Talking Gardens

Tayshan Hayden-Smith

Talking Gardens

Show Notes

In this episode we hear from Tayshan Hayden-Smith, the footballer turned community gardener and activist, who tells Stephanie about the landscapes and people that have inspired him, including Meanwhile Gardens and his mum. Discover why he loves the buzz and energy of urban environments, with pavement plants growing in the cracks and crevices, and why he believes we need to rethink what we consider a garden to be. He explains how the fire at Grenfell Tower in London was a turning point in his life that led to him founding the not-for-profit organisation Grow 2 Know, challenging the gardening establishment and creating meaningful gardens in London and at the Chelsea Flower Show to help close the green gap and widen access to nature for more people.

Talking Gardens is created by the team at Gardens Illustrated magazine. Find lots more great garden inspiration and planting ideas at www.gardensillustrated.com

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May 21, 2026

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