Occasionally, your hosts like to explore a garden in depth ..... and have a good old natter. In this episode, Dan and Julia revisit Sissinghurst Castle, starting in an area of the garden known as Delos. Recently resurrected after a long spell in the doldrums, they consider the challenges of recreating a slice of ancient Greece in Kent. Back in the studio, they each share five ways that Sissinghurst inspired them. Dan reveals his current 'must have' garden tool and shares exciting news about new product launches. Julia talks about an alternative method of training and pruning her fig tree. As usual, Dan and Julia finish off with a list of essential jobs to do in your garden over the next two weeks and tell you where they'll be popping up next.

Jobs for the fortnight

1. Finish hardening off annuals and tender perennials
2. If all danger of frost has passed, start planting containers and hanging baskets
3. Prune forsythia, flowering currant and Japanese quince
4. Take cuttings of woody herbs such as hyssop, rosemary and thyme.
5. Tie in wisteria, honeysuckle, passionflower and clematis to keep them from wandering in their own direction.
6. Pheromone traps can be hung in apple and plum trees and box hedges to control pests like codling and box moths.
7. Indoors, take stem cuttings from tradescantias, coleus, plectranthus, impatiens and pothos and root them in water.
8. Damp down greenhouse paths on hot days to increase humidity
9. Take the opportunity to clean garden furniture, jet wash patios and scrub barbecues.
10. Settle down and watch the BBC coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show - you'll have the best seat in the house.

Dan's product of the week:

Niwaki Japanese Weeding Hoe: https://www.dancoopergarden.com/products/niwaki-weeding-hoe

Dan's upcoming events:

Sunday, 19th May - Rare Plant Fair at The American Museum in Bath

Sunday, 26th May - Rare Plant Fair at Kingston Bagpuize House, Oxfordshire

Website links:

• Dan Cooper Garden
• Parker's Patch

This podcast was produced by the brilliant Scott Kennett of Red Lighthouse Local https://linktr.ee/redlocallighthouse

The episode was sponsored by Dan Cooper Garden, where garden lovers go to find outstanding garden products, sage advice, and abundant inspiration. You can shop online at dancoopergarden.com or plant fairs and garden events across the south and east of England.

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