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List of gardening experts

Sometimes you need some inspiration for your garden! This list of gardening experts includes horticultural professionals, landscape architects, Master Gardeners, bloggers, YouTubers, organic gardeners, and gardening authors, as well as niche experts in specific areas of gardening skills.

Whether you’re a beginner gardener or an avid green thumb, chances are there are a few experts who you love to learn from. I like to use Pinterest to get new ideas, and I also love reading books and checking the websites and social media accounts of gardening experts.

Here is the list of gardening experts I’ve put together over the years. I also keep a list of my favorite gardening books as another wonderful source of inspiration. The list below includes gardening experts, renowned horticulturalists, biologists, designers, and permaculturalists.

List of top current gardening experts

  1. Kevin Espiritu: American gardening blogger and YouTuber behind Epic Gardening
  2. Laura LeBoutillier: American YouTuber behind Garden Answer
  3. Alys Fowler: British horticulturalist, gardening journalist, and urban garden/allotment expert.
  4. Mike McGrath: Expert in organic gardening, safe garden pest control, and composting;
  5. Ron Finley: Expert in organic food gardening;
  6. Tanya Anderson: Expert in growing and using organic produce;
  7. Lee Reich: Expert in growing fruit, edible landscaping, and weed-less gardening;
  8. Margaret Roach: Expert in organic gardening and garden journalism;
  9. Joe Lamp’l: Expert in backyard gardening;
  10. Melinda Myers: Gardening host, author, and columnist.

The big list of gardening experts

Here is a list of niche gardening experts recommended to me by friends and mentors. This list is by no means complete, but it is perhaps a good place to start when looking for gardening experts.

NameKnown ForVisit Website
Adam FrostGarden Designhttp://adamfrost.co.uk/
Adam WoodhamsGarden Better (BHG Australia)https://www.bhg.com.au/garden-better
Alan LodgeThe Plants and Mehttps://plants-uk.co.uk/pages/podcast
Alice Marcus KriegWe Dig Plantshttps://heritageradionetwork.org/series/we-dig-plants/
Allan SavoryHolistic Land Managementhttps://savory.global/
Alys FowlerTelevision Host, Authorhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/alys-fowler
Alys HurnGardens Illustrated Podcasthttps://www.gardensillustrated.com/podcasts/
Amanda McNultyMaking it Grow, on NPRhttps://www.npr.org/podcasts/406771069/making-it-grow-minutes
Andrew O’BrienGardens, Weeds, and Wordshttp://www.gardensweedsandwords.com/
Andy LopezInvisible Gardenerhttps://invisiblegardener.com/
Andy McIndoeGarden Design, Shrubs, Garden Wildlifehttp://www.andymcindoe.com/
Annie MartinMosshttps://www.mountainmoss.com/
Arthur KruckebergBotany, Native Plantshttps://www.kruckeberg.org/our-story/
Barbara W. EllisOrganic Gardeninghttps://easternshoregardener.com/about/
Ben DarkThe Garden Loghttps://twitter.com/bensgarden
Bill MollisonPermaculture
Bill ThornessCool-Season Gardeninghttps://billthorness.com/
Brooke KornegaySoul Soil: Where Agriculture and Spirit Intersecthttps://www.soulsoilpodcast.com/
C.L. FornariAuthor, Podcaster (Plantrama)https://www.plantrama.com/
Carly CylinderFloral Arranginghttp://www.flourla.com/
Carmen DevitoWe Dig Plantshttps://heritageradionetwork.org/series/we-dig-plants/
Carol J. MichelGarden Humorhttps://caroljmichel.com/
Catherine KleierBotany, Science of Gardeninghttps://www.nationalgeographic.org/find-explorers/catherine-kleier
Charles SadlerIn the Landscapehttps://kinggardeninc.com/in-the-landscape
Charlie DobbinThe Garden Show with Charlie Dobbinhttps://www.zoomerradio.ca/shows/the-garden-show/
Charlie RyrieFlowershttp://www.cutflowergarden.co.uk/
Charlotte PettsGrowing Wildhttps://www.radioreverb.com/shows/growing-wild/
Chris CollinsThe Organic Gardening Podcasthttps://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/
Chris SabbareseGreen Industry Leaders Network https://greenindustryleadersnetwork.simplecast.com/
Chris VanCleaveRose Chat Podcasthttp://www.redneckrosarian.com/
Chris YoungThe Garden Podcast (RHS)https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/publications/podcasts/thegardenpodcast
Christy WilhelmiGardenerdhttps://gardenerd.com/
Chrys GardenerGardening, Educatorhttps://chrysgardener.com/about/
Ciscoe MorrisGardening with Ciscoehttps://www.ciscoe.com/media/radio.html
Colah TawkinBlack in the Garden
Costa GeorgiadisGardening Australiahttps://www.abc.net.au/gardening/podcast/
Craig LeHoullierHeirloom Tomatoeshttps://www.craiglehoullier.com/
Danielle Sherry Let’s Argue About Plantshttps://www.finegardening.com/series/fine-gardening-podcast-lets-argue-about-plants
Darryl ChengHouseplantshttps://www.houseplantjournal.com/
David HolmgrenPermaculturehttps://holmgren.com.au/
David HurrionBBC Gardener’s Worldhttps://www.davidhurrion.com/
David MaxwellGardeners’ Corner (BBC)https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007b5wg
David R. MellorLawn Carehttps://www.davidrmellor.com/
Debra PrinzingSlow Flowers, Sunset Magazinehttps://www.debraprinzing.com/
Dusty HeggeGrow Wellhttps://dustyhegge.com/
Edward SmithContainer Gardening
Ellen MaryThe Plant Based Podcasthttps://theplantbasedpodcast.net/
Ellen ZachosAuthor, Podcaster (Plantrama)https://www.plantrama.com/
Emily MurphyPass the Pistil & Grow What You Lovehttps://passthepistil.com/
Eric ToensmeierForest Gardens, Carbon Sequestrationhttp://www.perennialsolutions.org/
Erin BenzakeinFlowers, Flower Farming, Cut Flowershttps://www.floretflowers.com/
Erin HardingClever Bloom, Houseplantshttps://cleverbloom.com/
Felder RushingThe Gestalt Gardenerhttps://www.npr.org/podcasts/486075531/the-gestalt-gardener
Fern Marshall BradleyOrganic Gardening, Garden Writinghttps://www.chelseagreen.com/staff/fern-marshall-bradley-senior-editor/
Fred HowerPlant Talkhttps://planttalkradio.com/
Gary BachmanSouthern Gardening Podcast (Mississippi State)http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/southern-gardening
Geoff HodgeBotany
Gill DeaconGarden Talk (CBC)https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcasts/garden-talk/
Greg AutonThe Maritime Gardening Podcasthttps://maritimegardening.com/
Hilary DahlSeattle Urban Farm Co.https://www.seattleurbanfarmco.com/
Hilary ThomasGarden Designhttp://www.thegardeningwebsite.co.uk/hilary-thomas-garden-design-i5436.html
HRH Charles, Prince of WalesOrganic Gardeninghttps://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/features/royal-gardens
Igor JosifovicHouseplants, Urban Junglehttps://happyinteriorblog.com/
Isa Hendry EatonGarden Designhttp://www.isabird.com/about
Jackie BeyerThe Green Organic Gardener Podcastโ€จhttps://organicgardenerpodcast.com/
Jacob MittleiderMittleider Gardening Methodhttps://growfood.com/
Jane EastoeFlowershttps://www.janeeastoe.co.uk/
Jane PerroneOn the Ledgehttps://www.janeperrone.com/
Jazlyn DowGardenstead, Urban Gardeninghttps://www.gardenstead.com/
Jen ParrilliFungi Townhttps://fungitownpod.home.blog/
Jennifer EbelingStill Growing, The Daily Gardenerhttps://6ftmama.com/
Jennifer JewellCultivating Placehttps://www.cultivatingplace.com/
Jenny DillonGarden Better (BHG Australia)https://www.bhg.com.au/garden-better
Jenny PetersonGarden Designhttps://www.finegardening.com/author/jenny-peterson
Jill CloutierThe Plant Reporthttps://sustainableworldradio.com/the-plant-report/
Jill McSheehyThe Beginner’s Garden with Jill McSheehyhttps://journeywithjill.net/
Jo HowskiHome of Houseplantshttps://homeofhouseplants.com.au/
Jodi TorpeyGardening, Garden Writinghttps://joditorpey.com/
Joe Lamp’lThe Joe Gardener Showhttps://joegardener.com/podcasts/
Joff ElphickPot and Cloche Garden Podcastshttps://www.joffelphick.co.uk/
John MageeThe Native Plant Podcasthttps://www.nativeplantpodcast.com/
John MorganThe Keep Growing Podcasthttps://www.bobsmarket.com/keepgrowing
Josh RobinsonPermaculture for the Futurehttps://permacultureforthefuture.com/
Judith de GraaffHouseplants, Urban Junglehttps://www.joelix.com/
Kate SadlerIn the Landscapehttps://kinggardeninc.com/in-the-landscape
Kathy ClugstonGardeners’ Question Time (BBC)https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f
Katie Elzer-PetersGardening, Garden Writinghttps://thegardenofwords.com/
Ken CrowtherKen Crowther’s Gardening Podcast (BBC)https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004lmms/episodes/downloads
Kevin EspirituEpic Gardeninghttps://www.epicgardening.com/
Kim EiermanEcoBeneficialhttps://www.ecobeneficial.com/
Lara DarlingHydroponics, Aeroponics, Aquaponics
Larry MeillerGarden Talk with Larry Meillerhttps://www.wpr.org/programs/garden-talk
Lee ConnellyThe Skinny Jean Gardenerhttp://skinnyjeangardener.co.uk/podcast
Lee ReichFruithttp://www.leereich.com/
Lia LeendertzUrban Gardeninghttps://www.lialeendertz.com/
Linda Chalker-ScottScience of Gardeninghttp://gardenprofessors.com/author/linda-chalker-scott/
Margaret RoachMartha Stewart Gardening, A Way to Gardenhttps://awaytogarden.com/
Maria FaillaBloom and Grow Radiohttps://bloomandgrowradio.com/
Marie IannottiGardening, Educatorhttps://www.thespruce.com/marie-iannotti-1401769
Martha StewartGeneral Gardening Mediahttps://www.marthastewart.com/1504574/gardening
Mary Jane DufordHome for the Harvest, Beginner Gardeninghttps://www.homefortheharvest.com/
Masanobu FukuokaNo-Till Gardening
Matt CandeiasIn Defense of Plantshttp://www.indefenseofplants.com/podcast
Meg SmolinskiContainer Gardening
Megan CainGarden Bloggerhttps://www.creativevegetablegardener.com/about/
Mel BartholomewSquare Foot Gardeninghttps://squarefootgardening.org/
Melinda MyersGeneral Gardeninghttps://www.melindamyers.com/
Melissa J. WillTwo Minutes in the Gardenhttps://empressofdirt.net/two-minutes-in-the-garden/
Michael PerryThe Plant Based Podcasthttps://theplantbasedpodcast.net/
Mickey RobertsonIn the Kitchen Garden with Mickeyhttps://www.glenmorehouse.com.au/new/podcast
Mike McGrathYou Bet Your Gardenhttps://www.wlvt.org/television/you-bet-your-garden/
Misti LittleThe Garden Pathhttp://www.thegardenpathpodcast.com/
Monty DonTelevision Host, Authorhttps://www.montydon.com/
Naomi SladeFruit & Flowers
Nathan WilsonNew Southern Gardenhttps://www.newsoutherngarden.com/podcast
Neil SperryNeil Sperry’s Gardenshttps://neilsperry.com/podcasts/
Nicole Johnsey BurkeKitchen Gardenshttps://www.gardenary.com/about#/
Niki JabbourSavvy Gardening, Blogger, Authorhttps://savvygardening.com/author/niki-jabbour/
Noel KingsburyGardening, Educatorhttps://www.noelkingsbury.com/
Paul StamitsFungihttps://fungi.com/
Paul TukeyLawn Care
Paul ZammitGarden Talk (CBC)https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcasts/garden-talk/
Paul ZimmermanRoseshttp://paulzimmermanroses.com/
Paula PrykeFlowers, Floral Arranginghttp://www.paulapryke.com/
Peter BanePermaculturehttp://permaculturehandbook.com/
Peter DoneganThe SodShowhttp://www.sodshow.com/
Peter GibbsGardeners’ Question Time (BBC)https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f
Peter SeabrookThis Week In The Garden with Peter Seabrookhttps://www.news.co.uk/who-we-are/toptalent/peter-seabrook/
Piet OudolfGarden Designhttps://oudolf.com/
Rachel MyersGarden Design
Rachel PetheramFlowers, Herbshttp://www.catkinflowers.com/about
Randy RitchieThe Healthy Garden
Rebecca SweetHarmony in the Garden, Garden Designhttps://harmonyinthegarden.com/about-rebecca/
Rick StoneGardening, Educatorhttps://onlinegardeningschool.com/
Robert PavlisGarden Bloggerhttp://www.gardenmyths.com/
Robin Wall KimmererMoss, Naturehttps://www.humansandnature.org/robin-wall-kimmerer
Ron FinleyCommunity Gardeninghttp://ronfinley.com/
Ron PattersonGardening, Garden Wildlifehttp://www.gardening-for-wildlife.com/
Rosemary AlexanderGarden Designhttp://rosemaryalexander.co.uk/
Sally NexGardening, Educatorhttps://sallynex.com/
Sarah BrownThe Organic Gardening Podcasthttps://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/
Sarah WilsonRoots and Allhttps://rootsandall.co.uk/
Sean and Allison McManusSpoken Garden Podcasthttps://spokengarden.com/category/podcast/
Sepp HolzerPermaculturehttps://www.seppholzer.at/english
Shane ConnollyFlowershttp://www.shaneconnolly.co.uk/
Shannon WhelanGardenstead, Euclid Flower Farmshttps://www.gardenstead.com/
Shawna CoronadoGardening Blogger, Authorhttps://shawnacoronado.com/
Signe DanlerGardening, Educatorhttps://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/users/signe-danler
Stacy and AmySow Edible Podcasthttps://sowediblefarm.com/
Stephanie RoseGarden Therapy – Organic Gardening, Nature Craftshttps://gardentherapy.ca/
Steve AitkenLet’s Argue About Plantshttps://www.finegardening.com/series/fine-gardening-podcast-lets-argue-about-plants
Summer Rayne OakesHomestead Brooklyn, Urban Gardening, Youtubehttps://homesteadbrooklyn.com/
Susy MorrisChiot’s Runhttps://chiotsrun.com/
Tanya AndersonLovely Greens – Organic Gardening, Nature Craftshttps://lovelygreens.com/
Teena SpindlerGardening, Educatorhttp://gardenclub.homedepot.com/gardenieres-teena-spindler/
Teresa ByingtonRose Chat Podcasthttp://www.redneckrosarian.com/
Tim CrowtherSunday Gardening with Tim Crowtherhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nrw3f/episodes/downloads
Toby HemenwayPermaculturehttps://tobyhemenway.com/about/
Toby MusgraveGarden Historyhttp://www.tobymusgrave.com/
Tom ChristopherGrowing Greenerhttps://www.thomaschristophergardens.com/podcast
Ula MariaGarden Designhttps://www.ulamaria.com/
Valerie BradleyHouseplants
Vanessa FuchsRoyal Botanic Garden Sydneyhttps://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
Veronica PeerlessHouseplants
Hawthorn flower blossoms - home for the harvest gardening blog

More about different types of gardening experts

There are some different types of gardening experts. Here are some of the main categories to look for.

Master Gardeners

One of the most recognized titles in the gardening community is that of a “Master Gardener.” This title is typically granted after completing a rigorous training program, often administered through universities or their cooperative extension services.

These programs cover a broad range of horticultural topics and often require participants to volunteer in their communities, sharing their knowledge and expertise. Master Gardeners are trained not just to cultivate plants but to educate others, making them invaluable assets to local gardening endeavors.

Horticulturists

These experts dive deep into the science and art of cultivating plants in formal post-secondary education. Some have college diplomas, while others have university degrees.

Horticulturists might work in a variety of settings, from botanical gardens and greenhouses to agricultural fields and research labs. Their understanding of plant biology, genetics, and propagation often places them at the forefront of plant breeding, conservation, and sustainable farming practices.

Landscape architects

More than just garden designers, landscape architects are professionals trained in the design and planning of outdoor spaces. They combine a deep understanding of plants with knowledge of design principles, ecology, and urban planning. These experts shape public parks, design sustainable urban green spaces, and create outdoor environments that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Botanists

These scientists study plants and their relationships within ecosystems. Their work might range from exploring the genetics of crop plants to studying plant diseases or discovering new plant species in remote parts of the world. Many botanists work in academic settings, though they can also be found in conservation, agriculture, and pharmaceutical fields.

Permaculturists

Rooted in sustainable and holistic design principles, permaculturists seek to create agricultural systems that mimic natural ecosystems. These experts emphasize the importance of biodiversity, resource conservation, and ethical land stewardship. Permaculture goes beyond just gardening, encompassing sustainable housing, water management, and community building.

Each type of gardening expert brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the table. Whether they’re designing a city park, conserving endangered plants, or teaching homeowners about vegetable gardening, their combined knowledge enriches the world of gardening and ensures that it continues to evolve and thrive.

Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a passionate gardener and well-acclaimed authority in the world of horticulture. As a certified Master Gardener and Permaculture Garden Designer with over a decade of hands-on experience, she has honed her skills to cultivate a deeper understanding of the natural world around us. Beyond her gardening prowess, Mary Jane holds a distinct edge as a Professional Engineer, an expertise that often intertwines with her gardening methodologies, bringing a unique perspective to her readers.

She is the proud founder of the renowned gardening website, Home for the Harvest, a platform dedicated to helping fellow gardeners, both novice and experienced, find their green thumbs. Her gardening expertise hasn't gone unnoticed; she's been spotlighted as a go-to gardening expert by notable publications like Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Mother Earth News, Real Simple, and the National Garden Bureau.

Delving deep into specific fields of study within horticulture, Mary Jane has an extensive knowledge base on sustainable gardening practices (including permaculture), soil science, and selecting cultivars well-suited to home gardeners. Her passion isn't just limited to plants; she's a staunch advocate for holistic, eco-friendly gardening techniques that benefit both flora and fauna.

Currently residing in the picturesque Okanagan Valley, Mary Jane cherishes the time she spends with her family amidst nature, always exploring, learning, and growing both as a gardener and as an individual.

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