Chloe Foster on her book The Rookie Gardener, prickly grevilleas and growing gardeners

Horticulturist and author Chloe Foster joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener podcast to talk about what it really takes to become a gardener — and why starting without a clue might be the best way in.

They chat about Chloe’s new book The Rookie Gardener, her early days pulling carrots straight from the ground, and her love of Australian natives (even the prickly ones).

Along the way, they explore why gardens have become intimidating, how failure is part of the joy, and why humans need to get their hands back in the dirt.

A warm, funny, and quietly motivating conversation for anyone who’s ever looked at a plant and thought: “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

// Show notes //  Follow Chloe on Instagram @fosteryourgarden Follow Cass on Instagram @the_sentimental_gardener Buy Chloe's book 'The Rookie Gardener' out September 2nd 2025 at your local bookstore or online

Read more about Chloe's work on her website Read show notes about guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts

Credits:

Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening

Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding

Production and editing: Cass Dowding

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