Best Holly Chayes Podcasts (2025)

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EP.64 | From Scrubs to Soil: Holly’s Allotment Journey! 1:20:23

1d ago1:20:23

1:20:23

In this heartwarming episode, Laura and Chay sit down with Holly, a midwife and passionate allomenteer from St Albans, to talk about how she discovered solace and mental clarity through her allotment plot. Holly began her gardening journey in 2020, just before the pandemic hit, and shares how her small plot became a vital sanctuary amidst the press…

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EP.63 | ‘Following in my Footsteps’: Leanne's Allotment Journey and BBC Gardeners' Beautiful Borders. 1:15:13

15d ago1:15:13

1:15:13

In this uplifting episode, Laura and Chay chat with Leanne, a passionate allotment gardener who has taken on three plots since 2021. Leanne shares the highs and lows of her gardening journey, the lessons she’s learned, and how growing her own produce has become a vital part of her daily life. The conversation also highlights Leanne’s recent leap in…

1
EP.62 | Buzz Into Beekeeping with Mark: From Hobbyist to Hive Maker! 1:56:22

29d ago1:56:22

1:56:22

In this episode, Laura and Chay are joined by Mark, founder of Buzz Into Beekeeping, who shares his experience transitioning from a beekeeping enthusiast to launching a small business. Mark outlines how his interest in pollinators led to the development of the Buzz Box Starter Pack—a compact, beginner-friendly kit designed with urban and small-spac…

1
EP.61 | Growing with Clare – Containers, Bulbs & a Touch of Scottish Culture 1:19:49

1M ago1:19:49

1:19:49

In this episode, Chay and Laura are joined by Clare from Motherwell, an enthusiastic allotment holder now in her fourth year of growing. Clare shares her passion for container planting, discussing the practical and personal reasons behind her approach, with a particular focus on the joy of planting bulbs. Listeners also hear about Clare’s new ventu…

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EP.60 | The One Where They Barely Stay on Topic (Featuring Anna) 1:49:13

2M ago1:49:13

1:49:13

In the 60th and longest-ever episode of Allotment Diaries Podcast, hosts Laura and Chay are joined by special guest Anna for a delightfully off-topic conversation that starts with good intentions (allotments!) and ends up covering just about everything else. While allotments were meant to be the focus, the discussion veers off the composted path an…

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EP.59 | Laura and Chay record on their plots! 43:51

2M ago43:51

43:51

For the first time ever, Chay and Laura take the podcast to the plot—literally! Armed with a microphone, a questionable sense of direction, and an eye on the looming rain clouds, they attempt a walking tour of their allotments. Expect thrilling updates on what’s thriving, what’s barely clinging to life, and what’s been entirely claimed by weeds. It…

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EP.58 | Laura and Chay chat about progress on their plots. 1:03:54

3M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

In this episode, Laura and Chay catch up on the progress they've made on their allotment plots. With the weather warming up and the days getting longer, both of them have seen a surge in activity. Laura shares her efforts in preparing her plot by tackling weeds, clearing the area, and getting ready to build a DIY shed. Meanwhile, Chay has been busy…

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EP.57 | Exploring Allotments in Los Angeles with David Benjamin. 53:28

3M ago53:28

53:28

In this episode, Chay visits Fountain Community Garden in Hollywood during his trip to Los Angeles and sits down with Garden Manager David Benjamin. They discuss how community gardens (the US equivalent of allotments) operate in LA, the variety of plants grown, the challenges they face—including the impact of recent wildfires—and their future ambit…

1
EP.56 | Garden Press Day – Our Honest Review. 45:48

3M ago45:48

45:48

In this episode, Laura and Chay share their honest review of Garden Press Day, which they attended for the first time on February 18th in London. They discuss their expectations versus reality, giving insights into what the event had to offer and whether it lived up to the hype. From innovative new gardening products to clever designs that promise …

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EP.55 | Charles Dowding: A Deep Dive into Organic Gardening and the No-Dig Approach! 1:04:49

3M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

In this exciting episode, Laura and Chay have the incredible opportunity to chat with the legendary Charles Dowding, a household name in the world of organic gardening, particularly known for his expertise in the no-dig method. Throughout the conversation, Charles shares his fascinating journey to becoming a pioneer in organic gardening, revealing …

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EP.54 | Jayne: An Allotmenteer and Mum of 2 Joins Laura and Chay on the Show 1:19:24

4M ago1:19:24

1:19:24

In this episode, Laura and Chay chat with Jaynes Wallace, an allotment enthusiast from the South East of England. They dive into everything from growing food to family dynamics, with Jaynes sharing her incredible expertise on crafting natural remedies to fend off those pesky winter bugs—starting with the magical "fire cider." Jaynes opens up about …

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EP.53 | Growing Into 2025: Laura and Chay's Plans for the Year Ahead! 1:01:20

4M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

In this episode, Laura and Chay delve into their allotment plot plans for 2025, sharing what’s in their seed boxes and how they go about deciding where to plant what. They discuss the importance of crop rotation and other key factors that influence their planning for the new season. Listeners will get an intriguing insight into the different approa…

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EP.52 | From Belgium with Love: Mellisa Opens Up About 2024, Her New Book, and What’s Next! 1:20:11

5M ago1:20:11

1:20:11

In this first episode of 2025, Laura and Chay are thrilled to welcome back Mellissa, who was a guest in 2023 (Episode 17). Since then, Mellissa’s life has seen its share of highs and lows, and in this episode, she opens up about the rollercoaster of 2024 and her exciting future ambitions. One of the most intriguing parts of this conversation is Mel…

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EP. 51 | Christmas Day Special: Holiday Cheer & Festive Vibes 23:38

5M ago23:38

23:38

In this extra-festive Christmas Day special episode, Laura and Chay are getting into the holiday spirit by sharing their Christmas Day plans. They take a fun trip down memory lane, reflecting on the highs and lows of 2024 on their plots, from epic wins to the challenges faced. As they wrap up the year, they reveal their next for the next episode an…

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EP. 50 | Beginning of a New Era: Meet Your New Host, Laura! 38:48

5M ago38:48

38:48

In this episode, the Allotment Diaries Podcast welcomes their new host, Laura, who joins Chay to discuss the latest happenings at their allotment plots. They share a quick update on the progress they've made, including some successes and the challenges they've faced recently, such as the impact of Storm Darragh. Laura also talks about an exciting n…

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EP.49 | Laura and Chay talk about the use of Polytunnels, Plastic Pots, Carpets, Tarps and Tyres on an allotment site. 1:02:27

6M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

In this episode, Laura and Chay chat about what they've been up to on their allotment plots lately (spoiler: not all of it involves growing vegetables). They dig into the hot topic of Polytunnels, Plastic Pots, Carpets, Tarps, and Tyres – the "go-to" materials for many allotment holders... or is it just lazy gardening? Laura and Chay debate the env…

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EP.48 | Veteran Allotmenteer Guest: Paul from Ipswich 1:06:26

7M ago1:06:26

1:06:26

In this episode, Laura and Chay have the pleasure of speaking with Paul Sutton, an experienced allotment holder from Ipswich. Paul explains how he got into allotmenting, gardening, and growing, and he takes us on a journey through the years, describing the changes he has seen and experienced. We also learn some fascinating stories based on his exte…

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EP.47 | Get to know Laura, our new stand-in co-host from Southampton. 1:01:56

7M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

In this week's episode, we learn a little bit about Laura, the new co-host who will fill in for Amy while she is away. We learn about Laura's plot, how she acquired it, and why she chose an allotment plot. We also learn about the challenges she has faced with the plot, such as pests and soil issues. Finally, we get to learn about her future goals. …

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EP.46 | Special Guest: Dr Deborah Burn PhD, CEO of Green Allotments Charity 1:02:37

9M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

In this week's episode, Chay has a fascinating and in-depth conversation with Dr Deborah Burn PhD, CEO of Charity known as Green Allotments, and allotment holder for nearly 30 years. Deborah is a co-author of the Local Government Association's "Growing in the Community" allotment management best practice guide. She worked on a national project to i…

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EP.45 | Special Guest: Louise Third MBE, an Allotmenteer in Nottingham. 1:07:56

9M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

In this episode, Amy and Chay have the pleasure of speaking with Louise Third MBE, who at the age of 60 took on an allotment in 2020, prior to the pandemic. They discuss how she came to own an allotment plot, the challenges she faced, and the benefits to her mental and physical health. Louise also discusses her growing season in 2024 and the highs …

1
EP.44 | Amy's crocs with socks and our allotment plots. 36:41

10M ago36:41

36:41

In this episode, Amy and Chay catch up to discuss what they've been up to during their summer holidays so far, as well as what they've been up to on their plots lately. Amy discusses her latest footwear, 'crocs', much to Chay’s dismay. Chay discusses his pumpkins, among other vegetables, and how his plot has grown significantly in recent months. Th…

1
EP.43 | Allotment activities, duck racing, and winter crop planning! 43:32

11M ago43:32

43:32

In this episode, Amy and Chay talk about what they've been doing on their allotment plots. While Amy has been busy volunteering at her annual local duck racing weekend, Chay has been working on his plot, weeding, sowing his winter 'Christmas dinner' vegetables, and feeding his plants. Chay also explains his new 'chop and drop' method for getting ri…

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EP.42 | Finally, allotmenteering in the sun and heat! 40:10

11M ago40:10

40:10

In this episode, Amy and Chay discuss Amy's recent visit to the BBC Gardeners Live Show in Birmingham. Unlike last year, Amy went beyond the free alcohol section to explore the rest of the show. She even got to see a few gardens! In other discussions, they discuss what they have been up to on their plot recently, what they intend to do in the comin…

1
EP.41 | Special guest on the show (Noah, 6 years old) 22:02

1y ago22:02

22:02

While Amy was away, Chay had the pleasure of speaking with the show's youngest guest, his son Noah (6 years old), who discusses what it's like to be a little person in the world of allotments and what the next generation of allotment holders will look like. In this world of information overload, opinions, and technological advancement, talking to a…

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EP.40 | Amy visits the RHS Chelsea Flower show 2024 34:28

1y ago34:28

34:28

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the world's greatest flower shows, featuring cutting-edge garden design, spectacular floral displays, and celebrity visitors. Amy had the pleasure of attending on behalf of the Allotment Diaries Podcast, and in this episode, she talks about her recent visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. She describes what she…

1
EP.39 | Despite the weather - the sow must go on! 34:39

1y ago34:39

34:39

Amy and Chay catch up in this episode and talk about what's been going on—or not—on their allotment plots. Chay describes in detail what he has already sown and what he intends to do in the upcoming week or two. In this episode, Amy also reveals an email she received about her allotment plot and how she responded to it. Chay explains his latest gad…

1
EP.38 | Chat with Kumud Gandhi, a food expert and the author of 'The Garlic Story' 40:37

1y ago40:37

40:37

This week's guest is none other than Kumud Gandhi, a renowned food scientist, keynote speaker, published author, food writer, broadcaster, and the founder of 'The Cooking Academy.' As National Garlic Day approaches on April 19th, 2024, what better way to celebrate than to listen to Kumud who is a garlic expert who recently released a book 'The Garl…

1
EP.37 | All about allotments with Jonathan Moules. 1:04:59

1y ago1:04:59

1:04:59

In this fantastic episode, Amy and Chay have the pleasure of speaking with Jonathan Moules, an allotment holder from East London. Jonathan Moules is a newsletter editor for the Financial Times and writer of The Week Ahead. He also writes about business education and entrepreneurship and hosted the FT podcast Start-Up Stories, which aired for five s…

1
EP.36 | Chit Chat about Seeds, Sheds, Garden Shows and Curry! 38:49

1y ago38:49

38:49

This episode, Amy and Chay discuss what they've been up to recently with their plot. Chay discusses a problem with his shed roof and the seeds he has purchased for this year. They also talk about seed storage and whether they save seeds or buy new ones every year. Finally, they reveal the next guest for their upcoming episode! The Allotment Diaries…

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EP.35 | From Ballet to Garden Design with Andy Peasgood. 1:00:32

1+ y ago1:00:32

1:00:32

In this episode, Amy and Chay speak with Andy Peasgood, an incredible ballet dancer who has decided to pursue a new career in horticulture and garden design. Andy discusses his time dancing, how he got into dancing, and what led him to the world of garden design, what his passion is, and what he's doing to achieve his new goals. Other aspects of th…

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EP.34 | Allotment Plans for 2024 and some Passionate Rambling! 37:27

1+ y ago37:27

37:27

In this week's episode, Chay and Amy briefly discuss their plans for their allotment in 2024. Amy discusses all of the vegetables she plans to grow this year, as well as when she intends to sow them. While Chay's growing plans aren't as detailed, he does mention one vegetable that he really wants to grow! Chay discusses some recent news articles ab…

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EP.33 | Chat with the Plantgrow Gardengram Ball Organisers! 44:07

1+ y ago44:07

44:07

In this week's episode, Chay and Amy meet the wonderful Kim, Kathryn, and Jamie, who have organised a non-profit Plantgrow Gardengram Ball in the hopes of raising money for the Green Finger Charity and bringing people who are passionate about gardening together to meet, greet, and socialise. This episode provides a fascinating look at how the idea …

1
EP.32 | First episode of 2024 - Recap of festivities and goals for the coming year 33:57

1+ y ago33:57

33:57

Amy and Chay catch up on festivities, New Year's Eve, what has been going on with their plots, and their goals for 2024 in this first episode of 2024. Amy laments her travesty with her polytunnel after the recent impact of storm Henk, and considers having a pond on her plot, while Chay discusses his ambitions for 2024 on his allotment plots. They a…

1
EP.31 | Christmas Day Special Episode! 11:42

1+ y ago11:42

11:42

The recording of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is played in this Christmas special episode. It was sung by six enthusiastic gardeners/allotment holders who do not pretend to be great singers but are willing to give it a welly (gardening pun intended). A lot of fun was had recording it! We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merr…

1
The Twelve Days of Christmas (Gardening Version) 3:34

1+ y ago3:34

3:34

This year, six enthusiastic gardeners banded together to get into the Christmas spirit and sing their own version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It may not hit this year's Christmas charts, but it was a lot of fun and a lot of laughs were had. A special Christmas Day episode will be released featuring recordings of how the song was organised, p…

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EP.30 | We are back and discuss what we have been up to (or not) ! 20:52

1+ y ago20:52

20:52

After a lengthy break due to life getting in the way, Chay and Amy discuss what they have been up to on their plot, how to overcome the third year' slump,' and what their plans are for 2024. They also talk about this year's Christmas singalong idea, which will inevitably ruin people's Christmases. If you have any questions you would like to ask us …

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EP. 29 | Amy and Chay are joined by Laura from Michigan (US) 34:13

1+ y ago34:13

34:13

In this episode, Amy and Chay talk to Laura, who lives in Michigan. Despite the time difference, the audio malfunction, and Chay's hangover from Oktoberfest, the episode still manages to discusses the differences in gardening (UK to US), pests, and how much the temperature in Michigan flatulates from summer to winter. Laura also tries to see how sh…

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EP. 28 | The end of the summer chit chat between Amy and Chay! 42:44

1+ y ago42:44

42:44

Amy and Chay talk about what they've been up to on their plot and their plans for the next month or two in this episode. Chay also discusses an allotment book he recently received as a birthday present which was published in 1922, and they look at the differences in method, climate, and prices from then to now. Finally, they look back at previous g…

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EP.27 | Amy and Chay are joined by Marc, an allotmenteer and professional gardener. 54:48

1+ y ago54:48

54:48

In this episode, Chay and Amy have the pleasure of speaking with Marc from Instagram@gardeneriddler. They go into great detail about what got Marc into gardening and how he became a professional gardener. They also talk openly about a day in the life of a private gardener, the highs and, of course, the lows. Amy also has some exciting news about he…

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EP.26 | Amy and Chay speak with Jamie, a passionate allotmenteer in Norfolk. 48:05

2y ago48:05

48:05

This episode features a conversation between Amy and Chay and Jamie about his allotment, his foray into gardening, how he got started, and his most recent projects which include Radio Shows and starting a new plot! Jamie is preparing to start beekeeping, so he also provides an interesting perspective on that as well. You may follow Jamie and his ad…

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[Clothes & Body] Expressing Your True Self: Being yourself with your clothes with Shehla 29:14

2y ago29:14

29:14

In this episode, Shehla and I talk about developing her personal style growing up in Pakistan, and the culture shock of shopping for clothes in the US. We discuss the contrast between shopping for clothing designed to fit a standardized set of measurements versus clothing that is custom-made for you and your body and your preferences. We originally…

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EP.25 | Amy and Chay talk to Nikki Cross about allotments, gardening, mental health, and much more! 50:33

2y ago50:33

50:33

In this episode, Amy and Chay speak with Nikki Cross, a fellow podcaster. Glasgow native Nikki recently acquired an allotment plot, but she had long been passionate about gardening and growing before doing so. So much so that Nikki was a guest gardener on BBC Beechgrove last year! Nikki also provides us with information about the benefits of garden…

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EP.24 | Amy talks about her first visit to the BBC Gardeners World Live Event! 38:48

2y ago38:48

38:48

In this episode, Amy, who attended BBC Gardeners World Live, discusses her experiences there as well as what she liked and her honest opinion of the event. Amy also offers tips and advice to those considering attending this or similar events in the future. We also learn about Chay and Amy's activities on their plots and what they harvested in June.…

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EP.23 | Chay speaks to Carole Baxter (Beechgrove Presenter) 49:03

2y ago49:03

49:03

In this episode, Chay has the pleasure of speaking with none other than the incredible Carole Baxter, who has been a BBC Beechgrove presenter for an impressive 37 years! We learn how Carole got started at Beechgrove, what her favourite plants are, and what a day in the life of a recording day looks like, among other fascinating details. Beechgrove …

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[Clothes & Body] Empower your connection with your body and your clothes with Leah 21:02

2y ago21:02

21:02

In this episode, Leah and I talk about your relationship with your clothing and how it changes throughout your life. We discussed the lasting impact small clothing comments can make, and intentionally changing your relationship with your body. We originally recorded this conversation in 2020, and I'm so excited to share it with you. We do talk a lo…

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EP.22 | Up close and personal with Amy and Chay! 45:40

2y ago45:40

45:40

In this episode, Amy and Chay interview each other to learn more about each other on a personal level as well as what led them to apply for allotments. We also find out about their gardening heroes, interesting facts, and what they've been up to on their plots! This episode also announces their next exciting guest and informs everyone about their c…

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EP.21 | Up Close and Personal with Lee Connelly (Skinny Jean Gardener) 1:00:50

2y ago1:00:50

1:00:50

In this episode, Amy and Chay speak with Skinny Jean Gardener about how he transitioned from being an electrician to gardening, his time at Blue Peters, his allotments, and how he has become an advocate for promoting gardening at the schools. Lee also chats about his latest children book (How to get kids gardening). They also discuss what they have…

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EP.20 | Amy and Chay's windowsill tour, questions, jokes, poems, and the big reveal of the next guest! 48:16

2y ago48:16

48:16

Amy and Chay talk about what they're sowing, growing on their windowsill, and what they're up to on their plots in May in this episode. They also talk about sheds, cold frames, and answer a few questions from guests. Be warned: this episode contains some cheesy jokes and a moving allotment poem that may tug at your heartstrings. Amy and Chay also r…

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EP.19 | How allotment holders in Welwyn Hatfield forced the council to reverse a 200% price increase! 1:01:37

2y ago1:01:37

1:01:37

In this episode, Amy and Chay speak with Richard Southgate, who campaigned with other allotment holders against Welwyn Hatfield Council. Richard explains the process they went through, what they did well, and what others can do if their prices are raised unfairly. Amy and Chay also talk about what they've been up to on their plots, as well as about…

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EP.18 | Everything about chitting, what to sow, and our recent activities on our plots. 44:47

2y ago44:47

44:47

In this episode, Amy and Chay discuss chitting, exciting developments on their plots, Amy's dilemma regarding what to do with her damaged poly tunnel, and what to sow both indoors and outdoors. They also reveal their next guest on the following episode, and Amy's dog (Frank) makes several surprise appearances. Podcast Markers: 1.34 - What Amy has b…

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Holly Chayes Podcasts

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