Best Rachel McCartain Podcasts (2024)

1
Brilliantly simple design tips for gardens that are on a slope 19:06

9M ago19:06

19:06

What to do if your garden is on a slope, whether its and upslope or downslope, gardens don't have to be made flatter to become better! Brilliantly simple design tips to help you understand how you can create a functioning but beautiful garden when the ground is not flat! Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos…

1
Front Gardens - are not a small version of the back garden 18:01

9M ago18:01

18:01

Front Gardens are so important, yet are often left as uninspiring gardens. But the front garden is what you and your visitors walk past to get to the front door - so the garden should say something about you! So, this week's episode is dedicated to helping you transform your front garden into a place that puts a smile on your face and welcomes you …

1
How to design Odd Shaped Gardens 22:48

10M ago22:48

22:48

Life would be so much easier if gardens were regular shapes, but more often than not now gardens come in all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes. So how do you design a garden in one? Well, there are some easy tips and hints to help you start the planning process and work out how you can fit a gorgeous garden into an odd shape. Phew! Support the Sh…

1
How to design a rectangular or square shaped garden 22:56

10M ago22:56

22:56

Gardens come in all shapes of rectangles - these can be long narrow rectangles, wide shallow shaped gardens or perfectly square spaces. So what makes for an interesting design in a regular box-shaped garden? PlantPlots YouTube Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook.com/plantplots Pinterest/PlantPlots…

1
How does a garden become family-friendly? 20:13

10M ago20:13

20:13

What does family-friendly mean in design and layout terms? Most gardens have to be multifunctional spaces, providing space for little people to boom about in BUT that the adults can relax and enjoy themselves in. So what should you consider if you need your garden to work for everyone? INSERT VIDEO LINK HERE Support the Show. Support the Show - Tha…

1
Garden Styling - How to Choose the Right One 19:39

10M ago19:39

19:39

You may think of garden styles as Cottage, Mediterranean, Contemporary, Minimalist etc but it's actually much simpler than that. But before you lay the styling out, you need to understand how each of these 3 main styles works and then decide which one would work best in your space. INSERT VIDEO LINK HERE> Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank …

1
How do you choose the design layout for a garden? 26:06

11M ago26:06

26:06

The key principle when you are faced with lots of decisions is to break these down into simpler decisions. And that is really all design is about, asking simple questions, the result of which will help you understand how you need your garden to be. It's not about imposing a shape style or planting scheme IN the garden. To learn a bit more - try her…

1
Why does everyone think having a beautiful garden means more work? 20:34

11M ago20:34

20:34

I am a lazy gardener, I want to spend time enjoying being in the garden, not fussing over the jobs and chores I think I need to do. If you are like me, then listen in, and I will give you the best tip for making looking after your garden less stressful! Which has to be worth a listen - don't you think? If you want to know a bit more - try here Supp…

1
If you're going to design your garden - Don't do this! 21:55

11M ago21:55

21:55

Designing a garden can be daunting, especially if you don't know much about design, plants or gardening. But you can design your garden well, if you follow some simple steps. The first one is eliminating negatives, you need to understand what are the emotional negatives and practical negatives your garden has. Resolve these and the garden is alread…

1
You don't need to become a gardener to have an amazing garden 24:36

11M ago24:36

24:36

What makes a garden truly amazing? The truth is nothing - it's a choice; Does the garden amaze us? Creating an amazing garden isn't then an impossible dream! If you want to know how you can transform your garden from ordinary to amazing, listen to this series. Oh and thank you if you do. For more really helpful design advice - try here Support the …

1
What's wrong with Orange! 15:15

1y ago15:15

15:15

Absolutely one of the best colour combinations in a garden is green .... and orange! So why do so many gardeners shy away from orange-coloured plants in their gardens? Bright colours are brilliant, but there is a way to use bold colour combinations and a way to not do them. It's very simple to understand and I guarantee a happy flower in bright ora…

1
Gardening's going 'Up the Wall' 19:58

1y ago19:58

19:58

If space in the garden is limited, vertical gardening is a must, but how can you get it 'right'? What are the best plants to use and what are the pitfalls and problems to consider before you put your plants on the wall? Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook.com/plantplots Pinterest/PlantPlots…

1
Are your garden boundaries barriers? 20:52

1y ago20:52

20:52

All gardens have boundaries, but these can often feel like barriers. Personal security is an issue, but if your boundary becomes a barrier, you will always lose more than you gain. So what makes a boundary a barrier and how can you blur the edges in your garden? Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook…

1
Trend-setting ideas for 2023 21:02

1y ago21:02

21:02

How to Become a Plotting Shed Pioneer. This week Rachel challenges you to rethink your gardens, made simple changes to your gardening habits and set the trends for everyone else to follow. The aim; to do less but enjoy more (and be good for the planet too) Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook.com/p…

1
Transform your idea of a garden layout - go reverse! 11:59

1y ago11:59

11:59

Most if not all garden design is based around a similar format, we create space in the middle of the garden and plant round the edges - but does this make for the best and most interesting gardens? Or are we simply creating an empty space in the middle that we don't really use? Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our…

1
Become a garden referee - you'll be happier if you do! 22:28

1y ago22:28

22:28

OK, what's a garden referee? Well, it's all about your relationship with your garden and how a few simple changes to your perception of gardening can transform your relationship with your garden. Allowing you to enjoy more but do less. Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook.com/plantplots Pinterest/P…

1
It's time to think about lawns! 24:24

1+ y ago24:24

24:24

The lawn can be a glorious thing, but most lawns aren't. This week Rachel challenges the idea of what a perfect lawn is and discusses how big or important the lawn really is in the garden. And asks whether we need to change our idea of what a perfect lawn is. Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook.co…

1
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 24:38

1+ y ago24:38

24:38

I went to Chelsea and had a lovely day wandering around the flower show and this is what I think you need to take from this year Gardening is in an evolution revolution - so listen in, and learn how simple changes to your garden will benefit you and your garden equally. And the best bit, it involves less work! A win-win then for everyone :) Read mo…

1
What's best - a landscape gardener or garden designer? 21:00

1+ y ago21:00

21:00

You've decided to get the experts in, so what's best for you? A landscape gardener or a garden designer - in fact, what's the difference between them? And what questions do you need to ask them to make sure your new garden is right for you? Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook.com/plantplots Pinter…

1
Help - I just don't know where to start! 26:24

1+ y ago26:24

26:24

Creating a new garden can be overwhelming, there are so many decisions to make about layout, styling and the materials to use. And then there are plants - how on earth can you choose plants when your horticultural knowledge can identify a rose.... but not much else! This week Rachel helps chat through a process to lessen the decision-making burden …

1
Why garden design goes wrong 22:47

1+ y ago22:47

22:47

How can you create a beautiful garden design if you haven't got a clue about gardening? Welcome back to the first of this season's podcasts. This week Rachel talks about prepping your garden thought process. Understanding what you need your garden to do. It's all part of the 5P's.... proper planning prevents poor performance. The problem is what do…

1
How your garden can tap into the Internet of Life for free 23:37

2y ago23:37

23:37

The buzzword for many gardeners is low maintenance - but we have the wrong concept of what low maintenance should mean. The best low-maintenance garden is one where the plants look after themselves. This week, Rachel looks at the wood-wide web and how it can help you create a low-maintenance, well-balanced healthy garden - for free. This week is th…

1
Garden design; what everyone should think about .... but don't! 22:27

2y ago22:27

22:27

Gardens don't exist in a photograph or a moment in time. Picture-perfect gardens are not real, all gardens create work. Large gardens create a lot of work, so how do you ensure the design itself doesn't create unnecessary maintenance or build in additional costs to look after it? Can a large garden really be low maintenance? Support the Show. Suppo…

1
A Beginners Guide to Designing Big Gardens 25:24

2y ago25:24

25:24

Large Garden Design Tips This week Rachel details those useful questions and design tips you need to ask before you embark on any large-scale garden redesign. What questions should you ask and what are the simple tips to start the process off? Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our videos facebook.com/plantplots Pin…

1
How to choose a garden colour scheme 23:57

2y ago23:57

23:57

Gardens are not outdoor rooms, you cannot apply interior design principles to a garden. Nature does not exclude certain colours or shapes or plants, the landscape is merely a reflection of the plants that thrive in the conditions that prevail. So if you try to micro-manage the garden style and planting colour themes, the overall effect begins to lo…

1
Growing a Grass Garden - do you Xeriscape? 23:19

2y ago23:19

23:19

I discovered a new word this week - Xeriscape, which means to grow plants whilst reducing the need for irrigation. And ornamental grasses are very good plants that don't require much water, which makes them an ideal choice in many gardens, But often growing these ornamental grasses in the garden can lead to disappointing results; so this week Rache…

1
5 Top Tips to make Garden Borders Better 20:22

2y ago20:22

20:22

Have you ever stared out into the garden and wished you knew a bit more about garden design? You know that garden border that's looking a bit dull, but how do you work out what to change and how to replant it. Well here are 5 easy tips that will help you make your garden borders better read the article at PlantPlots Support the Show. Support the Sh…

1
The best small garden design tips from 2022 21:15

2y ago21:15

21:15

We all want to learn from the garden design pros's - after all they should kow what they are doing! But not every desing tips is worth adding to your garden. In this weeks episode Rachel lets you know which ones you should be following, and which to leave in at the RHS Garden Shows Read the article at PlantPlots.com Support the Show. Support the Sh…

1
What to learn from the RHS Garden Shows in 2022 24:12

2y ago24:12

24:12

I was very fortunate to be able to attend all the 3 main RHS garden shows this year. So, Chelsea in May, Hampton Court and Tatton Park in July. All three shows have very different flavours, but there are themes that are common to all. Now, not all the elements in these garden shows are worth copying, these are shows after all. But some are; so what…

1
Easy low maintenance garden ideas 21:41

2y ago21:41

21:41

Welcome to the new series of the Plotting Shed. Have you missed me? SO, did the experiment work? If you remember last season Rachel started a garden experiment to see whether it really works for the average gardener. Does not mowing the lawn help reduce the maintenance and still make the garden feel like a garden. And what about the weeds; how did …

1
A Word about Weeds! 24:04

2y ago24:04

24:04

Well this is the last episode in the current series. Rachel will be back at the end of September- just as you are ready to get back into the garden and make it ready for winter. This week - weeds, and why we all need to think again. Is it a Pain, Prolific or cause you a Problem., if none of the above, then why not adopt a new approach and allow Nat…

1
How can you take stop the world 'outside' ruining your enjoyment of the garden 23:48

2y ago23:48

23:48

Unless you are incredibly wealthy and live in a large home surrounded by countryside - you own; most of us share our gardens with the neighbours. We have road noise, pollution ugly views and privacy issues. So how can you create a garden that feels like your escape fro mthe outside world. A space that allows you to lose the noise and focus on just …

1
How to make a garden when if its a really weird or wonky shaped space 23:44

2+ y ago23:44

23:44

Garden design used to be easier when gardens were more orderer shapes. You could copy what the neighbours had done, or look in books or magazines for ideas on design. But modern gardens can be all sorts of shapes and sizes, which makes it harde to design. There are a few simple tips to follow for internal corners (Fill) and external corners (Wrap) …

1
What is Shade and how does it affect your Garden? 23:54

2+ y ago23:54

23:54

You might think shade is just a place the sun doesn't shine on - but in terms of gardening know-how, shade is a little more nuanced! This weeks episode is about how shade affects the plants in the garden, and what you can do to make sure the dull bits in your garden shine and thrive. Oh and you'll find out what Cholophyll A's favourite 2 colours ar…

1
Garden Design Tips for Gardens that aren't flat. 24:38

2+ y ago24:38

24:38

Did you know there are 3 types of slopes: Up Slopes Down Slopes and Side Slopes Each presents a different challenge in a garden. Should you terrace, and how would you plant a garden that isn't flat? Listen in it could save you time money and a lot of un-needed effort. PlantPlots.com : Simple Practical and Affordable Garden Deisgn advice for every g…

1
How to make long narrow gardens feel wider than they are 25:31

2+ y ago25:31

25:31

This week what are the problems associated with narrow gardens. These can be narrow alley type spaces in city environments or the traditional long gardens often found in older terrace housing. There are a few design tricks you can use to make either space feel like a bigger wider and more interesting space Narrow side alleys Long thin garden design…

1
How to Design a Garden If: Its wider than it's long! 23:24

2+ y ago23:24

23:24

This week Rachel starts tackling the designg issues many gardens have. So what and how can you design your garden easily if its wider than it is deep and the only view you see is the end fence. Simple practical and affordable design solutions for every type of garden ( & even if you don't like gardening much!) PlantPlots Design Gallery Cool Stuff w…

1
Top Tips to transform your balcony into the perfect aerial garden 25:19

2+ y ago25:19

25:19

Not every plant can grow on a balcony well, why oh why then do all the images on the interenet give the impression anything will grow beautifully in that tiny little space. Balcony gardens are effectively 1 of 3 types of garden - a sauna, a shady cave or a mountain top. If you want plants that will thrive and look gorgeous - then you need to think …

1
Do you live behind a big green wall? 24:52

2+ y ago24:52

24:52

Garden privacy is important, but there is a trade off. 100% private means 100% enclosed -nothing gets in and you can't see out. So is there a better way to make gardens feel more private without retrating behind big greeen hedges and walls... well obviously otherwise it would be a very short podcast! Better Garden Design by PlantPlots. Support the …

1
First ever garden? What design priorities should you think about 24:15

2+ y ago24:15

24:15

We all experience this at some point in our lives - we move to a place where for the very first time there is an outside space - that's all yours to play with! So you want to make a garden..... but where to start, how do you begin, what style should you choose... Once again Rachel takes you through the thought process, because if you know what coul…

1
What makes any garden 'family friendly?' 23:58

2+ y ago23:58

23:58

Gardens hve to cater for everyone, but all too often they simply become a lawn with a swing. So how in an average small garden can anyone create a family friendly space...? How to make a garden interesting for kids How to plan a family friendly garden Can Football goals, kids and garden plants coexist happily? there is a way; just! Support the Show…

1
Why is garden designing so expensive and does it need to be? 21:30

2+ y ago21:30

21:30

Welcome back to the new spring series of the Plotting shed. This week Rachel discusse how you can learn to design your garden without having to spend thousands! THis is the first of 10 podcasts aimed at helping you design a garden - without needing a garden designer! A rissky strategy for a garden design company to adopt... but you could always buy…

1
Garden Trends for 2022 - what should you be doing in your garden? 19:03

3y ago19:03

19:03

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has downloaded and listened to this series of The Plotting Shed. This is the last show in this series - we will be back in the Spring of 2022 with a new exciting series. So what will happen in the world of gardening in 2022, where is gardening going and what should you be focussing on for next …

1
Some brilliant new ideas that help make your garden better for 2022 and beyond! 19:57

3y ago19:57

19:57

This week Rachel takes the best products and information from the Landscapers Show so you know what innovation in ideas and products are available. Turn your garden into a fun orchestra Clever vertical gardening / living wall products Easy simple cost effective products to counter some effects of climate change Biodegradable weed membranes Convert …

1
'Up the Wall' Gardening 16:46

3y ago16:46

16:46

Up the Wall Gardening - This weeks show hosts Rachel and Helen discuss how to garden above ground. So planting in pots, baskets or growing plants on balconies or in vertical gardens. Too often the wrong types of plants are used - which only makes more work for you! As our aim is to always make gardening easier... There are lots of tips and hints on…

1
Best Unsung Garden Plants 21:44

3y ago21:44

21:44

What makes a good garden plant? How should you choose plants for the garden? This week H and Rachel discuss what makes plants work in any garden, and how you can use our simple definition to help you get the planting right for your gardens. See the plants we think every garden should have :) Plus we discuss some of the new plant suppliers that have…

1
How to be a better gardener part 2 10:11

3y ago10:11

10:11

Following on from last weeks podcast - part 1. This weeks discussion looks at how your decision making process can help you make better garden choices - that are good for you, good for your garden and better for the environment. And we still haven't got to the 'whack-a-mole' plan for better garden design.... that's coming up next week folks. :) Pla…

1
How to be a better gardener part 1 15:05

3y ago15:05

15:05

This weeks discussion is not about how you can become a better gardener not by the skills you acquire, but because of the decisions you make. Understanding why you garden influences the decisions you make about your garden, but sometimes 'stuff' gets in the way and we end up following a different path. Your garden has to deliver for you; and meet y…

1
Why gardens are really really good for you! 21:02

3y ago21:02

21:02

How does your gut react to your garden? This week Rachel and Helen discuss the real science behind your mood, your health, your gut and your garden! Now this is 22 minutes you won't want to miss! PlantPlots.com - where we make gardening easier and you happier! - hopefully! :) Support the Show. Support the Show - Thank you PlantPlots.com Watch our v…

1
Why can't flower shows think like IKEA! 16:39

3y ago16:39

16:39

This week H and I continue challenging garden convention. This week's episode we talk about why flower shows and garden centres make your life more difficult - especially if you are a novice gardener. Plus what you can do to stop you buying plants that won't, don't and can't work in your garden. We have decided to subvert garden convention by launc…

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Rachel McCartain Podcasts

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