Landscape Designer Dan Pearson on the Alchemy of Gardening | Homing

Описание: For Dan Pearson, working with the landscape isn’t simply his profession — it’s how he makes sense of the world.

In this emotional conversation, he opens up about self-image, mindfulness and the alchemy of gardening – something that can feel like magic, but is really about careful attention and a deep respect for the natural rhythms of life.

Dan fondly recalls his childhood home: a dilapidated house where wildlife knew no boundaries, with rat holes under doors and vegetation pressing up against the furniture.

Today, he lives in a modest stone farmhouse with small windows, nestled into the side of the valley, with a huge landscape that opens out in front. He and his partner cook and eat in their outdoor kitchen year-round, watching the weather roll in over Freezing Hill. At the bottom of the garden, there’s a pond for swimming or meditation. It’s the embodiment of the prospect-refuge theory.

This is an episode about humility, about living in sync with nature and understanding that as human beings, we're part of a wonderful ecosystem much larger than ourselves.

The episode was recorded at Dan’s home in Somerset.

A full tour of his garden and outbuildings is available to our Patreon community.
Patreon:   / homingwithmatt  

Dan also publishes Dig Delve, an online magazine about his Somerset garden, with photography and editorial by his partner Huw Morgan.

Homing listeners can use the discount code HOMING2026 for 15% off annual or quarterly subscriptions.

Website: www.digdelve.com
Instagram: @digdelve
Dan’s personal Instagram: @coyotewillow

00:00:00 Early Emotional Connection to Gardening
00:01:04 Childhood Home and Family Influence
00:03:24 Discovering the Garden’s Magic
00:05:54 Hands-on Gardening and Family Projects
00:07:24 Personal Plot and Early Art Education
00:09:32 Creative Household and Project-Driven Mindset
00:10:07 Sanctuary and Emotional Attachment to Home
00:11:07 Unusual Friendships and Early Social Experiences
00:13:17 Mentors and Horticultural Training
00:15:15 The Alchemy of Gardening
00:16:18 Leaving School and Pursuing Horticulture
00:20:03 Wisley and Early Horticultural Career
00:22:19 Further Education and Career Path
00:24:13 Creative Collaborations and Early Clients
00:27:01 Rise to Visibility and TV Experience
00:29:21 Defining the Dan Pearson Style
00:30:57 Sensitivity and Personal Disposition
00:32:01 Coping with Social Differences and School
00:34:05 Sensitivity to Built Environments
00:36:45 Prospect and Refuge in Landscape
00:38:43 Moving to the Current Home
00:41:07 Sense of Place and Control
00:43:36 Control and Gardening Philosophy
00:45:35 Mastery and Abstraction in Gardening
00:48:02 Outdoor Kitchen and Daily Life
00:50:35 Meeting and Life with Partner Huw
00:52:02 Daily Rituals, Meditation, and Wellbeing
00:56:22 Gardening as Wellbeing and Maggie’s Centres
00:57:39 Solitude vs. Loneliness in Gardening
00:59:10 Place Attachment and Lifelong Connection
01:02:29 Reflections on Home and Sharing the Garden
01:03:40 Advice for New Gardeners
01:05:36 Gardening Without Outdoor Space
01:06:46 Inspiring Children with Nature
01:10:05 Final Reflections and Closing

To hear more from us:

YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Homing with Matt, to watch the video version
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Contact: Email us at [email protected]

Matt Gibberd’s book, A Modern Way to Live, is available here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/32017...

Music by @simeonwalkermusic
Identity & design by @lena.winkler.creative.office
Produced by @podshoponline

The full visualised home tour is available to our Patreon community.
Patreon:   / homingwithmatt