Episodes

  • National Tree Week

    National Tree Week
    Nov 21 2024
    We’re marking National Tree Week, an annual celebration at the start of the tree planting season, and an opportunity for us to wax lyrical about the wonderful world of trees. We’ll be hearing some fascinating stories about the art of tree collecting and the human connection to our woodlands from author and artist Amy Stewart. We’ll be catching up on the latest news from RHS Garden Rosemoor as they set out on a conservation project to protect one of our most rare but little known native trees. And if you’re feeling inspired to get outside and start digging, Bob Askew will be bringing us his thoughts on the best trees for small spaces. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Bob Askew, Amy Stewart, Jonathan Webster Other Links: National Tree Week How to plant a tree Trees for small gardens Amy Stewart - The Tree Collectors Devon Whitebeam RHS Garden Rosemoor
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    30 mins
  • Medlars, Ornamental Grasses, and Elizabeth Blackwell

    Medlars, Ornamental Grasses, and Elizabeth Blackwell
    Nov 14 2024
    This week we explore the fascinating stories and brilliant work of three exceptional plantswomen. Only recently has pioneering 18th-century herbalist Elizabeth Blackwell received proper recognition for her work A Curious Herbal – a beautifully illustrated botanical text that was, for centuries, mistakenly attributed to her scandal-prone husband! Fiona Davison, Head of RHS Libraries & Exhibitions, shares insights into Blackwell’s life and her groundbreaking work, which was created at a time of rapid botanical discovery in Europe as exotic plants flooded into the Western world. We also hear from passionate plantswoman Jane Steward, a dedicated advocate for the medlar, a rare fruit that was once beloved across the UK – even by King Henry VIII. And finally horticulturist Sarah Wilson-Frost from RHS Garden Hyde Hall will be sharing some excellent advice on growing ornamental grasses to add year-round interest to your garden. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Jane Steward, Fiona Davison, Sarah Wilson-Frost, Jenny Laville Other Links: A Curious Herbal RHS Hyde Hall How to grow medlars RHS advice on growing ornamental grasses When is a grass not a grass?
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    37 mins
  • Hedgehogs, Houseplants and Homegrown veg

    Hedgehogs, Houseplants and Homegrown veg
    Nov 7 2024
    This week we find out how to help our beloved prickly friends, as RHS Senior Wildlife Specialist Helen Bostock explains the threats to hedgehogs, and what we can do as gardeners to support them. Next we head indoors to find out how tailoring your potting mix can give your houseplants a new lease of life, with the lovely folks at Soil Ninja. Finally, if you’re looking for an autumn project, why not build some raised beds? We glean some expert advice on how to go about this, with RHS horticulturist Peter Adams. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Helen Bostock, Amy Loosley, Levent Latif-Maeer, Peter Adams Other Links: National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy Hedgehog-friendly gardening Hedgehog street Wild about gardens - Get creative for hedgehogs Wild about gardens - Make friends with molluscs Soil Ninja Grow Your Own Veg Through The Year Become a member of the RHS
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    33 mins
  • Edible forests, honey fungus, and black aeoniums

    Edible forests, honey fungus, and black aeoniums
    Oct 31 2024
    This All Hallow's Eve, we’re venturing into the woods to see what treasures we can find… First up, one of the gardeners' most feared garden inhabitants is stirring. We’ll be chatting with RHS Senior Plant Pathologist Jassy Drakulic to find out about the notorious honey fungus, and how you can protect your beloved plants against infection. Next we’re stopping off at RHS Garden Rosemoor’s edible forest garden, which is based on one of the oldest forms of land use in the world. We’ll be catching up with horticulturist Peter Adams to hear more about this ancient method of permaculture. Finally, if you’re looking for a new addition to your spooky plant collection, look no further than the Aeonium 'Zwartkop.' With its dramatic magenta-black foliage, this striking rosette-shaped succulent is just one example of the remarkable diversity in colour and form within the aeonium genus. We’ll be finding out more, with the help of National Plant Collection holder Mellie Lewis. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Jassy Drakulic, Mellie Lewis, Peter Adams Other Links: More information on honey fungus RHS Garden Rosemoor Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’
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    36 mins
  • A Celebration of Autumn Colour

    A Celebration of Autumn Colour
    Oct 24 2024
    This week, Gareth Richards and Guy Barter discuss the science behind autumn colour, why some years are more dazzling than others, and what we can expect to see across the UK this year. RHS Horticultural Advisor Jenny Bowden will share a Love Letter to her favourite tree that promises to shine bright at this time of year and has a distinctive smell that would tempt anyone. We head to northeast Scotland, to explore an RHS Partner Garden - Gordon Castle Walled Garden - to find out what visitors can expect to see at this time of year, and to find out more about the history of one of the UK’s largest kitchen gardens. And we hear from the RHS Garden Wisley trials team about the results of this year's lily-flowered and fringed tulip trial and ask what we should be planting this autumn for a great display next spring. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Guy Barter, Jenny Bowden, Zara Gordon Lennox, and Roz Marshall. Other Links: Cercidiphyllum japonicum (katsura tree) Gordon Castle Walled Garden Sheffield Park and Garden Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery RHS Partner Gardens RHS Lily and Fringed Tulip Trial Results Become a member of the RHS
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    34 mins
  • Chrysanthemums, storing produce, and dividing perennials

    Chrysanthemums, storing produce, and dividing perennials
    Oct 17 2024
    This week, Gareth Richards talks to writer and designer Naomi Slade about the allure of chrysanthemums and their long history of symbolism. We head to RHS Garden Rosemoor for the second part of our series on storing produce over winter, focusing on onions, potatoes and root vegetables. And RHS Garden Wisley’s Ian Trought brings us a masterclass on dividing perennials to create more plants for our gardens next year. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Gareth Richards, Naomi Slade, Catherine Mawdsley, Ian Trought Other Links: How to grow chrysanthemums Naomi Slade Dividing perennials Become a member of the RHS
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    30 mins
  • Compost, fungi, and giant vegetables

    Compost, fungi, and giant vegetables
    Oct 11 2024
    This week, RHS Garden Wisley’s Sheila Das talks to ‘no dig’ champion Charles Dowding all about his new book on composting, and how you can go about starting the perfect sized heap to suit your own garden. We explore the wonders of mycorrhizae and learn about the beneficial relationship between fungi and the roots in our soil. And we take a trip to the Malvern Autumn Show to marvel at the display of record-breaking giant vegetables and to talk to some of the hardworking growers. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Charles Dowding, Sheila Das, Jassy Drakulic, Jenny Laville, Sebastian Suski, Peter Glazebrook, Graham Barrett Other Links: RHS Grow Your Own Veg Throughout the Year RHS Horti Curious Charles Dowding Results from Malvern Autumn Show Become a member of the RHS
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    38 mins
  • Gardening for a greener future

    Gardening for a greener future
    Oct 3 2024
    This week Gareth Richards and James Armitage journey to RHS Garden Wisley’s Hilltop Science Centre to hear how cutting edge research on the changing climate is shaping the way we think about our gardens. From coping with drought conditions and mitigating the flooding potential of our front gardens to helping pollinators in our urban environments, this week we hear from the world's leading thinkers, and unpack what it means for gardeners. Links: Sustainable planting combinations Hear more about Leon Davis’ UnPave the Way garden at Tatton RHS climate change survey
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    38 mins