SCOTLAND’S gardening podcast, the ‘Scotland Grows Show’ has celebrated its first birthday by reaching listeners in 56 countries around the world.
The podcast – hosted by gardening expert M.T O’Donnell – has been downloaded more than 10,000 times in its first year and has charted in the Apple Podcast top 10 Home and Garden chart in four countries, including a number one spot in the United Arab Emirates.
The Scotland Grows Show, which is sponsored by National Trust for Scotland, is boosting interest in the country’s gardening scene from around the world with listeners in countries such as Ireland, the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and The Netherlands.
In dozens of episodes released within its first year, the show has offered top quality advice and information for gardeners in and outside Scotland, as well as enticing some of Scotland’s best-known gardening experts as guests.
The podcast has featured conversations with George Anderson, Brian Cunningham, and Kirsty Wilson from BBC’s ‘Beechgrove’, as well as retired ‘Beechgrove’ legend Jim McColl, Liz Stewart CEO of Scotland’s Garden Scheme, Dougal Philip, Director of Discover Scottish Gardens, Fiona Thackery, CEO of Trellis, and Stan Green, Chair of the HTA’s Scotland Policy Group to name a few.
As a result, it’s been given five star reviews by listeners raving about the “brilliant conversations” and “amazing guests”.
Podcast host M.T O’Donnell, who also publishes the Scotland Grows Magazine, said: “I started the podcast as a brand extension to the magazine and it’s amazing to see how it’s grown and been embraced by listeners around the world.
“The biggest surprise for me has been the level of interest from people in other countries and I really feel proud that we’re playing our part in spotlighting Scotland’s plethora of amazing gardens and really celebrating gardening in Scotland internationally.
“I hope the passion and enjoyment my guests have for gardening really shines through and I think that’s a big reason why the show has proved so popular.”
Former high school teacher M.T. has always loved gardening and, during the pandemic after freelance writing for many years, took the leap to start the Scotland Grows Magazine which is the country’s only digital gardening magazine.
She also plays a leading role in the delivery of Scone Palace Garden Fair, sits on the council of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, carries out fieldwork for Trellis, Scotland’s therapeutic horticultural charity, and is determined to celebrate everything that is good in Scottish gardening.
