Roots and Shoots

ABC Radio

The gardening program for gardeners and non-gardeners.

  • 54 minutes 42 seconds
    The wonders of a yeasty brew for your veggies!

    Amber Cunningham and Mark Tucek team up to deliver gardening know-how for all your pot-plant-problems. 

    23:30 Recipe to give your vegetables a yeasty good time! 

    40:40 What is the purpose of repotting? 

    46:54 Costa calls in to chat about the Kalamunda Garden Festival.

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth and ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    6 December 2025, 1:00 am
  • 11 minutes
    Passionfruit going gangbusters? Here's how to keep it that way

    Christian Horgan and wildflower queen Sue Leighton team up to tackle your gardening questions. 

    00:31 ABC listener Kevin asks what to do to keep his passionfruit - which didn't flower or fruit for year and has suddenly "gone ballistic" - happy and continue to bear fruit? 

    05:09 How to transfer a frangipani from a pot to the ground (the bigger the hole the better!)

    07:48 Tips on propagating jacarandas from seed.

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Tuesdays at 2:20PM or on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth. Ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    2 December 2025, 6:30 am
  • 55 minutes 18 seconds
    A jacaranda without blossom in November

    Amber and Mark delve into garden mysteries including the non-flowing jacaranda and the case of the earwig plague.

    06:13 Fury spots have appeared on the trunk of a magnolia tree 

    11:00 7-year-old jacaranda tree not flowering

    20:32 Advice on best bright flowering native species suited to pots in Mt Magnet 

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth and ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    29 November 2025, 1:00 am
  • 20 minutes
    Get your peach tree looking peachy

    Jo and Mark Tucek talk native plants, weird white foam and how to help hungry citrus trees. 

    03:43 How to transplant an elk horn fern. 

    12:36 How to tell if your peach tree is lacking nutrients.

    14:02 Known as the wedding bush, ABC listener Julie is wondering why her shrub has white foam at the base? (Could it be a spittle bug?)

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Tuesdays at 2:20PM or on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth. Ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    25 November 2025, 6:00 am
  • 54 minutes 58 seconds
    Native alternatives for a 'cottage garden' that won't die this summer

    From cycads to clivias, Mark Tucek and Geraldine Mellet provide wisdom for all your gardening troubles. 

    22:05 What's the best way to remove cycad pups? 

    26:33 Boots 'n Utes: Reporter Christine Layton explores native alternatives for your cottage garden with horticulturalist Matt Barratt.

    33:34 Tips for growing Clivias from seed. 

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth and ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    22 November 2025, 1:00 am
  • 25 minutes
    Tips to get your garden ready if you're hosting Christmas

    Jo and Mark Tucek want your garden looking spic and span for Chrissy.

    05:08 Did you put your hand up to host Christmas like ABC listener Peter? Listen here for some tips on getting your garden ready for Christmas.

    07:42 When to prune lilly pillys (both standard and small).

    13:19 Should you prune conostylis when they turn brown and droopy? 

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Tuesdays at 2:20PM or on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth. Ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    18 November 2025, 6:30 am
  • 55 minutes 28 seconds
    What'll I do with my Wollemi pine?!

    Mark Tucek and Amber team up to deliver elegant solutions to all your planty woes.

    14:30 Advice on propagating a very rare plant.

    25:43 Boots 'n Utes: Reporter Christine Layton takes us to Ecoburbia.

    31:58 How to care for an ailing Wollemi pine? 

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth and ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    15 November 2025, 1:00 am
  • Tackling very persistent weeds and surviving summer

    Jo and Sab talk weeds, surviving summer and pruning trees.

    02:09 Fighting off gazania, a declared weed in much of Australia.

    04:30 Protecting your garden in summer with a humble outdoor umbrella.

    20:06 When to prune your loquat tree.

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Tuesdays at 2:20PM or on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth. Ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    11 November 2025, 7:30 am
  • 55 minutes 29 seconds
    Will I get in trouble for growing this poppy?

    Sab and Amber tackle all the big issues including (but not limited to) whether you'll get busted for growing certain poppies, and a call-out for potential suitors named Allan.

    03:32 What does the future hold for my ancient wisteria? 

    15:48 Mystery alert!! Anon caller asks about the legality of growing poppies. Sab, of course, has a good story to share here. 

    33:30 Grass trees, Allans, and Amber's matchmaking mission.

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth and ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    8 November 2025, 1:00 am
  • 28 minutes
    Grow plums, not regrets

    Jo and Sab talk poo, stone fruit and worm farms. 

    06:07 Have you got a plague of white butterflies in your garden? Sab describes what the caterpillar looks like so you can remove them 

    12:09 Can you use alpaca poo on your stone fruit tree? 

    20:06 Why a flowering plum tree is perfect for planting near your house or fence. 

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen AppApple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Tuesdays at 2:20PM or on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth. Ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    4 November 2025, 6:30 am
  • 34 minutes
    Easy peasy solutions for your pea problems

    Jo and Sab sneeze over plane trees and solve your gardening questions. 

    05:04 Can you move a flourishing pincushion hakea if you need to?  

    07:03 What to do if a white powder appears on your agapanthus. 

    16:24 ABC listener Irene ask why her six-week-old, metre-high peas aren't flowering.

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC Listen App or wherever you like to listen.

    Listen to the program live on Tuesdays at 2:20PM or on Saturdays at 9:00AM on ABC Radio Perth. Ask your questions by calling in on 1300 222 720 or text 0437 922 720.

    28 October 2025, 6:30 am
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