Listen to a podcast about plants, where we share our passion for plants and learn how to grow them.
Want to get involved? Share a plant story, sponsor the podcast, review the podcast?
About Me
I am a radio producer who worked for the BBC for 34 years. I love finding and recording stories.
I have a passion for audio and plants.
I have RHS Level 2 qualifications and have volunteered in the Inner Temple gardens and now the Museum of Homelessness garden in London.
I am a member of the Garden Media Guild Committee and a trustee of the charity Plant Heritage.
The podcast was a finalist in the Independent Podcast Awards 2024 in the Educational: Environment & Natural World category.
About the podcast
““The plant really is at the heart of all the podcasts”
The podcast began in April 2023 with a story about a lost peony. I quickly realised that plants tell stories; about the people who grew them and loved them.
Plants offer hope in the darkest of times, a mint plant reminding Anya of her home in Kiev. A silver birch tree symbolising resilience after a car accident left Judith in a hospital spinal unit.
People are passionate about plants, whether that is delicate dahlias or magnificent Monkey Puzzle trees.
“The podcast is a fascinating mixture of history and knowledge Both podcasts have created a lot of interest.”
Diana Boston - Hemingford Grey
Testimonials
“ I felt total trust in her great professionalism in editing the podcast. Her total respect for everyone involved, including the plant!”
Judith Kleinman - author of Finding Quiet Strength
“Each episode has just the right amount of enthusiastic expert input to set me off on growing plants that are new to me without feeling intimidated”
Review on Apple Podcasts
FAQ
How many episodes have you made?
There are almost 40 episodes available on all podcastings apps and the website. They are all ‘evergreen’ so the stories can be listened to at any time of year.
How long are the episodes?
Episodes come out at half an hour - I think it was all those years making 30 min Radio 4 features!
Have you got more episodes in the pipeline?
I have started to record a third series for 2025 it will begin on the 4th February.
How many downloads do you get?
To date the podcast has had 17,600 downloads. The average is 200 a week or 800 a month. This puts Our Plant Stories in the top 25% of podcasts.
Where are your listeners?
Latest figures show that 60% of listeners are in the UK but I also have 10% in the States and 10% in Australia and New Zealand. There have also been listeners in 23 other countries! The plant stories have taken us to Canada, America, Australia and Chile.
Where can people find you?
I publish a weekly blog and the Our Plant Stories website has all the previous episodes and information about the guests and growing the plants. I can also be found on Instagram ourplantstories_podcast
Media Coverage
Radio Times Listen Podcasts - the pick of the best audio on demand
“The independent podcast of former Radio 4 producer Sally Flatman is now well into a second series. In each monthly episode, a gardener tells their story through one plant.”
Interview with horticulturalist Toby Buckland on BBC Radio Devon:
“I like the conceit of this.”
Interview in:
Working with me
The podcast is currently supported by Buy Me a Coffee but I am looking for a sponsor so I can continue to improve and grow the podcast.
I am keen to work with plant and gardening charities, I was the BBC’s Charity Appeals Advisor and the Radio 4 Appeals producer for many years and I understand the importance for charities of telling their story. So far I have worked with Perennial, Horatio’s Garden and Hill Close Gardens in Warwick
Perhaps you have a plant story - I am always looking for stories.
Perhaps you have a newsletter or a magazine and you could share/review the podcast with your readers.
Do get in touch: sally@ourplantstories.com