Gardeners' Question Time

Alle afleveringen

103 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud

1. From the Archive: Halloween Special

   30 oktober 2026 · 43 min

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   Kathy Clugston dusts the cobwebs off the Gardeners’ Question Time archives for a spooky selection of supernatural gardening advice from the past 79 years of the program. Lees meer

   This Halloween special is packed with ghostly gardening tales, monstrous pumpkins, and poisonous plants.

   The panel share advice on encouraging bats into the garden, managing an invasion of spiders and revisit a compost bin so overrun with worms that it burst open.

   Along the way, Chris Beardshaw ventures into the infamous Poison Garden at Alnwick, home to over 100 toxic, intoxicating, and narcotic plants.

   Producer: Dulcie Whadcock
   Assistant Producer: Will Norton

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

   * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

2. New Forest

   23 oktober 2026 · 42 min

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   Which plants can I plant now that will survive the winter? Can you recommend a low-maintenance shrub for the garden? What should I grow to get my gardening mojo back? Lees meer

   Kathy Clugston and the GQT team are in the New Forest sharing their tips and tricks for the garden. Joining Kathy are head gardener at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Bethan Collerton, pest and disease expert, Pippa Greenwood, and garden writer and designer, Matthew Wilson.

   Later on, GQT regular Matthew Pottage visits Russell Stevens, head gardener Kensington Gardens to see the relocated Chelsea Flower Show garden.

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

3. The Potting Shed at the GQT Summer Garden Party

   16 oktober 2026 · 43 min

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   Kathy Clugston presents a special Potting Shed edition of Gardeners’ Question Time, recorded at the Summer Garden Party at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey. Lees meer

   Away from the main stage, visitors drop into the famous GQT potting shed for one-to-one advice from the panel. Dr Chris Thorogood, Marcus Chilton-Jones, Frances Tophill, Matthew Wilson, Matthew Pottage and James Wong help tackle a wide range of gardening dilemmas, from rescuing sun-scorched rhododendrons and reinvigorating star jasmine to choosing climate-resilient hedging and trees for a changing climate. Also, James Wong explores the growing scientific evidence behind gardening’s benefits for our health and wellbeing.

   Producer: Rahnee Prescod
   Assistant Producer: William Norton

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

   * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

4. Kew Gardens: Winter Containers, Late Cuttings and Indicator Plants

   9 oktober 2026 · 43 min

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   Peter Gibbs hosts Gardeners’ Question Time from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Lees meer

   Joining Peter are Ashley Edwards, James Wong and Christine Walkden - a panel with strong Kew connections. They answer questions on when is the latest time you to take cuttings, how to identify male and female ginkgo trees, and how to make the most of winter containers.

   The panellists also explore the growing appeal of perennial vegetables, discuss indicator plants as guides to soil conditions, and share some of their favourite plant stories - from giant corpse flowers and monkey puzzle trees to the first spring buds of hawthorn.

   And James Wong goes behind the scenes at Kew’s iconic Palm House to discover how one of the world’s most important glasshouses is being prepared for its next chapter.

   **NOTE** Comfrey was mentioned during this programme in a discussion about edible plants. Comfrey contains naturally occurring pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful to the liver if consumed. Although comfrey has a history of traditional culinary and medicinal use in various parts of the world, consumption is generally not recommended in the UK due to potential health risks, regardless of flower colour or variety

   Producer: Matt Smith
   Assistant Producer: William Norton

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

   * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

5. Sidmouth

   2 oktober 2026 · 42 min

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   Is there a place for sawdust in the veg patch? How best should I trim a mimosa? Can you share a remedy for my husband’s plant obsession? Lees meer

   Peter Gibbs and the GQT team are in Sidmouth answering questions from an audience of keen gardeners.

   Joining Peter to share their tips, tricks and tales are plantswoman Anne Swithinbank, pest and disease expert, Pippa Greenwood, and Head of Horticulture at the Royal Parks, Matthew Pottage. The experts discuss wedding cake trees, whether to keep or cull a rhododendron, and the reasons why houseplants may struggle to flower.

   Producer: Matt Smith
   Assistant Producer: Will Norton

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

6. Gardeners Question Time Meets DIY SOS: Redcatch Community Garden Special

   25 september 2026 · 43 min

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   As a new series of DIY SOS begins this September, the show joins forces with Gardeners’ Question Time for a collaboration that has more in common than you might think. Lees meer

   From Bristol’s Redcatch Community Garden, Kathy Clugston and Nick Knowles are joined by Ashley Edwards, Bethan Collerton and Bunny Guinness.

   Among the hubbub of the thriving community garden, the panel tackles questions on growing vegetables in a changing climate, reviving underperforming roses and creating accessible gardens for all.

   The team also explores how community gardening can improve wellbeing, support local wildlife and transform neglected spaces

   Producer: Matt Smith
   Assistant Producer: William Norton

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

   * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

7. Summer Garden Party RHS Wisley: Show 2

   18 september 2026 · 41 min

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   Kathy Clugston hosts the second of the Gardeners’ Question Time Summer Garden Party specials from RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey. Lees meer

   Joining Kathy are Pippa Greenwood, Matthew Wilson, Marcus Chilton-Jones and Dr Chris Thorogood, taking questions from an audience of keen gardeners gathered beneath the marquee at the Wisley Flower Show.

   The panel share the gardening lessons they wish they’d learned sooner, help a young gardener who has successfully grown a clementine from pips and work on solving the mystery of some unusually shaped cacti.

   There are also recommendations for planting up a sunny pergola, making the most of an unheated greenhouse through winter, and advice on how to treat against some unknown pests leaving marshmallow like residues on a well loved Hydrangea.

   And to conclude, the panel almost break into song as they are asked if there is any music that inspires them to garden.

   Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
   Assistant Producer: William Norton

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

   * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

8. Summer Garden Party RHS Wisley: Show 1

   11 september 2026 · 42 min

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   Kathy Clugston hosts the first of two Gardeners’ Question Time Summer Garden Party specials from RHS Garden Wisley. Lees meer

   Joined by James Wong, Matthew Pottage, Pippa Greenwood and Frances Tophill, Kathy takes questions from a packed marquee audience at the RHS’s flagship garden.

   Surrounded by the horticultural hubub amongst the garden's flower show, the panel discusses how to encourage flowers lower down a climbing rose, choosing plants for a recycled boat planter exposed to sea spray, and growing blueberries on alkaline soil.

   Plus, the panel investigate an unusually shaped butternut squash and reflect on the plants, gardens and memories they have found hardest to leave behind, and the opportunities that came from moving on.

   Producer: Matt Smith
   Assistant Producer: William Norton

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

   * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

9. Minstead: Colourful Borders, Resilient Brambles and Parched Plants

   4 september 2026 · 42 min

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   Kathy Clugston chairs Gardeners’ Question Time from Minstead Village Hall in the heart of the New Forest. Lees meer

   Joining Kathy are plant pathologist Pippa Greenwood, head gardener at Birmingham Botanical Gardens Bethan Collerton, and garden writer and designer Matthew Wilson. As well as being surrounded by roaming wild ponies, the panellists answer questions on drought-tolerant planting, climbing roses for dry shade, alternatives to traditional lawns and whether mulching still makes sense after an exceptionally dry summer.

   They also suggest bedding and perennial planting combinations for a sunny farm shop border, discuss why weeds and brambles seem to thrive when other plants struggle, and reflect on the garden successes and failures that this year’s hot weather has revealed.

   Also, Matthew Wilson visits the site of one of the New Forest’s recent wildfires to meet Leanne Sargeant from Forestry England to talk about the impact the fires have had on the environment.

   Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
   Assistant Producer: William Norton

   A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

   * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

   Tickets are available for the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time Summer Party 2026 held at RHS Garden Wisley on Saturday 5th September.
   Information and ticket details can be accessed via: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whats-on/gardeners-question-time-summer-garden-party

10. The Donkey Sanctuary: Drought, Biodiversity and Resilient Planting

    28 augustus 2026 · 42 min

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    Peter Gibbs hosts GQT from The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth in Devon. Lees meer

    Joining Peter are plantswoman Anne Swithinbank, pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood and the Royal Parks’ Head of Horticulture Matthew Pottage.

    Soundtracked by the braying of the sanctuary's donkey residents, the panel tackles questions on greening up a concreted-over garden, starting a new allotment during challenging drought conditions and improving the fruiting of a hardy kiwi.

    They also discuss drought-tolerant planting for clay soil, the prospects for a transplanted hibiscus, and whether changing weather patterns mean it is time to rethink when wildflower meadows are sown.

    Also, Matthew Pottage runs a special drought clinic, and the panel reveal which garden weed they would choose to champion.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

    Tickets are available for the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time Summer Party 2026 held at RHS Garden Wisley on Saturday 5th September.

    Information and ticket details can be accessed via: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whats-on/gardeners-question-time-summer-garden-party

11. From the Archive: Microclimate

    21 augustus 2026 · 42 min

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    Kathy Clugston delves into the GQT archive to explore one of Britain’s most intriguing gardening phenomena: microclimates. Lees meer

    Travelling across the British Isles, the programme uncovers how local conditions shape what gardeners can grow.
    We’ll hear stories from the subtropical gardens of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, to the urban heat islands of London and the dry conditions of East Anglia before ending up in one gardener's rather chilly frost pocket.

    Along the way, the panel suggests plants for coastal walls, city streets and challenging shade, explore exotic species thriving in unexpected places, and offer advice on everything from tropical-style planting to sweetcorn cultivation.

    Plus, a visit to St Michael’s Mount, and Derek Jarman's garden in Dungeness.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

    Tickets are available for the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time Summer Party 2026 held at RHS Garden Wisley on Saturday 5th September.
    Information and ticket details can be accessed via: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whats-on/gardeners-question-time-summer-garden-party

12. Clarkston: Peach Tress, Pirate Sheds and Late Summer Pruning

    14 augustus 2026 · 42 min

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    Kathy Clugston and the panel visit Clarkston Halls near Glasgow. Lees meer

    Joining Kathy are botanist James Wong, Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Head Gardener Bethan Collerton, and Balmoral’s Head of Gardens Kirsty Wilson.

    The panel answers questions on overwintering anemone corms, revitalising a gloomy shaded corner beneath mature lime trees, and whether an unheated Scottish greenhouse is suitable for growing peaches.

    They also discuss a mysteriously weeping houseplant, what might be causing a Japanese maple to decline, and why healthy nasturtiums can sometimes produce plenty of leaves but no flowers.

    Plus, Kirsty shares some late-summer pruning tips, and the panel reveal the gardening advice they would give to anyone just starting out.

    Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

    Tickets are available for the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time Summer Party 2026 held at RHS Garden Wisley on Saturday 5th September.
    Information and ticket details can be accessed via: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whats-on/gardeners-question-time-summer-garden-party

13. Postbag: The Hidden Gardens, Glasgow

    7 augustus 2026 · 42 min

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    Kathy Clugston hosts another Gardeners’ Question Time Postbag episode from The Hidden Gardens in Glasgow, a remarkable community green space created on a former industrial site in the heart of the city. Lees meer

    Joining Kathy to delve into your questions are Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ head gardener Bethan Collerton, Balmoral’s head of gardens Kirsty Wilson, and botanist James Wong.

    As they explore this aptly named urban oasis, the panel considers how gardeners can make the most of even the most challenging spaces, from creating green roofs to choosing the right trees for compact gardens. They also weigh up the balance between encouraging wildlife and protecting prized plants, in a lively discussion sparked by a rose-munching garden visitor.

    Along the way, head gardener Paula Murdoch reveals how The Hidden Gardens has evolved from a former tramworks site into a haven for people, plants and wildlife, with wildflower meadows, sensory planting and inventive habitat features woven through the garden.

    Also, there's advice on designing a sensory school garden, creating a wildlife-friendly pond in the smallest of spaces, and why some plants refuse to behave as the gardening books suggest.

    Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
    Assistant producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

    Tickets are available for the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time Summer Party 2026 held at RHS Garden Wisley on Saturday 5th September.
    Information and ticket details can be accessed via: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whats-on/gardeners-question-time-summer-garden-party

14. Pinchbeck: Awkward Astrantias, Watering Wisdom and Courgette Chaos

    31 juli 2026 · 42 min

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    Peter Gibbs and the Gardeners’ Question Time panel visit the Lincolnshire village of Pinchbeck, a fenland landscape shaped by waterways and a long history of horticulture. Lees meer

    On the panel are plantswoman Christine Walkden and garden designers Matthew Wilson and Bunny Guinness.

    The team tackles questions on choosing pond plants to support dragonflies, finding colourful plants for exposed, windy gardens, and why some gardeners struggle to grow much-loved astrantias. They also offer practical advice on improving courgette crops, planting around hydrangeas, and dealing with troublesome vine weevil.

    Water is a recurring theme throughout the programme. Bethan Collerton visits Winterbourne House and Garden to meet plant scientist Professor Jeremy Pritchard and uncover the remarkable ways plants depend on water, from photosynthesis and cooling to the internal hydraulic systems that keep them upright and growing.

    Back in Pinchbeck, the panel turns to a question many gardeners face during a heatwave - how often should we water our gardens? Christine shares her advice on watering deeply and effectively to help plants withstand dry conditions.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

    Tickets are available for the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time Summer Party 2026 held at RHS Garden Wisley on Saturday 5th September.
    Information and ticket details can be accessed via: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whats-on/gardeners-question-time-summer-garden-party

15. East Renfrewshire: Balcony Brilliance, Reluctant Camellias and Making The Most Of Moss

    24 juli 2026 · 43 min

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    Kathy Clugston chairs this week’s Gardeners’ Question Time from Clarkston Halls in East Renfrewshire, home to one of Scotland’s oldest horticultural societies. Lees meer

    Joining Kathy are Balmoral’s Head of Gardens Kirsty Wilson, ethnobotanist James Wong, and Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Head Gardener Bethan Collerton.

    The panel tackles questions on reluctant camellias, fragrant planting for a windswept balcony, and how to transform a shady, moss-filled shared garden.

    Along the way, Bethan visits Glasgow Botanic Gardens’ magnificent Kibble Palace, where she joins Robert Jamieson to explore botanical links across the Commonwealth, from the Australian tea tree and towering tree ferns to remarkable araucarias from the South Pacific.

    Back in Clarkston, the team shares advice on improving the quality of greenhouse-grown grapes, caring for carnivorous pitcher plants, and choosing easy, quick-growing seeds for young gardeners.

    Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

16. Birmingham: Bonsai, Black Elder, Blueberry and Bees

    17 juli 2026 · 42 min

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    Recorded at the University of Birmingham’s magnificent Elgar Concert Hall, Kathy Clugston is joined by Bethan Collerton of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Marcus Chilton-Jones of RHS Garden Bridgewater, and Dr Chris Thorogood from Oxford Botanic Garden. Lees meer

    The panel tackles a wide range of audience gardening dilemmas, from reluctant peonies and coppiced hazel, to a struggling juniper bonsai and an overgrown black elder. They also discuss how to rescue a drought-stressed blueberry, and keep colour flowing through the garden into late summer.

    Later in the show, Bethan visits Winterbourne House and Garden to meet local beekeeper Jane Nimmo to discover more about the remarkable lives of honeybees, the challenges facing wild bee populations, and the simple things gardeners can do to help pollinators thrive.

    Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

17. Spalding: Ant Infestation, Pot-Bound Olive Tree and Watering Seedlings

    10 juli 2026 · 42 min

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    Gardeners’ Question Time visits the stunning Springfields Festival Gardens in Spalding, 15 acres of beautifully designed and diverse planting, created for visitors of all ages to explore and enjoy. Lees meer

    Peter Gibbs is joined by a panel of horticultural experts - Matthew Wilson, Christine Walkden and Bunny Guinness - to answer questions from an enthusiastic audience of local gardeners. Together, they tackle a wide range of gardening dilemmas, from reviving a pot-bound olive tree to dealing with ants that have taken up residence in an exotic potted palm.

    The panel also offers practical advice on watering seedlings effectively, encouraging a mature philadelphus to flower, and successfully overwintering hollyhocks.

    Also, Grow Your Own expert Julia Parker shares her top tips for successional planting, helping gardeners enjoy a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.

    Producer: Dominic Tyerman
    Producer: Matthew Smith
    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

18. Winterbourne House and Garden: Tomatoes, Topiary and Japanese Gardens

    3 juli 2026 · 42 min

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    Kathy Clugston and the panel are in Edgbaston at the University of Birmingham’s beautiful Winterbourne House and Garden, an Arts and Crafts era gem packed with horticultural interest. Lees meer

    Joining Kathy to answer questions from a keen audience of local gardeners are Bethan Collerton, Marcus Chilton‑Jones and Dr Chris Thorogood. The team tackle everything from leggy tomatoes, to the challenge of designing a cohesive border that spans both sun and shade.

    There’s practical advice for dealing with the devastation caused by box tree moth, creative planting ideas for Japanese‑inspired gardens using unusual and architectural plants.

    Also, Bethan takes a walk around the Winterbourne grounds with head gardener Paul Cooke to discover how Gertrude Jekyll’s influence continues to shape the garden today.

    Producers: Alison Vernon-Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

19. From the Archives: A Tribute to Matthew Biggs

    26 juni 2026 · 42 min

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    In this special episode, Kathy Clugston and Peter Gibbs dip into the archives to celebrate the life and work of Matthew Biggs. Lees meer

    Matt spent four decades doing what he loved most - sharing his extraordinary knowledge of the natural world with anyone who would listen. And through the power of radio, listen they did!

    In this episode you'll hear Matt in his own words - from his very first appearance on Gardeners' Question Time in 1994, to the remarkable final broadcast he made just weeks before his passing.

    Alongside clips of Matt's encyclopaedic and witty gardening advice, you'll hear from friends, colleagues and fellow horticulturalists who knew and loved him, as well as messages from listeners, whose lives he touched in ways that go far beyond gardening.

    Producers: Matthew Smith, Rahnee Prescod and Dan Cocker
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

20. Postbag Edition: Regents Park

    19 juni 2026 · 43 min

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    Peter Gibbs and the GQT panel visit the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park, London, tackling gardening challenges in tough conditions. Lees meer

    Pippa Greenwood, Matthew Pottage, Bunny Guinness and Head Gardener of Regents Park Fiona Packe answer questions on creating a sensory hedge in rubble, choosing resilient perennials, and finding long-flowering wildflowers for shade. They also offer advice on rescuing a struggling lavender hedge and planting to support bats.

    Plus, the panel discuss managing unseasonal growth in perennials and diagnose a problem with a young monstera sharing practical tips for gardeners indoors and out.

    Producer: Dan Cocker Alison Vernon-Smith and Matthew Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    *If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002xpc6

21. Harmondsworth - Citrus, Geums and Patio Planting

    12 juni 2026 · 42 min

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    Peter Gibbs and the GQT panel visit the charming village of Harmondsworth, just moments from the bustle of Heathrow. Lees meer

    Peter is joined by James Wong, Frances Tophill and Bunny Guinness as they tackle horticultural conundrums, submitted by an audience of local gardeners. From growing citrus trees from supermarket fruit pips to distinguishing wild geums from their cultivated cousins, the panel share practical advice and horticultural insight.

    There’s guidance on reusing compost, choosing hydrangeas for tricky shady spots and selecting the right planting choices to create year-round impact on a patio.

    Later in the show, Frances explores the benefits of horticultural therapy with a local practitioner, Hardip Singh Lawana MBE, uncovering how gardening can support wellbeing and bring people together.

    And to finish, the panel reveal which weeds they’d be, with answers ranging from charming to mischievous.

    Producer: Dan Cocker, Rahnee Prescod and Alison Vernon-Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/guide

22. Diss: Gravel Gardens, Camellia Care and Ways to Weather Drought

    5 juni 2026 · 42 min

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    Peter Gibbs and the Gardeners’ Question Time panel visit Diss, on the Norfolk–Suffolk border, where heavy clay soils meet some of the driest conditions in the country; a combination that keeps gardeners firmly on their toes. Lees meer

    Peter is joined by Bob Flowerdew on his home turf, alongside Christine Walkden and Bunny Guinness as they answer questions from a live audience. They advise on improving your strike rate with cuttings, diagnosing sooty mould on camellias, and deciding whether a bay tree is best kept in a pot, or given room to roam.

    Along the way, the panel also explore how to turn a tired lawn into a stylish, drought‑resistant gravel garden, debate whether lavender really needs feeding, and suggest small spring‑flowering trees that can deliver a real seasonal show.

    Later in the show, Bob shares hard‑won lessons from gardening in East Anglia, offering practical tips on coping with drought and making the most of every drop of water.

    Producer: Matt Smith
    Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/guide

23. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 - At the Bandstand

    29 mei 2026 · 42 min

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    Gardeners’ Question Time returns to the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show Bandstand. Lees meer

    Recorded in the dappled shade of plane trees and surrounded by colour and spectacle, Kathy Clugston is joined by Bunny Guinness, Matthew Pottage and Dr Chris Thorogood to tackle questions taken live from the audience, as well as a few familiar voices spotted among the Chelsea crowds.

    Topics include how to recreate the Chelsea Show Garden look on a modest budget, how to rescue a struggling acer and which plants will thrive on an exposed rooftop terrace.

    The panellists also offer practical advice on reviving an unhappy olive tree, planting for waterlogged ground and supporting pollinators with the best bee‑friendly plants.

    Along the way, there are design tips on balancing bold colour schemes and plenty of inspiration drawn straight from the show gardens themselves. Expect expert guidance, seasonal know‑how and lively horticultural debate — all set against one of gardening’s most celebrated backdrops.

    Producers: Matt Smith
    Dan Cocker
    Rahnee Prescod

    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

24. Chelsea Flower Show 2026 - Postbag

    22 mei 2026 · 43 min

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    Kathy Clugston and Peter Gibbs are at the Chelsea Flower Show for a special postbag episode of Gardeners' Question Time. Lees meer

    From the showground of the world’s most celebrated horticultural event, they're joined by a stellar panel - former Chelsea exhibitor and medal-winning designer Matthew Wilson, one of the world's leading authorities on plant pests and diseases, Pippa Greenwood, and making her press-day debut at Chelsea with GQT, Head Gardener at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Bethan Collerton.

    As Kathy and the panel roam the show gardens answering questions submitted by listeners, they catch up with several garden designers behind this year’s show, including Frances Tophill (The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden), Sarah Fisher and Janice Molyneux (The Sightsavers Garden) and Patrick Clarke (The Children’s Society Garden). They explore the ideas, craftsmanship and planting inspiration behind their Chelsea creations, from sensory container gardens to spaces designed for well-being and connection.

    Meanwhile, Peter takes the roving reporter mic inside the Great Pavilion, discovering the science behind our gardens, speaking to exhibitors, and uncovering the latest innovations in horticulture and biodiversity research.

    The panel tackles everything from gardening in challenging coastal conditions, to choosing the right trees for privacy and produce, as well as tips on drying flowers for wedding confetti, and solving the mysteries of struggling container plants and stubborn succulents.

    Producers: Dan Cocker, Matt Smith and Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

25. Serge Hill Project

    15 mei 2026 · 43 min

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    In a special Gardeners’ Question Time episode to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, the programme is at the Serge Hill Project, an inspirational garden that promotes working with nature to radically transform people's health and well-being. Lees meer

    Renowned landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, and Tom’s partner, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist Sue Stuart-Smith, join regular panellists Pippa Greenwood, Christine Walkden, and Anne Swithinbank to answer listener questions.

    The programme also features a generous and brave final appearance from GQT panellist Matt Biggs.

    Matt has been a GQT panellist since 1994, and has been battling cancer for six years. Tragically, Matt’s cancer has now entered its end-stage. Matt wanted to record this programme, knowing it would be his last appearance on Gardeners’ Question Time, surrounded by his longtime friends and GQT colleagues.

    Listeners will hear questions answered by the GQT panel of gardening experts, but they will also hear about Matt’s journey from initial diagnosis to his current mental and physical condition. At times Matt’s words are upsetting, raw, and honest, however it is Matt’s wish that his story is told partly as advice for other sufferers and also to serve as inspiration to all listeners.

    Producers: Dan Cocker, Matt Smith and Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

26. Pulham Market

    8 mei 2026 · 42 min

    Beluister deze aflevering
    Peter Gibbs and Gardeners’ Question Time panel visit visit Pulham Market. Lees meer

    Peter is joined by Bob Flowerdew, Christine Walkden and Bunny Guinness to answer questions on growing fruit in pots and choosing shrubs for deep shade, and discuss which farmyard manure is best to use on the allotment.

    Along the way, the panellists explore the challenges of quince blight, champion strawberries grown in buckets, and share suggestions for gardening activities that are accessible and engaging for people with limited mobility.

    Also, James Wong visits Kew Gardens to witness the spectacular (and pungent!) flowering of the Titan Arum, one of the rarest and most extraordinary plants in cultivation.

    There are also practical tips for sowing carrots successfully and advice on whether a well‑travelled oleander can finally be planted out.

    Producer: Matt Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/guide

27. From The Archives: Summer Colour

    1 mei 2026 · 43 min

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    Kathy Clugston guides us through the GQT archives to hear how our panellists and experts, old and new, advise on delivering dazzling displays of summer colour. Lees meer

    Along the way, the gardeners explore how thoughtful structural planting underpins great colour all season long, explain why deadheading matters, and reveal the origins of the Chelsea chop.

    They also advise on watering in hot weather, compost mixes for long-lasting displays, and the surprising relationships between insects and plants. So if you're anti-Ant, hear how Dr Chris Thorogood gives some positive PR to these charming creatures often mislabelled as 'pests'.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

28. The Great Barn: Chillies, Camellias and Consciousness

    24 april 2026 · 42 min

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    Peter and Gardeners’ Question Time panel visit the historic Great Barn in Harmondsworth. Lees meer

    Beneath the medieval beams, Peter is joined by Bunny Guinness, Francis Tophill and James Wong as they tackle a wonderfully wide‑ranging set of questions from the audience that are as thought‑provoking as they are informative.

    Are plants conscious? Why do camellia buds turn brown and drop? And which plants might humans take to grow on another planet?

    Along the way, there’s practical advice on organic ways to keep vine weevils at bay, how to dry lilac flowers, and what to grow in pots in a narrow alleyway with limited light.

    Later in the show Chris Beardshaw talks all things pruning - why, when and how.

    Producer: Dan Cocker
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/guide

29. Bolton

    17 april 2026 · 42 min

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    Kathy Clugston and the Gardeners' Question Time panel visit the outskirts of Bolton in Lancashire. Kathy is joined by RHS Bridgewater Curator Marcus Chilton-Jones, Garden Designer Matthew Wilson and Plantswoman Christine Walkden. Lees meer

    The panellists tackle what to do about an overwhelming stash of black plastic pots, advise on why a listener's new compost bin is lacking in worms, and suggest plants for shady clay areas beneath mature beech trees.

    Other questions cover planting for waterlogged borders, homemade foliar feeds for seedlings, and opening a wildlife-focused garden for the National Garden Scheme.

    Later in the programme, Bunny Guinness shares spring propagation tips, including softwood and basal cuttings and using an aeroponic propagator.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/guide

30. Edgworth & District

    10 april 2026 · 43 min

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    Kathy Clugston and the Gardeners' Question Time panel visit the picturesque Lancashire village of Edgworth, nestled on the edge of the West Pennine Moors. Lees meer

    This week, the team are being hosted by the Edgworth and District Horticultural Society. Kathy is joined by Matthew Wilson, Christine Walkden and Marcus Chilton‑Jones, answering questions from an enthusiastic local audience.

    The team shares practical advice on topics from choosing the best potatoes to grow for chips, to bee‑friendly planting in boggy conditions, and share reflections on the sentimental value of well‑loved gardening tools.

    Later in the programme, Matthew Pottage delivers a timely spring masterclass on dividing grasses and perennials.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/guide

31. Postbag Edition: Mary Berry's House

    3 april 2026 · 43 min

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    Peter Gibbs and the GQT panel have traded parks and community gardens for a visit to the Oxfordshire home of Dame Mary Berry. On this week's panel are Matthew Pottage, Christine Walkden and Bunny Guinness. Lees meer

    Among today’s questions, the panellists troubleshoot evergreen roses plagued by black spot, unravel the mystery of why clematis keep failing on one side of a small London garden, and help a listener planning a late‑August wedding by suggesting plants that peak at the tail end of summer.

    Later in the programme, Mary shares her own gardening triumphs, from peaches ripened under winter covers, to treasured raised beds of herbs, strawberries and asparagus.

    Producer: Dan Cocker
    Assistant Producer: William Norton
    Producer: Matt Smith

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

32. Vale of Glamorgan

    27 maart 2026 · 43 min

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    Kathy Clugston is joined in the Vale of Glamorgan by Bethan Collerton, Anne Swithinbank and Chris Beardshaw, where they tackle horticultural conundrums from a live audience. inspired by the region’s famously fertile landscape - from the mysteries of the old‑fashioned mangelwurzel, to advice for struggling houseplants, and recommendations on how to manage a towering six‑foot cactus. Lees meer

    The team also shares practical advice on reviving a neglected greenhouse, caring for a long‑loved pot‑bound rhododendron, and encouraging lemons and limes to ripen in coastal South Wales.

    Later in the show, Pippa Greenwood offers timely spring guidance on staying ahead of slugs and other emerging pests, helping gardeners protect tender new growth as the season gets underway.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/guide

33. From the Archives: Water

    20 maart 2026 · 43 min

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    Kathy Clugston steers the ship through the deep waters of the GQT archive where a variety of panellists, old and new, discuss solutions to a variety of water related gardening challenges. Lees meer

    They debate the question of rainwater vs tap water for plants, restoring waterlogged clay soil and alternatives to water butts in narrow terrace gardens. There's also advice on flood‑damaged garden recovery and recommendations for trees for flood‑prone & drought‑prone parkland.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

34. Sully & District: Blooming Cacti, Shallow Depth and Signs of Spring

    13 maart 2026 · 42 min

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    What climbing plants thrive in shallow soil? How can you coax your Christmas cacti into a dazzling display? What’s your favourite first sign of spring? Lees meer

    Kathy Clugston brings a hand‑picked panel of horticultural experts to Sully, Wales, where they tackle a lively audience’s gardening questions with insight, warmth and plenty of good humour.

    Joining Kathy are garden designer Chris Beardshaw, houseplant specialist Anne Swithinbank, and Bethan Collerton, head gardener at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Together, they share their practical know‑how, creative ideas, and passion for all things green.

    Pippa Greenwood meets Samantha Smith from the Horticultural Trades Association to explore the new Simpler Recycling initiative, and what it means for clearing out old pots, containers, and other garden clutter.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Junior Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

35. Hertfordshire

    6 maart 2026 · 43 min

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    This week, the GQT team are in North Hertfordshire, where Peter Gibbs is joined by Bunny Guinness, Juliet Sargeant and Bob Flowerdew to tackle a fresh crop of horticultural conundrums. Lees meer

    The panellists delve into the challenges of taming coarse grasses in would‑be meadows, ponder why one listener’s tomatoes are thriving better outdoors than under glass, and offer practical approaches to managing soil health and watering, to keep a community allotment productive with less labour.

    They also discuss the secrets behind successfully rehoming family rhubarb from the Yorkshire Triangle, explore how to rejuvenate a towering Mahonia, and end the show with novel ways to encourage members to join the local gardening society.

    Also, Matthew Biggs celebrates the spring magic of our native bluebells, and advises us on the careful stewardship of these beautiful but delicate plants.

    Producer: Matthew Smith
    Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

36. Postbag Edition: Ninewells Community Garden

    27 februari 2026 · 42 min

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    Kathy Clugston and GQT team have packed their wellies for a trip to the Ninewells Community Garden in Dundee. Lees meer

    Kathy is joined by Matthew Pottage, Neil Porteous and Kirsty Wilson to explore the grounds whilst delving into the GQT Postbag together.

    Among todays questions, the panellists break down which leaves are better to compost than others, tackle a listener’s battle against tomatoes with tough skins, and debate the long‑term impact of weed‑suppressing membranes on soil health.

    They also explore the ins and outs of olive tree care, suggest the perfect daisies to plant in a pair of cherished old police boots, and consider which dramatic grasses can bring structure and movement to a no‑mow lawn rooted in very sandy soil.

    Later in the show, Garden Facilitator at Ninewells Community Garden, Mary Colvin, leads the team on a tour of the vibrant community garden, sharing how gardening and green spaces can boost wellbeing, support recovery, and promote a holistic approach to health.

    Producer: Dan Cocker
    Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

37. Chaldon

    20 februari 2026 · 42 min

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    Peter Gibbs and the GQT team are in Chaldon. Lees meer

    Peter's joined by Anne Swithinbank, Pippa Greenwood and Matthew Pottage.

    This week the panel take on a wide range of gardening dilemmas, from how to reach into borders without treading on emerging plants, to which colourful plants thrive in shady, chalky soil. When it comes to growing veg, the team also has answers on whether leaving weeds in place can help crops during extreme heat, and tips on non‑chemical approaches to protecting cabbages and sprouts from hungry pests.

    The panellists also discuss how their plant recommendations have changed over the years, and which plants they now avoid altogether!

    Later in the show, we hear from Peter’s visit to RHS Wisley where he spoke with RHS Chief Horticultural Advisor, Guy Barter, and Botanist and Taxonomist, Dr Kálmán Könyves to follow up on last year’s Daffodil diaries scheme.

    Producer: Matthew Smith

    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

    * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

38. Tyne Valley

    13 februari 2026 · 42 min

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    Kathy Clugston and the GQT team are in Tyne Valley, Newcastle. Lees meer

    Kathy's joined by Dr Chris Thorogood, Bethan Collerton and Matthew Wilson, who tackle a variety of questions from troubled Aspidistra, yellowing Choisya and planting for winter colour. The team also discusses beech hedges, how to tackle the issue of invasive Japanese knotweed and unlikely exotics thriving in northern gardens.

    Later in the show, Bunny Guinness enlightens us on the benefits and use cases of grow lights within greenhouses.

    Producer: Dan Cocker

    Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

    To view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time and open this week's episode page.

39. Kimpton

    6 februari 2026 · 42 min

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    Peter Gibbs and the GQT team are in Kimpton, Hertfordshire. Lees meer

    He's joined by Bob Flowerdew, Bunny Guinness and Juliet Sargeant.

    With questions submitted from the local audience in Kimpton Memorial Hall, the panel take on a wide range of horticultural challenges, from alternatives to Valentine’s Day roses, to selecting shrubs for a north‑facing chalk‑clay garden and innovative ways of harvesting horseradish.

    The panellists also advise our questioners on how to grow figs in containers, prune winter honeysuckle and propagate daphne, and they tell us how best to manage the surprise appearance of fairy rings in a lawn.

    Alongside these questions, Marcus Chilton Jones, Curator at RHS Bridgewater shares the Do's and Don’ts of winter pruning.

    Producer: Matthew Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

40. Postbag Edition: Seaton Delaval Hall

    4 februari 2026 · 43 min

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    Kathy Clugston and the GQT team visit the Seaton Delaval Hall in Newcastle, to answer questions from the GQT postbag. Lees meer

    Today, the panel helps choose roses for a shaded memorial bed, investigates the sudden collapse of a once‑glorious wisteria, and unpicks the mystery of a white flag iris that decided to flower again in autumn, but this time in blue.

    Kathy is joined by Matthew Wilson, Bethan Collerton and Dr Chris Thorogood.

    Alongside these questions, Sarah Peilow, Head Gardener at Seaton Delaval Hall takes us on a tour of the Parterre and the South East Garden.

    Producer: Dan Cocker
    Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

41. Clara Vale

    4 februari 2026 · 42 min

    Beluister deze aflevering
    How can I lighten my orchids? Is there a reliable mix of weed suppressants and fertilisers for growing edibles? Why have the leaves of my Camelia started turning yellow? Lees meer

    This week on Gardeners’ Question Time, Kathy Clugston and a hand‑picked panel of horticultural experts head to Clara Vale to tackle the green‑fingered queries of a live audience.

    Joining Kathy are garden designer Matthew Wilson, botanist Dr Chris Thorogood, and allotmenteer Bethan Collerton, who bring their combined expertise, practical know‑how and good humour to the discussion.

    Later in the programme, Peter Gibbs visits the renowned Snowdrop Collection at RHS Wisley, where he meets fellow Galanthaphile and Snowdrops expert Jessica Jansdotter.

    Producer: Dan Cocker
    Junior Producer: Suhaar Ali

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

42. Caterham

    23 januari 2026 · 43 min

    Beluister deze aflevering
    Is it too late to plant daffodil and tulip bulbs? What are the best ideas for planting under a shaded tree? How to maintain a lawn that is regularly used for football? Lees meer

    This week on Gardeners’ Question Time, Peter Gibbs and a hand‑picked panel of horticultural experts head to Caterham to tackle the green‑fingered queries of a live audience.

    Peter is joined by Pippa Greenwood, Matthew Pottage and Anne Swithinbank.

    Alongside these questions, we hear from Bethan Collerton who visited Wrexham to find out more about the RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood' Scheme and how it has benefited the community and the gardeners involved.

    Producer: Matt Smith
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

43. Firth of Tay

    12 januari 2026 · 42 min

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    Do the panel have any unusual gardening habits? Can I grow a Walnut tree in Dundee? Lees meer

    Kathy Clugston heads to the stunning Firth of Tay with a hand-picked panel of gardening experts, ready to answer questions from an enthusiastic, plant-loving audience.

    Joining Kathy are garden designers, botanists and allotmenteers Matthew Pottage, Kirsty Wilson and Neil Porteous, bringing their wealth of knowledge and practical tips to the discussion.

    Also, Bunny Guinness shares her gardening resolutions for the year ahead, offering inspiration for anyone planning a fresh start in their own green spaces.

    Senior Producer: Dan Cocker
    Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

44. Postbag Edition: Sefton Park Palm House

    2 januari 2026 · 42 min

    Beluister deze aflevering
    How do I maintain a hot compost bin? Do Begonias have a finite life? How do I successfully grow a pineapple? Lees meer

    Kathy Clugston and a panel of hearty horticulturalists venture to the Sefton Park Palm House in Liverpool, while digging into the GQT postbag, to solve your trickiest gardening conundrums.

    Joining Kathy to explore this historic palm house are botanist James Wong, proud plantswoman Bethan Collerton, and head of RHS Bridge Water, Marcus Chilton Jones. They're also joined by head gardener of Sefton Park, Colin Hughes.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

45. From The Archives: Seasons Greetings

    26 december 2025 · 43 min

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    How do you remove mistletoe? How can you protect plants from frost damage? And why do brassicas develop clubbed roots? Lees meer

    Kathy Clugston delves into the Gardeners’ Question Time archives to uncover timeless festive gardening wisdom.

    Drawing on decades of horticultural expertise, GQT panellists and chairs — past and present — share trusted, practical advice for every green-fingered dilemma. From tackling mistletoe to safeguarding plants against winter cold, their knowledge is as enduring and deep-rooted as the gardens they tend.

    Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

46. Wrexham County Borough: Rose Cuttings, Begonias and Hydrangeas

    22 december 2025 · 42 min

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    Is there a foolproof way to take rose cuttings? Why have my hydrangeas turned from blue to pink? And do begonias have a lifespan limit? Lees meer

    Kathy Clugston is in the vibrant Wrexham County Borough, where an enthusiastic audience puts their gardening dilemmas to an expert panel.

    Joining Kathy are celebrated garden designer and botanist James Wong, horticulturist Bethan Collerton, and Marcus Chilton-Jones, curator of RHS Bridgewater – the sharpest tools in the GQT shed.

    Later in the programme, Kirsty Wilson shares her top tips for growing holly successfully.

    Senior Producer: Dan Cocker
    Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

47. Dundee: Amaryllis, Monkey Puzzles and Australian Plants

    12 december 2025 · 43 min

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    What is the best way to take cuttings of a monkey puzzle tree? What plants that are grown in Australia and would thrive in Dundee? Why hasn’t my Amaryllis flowered? Lees meer

    Kathy Clugston brings together a perfectly curated panel of gardening experts at the V&A Dundee to tackle these questions from an enthusiastic, plant-loving audience.

    Joining Kathy on the panel are garden designers, botanists and allotmenteers Matthew Pottage, Kirsty Wilson and Neil Porteous.

    Also, Matthew Pottage slips away for an exclusive look at the V&A Dundee’s fascinating exhibition Garden Futures: Designing With Nature, guided by curator James Wylie.

    Senior Producer: Dan Cocker
    Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

48. Waltham Forest: Coriander, Sow-By-Date and Perennials

    5 december 2025 · 42 min

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    How do you grow coriander successfully from seed? Do seeds have a sow-by-date? And will your treasured perennials thrive in the challenging Scottish climate? Lees meer

    Kathy Clugston hosts from the beautiful St Mary’s Church in Walthamstow, where a lively audience puts their gardening dilemmas to an expert panel. Joining Kathy are renowned garden designer and botanist James Wong, horticulturalist Matthew Biggs, and allotment enthusiast Frances Tophill, ready to share their knowledge and practical advice.

    Later in the programme, Anne Swithinbank offers her essential tips on preparing your garden to withstand the winter months ahead.

    Producer: Matthew Smith
    Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

49. Henley-on-Thames

    28 november 2025 · 42 min

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    What’s the strangest thing wildlife has whisked away from your garden? How can I prevent codling moth from spoiling apples? And how do I make reliably nutritious compost using horse manure? Lees meer

    Peter Gibbs and a panel of green-fingered experts return to Henley-on-Thames, where a lively audience of passionate gardeners awaits answers to their most pressing horticultural dilemmas.

    Joining Peter are pest and disease specialist Pippa Greenwood, head gardener Matthew Pottage, and the ever-enthusiastic plantswoman Christine Walkden.

    Later in the programme, Bunny Guinness offers her expert advice on creating your very own dead hedge.

    Senior Producer: Dan Cocker
    Junior producer: Rahnee Prescod
    Assistant Producer: Suki Glocking
    Assistant Producer: William Norton

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

50. Chirk: Pickled Onions, Tall Perennials and Picky Pests

    21 november 2025 · 43 min

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    Why are my herbaceous perennials growing so tall? What is the best type of onions to grow for pickling? Why do pests prefer my burgundy blooms over the rest? Lees meer

    Kathy Clugston and an esteemed panel of gardening experts are in Wrexham to answer the questions of a green fingered audience.

    Joining Kathy on the panel are garden designers, botanists and alotmenteers Marcus Chilton-Jones, Bethan Collerton and James Wong.

    Bethan Collerton visits Wales in Bloom winners Nichola Ellis and Craig Youens for some insight on how they’ve achieved such an accolade on behalf of Wrexham.

    Senior Producer: Dan Cocker
    Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4