jo Thompson, garden designer
The first episode will be released on the 1st of May, 2025 and will be available via podcast platforms.
