Inside Prom's queen and Radio 3 presenter Katie Derham's garden

In this episode, Claire speaks with Katie Derham, known for her work with BBC Radio and the Proms, about her passion for gardening that has blossomed over the years. Katie recounts her early experiences in a gardening family, evolving from reluctant helper to dedicated gardener over the last decade.

Katie enjoys nurturing vegetables and flowers, aiming to make her vegetable patch productive throughout the year. She discusses her current projects, including developing an asparagus bed, and shares insights about favorite plants like chard, potatoes, and leeks.

The discussion shifts to the intriguing relationship between music and gardening. Katie explains her series 'Music in Bloom,' which explores how gardens inspire composers and vice versa. She shares personal experiences of blending music into her gardening routine, pointing out that she feels certain styles of music resonate with different areas of her garden.

The conversation also covers her garden's layout, including the renovations to ponds inspired by the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and the playful inclusion of a treehouse. They discuss the challenges of maintaining a garden amid climate extremes and her plans for future gardening projects, particularly species selection and tree planting.

Katie's reflections spotlight the therapeutic parallels between music and gardening, emphasizing both as sources of tranquility and creativity in her life.