Gardeners' Question Time - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Clandeboye Estate Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

What’s soil type works best in terrariums? Want plants could I use to absorb the damp patches in my garden? Which unloved flower has a place in your garden?

Kathy Clugston and her team of gardening experts visit the Clandeboye estate in Bangor, where they tackle some head scratching gardening dilemmas. Joining her are ethnobotanist James Wong, garden designer Neil Porteous, and Head of Gardens at Balmoral Kirsty Wilson.

Later in the programme, Neil Porteous takes us on a fascinating journey through the Belfast Botanic Gardens, uncovering the rich history of the shamrock. From ancient legends to its deep connection with St Patrick’s Day, discover how this little green plant became one of Ireland’s most powerful symbols.

Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Walsall Arboretum: Bonsai Trees, Shrub Roses & Favourite Plants Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

How do you keep a bonsai tree thriving? Should you risk moving a well-established shrub rose? And what’s the one plant you simply couldn’t live without?

Kathy Clugston and the GQT team are back in Walsall, ready to tackle your most pressing horticultural dilemmas. Joining her are garden designers Bunny Guinness, Matthew Wilson and Marcus Chilton-Jones.

Later in the programme, Marcus Chilton-Jones visits Walsall Arboretum's oldest and most remarkable hawthorn tree. Joined by Claire Turner and Josh Madders, he uncovers the fascinating history of this ancient survivor and the secrets behind its resilience.

Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Vale of White Horse: Heuchera, Waterlogged Gardens and Hardwood Cuttings Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

What’s the best way to propagate Heuchera? How do i minimise the growth of my Wisteria and maximise flowers? Are there any low skilled gardening jobs that I could do?

Kathy and a team of experts return to The Hanneys where they solve more gardening problems. Joining Kathy to answer the questions are fanatical plantswoman Christine Walkden, dedicated botanist Dr Chris Thorogood, and passionate plant expert Matthew Biggs.

Later in the programme, Matt Biggs Hardwood cuttings, an easy and reliable method of propagating plants.

Producer: Dominic Tyerman Producer: Matthew Smith Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Walsall: Rainwater v Tap Water, Caffeinated Ants and Daffodil Diaries Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

How do we get rid of red ants? Rainwater or tap water? How can I stay motivated in the garden when it's wet and windy?

Kathy Clugston and her team of gardening gurus visit Walsall to solve some horticultural problems. Joining Kathy to answer the questions are garden designers Bunny Guinness, Marcus Chilton Jones and Matthew Wilson.

Later in the programme, Peter Gibbs visits RHS Wisley where principal scientist Kálmán Könyves educates him on their Daffodil Diaries initiative. A strategy which logs where, what and when rare and endangered narcissi bloom.

Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival: Anaerobic Digestion, Apple Maggots and Pyramid Orchids Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

Snowdrops - do you mulch, feed, or leave them alone? What's the difference between anaerobic digestion and aerobic digestion? How do I get rid of apple maggots?

Peter Gibbs and the GQT team of experts return to Shepton Mallet to solve various gardening conundrums. On the panel this week are house plant guru Anne Swithinbank, pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood, and garden designer Matthew Wilson.

Later in the programme, Anne Swithinbank and Dominic Weston discuss all things snowdrops ahead of Shepton Mallet's upcoming snowdrop festival.

Producer: Daniel Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod  Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

From the Archives: Planting for Wildlife Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Peter Gibbs guides us through the GQT archive, which includes some much needed advice on how to make your garden more wildlife friendly.

The GQT team have pruned through 77 years of questions and answers to reveal useful advice provided by our various horticultural experts. This includes tips on how to attract bats to the garden, advice on rabbit proof plants and the benefits of snakes in the garden

Later, we listen back to when Kirsty Wilson visited Glenarm Castle and discussed how we make our gardens to safe for hedgehogs.

Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

East and West Hanney Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Is gardening a solitary or a social activity? What could I grow up a garage wall? What do the panel expect to see in open gardens?

Kathy and a team of experts visit The Hanneys to solve gardeners' problems. Joining Kathy to answer the questions are fanatical plantswoman Christine Walkden, dedicated botanist Dr Chris Thorogood, and passionate plant expert Matthew Biggs.

Later in the programme, Matthew Pottage and GQT producer Dominic Tyerman visit the Sydney Botanic Gardens in Australia to understand the wide appeal of living wall gardens, as well as provide tips for making your own.

Producer: Dominic Tyerman Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Postbag: University of Exeter Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

How do I get red cedar root balls to spread? What gardening task do the panel find daunting? What are the panel’s thoughts about composting organic materials?

Kathy Clugston and her team of horticultural experts travel to the University of Exeter for a postbag edition of GQT.

While Curator of Horticulture Anthony Cockell leads Kathy and the panel around the grounds, they also dig through the GQT inbox to answer your gardening queries. On the panel this week are garden designer Chris Beardshaw, grow your own guru Bob Flowerdew, and proud plantswoman Christine Walkden.

Later in the programme, the panellists discuss the University of Exeter's national collection of Azaras, share tips on how they can add structure to the garden and provide a sensory experience.

Senior Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod  Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Cheshire West May 31, 2024

Show notes

My Fatsia plants had their stems nibbled by deer – will they recover, or should I buy new ones? Any tips on how I can get my eucalyptus plants to produce juvenile flowers? If you were building a scarecrow in your garden, what would you suggest dressing it in?

Kathy Clugston and a panel of experts are in Cheshire West to answer queries from an audience of keen gardeners. On the panel are garden designer Bunny Guinness, houseplant expert Anne Swithinbank, and curator of RHS Bridgewater Marcus Chilton-Jones.

Later, James Wong and head gardener of the Castlefield Viaduct Nancy Scheerhout discuss how the 'garden in the sky' was created, as well as how it's maintained.

Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Postbag: Horniman Museum and Gardens Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

Will my blind daffodils ever flower again, or should I just discard them? Can I use old yule logs to line my plant beds or will the harvested fruit and veg become poisonous? How can I repel spiders from my garden without using chemicals?

Peter Gibbs is joined by his enthusiastic team of horticultural experts as they dig through the GQT inbox and answer your gardening conundrums. On the panel this week are landscape architect Bunny Guinness, self proclaimed botanical geek James Wong and pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood.

They visit the Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill, where head of horticulture Errol Reuben Fernandes gives the team a tour of their historical and extensive gardens.

Later, Peter and the panel discuss whether there are house plants that can produce enough oxygen to purify air or if this is just a myth.

Senior Producer: Dan Cocker  Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod  Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

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