Episodes

  • 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
  • Muscari, storing produce, and fungi

    Muscari, storing produce, and fungi
    Sep 26 2024
    As the cooler weather of autumn settles in, there's still plenty to do when it comes to keeping your garden in top shape. We’ll be hearing from RHS Garden Rosemoor’s Catherine Mawdsley about how to store your homegrown apples, pears, squashes, and pumpkins through the winter months. We’ll also be finding out the results of the recent Muscari (grape hyacinth) trial with horticulturist Roz Marshall, who shares some of the standout varieties ready to get in the ground now. And finally RHS senior plant pathologist Dr. Jassy Drakulic shares her love of fungi with us, ahead of National Fungus Day. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Roz Marshall, Catherine Mawdsley, Jassy Drakulic Other Links: Bumbles on Blooms (a citizen science project) Finding Fungi at the RHS Muscari trial results
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    33 mins
  • Holehird Gardens, Echeverias, and dividing perennials

    Holehird Gardens, Echeverias, and dividing perennials
    Sep 19 2024
    On this week's show we take a trip to Holehird Gardens nestled in the beautiful Cumbrian landscape, with chair of the Lakeland Horticultural Society, Maggie Mees. Next, host Jenny plunges into the mysterious world of plant biosecurity with the RHS’s self-proclaimed plant policeman Dario Spagnoli, to find out why plants need passports, and what to do if you suspect an invasive pest has hijacked your new shrub. Finally, we cast our eyes to houseplants, specifically the rosette-shaped succulents, the echeverias, with passionate plantswoman Tracey Coogan. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Maggie Mees, Tracey Coogan, Dario Spagnoli Other Links: National Plant collections episode of Gardening with the RHS Holehird Gardens RHS Plant Finder
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    36 mins
  • Balcony gardens, peat-free, and gardening for bats

    Balcony gardens, peat-free, and gardening for bats
    Sep 12 2024
    As September rolls in, there's a crispness in the air and the first signs of autumn are upon us. In this episode we demystify the peat-free with Jenny Laville and the RHS’s Peat-Free Transition Coordinator, Nikki Barker – including what the definition means for exhibitors at RHS Flower Shows who will be affected by changes to the rules. Author and vertical veg grower Mark Ridsdill-Smith reveals his top tips for turning even the tiniest balcony into a thriving, productive garden. Plus, he shares which winter greens you can start sowing now for a delicious cold-weather harvest. And as the nights draw in, it’s also mating season for bats! We chat with Jo Fergusson from the Bat Conservation Trust about how you can make your garden a haven for these fascinating nocturnal creatures. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Jenny Laville, Nikki Barker, Mark Ridsdill-Smith, Jo Fergusson Other Links: RHS Peat-Free Gardening hub The RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship Research areas at RHS Science Vertical Veg Bats in your garden Bat Conservation Trust - Sunset Survey
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    41 mins
  • Bearded irises, asters, and bitterns

    Bearded irises, asters, and bitterns
    Sep 5 2024
    This week, renowned nurserywoman Claire Austin shares her top picks of stunning bearded irises – the perfect blooms to plant now for a burst of beauty next spring. Plus, join us as we explore the vibrant world of asters with Helen Picton, discovering how these late-flowering gems can add a splash of colour to your garden just when it needs it most. And finally, we'll take a look at the remarkable conservation success story of the bittern, a bird that owes its booming comeback to the vital wetland habitats many of us can help protect. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Claire Austin, Helen Picton, Jarrod Sneyd, Kate Bradbury, Helen Bostock Other Links: How to grow irises Claire Austin Plants Old Court Nurseries Malvern Autumn Show Leighton Moss Nature Reserve
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    34 mins
  • Unexpected Opportunities in a Changing Landscape

    Unexpected Opportunities in a Changing Landscape
    Aug 29 2024
    This week, we're teaming up with The Plant Review magazine to explore how to future-proof your garden in the face of our changing climate. We discover resilient plants that thrive in both flood and drought conditions, and take a fascinating trip to a nursery that’s successfully cultivating greenery in pure sand. Plus, we find out why the unusually named Ungnadia could soon become a common sight in urban landscapes. Host: Gareth Richards and James Armitage Contributors: Jenny Bowden, Elisabeth Karlstad Larsen, Thomas Freeth, Philip Clayton Other Links: The Plant Review How to choose plants for seasonally wet and dry soils Planting for the Future report RHS Feedback email address: podcast@rhs.org.uk Become a member of the RHS
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    48 mins
  • Denmans Garden, blueberry harvest, and National Plant Collections

    Denmans Garden, blueberry harvest, and National Plant Collections
    Aug 22 2024
    This week we head to the Sussex South Downs to explore RHS Partner Garden, Denmans – and hear about its unique history intertwined with the lives of two unsung garden pioneers, Joyce Robinson and John Brookes. We also bring you top tips for the perfect blueberry harvest and we talk to Plant Heritage about the gaps in their collections and what they’re on the lookout for. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Gwendolyn van Paasschen, Pavlina Kapsalis, Gwen Hines Other Links: Denmans Gardens - RHS Partner Garden RHS Partner Gardens RHS Blueberries Plant Heritage - Missing Collections Become a member of the RHS
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    35 mins
  • Flower anatomy, August allotmenting, apples and pears.

    Flower anatomy, August allotmenting, apples and pears.
    Aug 15 2024
    Do you get confused between your “sepals” and “stigmas”? This week Jenny Laville will be studying the anatomy of flowers, with the help of RHS botanist James Armitage. Guy Barter shares top tips for August allotmenting as we celebrate biodiversity in National Allotment Week. And RHS fruit specialist Jim Arbury talks apples and pears, with a guide on harvesting and pruning. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Jenny Laville, James Armitage, Guy Barter, Jim Arbury Other Links: How Plants Reproduce RHS The Plant Review The National Allotment Society Apples and pears: summer pruning Allotments – all you need to know Fruit identification
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    35 mins