All The Dirt Gardening, Sustainability And Food

Deryn talks to gardening presenter Angus Stewart about composting waste; the benefits of worm farming and other practical composting methods.

Nick Gillett is a farmer in Bencubbin, in the North Eastern Wheatbelt of WA. He talks to Steve and Deryn about the challenges of farming on 300mm annual rainfall (about 175mm in the average April to October growing season) and how farmers are adapting to new technology and reduced use of herbicides.

As a boy Dr Terry Houston was fascinated by the natural world and has spent more than 50 years studying Australia's 2000 native bees. He talks with Deryn and Steve about their important in our bush and gardens and reveals some of their unusual, and to our human understanding, quirky behaviours.

Nick Bell was born in 1936 and is one of the pioneers of the turf  industry but got his foothold in the industry travelling through SWWA   restocking Yates' seed stands. We talk about lawn, artificial turf and  his life with well known garden presenter Neville Passmore, who has  written a book on Nick's life.

In this week's podcast Deryn and Steve talk about edible and ornamental water plants, aquaponics, edible fish and ponds with Calinda Anderson from the Woodvale Fish and Lily Farm.

If you love roses you're going to enjoy our chat with Rob Melville,  a  third generation rose grower who with partner Katie Coyle runs  Melville's Rose and Garden, a propagation and retail nursery in the  Perth hills. The couple have an enduring passion for everything rosy and discuss  with Steve and Deryn their best loved rose varieties and favourite  salvias to team with with roses.

Rupert Phillips from the House of Honey fell in love with beekeeping at age 8 and brings a lifetime of experience to share with All The Dirt.  He joined Deryn and Steve to talk about backyard bee keeping and the medicinal properties of honey.

Lynne Chapman brings her lifetime of plant knowledge and love for roses to the show. Find out about her favourite varieties, how to strike successful cuttings, and how to bring out the best in your blooms.  Also, find out where to find Deryn and Steve at the Kitchen Warehouse Homegrown Market Day September 9th. 

Dr Paul Barber of ArborCarbon fell in love with trees and ecology as a young man and brings that passion and knowledge to his talk with Deryn and Steve.  He covers tree technology, the environmental impacts of healthy trees, and the emotional connection people have to their trees. If you're trying to choose a good tree for that tricky spot in your yard, or just love the spectacle of a well placed Oak or Ash, he's got something for you. 

Garden Writer, Horticultural expert and ABC broadcaster Sabrina Hahn brings her particular brand of humour and knowledge to All The Dirt for this week's episode.  She talks with Steve and Deryn about her love for Begonias, her upbringing in New Guinea, her home garden and creating vegie gardens in Aboriginal communities.   

Deryn and Steve are getting excited with the first hints of Spring and priming their gardens for the best growing season of the year.  Soil and bed preparation, starting the spring vegies, stocking up on seedlings as well as good fertilising, this is the best place for all the tips and tricks to make the most of the season. 

Darren Seinor from Garden Solutions chats to Deryn and Steven about creating gardens, his favourite plants and tips for great soil.  Darren brings more than 20 years experience to bear to talk about how to get the best out of our tricky West Aussie soils as well as all the tips and tricks of making your garden look its best. 

Steve and Deryn sat down with landscape architect Craig Woodroffe of family nursery Ellenby Tree Farm. The 6 acre site is Perth's biggest display nursery for advanced trees and one of the biggest tree nurseries in Australia. Craig talks about his favourite trees, and transplanting big trees. If you love your trees, and let's face it, we all do, this is the episode for you. 

Dave Proudmore from Swan Valley Gourmet Fungi discuss the range of exotic and delicious mushrooms available to the home gardener.

Geoff Richards from Richgo talks about his family's Garden Industry history and their unique project f turning food waste into electricity. Paul Urquhart Author, Editor and Garden Tour Guide.  

Fire consultant Rohan Carboon discusses the best ways and ideas to make our homes and gardens as fire safe as possible.

Environmental biologist and Frog Doctor Johnny Prefumo discusses the amazing and wonderful world of Frogs.

Winter in the garden, Deryn and Steve discuss the jobs that need attention in the garden during winter.

Richard Heathcote is currently Director of Benefaction at historic Home and Garden, Carrick Hill in Adelaide. He previously managed for a decade Rippon Lea Estate, the National Trust's flagship property in Melbourne. He presented for ABC TV's The New Eden - a six part series tracing the evolution of the the Australian Garden.

Chris joins Deryn and Steve on their 50th Episode and celebrates the launch of his new book A Place in The Country. A wonderful guide for small landholders and those that dream of a tree change.