Gardeners' Question Time Postbag Edition: RHS Wisley Greening Skills Garden
Oct 17, 2025
Join experienced horticulturist Matthew Pottage, plantsman Matthew Biggs, and pest expert Pippa Greenwood as they explore the innovative RHS Wisley Greening Skills Garden. They discuss the garden's role in training future horticulturists while tackling listener queries, from troubleshooting droopy courgettes to managing pesky woolly aphids. Discover ecological insights on mast years and practical tips for composting and caring for plants in this engaging conversation packed with expertise.
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Greener Skills Garden Purpose
- RHS Wisley’s Greener Skills Garden is an off-grid circularity teaching space focused on sustainability and zero waste.
- It combines public education with hands-on horticultural training to prepare diverse new entrants into the sector.
Care For Dried-Out Ferns
- Check the fern crown and feel for a solid, firm growing tip before deciding to remove it.
- Mulch in autumn with garden compost or shredded manure to feed the soil and boost spring recovery.
Understanding Mast Years
- Mast years occur when multiple factors align: flowering, pollination and environmental stress lead to bumper crops.
- Expect ecological boom-and-bust cycles and plan storage or wildlife support accordingly.