Roots and Shoots

ABC Radio

The gardening program for gardeners and non-gardeners.

  • 19 minutes
    Plants that look and taste great

    Native plants, exotic water plants with Mark Tucek filling in for Sab. 

    00:46 Have you heard the new term edimental? Edimentals are plants that are both edible and ornamental.

    03:22 How to help your ornamental pear tree. 

    05:38 Something chewing your oranges? Help is at hand.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.

    10 February 2026, 6:00 am
  • 49 minutes 54 seconds
    How to best support new growth on a sapling

    Sabrina Hahn is joined by Christine Layton, who is filling in for Amber Cunningham

    22:01 How to treat cracking and peeling bark on a lemon tree 

    24:02 How to help trees recover and heal from a rabbit attack

    34:17 How to best support new growth on a coral gum sapling 

    Subscribe to the podcast through the ABC ListenApple 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.

    7 February 2026, 1:00 am
  • 47 minutes 51 seconds
    The curious case of the tiny fuzzy black zombie-caterpillars

    Got an infestation of little caterpillars? Who you gonna call?! Sab and Amber, of course. 

    03:11 How to take care of a Western Australian orchid.

    31:21 What can I do in the garden to keep mozzie populations down? 

    38:31 HELP! I am being overrun with Cape Lilac caterpillars. 

    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.

    31 January 2026, 1:00 am
  • Sometimes plants need sunscreen too

    Sab and Jo discuss the best and worst smells in between calls from WA gardeners in need of tips. 06:43 Zanna asks about the best way of keep track of what's going on in the garden.

    15:00 On super hot days your plants need sunscreen too.22:00 Debbie's hydrangea hasn't flowered in two years, despite the leaves looking healthy.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.

    26 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 54 minutes 20 seconds
    Pruners Anonymous: The support group for men who prune too much

    Agony aunts Amber and Sabrina hear the woes of wives whose husbands have pruned way too hard. 

    10:18 My Cut-leaf Banksia is on struggle street... how do I know when to call it? 

    23:49 Over-pruners come forward with their confessions.

    33:18 How to grow cuttings taken from a very special mulberry tree.

    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.

    24 January 2026, 1:00 am
  • Kangaroo paws, pesky grasshoppers and protecting plants from extreme heat

    Jo Trilling and Sabrina Hahn take all your gardening calls, including a surprise call from Sab's daughter-in-law Olivia, who's having trouble establishing gum trees in her garden. 04:53 Elizabeth has four struggling kangaroo paw plants and wants to transfer them to pots. Sab talked her through how to do it. 13.30 Nick in Bremer Bay has grasshoppers eating the new tips off his mandarin tree and he's very annoyed.16.05 Heat is affecting Kay's roses.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.

    19 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 53 minutes 23 seconds
    Roots, shoots and tropical froots!

    Mango, passionfruit and frangipanis – Sab and Christine dish out garden advice like they're on a tropical holiday.

    10:40 Can (and should) I save seed from my passionfruit? 

    25:55 What is ailing my dear frangipani so?

    41:05 It's mango season baby! What's the best fertiliser for sweet juicy fruits? 

    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.

    17 January 2026, 1:00 am
  • Zucchinis, mealy bugs and stopping rats eating figs

    Sabrina and Jo Trilling are reunited on Arvos for 2026.

    On today's show:

    2.00 Tackling mealy bugs takes persistence

    7.08 How to deter rats from eating your figs

    10.00 Zucchini plants are large but zucchini plants are dying off while still small.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.

    12 January 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 53 minutes 56 seconds
    Worms abound! Here's how to keep 'em happy.

    Worms are the flavour of the day, as Sab and Christian join forces to dish out gardening advice. 

    18:49 Why are my worm castings so soggy?! 

    42:56 Zucchini anatomy 101: How to tell the boys from the girls.

    45:26 Why NOT to put composting worms in a wicking bed (also... they have five hearts!) 

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

    10 January 2026, 1:00 am
  • 55 minutes 9 seconds
    Roots and Shoots returns for 2026

    Christine Layton and Sabrina Hahn with all your new year's gardening tips and tricks. 

    10.22 Sabrina shares how to look after a hibiscus split in the Sunday storm a few weeks ago.

    12.20 Why you should leave a grass tree to seed when it's flowering.

    26:00 Why grass trees stalks appear to be getting bigger.

    3 January 2026, 1:00 am
  • How to get a really great bottom (on your celeriac)

    For this early-bird Roots and Shoots special, Sabrina takes Asha for a stroll down the garden path of horty Qs and As. 

    03:00 How to grow great bottoms on your celeriac. 

    18:18 Root systems of small eucalypts. 

    31:38 Help, I'm being overrun by golden wattle! 

    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.

    27 December 2025, 1:00 am
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