Gardening with the RHS

Valentine’s Day and flowers go hand in hand, so what better way to celebrate than by dedicating this week’s programme to the stunning blooms you can grow right in your own garden? Over the past four years, the RHS has been on a mission to find the best red roses for home gardens. We’ll be revealing the top contenders with Wisley’s Roz Marshall. If roses aren’t your thing, Roz Chandler from Field Gate Flowers will be guiding us through the process of starting your own cut flower garden from bare earth to vase. And finally, nothing signals the arrival of spring quite like the golden explosion of daffodils! This year, the RHS is launching a nationwide appeal to track their varieties, flowering times, and distribution across the UK. RHS Principal Scientist and daffodil enthusiast Dr. Kálmán Könyves will share their fascinating history and his hunt for rare—and possibly lost—cultivars.Host: Gareth RichardsContributors: Roz Marshall, Roz Chandler, Kálmán KönyvesLinks:Red Roses Trial resultsField Gate FlowersSeed To Vase CourseDaffodil Diaries

This week, Guy Barter takes us through some essential gardening tasks for the season ahead and we explore a hardy favourite: as Caroline Williamson from RHS Garden Bridgewater reveals the fascinating (and surprisingly dark) art of forcing rhubarb. And finally, mother-daughter duo Ellie and Claudia of Elka Textiles will show us how to turn garden plants into beautiful, sustainable dyes—perfect for a creative winter project!Host - Jenny LavilleContributors - Guy Barter, Caroline Williamson, and Ellie Fisher & Claudia Gosse from Elka Sustainable TextilesOther links  How to grow rhubarbHow to force rhubarbMore jobs to be getting on with in FebruaryGreen Futures Gardening ClubPDF tutorial ’Natural Dyeing with Brown Onion Skins’

James Armitage, an RHS botanist and editor, delves into the intricate world of seeds, discussing their unique structures and dispersal methods. Nick Turrell, RHS Gardening Advisor, shares practical tips for transforming front gardens into stunning, functional spaces, emphasizing the balance between aesthetics and utility. Helen Bostock, RHS Senior Wildlife Specialist, highlights the importance of wildlife-friendly gardens and offers advice on attracting local wildlife. Together, they provide a wealth of knowledge for garden enthusiasts looking to enhance their green spaces.

Join scientists Arran Folly and Nick Turrell, along with wildlife expert Adrian Thomas, as they delve into the world of garden birds. They discuss the emerging threats, like the SUTU virus, that impact bird populations and the vital role gardens can play in conservation. Adrian offers essential tips for birdwatching right from your kitchen window, while Arran emphasizes strategies to create inviting habitats. Nick shares inspiring ideas for transforming urban front gardens, making them greener and more beneficial for both wildlife and community.

Join horticulturist Liz Mooney from RHS Garden Wisley, specializing in veggies, and passionate plantsman John Grimshaw, an expert on hellebores. Discover how hellebores can brighten your winter garden and learn the secrets of growing these lovely blooms. Liz shares valuable insights on crop rotation, emphasizing its role in soil health and pest management for planning a successful veggie patch. Plus, find out how front gardens can uplift community spirits during the cold season. Garden bliss awaits!

It may be bitterly cold outside but there's still plenty to get excited about in the garden. This week we’re joining Fruit Specialist Jim Arbury in the Orchard at RHS Garden Wisley to find out how to prune your apples and pears at this time of year. Horticulturist Alex Hankey shows us around the diversity and delicate beauty on display at Wisley’s alpine glasshouse, and RHS Garden Rosemoor’s Alex Paines shares his passion for the ancient hedgerows which lace the Devonshire landscape. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Jim Arbury, Alex Hankey, Alex Paines Links:Apples and pears: winter pruningDevon Hedges GroupRHS advice on hedges

Let’s make 2025 the year we all embrace growing our own fruit and vegetables—whether you’ve got a sprawling garden, a small balcony, or just a windowsill! No matter how much space or time you have, we’ve got plenty of inspiration to get you started and keep you going all year round.First, we’ll hear from Shelia Das and Liz Mooney from RHS Wisley’s talented edibles team, who will share their expert advice on growing delicious produce across every season. Then, we’ll check in with Lucy Chamberlain, author of Grow Food Anywhere, as she reveals how to make the most of your space—whatever its size, shape, or location.And what about all that fantastic homegrown produce? Don’t worry! We’ll revisit our fascinating chat with Canadian chef and photographer David Zilber, a fermentation expert who’s worked in some of the world’s top kitchens, including the renowned Fermentation Lab at Restaurant Noma. He’ll inspire you with creative ways to preserve and enjoy your harvest.Host: Gareth RichardsContributors: Shelia Das, Liz Mooney, Lucy Chamberlain, David ZilberLinks:RHS Grow Your Own Veg Through the Year: 365 Days of Homegrown Vegetables & HerbsGrow Food Anywhere

Today Guy, Gareth, and Jenny reflect on the past twelve months of beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests, but also wet weather and guzzling gastropods! Join us as we revisit some of our favourite stories from 2024, and share what garden tips and seasonal advice we’re taking with us into the new year.Hosts: Gareth Richards, Guy Barter, Jenny LavilleEpisodes mentioned:Dr Hayley Jones discussing slugs from episode ‘Critter camaraderie: Slugs, Snails, and Guerilla Gardening Tales’ Gareth Richards and James Armitage take a walk through Chelsea from episode ‘Notes on hardiness’James Lawrence and the sustainable planting combinations from episode ‘Sustainable plant combos, GYO tips (for tomatoes, beetroot, squash), flowering shrubs’Jassy Drakulic on encouraging mycorrhizal relationships in your soil, from episode ‘Compost, fungi, and giant vegetables’Anya Lautenbach’s money saving advice from episode ‘Growing on a budget’Additional Links:Become an RHS member

This week we’re bringing the garden indoors and welcoming in the Christmas cheer. RHS Horticultural Advisor Jenny Bowden will be sharing her love letter to the tradition of the Christmas wreath, and Freddie Garland – founder of Freddie’s Flowers – will be sharing his tips on how to make your own (among many other seasonal crafts to get stuck into). And finally, we’ll be learning all about our favourite festive parasite, mistletoe, with Oxford PhD student and mistletoe expert Oliver Spacey.Host: Guy BarterContributors: Jenny Bowden, Freddie Garland, Oliver SpaceyLinks:Christmas with the RHSFreddie’s FlowersMistleGo!RHS plant profile: mistletoeHippeastrumAmaryllis belladonna

This week we’re decking the halls with seasonal foliage, as RHS Garden Hyde Hall’s Sarah Wilson-Frost shares her ideas for natural decorations foraged from your own garden. Gareth Richards is here to inspire you to try a different type of Christmas tree this year and consider bringing a potted plant indoors for the festive season. And we’ve got the perfect gift idea to brighten up a dreary January day, as Chris Lane of Witch Hazel Nursery explains why he fell in love with these winter gems. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Sarah Wilson-Frost, Gareth Richards, Chris LaneLinks: Grow your own ChristmasWitch hazelsChris Lane - Witch Hazel Nursery Become a member of the RHS