Afleveringen
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This month on DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss the latest news in the world of gardening, whatâs onâs and as the winter kicks in, a look at those gardening tasks to keep your garden looking its best this month and beyond.
Friday 8th November Final Gardenersâ World programme of the season.
15th November RHS Glow 2024 Rosemoor.
20th November RHS Glow 2024 Harlow Carr Garden
22nd November RHS Glow at RHS Wisley and at RHS Hyde Hall
26th November NGS Annual Lecture âGardening for the future with Fergus Garret, Garden Museum, London. Fergus reveals how vital biodiversity can thrive in anybodyâs cultivated garden patch, using evidence gathered from the world-famous garden he looks after. Go in person or available live streamed.
Plant mentions: Lotus (water lily), Sea buckthorn, Magnolia, Dianthus, Violas, Wisteria, Picea, Pinus, dog friendly plants, sunflowers including the variety âTeddy Bearâ, Tulips, Narcissus, Crocus, Alliums, Snowdrops, planting of bare-root hedging, shrubs and trees, Philadelphus, Dogwood, Hazel, Raspberry canes, Strawberry runners, garlic, Padron peppers, Wild service tree (sweets and beer tree), Microgreens, Cress and Amaryllis.
Product mentions: Sainsburyâs peat-free mushrooms, electric heron fence for ponds, Woughton Orchard in Milton Keynes, lawn blower, secateurs, loppers, composted bark, autumn lawn food, grease bands for fruit trees, cloches, horticultural fleece and clay pebbles in saucer,
News
RBG Kew scientists crack down on illegal sale of ornamental plants.
Edimentals see rise in popularity.
Sainsburyâs becomes first UK supermarket to introduce peat-free mushrooms
Nick Hamiltonâs new book, The Right Jeans is published.
The new Governmentâs All-Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group
LibDem MP Sarah Dyke seeks to speed up ban on peat farming with 10-minute bill
Roger Ward from Golden Grove Nurseries champions the use of slow growing and compact forms of conifers in new build gardens
Monty Don to design a dog-friendly garden at Chelsea 2025 in conjunction with the RHS and BBC Radio 2.
National Trust appoints Sheila Das as Head of Gardens and Parks.
Will Armitage appointed as the new HTA President.
Beechgrove Garden presenter Jim McColl dies aged 89.
Capability Brownâs Berrington Hall gets a floral makeover including a wisteria walk.
Climate revamp for Great Fountain Garden at Hampton Court Palace.
RHS issues call for urban planners to take garden provision more seriously.
Otters raiding garden ponds becomes a problem in Cumbria.
The Orchard Project celebrates 15 years restoring 700 public orchards.
Sunflower trials at RHS Hyde Hallâs Floral Fantasia.
North Wales bid to bring back rare âsweets and beerâ tree.
DIG IT Top 5: Top selling Herbs of the year
No5 Coriander, No4 Curly Parsley, No3 Chives, No2 Common Rosemary and at the top spot Garden Mint (spear mint).
Our special thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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In this episode of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Jonathon Jones, OBE and managing director of Tregothnan Estate in Cornwall, home of the amazing Garden, Camellias, magnificent trees and a Tea plantation stretching 29 miles long!
People mentioned: Tea expert Chris Bond, authors Peter Blake and John Shepherd. The Ken Thomas Charitable Trust, a bursary opportunity set up for agriculturists to help fund their trips. Lord and Lady Falmouth, Plant hunter William Lobb, Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward (Wardian Case inventor), Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Tremap Partners, Conifer Conservation, Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, Country Life magazine tea column. London Tea Auction and Sarah Raven.
Plants mentioned: Camellia sinensis (tea), Camellia japonica, early flowering Camellia sasanqua, Growing salads out of seasons under home-made cloches, Japanese Musa (Banana), Magnolias, Eucryphia is a genus of evergreen shrubs and trees with several species native to Chile. Giant Redwoods (Sequoiadendron giganteum), Rhododendrons, Black Poplars (Populus nigra) and the recording breaking tallest Rhododendron.
Places mentioned: Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, Darjeeling, North India, Cornwall Garden Society (they also have a bursary scheme), Eden Project, Jonathonâs scholarship to travel to Japan and itâs great gardens, Falmouth University Japanese Gardens, Myerscough College and the Smithsonian Institution.
TremapÂź is an easy-to-use free app on your phone which allows people to map and locate trees and shrubs anywhere in the world. It also means that Botanic gardens, parks, large and small private gardens donât necessarily need to label their rare plants as this can be done virtually. Search âTremapâ on your favourite APP store.
Jonathonâs castaway essential: A tried and trusted garden spade!
Tregothnan Estate, including Tea, Experiences, Holiday Cottages and Discover.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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October is a wonderful month in the garden - crisp blue skies and fantastic autumn colour to enjoy. DIG ITâs Peter Brown and Chris Day look at the month as far as places to visit, whatâs in the world of gardening news and timely tasks to be getting on with - so not quite the month to take your foot off the pedal!
Whatâs on
5th & 6th October, 10am-4pm: Buckingham Garden Centreâs Apple Weekend. Apple identifying with Gerry Edwards, apple pressing and juicing with the Mid Shires Orchard group, a Heritage Apple Display featuring over 100 varieties, Jessica Naish from the Buckingham Cut Flower Farm, a fantastic Tombola, plus The Woodland Trust and BBOWT.
Saturday 5th October: Autumn Plant Fair at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Manchester.
Saturday 12th October, 11am-4pm: National Alpine Garden Show at RHS Harlow Carr Gardens.
26th October - 3rd November: Scarecrow Hunt at Painswick Rococo Garden Trust in Stroud.
News
Giant mosaic made from apples at National Trust Cotehele in Cornwall last month.
Weather concerns could see tulip bulb prices rise by as much as 20% in 2025, Dutch growers warn.
Britainâs rarest orchid discovered after one manâs 15-year hunt.
New rare and endangered plant exhibition opens at Kew Gardens.
Plea to use less herbicides and pesticides in our towns voiced by The Pesticide Collaboration.
Tulip trees as well as storing more carbon are no longer hardwood they are now Midwood! Itâs all about the cells, says new study.
Vegetable and flower seed merchant Dobies celebrates 130th anniversary.
âDelphinium Dadâ efforts rewarded with National Plant Collection status.
Artists set to champion ancient plane tree.
A new garden commemorating the life of Queen Elizabeth II is to be constructed in Londonâs Regentâs Park.
Upcycling facemasks left over from the pandemic to cradle developing melons by the team at Bluebird Care in Stroud and Cirencester.
Butterfly numbers drop disastrously reports Butterfly Conservation.
Blenheim Palace introduces bee swarms to its nine new woodlands.
Huge restoration for parklands at Crystal Palace.
New report sheds light on why many plants have prickles.
Dame Mary Berry joins 40th anniversary celebrations of the Macmillan & National Garden Scheme partnership. During the last 40 years the NGS has raised more than ÂŁ19 million for Macmillan through private garden openings.
David Austin launches Bring Me Sunshine Âź as Climbing English Rose.
DIG IT Top 5: Climbing roses
As we approach the root wrap and bare-root season learn about our bestselling roses.
Product mentions: Long handled bulb planters, greenhouse disinfectant, bubble insulation, hedgehog houses, lawn rake and leaf grabbers, bird feeders ready and primed with wild bird mix, sunflowers, peanuts, and fat balls. Evergreen Autumn Fertiliser, and lawn seed for overseeding and patch repair.
Plant mentions: Allium âRosy Dream,â Taylors Bulb of the Year and Daffodil âJune Allyson,â Daffodil of the Year, Dogwoods, Hostas, Salix (Willows), planning for hedges, Garlic, Onions, and Shallots to plant now, pumpkins to harvest and rhubarb propagation - remove healthier outer sections to create new crowns.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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In this edition of DIG IT, Peter Brown turns the microphone around and chats with Chris Day about his life and times working with plants, garden centres, radio, people in horticulture, and even a few greenhouses! From a humble apprentice at Rochfords to plant publicity manager at Buckingham Garden Centre, Chris spills the beans on some of his gardening wisdom along the way.
Plant mentions: Aloe Vera, Aspidistra, Basil, Beloperone guttata (shrimp or prawn plant!), Cymbidiums, Sweet peas, lawn turf, Kentia palms, Melon, Pineapple, Tomato, Cucumber, Snake plant, Mother-in-Laws (Sansevieria), African Violets (Saintpaulia), Poinsettias, Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid), Universal Winter Pansies from Colegraves, Cacti, Money plants (Crassula), Chloropytum, Venus Fly Traps and Yuccas. Floral Flame for the Manchester Olympic bid at Manchester Airport created with Begonias, Lobelia, Marigold, Parsley, Perilla, and Impatien).
Product mentions: Greenhouse: Corrugated plastic, aluminium (glass to ground), Wooden greenhouse, staging, Victorian style. Paraffin heaters, thermostatically electric fan heater, Garland propagating products, LED grow lights, roller benches, red spider mite pests, pH soil tests and soil science. Wool pots and Mycorrhizal products (RootGrow).
People and Place mentions: Amateur Gardening magazine, Alan Beswick, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Three Counties Radio, Blue Peter Garden, Alan Down, Bridgemere Garden World, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Dutch Flower Auctions at Aalsmeer, Graham Clarke, Fred Downham, Rochford Houseplants (commercial growers), Garden Centre Association, Guernsey Flower Show, Horticulture Week, Peter Seabrook, Louise Lear, Peat Free UK houseplant growers, Val Bourne, Myerscough College and Writtle College.
Hotbeds, created with strawy manure, and John Innes Compost No3.
Chrisâs Desert Island luxuries: Felco secateurs and Potato âHome Guardâ
Chrisâs book co-authored with Rob Keenan Amateur Gardening Complete Gardening Answers (published by Robinsons).
Catch Chrisâs online Garden Centre postings on Facebook and Instagram
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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As autumn approaches DIG ITâs Peter Brown and Chris Day provide a monthly round-up to the latest horticultural events, the gardening stories making the headlines and a look at those garden tasks requiring our attention.
Whatâs on
3 - 8th September RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show, Wisley, Woking, Surrey.
13 - 15th September The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, Newby Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire
27 - 29th September Malvern Autumn Show. One of the UKâs biggest annual harvest season celebrations, held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern Hills, Herefordshire.
5 - 6th October Buckingham Garden Centreâs Apple Weekend, 10am - 4pm each day.
News
Jekka McVicar appeals to gardeners to participate in the RHS climate change survey in BBC Breakfast news.
Most influential in horticulture by decade survey results: Titchmarsh beats Thrower, Hamilton, Don in vote from Horticulture Week magazine.
Broad beans could improve our mental health new study finds.
The search is on for the Tree of the Year and voting is open until 21 October.
Plant breeder Ball Colegrave announced the winners of this summers showcase.
Worldâs largest Titan Arum bloom in Meise Botanic Garden in Belgium.
A new jade vine â Strongylodon juangonzalezii - is donated to Kew Gardens.
Kew trees at risk from climate change.
Historic allotments in Nottingham handed back to council due to rising costs.
Almost 455,000 trees felled by UK councils in past 10 years.
World-first project launched to track hedgehogs and reverse decline.
Gardening aids better sleep new report uncovers.
Knoll Gardens launch new Pennisetum Black Arrow.
Dog backpacks used to help seed nature reserve.
Sheffieldâs love of figs helps create fig tree forests.
Dutch campaign encourages reducing paving for greener gardens.
Couple transform their garden into ÂŁ27,000 Jurassic Park - complete with 10ft T-Rex.
Our DIG IT Top Tulips 5th âChocolate Orangeâ 4th âRed Riding Hoodâ 3rd âPeach Blossomâ, 2nd âQueen of the Nightâ and at number 1 âPurple Rain Fusionâ (a combination of different varieties from Taylors Bulbs).
Plants mentioned: Acer drummondii, Crocosmia, Dahlias, Hosta, Penstemons and Roses. Apples, Apricots, Blackberries, Peaches and Strawberries. Veggies: Peas, beans, Carrots, Spring Onions, Winter and Spring Cabbage plug plants.
Products mentioned: Compost bin, Wolf Fruit Picker, Rose and Autumn Lawn Fertilisers, Lawn seeds and lawn patch products. Control Vine Weevil and lawn chafers or leatherjackets with a biological control (nematodes).
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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Spreading the gardening word with Dave The Plantman
DIG IT hosts Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with top all-round horticulturalist and internet sensation Dave The Plantman. Dave has been creating daily 90 second videos since April 2023 and has a huge 360k following, including a younger gardening audience on TikTok hungry for advice. Dave shares his knowledge in a unique style with his signature thumbs up and âinteresting factâ tagline. A lively chat filled with fun anecdotes and plenty of common-sense gardening is guaranteed!
Plant mentions: Agapanthus, Astilbe, Buddleja (butterfly bush), Carnivorous plants, Coffee plant, Cordyline, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Dieffenbachia (dumb cane plant), Himalayan Balsam (Impatien), Potatoes, Dandelion, Skimmia, wildflowers, brambles (blackberries), Rose âSheilaâs Perfumeâ, Phalaenopsis orchids, Taxus baccata 'Standishii' (RHS AGM), Good scented rose âChandos Beautyâ and Rose âThe Chelsea Pensionerâ, a charity rose launched at this yearâs Chelsea Flower Show. Willow (Salix) weaving. Alpines for gravel drive.
People, Places and Products: Phillip Harkness, Harkness Roses. Myerscough College of Horticulture, Preston, Canal and River Trust, Barton Grange Nursery, RHS flower shows. Sulphur (coal smoke), Garlic infusion for controlling aphids â they donât like the smell, good for roses and hostas. Tomato food is excellent for roses as is chicken manure and well-rotted manure. Uncle Tomâs Rose Food (Potassium phosphite).
Desert island luxuries: Tomatoes (seeds could be saved for future crops). Tool: âA pair of secateurs in my holster.â
Memorable quote: âMy mum could put a root on a chair leg!â
Daveâs socials: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Dave The Plantmanâs Chatterbox on Facebook and Instagram.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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Summer gardening reaches itâs peak this month as Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss the latest stories in the world of horticulture, must-visit events and a run-down of those essential tasks to keep your garden productive and colourful in the weeks to come.
Whatâs on
31st July - 4th August: RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show, Essex.
2 - 3rd August: Taunton Flower Show, Somerset.
Until 4th August: 2024 Big Butterfly Count â have you got involved yet? Thereâs still time!
3 - 11th August: Singapore Garden Festival at Suntec, Singapore.
9 - 10th August: Shrewsbury Flower Show, Shropshire.
15 - 18th August: Southport Flower Show at Victoria Park, Southport.
16 - 18th August: RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, Devon.
30th August - 1st September: BBC Gardenersâ World Autumn Fair at Audley End House & Gardens, Essex.
News
New YouTube short film filmed at the RHS Urban Show in May featuring Cloudscape and creating 7 amazing gardens.
Trees for bees at Wakehurst Wakehurst is using citizen science to help discover the trees most favoured by pollinators.
A unique flower shaped Cyclamen Illusia picks up top New Houseplant Award.
RHS Tatton Park Show celebrates its 25th anniversary by actively promoting awards for new designers, plants people and contractors aged 31 or over.
Scottish topiary artist wins major award for their Moby Dick inspired design.
Gardeners urged not to plant or purchase Rhodendron ponticum as The Woodland Trust says its invasive nature is creating problems.
Native vegetation does no impact insect biodiversity in small urban gardens.
Rare âPuya sapphire towerâ blooms outdoors in Scotland for the first time.
Dianthus breeding specialist Whetman Pink changes hands.
War against poaching succulent plants in South Africa.
Manchesterâs Castlefield aerial garden Viaduct gets green light to develop from National Trust.
OBE awarded to Horatioâs Garden founder Dr Olivia Chapple.
Rittershausen family orchid nursery celebrate 75 years.
Dr John Grimshaw appointed Editor-in-Chief of Curtisâs Botanic magazine.
Head of horticulture at Garden Organics and former Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins has been named a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.
Natural History Gardens are now open and free to visit.
Olympic Dahlias shine at Paris 2024 games.
The 2025 rose of the year is announced.
Plants, and product mentions: Hardy geraniums, Chrysanthemum, Lavender, Lupins, Delphiniums, Blueberries, Strawberry, Wisteria Amethyst Falls, Leeks, Potato/Tomato blight proection, Taylors Seed Potatoes for growing for Christmas, Sow the seeds of Basil, Borage, Dill and Fennel, Mint. Summer pruning top fruit trees, dahlias, Lilies and Gladioli staking and feeding. Children seed sowing projects for the school holidays. Cut flowers from the garden. Continue with slug, snails and earwig control. Miracle-Gro, Tomato fertiliser, garden twine and canes.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with special guest Andrew Mikolajski. Andrew, a well-known horticulturalist, and prolific author of over 40 gardening books, including his latest, âWho Ate My Plantsâ. Andrew discusses the ongoing battle gardeners have with garden pests and diseases.
Plant mentions: Grow as many varieties and species â native and non-native from the Northern Hemisphere as you can to increase insect biodiversity of wildlife to help attract predators. Marigolds as a companion planting with Tomatoes and the pairing of alliums with roses. Check vegetable seed packets for disease resilience. Lavender, Penstemon, Fuchsias and Hebes would benefit from a dose of a high potash fertiliser to help toughen them up. Use vine weevil nematode control for Heuchera, Heucherella, alpines and Fuchsias.
Product mentions: Slug pellets (use the jam jar method mentioned). Sand, Garlic wash, Box Tree Caterpillar Biological Control, Provanto Fungus Fighter (for Box Blight), Pheromone Traps (codling moth and plum moth), Organic pesticides, fleece over cabbage, good drainage essentials, include sand, potting grit, or Perlite to avoid overwet compost, Potassium (K) High potash fertilisers such as Sulphate of Potash, Tomorite, to help harden growth for the winter. Nematodes for slugs and vine weevil. Ladybird larvae and adults can be introduced.
Pest / Disease mentions: Aphids, Slugs, Snails, Muntjak, Deer, Rabbits, Oak Processionary Moth - a notifiable pest, Xylella fasidiosa, Box Blight, Box Tree Caterpillar, Rose Black Spot and Rose Mildew.
No Mow May, or maybe simply mow less often to encourage more flowers and diversity.
Look for the RHS Plants for Pollinators logo.
Make friends with your fellow allotment holders, or join a gardening club / society to learn about local growing conditions if you move into a new area.
Judging at RHS show.
Andrewâs desert island essentials: A ball of garden twine and a pair of scissors and the Rose âNostalgia.â
Find out more about Andrew on his website
Andrewâs book, Who Ate My Plants? is published by Michael OâMara Books Limited.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This month on DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss the latest gardening news, whatâs onâs and as the peak gardening season is well underway, a look at those tasks to keep your garden looking its best this month and beyond.
Whatâs on
2 â 7th July: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is held in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, Richmond.
12th July and 4th August: The Big Butterfly Count 2024.
17 â 21st July: RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in Cheshire.
20th July: Great Dixter Summer Plant Fair at Great Dixter Gardens, Rye, East Sussex.
News
Plant Heritage will showcase a range of its National Plant Collections, including Kniphofia, Rubus and Hosta (miniature and small) at Hampton Court.
New 4-year project by the University of London is evaluating prescribing social pursuits like gardening to children.
New garden around the Natural History Museum opens this month.
The BBC Gardenersâ World presenter Monty Don will be out on tour to share tales from his garden at Longmeadow and gardens he has visited around the world.
Belinda Howell has been appointed chair of the Peat-free Partnership to establish peat-free legislation across the UK and NI.
Susan Raikes is appointed the new Director of Wakehurst at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Nick Bailey, Gardenerâs World presenter is appointed director of the University Leicesterâs botanic garden.
Percy Throwerâs greenhouse, which once featured Shrewsburyâs main park, The Quarry, is to be restored by Shrewsbury Menâs Shed.
Bumper year for Box Tree Caterpillar reveals RHS.
Be alert for toxic oak processionary moth caterpillars.
How to take part in the Great Stag Hunt to help record the UKâs largest, and endangered beetle.
Asian Hornets: help needed to irradicate imported bee-killers.
The winning plants at last monthâs BBC Gardeners World Live Show, include Hydrangea Eclipse and Apple Peterâs Gold. New plant awards annouced at the HTA Show including Digitalis Apple Blossom and Prunus Crystal Falls.
This monthâs DIG IT top 5: Strawberry varieties. 1st Strawberry âSymphonyâ 2nd âCambridge Favouriteâ 3rd âHapilâ 4th âHoneoyeâ and in 5th âElsantaâ.
Plant mentions: Apples (variety Scrumptious), Cherries, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Delphiniums, Euonymus Jean Hugues, Euonymus Green Spire, Pears, Plum, Sweet corn, Yew, Lonicera nitida, fuchsias, Dianthus, Carnations, Purple loosestrife, and Salvia Hot Lips. Sow Foxgloves, Sweet Williams, Wallflowers and Forget-me-nots and veggies including Round Carrots, Beetroot, Radish, Lettuce, and Spring Onions. Continue to plant Tomatoes and Peppers.
Product mentions: Bug Clear Ultra 2, Box Tree Caterpillar Killer Nematodes, Poppyforge plant supports, bird food, straw and terracotta pots for earwig control.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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Flowers are big business in Britain over 50% of British households bought cut flowers in 2022. However, according to Defra, only 14% of cut flowers sold in the UK are grown in Britain. In this edition of Dig it Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Jessica Naish who runs a successful local flower farm in Buckingham. In the podcast we discover how Jess has developed her flower farm, plus the practicalities of growing a wide range of cut flowers from the field to the vase.
Flowers mentioned: Amaranthus caudatus (Love Lies Bleeding), Centaurea cyanus (Cornflowers), Cosmos, Dahlias, Godetia, Larkspur, Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-mist), Perennial and annual Phlox, Strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum), Roses (including the Timeless range of roses), Sweet peas, Sunflowers, Ten Week Stocks and Wallflowers.
Fragrant foliage: Apple mint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and scented Pelargoniums to add fragrance to bouquets.
Bulbs mentioned: Alliums, Gladioli, Lillies, Narcissi and Tulips.
Buckingham brew: Nettles and Comfrey tea combo to feed plants organically.
Jessicaâs major influence is Gill Hodgson, who set up Flowers From The Farm back in 2011. From humble beginnings, its membership is now more than 1,000 independent British growers, of which Jess is a member. The website allows you to search for your nearest local flower farmer.
Peach Fuzz, Pantone Colour of the year 2024.
Jessâs desert island essentials: Tool - the versatile Hori Hori Knife, plus a couple of plants one of the velvety purple mophead hydrangeas and Geranium âAttar of Rosesâ famed for its amazing rose scented fragrance.
Find out more about Jessicaâs flower farm, workshops and pick-your-own here
You can also follow Jessica on Facebook and Instagram
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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June is here and with it brings the sun and fun in the garden! In this monthâs Dig It, Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss the latest gardening news stories, events, and those all-important gardening tasks, plus celebrating DIG ITâs inclusion into the Rephonic top 15 gardening podcasts!
Whatâs On
3 - 9th June British Flowers Week celebrating the variety and skills of the nationâs flower growers.
8th June: Royal Windsor Flower Show in Windsor Great Park, Windsor.
8 - 9th June: London Open Gardens event.
13 - 16th June: BBC Gardeners' World Live at the NEC in Birmingham.
21st - 23rd June; Blenheim Palace Flower Show, Oxfordshire.
People, gardens, products and plants mentioned. Tom Stuart Smith, Val Bourne, Jonathan Sheppard - Cosmos National Collection and Dame Judi Dench plants the Sycamore gap seedling. Water Aid Garden, Octavia Hill Community Garden with the National Trust. The RHS No Adults Allowed Garden, Malvern Garden Houseplant Studios, Hanley Open Side Building from Malvern, and Taylors Bulbs win their 31st Gold medal.
Miracle Gro, Tomorite Tomato Feed, Enviromesh or garlic spray to deter carrot fly. Slug copper tape, Slug Gone, beer traps and coffee grounds.
Euonymus Green Spire and Euonymus Jean Hugues (good box alternative). Rose âEmma Bridgewaterâ from David Austin and the âWith Courageâ from Peter Beales.
Make direct sowings of Peas, Beans, Courgettes, Sweetcorn, Lettuce, Carrot, Spring Onions, Radish and flowers Nasturtiums, cornflowers, and calendulas.
News
Winner of the RHS Plant of the Year Prunus âStarlightâ. Runner up: Cosmos âCherry Chocolateâ.
Bromeliads cultivated at Walton Hall in Cheshire.
Growing plants should be on the curriculum.
Kew âCarbonâ Garden created.
Scientists eavesdrop the sounds from the soil.
Long grass is benefiting butterflies says charity.
RHS Garden Wisley opens Oakwood Summerhouse to pay homage to Ellen Willmott.
National Trust revamps some gardens by future proofing with more resilient planting.
Aviva issues flood risk warning as residents turn to artificial lawns.
Jekka McVicar recipient of the Prince Edward Award.
Oudolf landscape opens at Wisley.
Lack of collective of nouns of trees.
Auckland gardens regeneration in County Durham.
Roses at risk from lack of genetic diversity.
A UK first Tulbaghia National Collection at Eastwood Park Prison.
25 years of research creates UK first for oak seeds.
King Charles III to continue as Patron of the National Garden Scheme, and is the new patron of the RHS.
Top 5 bedding plants 1 Geranium Zonal Mixed 9-pack, 2 Geranium Zonal, 13cm, 3 Hedera (ivy) Mixed, 9cm, 4 Geranium Ivy Leaf Mixed and at 5 Petunia Mixed carry pack.
In our next podcast we chat with Jessica Naish from Buckingham Flower Farm about the growing cut flowers.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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In this episode of Dig It Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Huw Richards. Huwâs mission is simple - to help as many people as possible to grow their own food. He documents his productive garden through his hugely popular YouTube Channel. Heâs just published a new book with Sam Cooper, The Self-Sufficiency Garden book, which focuses on the growing and cooking side of grow your own.
Plants mentioned: Apples, Asparagus, Basil, Basil Mint, Beetroot, Beans, Blackcurrants, Carrots, Comfrey and Nettle Tea, Courgettes, Garlic, Gooseberries, Garden peas, Leeks, Nasturtiums, Onions, Pea shoots, Padron Peppers, Potatoes, Runner beans, Spring Cabbage, Sweetcorn, Squash, Tomatoes and Turnips.
Products mentioned: BBQs, Chickens (for eggs and manure), Firepit, Raised beds, James Wongâs Grow Your Own Drugs: Easy Recipes for Natural Remedies and Beauty Treats book and Water Butts. Making Jadam Liquid Fertiliser video.
Desert Island essentials: A Swiss army pocket knife and maybe practise the new art of âsand gardeningâ!
Horticultural heroes: Huwâs Dad has been a major influence, who was in turn influenced by the hit BBC TV comedy The Good Life, No-Dig guru Charles Dowding, John Seymour, Percy Thrower, and James Wong.
Follow Huw on Instagram @huwsgarden
Follow Sam Cooper on Instagram @chef.sam.black
Huw Richards YouTube Channel
Huw has written four books with DK: Veg in One Bed (2019), Grow Food For Free (2020), The Vegetable Growerâs Handbook (2022) and The Self-Sufficiency Garden, written with good friend and colleague Sam Copper (2024).
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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May is the month our beds, allotments and containers explode with colour and energy.
Whatâs on
3rd - 4th May Tobyâs Garden Festival at Powderham Castle, Kenton.
3rd - 5th May BBC Gardenersâ World Spring Fair at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.
9 â 12th May RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Three Counties Showground, Malvern.
12th May Borde Hill Specialist Spring Plant Fair, Haywards Heath.
17th - 26th May Floralies Internationales, Vendee, France.
20th May World Bee Day
21st - 25th May RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
25th - 28th May Blenheim Palace Flower Show
25th May - 2nd June National Childrenâs Gardening Week will again be partnering with THE WORLD OF PETER RABBITâą this May half term.
30th May - 3rd June Bloom at the Visitors Centre, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Plants mentioned: Aquatics - water lilies, marginals and oxygenators can be established now. Camellias, Cauliflowers, Cherries, Cucumbers, Chili peppers, Courgette, Daffodils, Dahlias, âEnormaâ Runner Beans, French bean âCobraâ, Forsythia, Gooseberries, Helenium, Hosta, Iris, Kale, Malus (crab apples), âPadronâ Pepper, Potatoes, Roses, Sedum, Sweet peas, Sunflowers, Sweet Corn and Tulips.
Products mentioned: Fertilisers â Doff, Growmore and Tomorite, Tea for soaking bean seeds and Speedplanters.
This monthâs Dig It Top 5: Most popular liquid feeds
News
Climate change and verticillium wilt puts brewers hops under threat.
Kew scientists assess extinction risk of flowering species using computer modelling
Readers to the trade magazine Horticulture Week voted for Alan Titchmarsh and bagged compost as the most influential person and product impacting the gardening world over the past 50 years.
A major revamp of Torbayâs 100-year-old Italian garden brings 1,600 new plants after 40 cabbage palms were felled.
Yorkshire base, fourth generation rhubarb grower @ehubarbrobert is a social media hit.
An OBE for garden designer and landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith. The RHS have awarded Neil Lucas of Knoll Gardens and Nurseryman Chris Young the prestigious Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH). The Elizabeth Medal of Honour was bestowed on non-dig guru Charles Dowding for his outstanding contribution to horticulture as a non-professional gardener.
New initiative to revive railway hedges.
Latest DNA fingerprinting could help identify lost apples that are resistant to climate change.
International Womenâs Day: 100+ Leading Women in Horticulture 2024 announced.
University of Sussex launches The Big Bee Hotel experiment to discover more about bees that nest in artificially created habitats.
New Tulip variety named after King Charles III unveiled at Keukenhof.
Garden Organics says the Government isnât moving fast enough on the peat ban.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens go through âgreen auditâ for the first time.
ÂŁ12million Lottery Heritage Fund to restore Great Yarmouthâs historic winter gardens, the last surviving Victorian ironwork glasshouse on a seaside promenade.
Londonâs Royal Parks have openings for ten apprentices.
Weather causes concern with potato farmers.
Discover how to take part in this yearâs Henchman Topiary awards.
Gardens start to bounce back visitor numbers wise with Kew Garden and RHS Wisley and the Royal Botanic Garden at Edinburgh taking the top spots.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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In this edition of Dig It, Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Barry Smith, Head Gardener at the National Trustâs Stowe Landscape Gardens, near Buckingham. Barry has been at Stowe for over 40 years and head gardener for over 25 so he knows this garden with immense passion and understanding. Stowe, a world-famous 18th century garden was created by such luminaries as Charles Bridgeman, William Kent and Lancelot âCapabilityâ Brown. For over 300 years these spectacular gardens have been welcoming tourists far and wide.
Plants mentioned: Roses, annuals (bedding), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Pinus (pine), Honeysuckle, wildflowers, Snakeâs head Fritillary (featured in Barryâs funny story), Lime, Beech, English Elm and Dutch Elm resistant varieties and Snowdrops (Galanthus).
The Gardens Trust, National Trust and the Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust (for networking, sharing knowledge and celebrating success stories locally and beyond).
Barryâs top two favourite gardens: Stourhead Gardens near Mere, Wiltshire and Stackpole, near Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Monuments, specific areas and statues mentioned at Stowe. Grecian Valley Ha-Ha, Oxford Water Lake, Lamport Garden (on-going project), Temple of Concord and Victory (Grecian Temple), Stowe School, The New Inn (old coaching house), Grand Avenue approach to the Corinthian Arch, Buckingham Parish Church, Marble Arch, and The Ice House.
Stowe gardens and school have been used for many film locations including The Crown, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Slaughterhouse Rulez, Stardust and in the James Bond film The World is Not Enough.
Barryâs Desert Island luxuries Felco secateurs and a Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera).
To find out more about Stowe Landscape gardens click on this link and maybe become a volunteer.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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Many of our gardens are enjoying much earlier blooms this spring due to the mild and damp weather conditions. Peter Brown and Chris Day bring us the latest gardening news, whatâs onâs and topical gardening advice for the busy month of April.
Whatâs on
6th -7th April: Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show at Royal Cornwall Show Ground near Wadebridge, features a Grow Your Own space and Tipi Talks as well as dazzling displays and exquisite exhibits.
Saturday 13th April: Hanami Blossom Day at Brogdale Farm, Faversham, Kent. Open 10am-3pm. Discover Japanese art and culture amidst the breathtaking blossoming orchards, plus so much more.
15th â 28th April: A celebration of Spring: from blossom to bluebells at Hever Castle Gardens in Kent.
18th - 21st April: RHS Urban Show set in the heart of Manchester (Depot Mayfield), celebrates your own oasis in this new immersive gardening experience.
Sunday 21st April: Plant Fairs Roadshow at Arundel Castle in West Sussex. Open 10am-5pm. Expert nurseries will be displaying their plants in the grounds of Arundel Castle as part of the Plant Fairs Roadshow.
Monday 29th April: Rachel de Thame: A Flower Garden for Pollinators talk at the Garden Museum in Lambeth, London, by Rachel de Thame and botanical artist Lauren Lusk yours about her new book.
Plants mentioned: Comfrey (for tea), Hebe, Narcissi, Muscari (grape hyacinths), Tulips, Hydrangea âCherry Explosion,â Rose âMunstead Woodâ, Magnolia âStellataâ (Star magnolia), Primulas and Polyanthus.
Seeds to sow: Cosmos, Cowslips, Gazanias, Geraniums, Marigolds, Nasturtium, Sunflowers and wildflowers. Veggies: Parsnips, Carrots, and salad crops.
Products mentioned: Lawn seed mixtures including Johnsons Any Time, Tuff Lawn, Shade and Meadow wildflower mixture, feed Vitax Q4, Empathy Afterplant, Sulphate of Potash, Fungus Fighter for preventative box treatment. Box alternatives - Euonymus âJean Huguesâ and E. âGreen Spireâ, Evergreen honeysuckle hedging. Flowering hedges including Lavender and Hedge Germander. Garden hoe. Water retaining gel, Vitax Q4 and continuous (slow release) control fertiliser.
Peter and Chrisâs bluebell wood recommendations: Hazelborough Woods (Silverstone, Northamptonshire) and The Woodland Trustâs College Wood (Nash, Milton Keynes).
News
101 Charles Darwin lookalikes gather at threatened 550-year-old oak tree in record attempt protest.
Global tree of the year winners announced.
Sycamore gap tree update
Californian Redwoods make it big in the UK
Government dashes hopes for horticulture with underwhelming reforms
More Scottish gardens open under the SGS to help the Perennial charity.
Finalist of the RHS Britain in Bloom competition announced.
International Orchid Show moves to Gardenersâ World Live.
Glow-in-the-dark Petunia âFireflyâ launched in the United States.
A new Rose âWith Courageâ in conjunction with RNLI from rose breeder Peter Beales.
A change in shift of food production with wider diversification of crops.
The NHS could save ÂŁ6.7 billion a year if everyone ate plant based food.
New Backyard Biodiversity Report from Garden Organics.
Top RHS plant diseases ranked from results in 2023.
Dig It Top 5: This month Grass seed best sellers.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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The temperature rises in this edition of Dig It as Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with passionate chilli grower Jason Breed. Jason, a seed specialist from Moles Seeds, gives a full rundown of the growing of these popular fiery fruits, a look at what makes chillies so hot, plus some insightful advice on getting the best from your plants and using them in the kitchen.
Chilli peppers are varieties of the berry-fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for their pungency. Chilli peppers are widely used in many cuisines as a spice to add âheatâ to dishes. There are many health benefits associated with chillies too.
The Scoville Scale is a measurement of pungency (spiciness or âheatâ).
Jason famously created a Chocolate Chip Chilli Cookie featuring Habanero chillies at the Garden Centre.
Products mentioned: Products derived from chillies including sprays for bears, elephants (using barriers of chilli plants) and as an effective squirrel deterrent. Use Vermiculite at seed sowing time. Use a decent seed and cutting peat-free compost such as Levingtonâs. LED plant lights to help growth. Hydroponic systems lend themselves to chilli production. Use Organic contact sprays for caterpillars, greenflies, flea beetles, sawflies and whitefly control. Fertilisers including Chilli Focus Premium Liquid Concentrated Fertiliser.
Chilli varieties mentioned: âApacheâ, âQuick Fireâ (30k on the Scoville scale), F1 hybrid, is the fastest maturing chilli available from seed with the prolific fiery red fruits produced in as little as 50 days from sowing. âRed Airâ (Birdâs eye type, Scoville Scale 70-80k), âRed Flameâ (Cayenne type, 30-50k), âRockyâ, a Jalapeno hybrid, 8k and âSantanaâ (hybrid Anaheim, 2.5-3.5k).
Open pollinated types include Scotch Bonnet, Habanero and Tabasco, where seeds can be successfully saved from these plants.
Guinness World Records declares Pepper X as worldâs new hottest chili pepper.
A garden axe would be Jasonâs essential castaway item.
The latest Guinness World Chilli eating record.
Useful links
Chillies available from the Garden Centre including Padron Chilli Pepper and De Cayenne, South Devon Chilli Farm and Chilli Ranch. Jason also mentioned a Bedfordshire commercial chilli grower.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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The traditional starting point for many gardeners - Easter - falls early this year, so thereâs much to be getting on with. Dig Itâs Peter Brown and Chris Day bring us the latest events, news and topical advice for the month.
Plants mentioned: Forsythia, Snowdrops, Winter Aconites, Narcissi, Ulmus wredei, Buxus, Euonymus Jean Hugues and Green Spire, Daffodils, Dahlias, Gladioli, Freesia, Tuberous begonias, Sunflowers, Zinnia, and Cosmos. Veg plug plants, seeds of Cabbage, Tomatoes, Runner beans, Courgettes, Squashes, Rhubarb varieties Timperley Early, Glaskinâs Perpetual and Victoria. Onion Stuttgarter Giant, Hercules F1 and Centurion F1.
Products mentioned: Garden hoe, Compost mulch, Hotbin Composter and potato polybags.
Whatâs on
Tuesday 2nd March The Woodland Trust, our charity of the year will be joining us at the Garden Centre.
Tuesday 2nd - 10th March: Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Centre, Philadelphia, US
Sunday 17th March: Rare Plant Fair at The Bishop's Palace, Wells, Somerset, 10am - 4pm.
20th -24th March: Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton
Wednesday 20th March: Orchid Day at the Garden Centre with Manos Kanellos, 11am-3pm.
Saturday 23rd March: Digby Hall Plant Fair, Sherborne, Dorset. 10am-2pm. Free admission.
Saturday 23rd â Sunday 24th March: Falmouth Spring Flower Show. This historic show features 100 classes, expert talks and activities.
Monty Donâs Spanish Gardens on BBC iPlayer
News
TV Dr Amir Khan's thoughts on gardening and mental health
A new study by the University of Surreyâs Global Centre for Clean Air Research highlighting useful evergreens which are best to clean the air.
Plant Heritage are asking gardeners across the UK to search for any rare or unusual plants in their Threatened Plants of the Year 2024 Competition.
New naturally resistant Elms are planted in Scotland.
Help for hedgehogs as robotic lawn mowers create a new safety concern.
Garden Centre highlights extent of current retail crime and violence.
A garden planned for Queen Elizabeth.
A call to arms from Monty Don encouraging shoppers to buy peat-free.
Lichens on the International Space Station.
Stink bug causes chaos Down Under.
Name your plants from Westland research.
Seiont Nurseries embrace peat-free production.
A new magnolia discovered in northern Honduras.
Garden resilience is set to change Sheffield Park and Gardens in major re-vamp.
Floral clock to be restored at Weston-Super-Mare.
Brogdale; One of the worldâs largest fruit tree collections sold.
Blueberry blues as scientists reveal the secret of its colour.
Welsh gardeners are offered ÂŁ20 vouchers to remove Cotoneaster horizontalis.
Time to get spotting with the RHS Bumblebee Trust survey.
Celebrating 125 years of the HTA.
Mr Plant Geek is the host for the new RHS Urban Show in Manchester.
Dig Itâs top 5 top selling composts of last season. Top seller Jackâs Magic All Purpose Improved, 2nd The Gardeners Multi-Purpose from Westland 3rd Levington Multi-Purpose plus John Innes, 4th Miracle-Gro Peat Free Compost and 5th Westland New Horizon All Plant Compost
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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In this edition of Dig It Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with orchid supremo Peter White. Peter began growing orchids in 1980 and he has received many awards including RHS Gold medals for his orchid displays at RHS shows and he is a qualiïŹed judge of the RHS Orchid Committee. He is currently involved in the breeding of miniature Cymbidium and miniature Phalaenopsis. Peter White is a popular speaker on orchid growing and has supported Buckingham Garden Centre over many years.
Plants mentioned: Cymbidiums, Phalaenopsis âSogo Yukidianâ, Kalanchoe, Echeveria, Streptocarpus, and Saintpaulia (African Violets).
People, places, and products mentioned: Peter took us back to the large orchid collection at Aynho Park House, with his mentor gardener and orchid enthusiast Ted Humphris. Between 1938 and 1965 Ted showed plants he had grown to the Royal Horticultural Societyâs Shows at Westminster, and he won 25 awards. Tedâs most famous plant was an orchid, Cattleya Portia which Peter discusses. Ted tended it for almost 50 years, and the second time he exhibited it at Westminster in November 1948 there were over 520 blooms, making it the biggest orchid in the world (at the time). Ted wrote two books: Garden Glory about his life as a gardener, and Apricot Village, a more general book giving snapshots of life in Aynho during Tedâs lifetime.
Solihull Orchid Society.
Orchid Judging and The British Orchid Council.
RHS Orchid Committee.
The Dutch company Floricultura are the biggest propagator of orchids with the largest laboratories in the world.
The 23rd World Orchid Conference and the 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show.
Orchid Focus Repotting Compost and Orchid Focus Bloom and Orchid Focus Grow fertiliser. Make sure you use a fertiliser on your orchids which contains no urea (Uric nitrogen). Use clear pots for Phalaenopsis - so light gets to the roots and you can observe the roots easily.
For cymbidiums use ChempakÂź High Nitrogen Feed - Formula 2. A soluble rapid growth feed which gets leaves and stems off to a strong start in summer and then follow with a Tomato Feed in autumn. Houseplant Compost, Vermiculite, potting grit. Opti flora â producers of extra-large and special Phalaenopsis. Dibleys Nursery â streptocarpus specialists. The Dutch Flower Auction in Aalsmeer, Netherlands.
How dyed blue orchids are created on YouTube.
Peterâs Orchid accessories website.
Desert Island mentions: Phalaenopsis and a decent Swiss army knife with plenty of gadgets!
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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Itâs February and the garden is starting to awake. In this edition of Dig It Peter Brown and Chris Day bring us the latest events, plants and people making the headlines as well as some topical advice on getting the best from your garden this month.
Whatâs on
1st - 29th February: Snowdrop season at Waterperry Gardens featuring over 60 different snowdrop varieties. Gardens open 10am - 5pm.
3rd February: Graft and Grow Day at Buckingham Garden Centre and held in conjunction with The Mid-Shires Orchard Group, 10am - 4pm. Scion wood swap, fruit tree grafting demos, rootstocks, and fruit trees to buy and much more.
3rd February - 10th March: Explore RHS Wisley's glasshouses for their annual Houseplant Takeover with the theme 'Plants Before Time'.
8th February - 1 May: Danger and Desire: The Seductive Power of Orchids. Exhibition at RHS Wisley.
Saturday 10th February: âGolden and Delicious - Edwardian Gardensâ A lecture by Caroline Holmes. Writtle University College, Writtle. 11.30am - 13.30pm.
Top selling potatoes in 2023 1st Charlotte (2nd early) 2nd Desire (main) 3rd Kestrel (2nd) 4th Cara (main) 5th Arran Piot (1st).
Plant mentions: Arbutus unedo, Betula (Himalayan birch), Broad beans, Dogwoods including âMidwinter Fireâ (Cornus) Hardy orchids, Fargesia (clump forming bamboo), Hedera (ivy), Mahonia, Mentha (mint), bedding Geraniums, Garlic, Sweet peas, Lettuce, Chinese money plant, Sansevieria Cylindrica Braided and Witch Hazel (Hamamelis).
People, places and product mentions: Ashridge Forest, Gertrude Jekyll, Edwardian Garden style, Georgian Parks and Gardens Round-Up weedkiller, Kathy Brownâs Garden featured on BBC Gardenersâ World, Landscape weed-suppressing fabric, Melcourt peat-free composts, houseplants fill one of the Malvern Garden Buildings at the Garden Centre, Nest boxes, Tim Chafor, Composted Bark and Hot Bin Composting.
News
Dormice under threat from wetter weather and climate change.
Bamboo is the new Japanese knotweed.
Kew experts predict horticultural trends
Grapes in, apples out â RHS predicts garden trends as climate changes
Bumper year for British wine growers as output almost doubles.
Dutch growers benefit from increased energy subsidies.
The Dutch Flower Association acknowledges peat-free growing medium for the first time.
First skatepark incorporated into a Chelsea Flower Show garden sparks debate
A Tasmanian garden wins the worldâs ugliest lawn competition (video)
DEFRA launches Forest of the National competition with the overall winner receiving ÂŁ10m to fund their project.
The RHS launches an AI chatbot called Chatbotanist to provide advice for members through their phone or PC
Oldest fungal plant named after childrenâs book author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter.
Biochar start-up Earthly Biochar has come up with a government-funded project thatâs setting out to help save Britain's ash trees.
New Mr Fothergillâs wildlife seed mix launched by BBC Children in Need.
New findings suggest flowers are evolving to self-pollinate
2023 was a record year for the National Garden Scheme
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music
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In this episode of Dig It Chris Day and Peter Brown chat with Val Bourne - a lifelong gardener and award-winning garden writer whose name will be familiar to readers of The Telegraph, Country Life, Gardens Illustrated, Amateur Gardening and Saga magazine amongst others. As well as writing and lecturing, Val is an organic hands-on gardener and by her own admission a committed plantaholic.
Plants mentioned: Agapanthus, Artemisia, Antirrhinums, Aquilegia, Aster, bee orchid, Daphne Bholua, Camassia, Cosmos, Foxgloves, flowering cherry trees, Dahlia, Dierama, Lonicera fragrantissima (winter honeysuckle), Hellebores, hardy ferns, Narcissi, Nasturtiums, Paeonia, Pears, Penstemons, Rose Champagne Moment, Rose Wildeve, Red trefoil, Yellow Rattle, Phlox, Snowdrops, Trilliums, Whitebeam, Winter sweet and Zinnia.
People, places and products mentioned: Aphids, Buglife, Adam Henson, Ann-Marie Powell (garden designer), Long tailed bees, caterpillar control in salt water, earwigs, Blackspot, Hook Norton Brewery, Ground beetles, Thames Valley radio programme Dig It (no longer broadcast), ladybirds (two, seven spot, meadow species), Book English Pastoral by James Rebanks, Jennifer Owen (zoologist) and her book Jennifer Owen - Wildlife of a Garden: A Thirty-year Study (published by RHS). Andrew Halstead, retired RHS Principal Entomologist. Rothamsted Research Station, Cedric Morris garden at Chelsea, and No Mow May.
Valâs desert island tool - Cobra headed weeder tool. Castaway plant Amsonia, the eastern blue star plant.
Valâs bookâs The Living Jigsaw, (Kew Publishing), The Natural Gardener: The Way We All Want to Garden, (Francis Lincoln) plus Valâs 10 Minute Gardenerâs range of books covering vegetable, fruit, Grow your own and flower growing.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.
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