In this episode, Dan & Julia consider the gardening chores we could do less to free up time for new projects or relaxation. Dan explains why anvil secateurs are better for some pruning jobs and Julia shares how to sustain your crop of annual herbs into the late autumn and early winter. Your hosts round off with a list of jobs to do in your garden this fortnight and reveal what will keep them out of mischief until the next episode.

A few of Dan & Julia's time-saving measures:

• Not washing or sterilising pots.
• Not using crocks at the bottom of pots and containers.
• Not sowing seeds too early in the season.
• Using a mulch of bark, compost or grit to reduce watering time.
• Choosing shrubs that grow slowly and neatly and require little pruning.
• Selecting tried and tested plants that aren’t too fussy - an RHS Award of Garden Merit is a good sign that a plant won’t be too diva-ish!

Jobs to do in your garden this fortnight

1. Clear out greenhouses and clean the glass to let more light in.
2. Sow wildflower seeds.
3. Lift and divide dahlias after the first frost unless left in the ground, in which case cover them with mulch.
4. Compost or mulch empty beds - or still time to sow green manure.
5. Cut back asparagus fern when turning yellow.
6. Make a final cut to topiary and hedges before winter sets in - but it’s too late for most conifers now.
7. Clean and sterilise bird feeders before refilling with high-energy seeds.
8. Sow sweet peas and broad beans.
9. Stake sunflowers if they’re still blooming.
10. Reduce the height of any roses or perennials that might rock about in the wind.

Dan's Products of the Episode:

• Original LÖWE anvil secateurs

Website links:

• Dan Cooper Garden
• Parker's Patch
• Gold Leaf Gloves

Produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Two Good Gardeners return for a new series with an episode devoted to autumn seed sowing. Dan and Julia reveal which varieties you can plant right now for fabulous flowers and delicious edibles next year before sharing a list of jobs you can do in your garden during the second half of September. Your hosts announce a new sponsor—Gold Leaf Gloves—and celebrate with a giveaway: visit their Instagram account @twogoodgardeners for details. Closing date: Friday, 27th September 2024.

Julia's recommended crops for autumn sowing:

1. Carrots 'Nantes', 'Autumn King' and 'Parabel'
2. Broadbeans, 'Aquadulce' and 'The Sutton'
3. Lettuce 'Oak Leaf', 'All Year Round', Winter Density'
4. Parsley
5. Pea 'Meteor'
6. Radish 'Wintella', 'Sparkler'
7. Spring Onion 'White Lisbon'
8. Spinach 'Perpetual'
9. Pak Choi 'Red Choi', 'Glacier', 'Cholo F1'
10. Onion 'Red Baron', 'Electric', 'Snowball', 'Radar', 'Autumn Champion'
11. Shallot 'Jermor'

Dan's recommended flowers for autumn sowing:

1. Ammi majus
2. Cornflower
3. Corncockle
4. Calendula
5. Chrysanthemum carinatum
6. Linaria
7. Nigella
8. Poppy (corn and opium)
9. Phacelia
10. Antirrhinum
11. Anaethium
12. Eschscholzia
13. Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens'
14. Clarkia
15. Godetia

Requiring a cold spell - Rudbeckia, Monarda (bergamot), Orlaya, Echinacea, Eryngium (sea holly), Persicaria, Larkspur, Centaurea (Batchelors’ buttons)

Jobs to do in your garden this fortnight

1. Protect Brussels sprouts, kale and broccoli from birds, bugs & butterflies

2. Add compost to any beds you are clearing to improve soil structure and boost nutrients

3. Order tulips, but don’t be tempted to plant them until November

4. Plant narcissi, daffodils and alliums

5. Order indoor bulbs for forcing

6. Bring exotic/tender plants back into the greenhouse, conservatory or house when nighttime temperatures drop below 10ºC

7. Switch summer feed to winter feed for all citrus trees

8. Collect seeds from perennials

9. Lift, divide and replant large clumps of herbaceous perennials

Dan's Products of the Episode:

• Gold Leaf Gloves

Website links:

• Dan Cooper Garden
• Parker's Patch
• Gold Leaf Gloves

Produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the last in series three, Dan & Julia explain how to transform your garden into a tropical paradise using bold foliage, bright flowers and exciting edibles. They share tips on creating the perfect environment for exotics and some of their favourite plants to grow. You'll discover that anything is possible! As always, your hosts round off with a list of jobs you can do in your garden over the next fortnight and share what they’re up to over the coming weeks.

Two Good Gardeners will return for a fourth series in early autumn 2024.

Tender Plants for Exotic Effect:

• Banana (Musa and Ensete)
• Canna
• Ornamental ginger (Hedychium)
• Castor oil plant (Ricinus)
• Lantana
• AngelAngels'pets (Brugmansia)
• Tree ferns (Dicksonia and Cyathea)
• Taro (Colocasia and Alocasia)
• Gloriosa lily
• Papyrus (Cyperus)
• Begonia
• Coleus (Solenostemon)
• Persian shield (Strobilanthes)
• Caladium
• Chinese rice paper plant (Tetrapanax)

Hardier Plants with Exotic Looks:

• Alstroemeria
• Agapanthus
• Bistort (Persicaria)
• Fatsia
• Hosta
• Indian bean tree (Catalpa)
• Foxglove tree (Paulownia)
• Large-flowered clematis
• Reeds and grasses (Arundo and Miscanthus)
• Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
• Rodgersia
• Ornamental rhubarb (Rheum)
• Waterlily
• Tuberous and bulbous plants such as Amaryllis, Amarine, Dahlia, oriental and trumpet lilies, Gladiolus and Nerine

Dan's Product of the Episode:

• Romney Marsh Wools Garden Kneeler Cushion

Website links:

• Dan Cooper Garden
• Parker's Patch
• Jungle Seeds

Produced by Scott Kennet at Red Lighthouse Local

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.