Gardeners' Question Time

Join botanist and houseplant expert James Wong, award-winning garden designer Matthew Wilson, and alpine plant specialist Bethan Collerton as they dive into the essential skills of gardening. They share insights on health and safety in the garden and how to combat common woes like slug infestations. James highlights easy-to-grow plants from Sheffield’s Winter Garden, perfect for novices. The panel also discusses overrated plants and their diverse preferences, all while maintaining a light-hearted and engaging atmosphere.

This week features Pippa Greenwood, a plant health specialist with extensive pest know-how; James Wong, a botanist and indoor plant explorer; and Juliet Sargeant, an award-winning garden designer focused on sustainability. They tackle whether gardening is possible in a flat without a balcony and suggest compact indoor plants. The panel also discusses the threat of the Colorado potato beetle, offering strategies to protect crops while maintaining soil health. Their diverse insights make gardening challenges seem conquerable, even in limited spaces!

Pippa Greenwood, a pest and disease specialist, joins botanist and broadcaster James Wong, award-winning garden designer Juliet Sargeant, and grow-your-own expert Bob Flowerdew for a lively discussion. They tackle common gardening challenges like why onions bolt and the best practices for pruning lilacs. Juliet suggests flowering shrubs suitable for chalky soil, while Bob offers essential tips for feeding and watering crops. The team shares strategies for thriving gardens, blending science with personal anecdotes for an engaging horticultural journey.

Joining the discussion are Matthew Biggs, a passionate plantsman; Marcus Chilton-Jones, head gardener and plant expert; and Christine Walkden, a renowned plantswoman. They tackle intriguing questions about reviving a struggling bonsai and dispel myths about relocating peonies. Tips on choosing fence colors to complement plants are shared, alongside eco-friendly gardening advice. The panel also delves into urban greening initiatives and the art of rose breeding, highlighted by a special chat with David Austen Jr.

Pippa Greenwood, a pest and disease expert; Matthew Pottage, head of horticulture at Royal Parks; and Christine Walkden, a passionate plantswoman, share their gardening wisdom. They tackle quirky plant problems like rusty fern spots and caterpillar invasions on cabbages. Creative upcycling ideas for garden decor spark laughter and inspiration. Plus, they explore the community's environmental initiatives and the fascinating hidden world of trees, revealing how technology helps in understanding their structure. A delightful blend of humor and knowledge for green thumbs!

How do I take care of a kokedama? How do you take care of a sedum living roof? Why won't my trollius flower? For the first time ever, GQT sets up shop at the heart of the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show, broadcasting from the charming bandstand. Kathy Clugston is joined by a panel of horticultural heavyweights, including Bunny Guinness, Matthew Wilson, and James Wong.Keep your ears pricked up for some familiar voices - among the questioners are none other than Scott Mills, David Tennant and Zoe Ball, each bringing their own garden problems to the table.Later, Peter Gibbs takes a tranquil detour to the stunning Songbird Survival Garden on Main Avenue. There, he chats with designer Nicola Oakey and dedicated volunteer Bee about how we can turn our outdoor spaces into welcoming sanctuaries for Britain’s beleaguered songbirds.Producer: Daniel Cocker Producer: Dominic Tyerman Producer: Matthew Smith Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali Executive Producer: Carly MaileA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – I’ve got a floppy snake plant – is this because I’ve overwatered it? (01'17")Q - Why do the flower buds fall off my chameleon each year? (02'38") Q - Hello, it's David Tennant here. I've been gifted a beautiful kokedama. How do I water this? How do I not kill it? (05'26")Q – Could you recommend some pretty and low maintenance for flowers for window boxes? (07'34")Bunny Guinness – Verbena officinalis 'Bampton', vervain ‘Bampton’ Polystichum setiferum, soft shield fern Salvia rosmarinus (Ro), rosemaryMatthew Wilson – Thymus vulgaris, common thyme Thymus praecoxJames Wong – Portulaca, porcelain Mesembryanthemum Delosperma. Q- My trollius hasn’t flowered this year. What am I doing wrong? (12’58")Feature – Peter Gibbs visits the ‘Songbird Survival Garden” on main avenue, where he meets with designer Nicola Oakey and volunteer Bee (17’22”)Q - We've got a garden room with a sedum living roof – how do we look after it? (22'20")Q – Hello! Zoe Ball here! How do I stop squirrels from eating all my plants? (32'06")Q - My trachycarpus and dicksonia antarctica. They're getting thinner and thinner each year – how do I appropriately thin them out? (28'54")Q – Hi GQT, it’s Scott Mills. How do I stop my dog’s pee from ruining my lawn? (28'54")Q – I’d like you to recommend plants for a red hot, south facing gravel garden? (36'25")James Wong – Hardy aloes Aloe polyphylla Eschscholzia californica, california poppy Bunny Guinness – Salvia confertiflora, sabra spike sageMatthew Wilson – Rosa 'Sally Holmes' (S), rose 'Sally Holmes' Dasylirion wheeleri, spoon flower Aloiampelos striatula, striped-stemmed aloe Beschorneria yuccoides, yucca-leaved beschorneria

Pippa Greenwood, a preeminent expert on plants and their adversaries, joins a panel to discuss the vibrant insights from the Chelsea Flower Show. They delve into clever water-saving techniques in garden design and explore resilient planting options tailored for various settings. The conversation covers care strategies for cherry trees, including how sunlight and moisture affect their growth. Listeners also get practical advice on compost management and innovative designs that blend aesthetics with ecological considerations.

In this engaging discussion, Matthew Wilson, a horticulturalist and garden designer, teams up with Chris Potts, owner of Sienna Hostas nursery. They delve into the secrets of creating vibrant foliage borders using resilient plants like euonymus and hostas. Matthew provides key tips for winterizing banana plants while exploring common gardening challenges like slug control. Chris shares his expert methods for keeping hostas pest-free. Whether you're nurturing a floral masterpiece or facing foliage troubles, their advice is practical and tailored for every gardener.

In this engaging discussion, ethnobotanist James Wong shares his expertise on unusual plants, while Neil Porteous tackles gardening in challenging climates. Kirsty Wilson offers practical tips for creating hedgehog-friendly gardens. They explore how to get a second season out of tulips, enrich depleted soil naturally, and the optimal edible plants for the season. Insights on gardening resilience in Northern Ireland and personal anecdotes about hedgehog conservation make this conversation both entertaining and informative!

Discover the secrets of creating a dog-friendly garden and the joys of gardening with pets! Learn the art of homemade seed compost and explore the challenges of growing dahlias. Dive into plant health strategies while tackling looming threats from pests and diseases. Enjoy hilarious stories of gardening gone wrong and the quirks of maintaining a wildflower area. Plus, explore exciting new plants to grow and the unique techniques for nurturing them!