Gardeners' Question Time

What's the difference between anvil secateurs and bypass secateurs? What should I do with well-used compost? If you could design a gardening utopia, what would you include? Peter Gibbs and his team of horticultural experts have packed up the wellies and travelled to Manchester for the RHS Urban Gardening Show. While exploring the exhibitions, they dig through the GQT inbox to answer your gardening queries. On the panel this week are self-proclaimed botanical geek James Wong, house plants expert Anne Swithinbank, and Curator of RHS Bridgewater Marcus Chilton Jones. The GQT team are also joined by 'unusual houseplant' specialist Jacob James, 'Cloud Gardener' Jason Williams and landscape designer Conal McGuire, who provide some insightful knowledge on how we can create greener and more eco-friendly spaces in urban environments. Senior Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

How do I get rid of Honey Fungus? If you were sent to a desert island, what plant would you take and why? What “idiot proof” fruit could anyone grow on their allotment? Kathy Clugston and her premier league panel of gardening experts are back in Fulham, West London to prune the answers to the audience's gardening conundrums. On the panel are organic gardener Bob Flowerdew, pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood, and curator of RHS Wisley Matthew Pottage. Later, Fulham resident Matthew Pottage explores the grand gardens of Fulham Palace - where head gardener Lucy Hart shares some insight on the rich history of the grounds. Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

What are the pros and cons of using ramial wood chips in my soil? What Moroccan style shrubs could I grow that would survive the British weather? How do I prune my blueberry bushes so they can bear more fruit? Kathy Clugston and a panel of experts are in Upton-By-Chester to answer queries from an audience of keen gardeners. On the panel this week are garden designer Bunny Guinness, houseplant expert Anne Swithinbank, and curator of RHS Bridgewater Marcus Chilton-Jones. Later, James Wong speaks to 'The Cloud Gardener' Jason Williams about ginnel gardening and how you can get creative with limited amount of space. Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

What type of plants could I grow to use as flavouring in my gin? What's eaten the heads of my daffodils? What hardy exotic plants could I grow in my garden? Peter Gibbs and his league of horticultural experts are in Reading for this week's episode of Gardeners' Question Time. Joining Peter to unearth answers to the audience's gardening conundrums are passionate plantsman Matthew Biggs, garden designer Juliet Sargeant and self proclaimed botany geek James Wong. Later in the show, we hear from Chris Beardshaw who shares advice on the best type of pots to put your plants in during the spring. Producer: Dominic Tyerman Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Is it possible to grow edible watermelons in the UK? How do revive my red Duke of York potatoes after over-chitting them? How can I continue growing leeks while protecting them from leaf miners? Kathy Clugston and a panel of keen gardening experts are in Fulham, West London to unearth the answers to the audience's gardening conundrums. On the panel this week are organic gardener Bob Flowerdew, pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood, and curator of RHS Wisley Matthew Pottage. Later, we immerse ourselves in the Sound of Blossom festival at Kew Gardens, where head kitchen gardener Helena Dove educates us on the life cycle of blossoms, and the benefits it has for insects and wildlife. Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

My cherry tree blossoms in January. Is it confused? Should I lift my tulip bulbs? When is the best time to mulch? Peter Gibbs presents an archive show featuring the best snippets of springtime gardening advice from Gardeners’ Question Time in years gone by. While the panel discuss their top tips for planting house plants and the best way to spruce up a hanging basket in spring, Matt Biggs talks us through the history and popularity of daffodils. Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Will my blind daffodils ever flower again, or should I just discard them? Can I use old yule logs to line my plant beds or will the harvested fruit and veg become poisonous? How can I repel spiders from my garden without using chemicals? Peter Gibbs is joined by his enthusiastic team of horticultural experts as they dig through the GQT inbox and answer your gardening conundrums. On the panel this week are landscape architect Bunny Guinness, self proclaimed botanical geek James Wong and pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood. They visit the Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill, where head of horticulture Errol Reuben Fernandes gives the team a tour of their historical and extensive gardens. Later, Peter and the panel discuss whether there are house plants that can produce enough oxygen to purify air or if this is just a myth. Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Kathy Clugston navigates the murky waters of the GQT archives in search of some Pond and Bog related advice throughout the years. Water is the giver of plant life and nourisher of wildlife, but how do we ensure that we’re using it correctly? The GQT team have sorted through the archives in search for some questions and answers from the past. The programme's horticultural experts share their knowledge on what to do if your pond liner breaks, how to remove bird poo from the surface of your pond, and what sort of plants you could plant in bogs and ponds to increase biodiversity? We also listen back to when pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood visited the Exbury Gardens dragonfly pond to learn more about these little creatures. Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Could the panel share some gardening tips for wheelchair users? How do I start growing mulukhiyah in my garden? Which hedges could I grow that are resistant to ermine moths and offer privacy? Peter Gibbs is joined by his eager team of horticultural experts as they dig through the GQT inbox and answer your gardening queries. On the panel this week are landscape architect Bunny Guinness, head gardener of Horatio’s Garden Ashley Edwards and curator of RHS Wisley Matthew Pottage. This week they visit Ham House and Garden in Richmond where head gardener John Myers gives them a tour of their unique horticultural treasure trove. Later, Peter and the panel discuss the fundamentals of a kitchen garden and give tips on non-typical fruit and vegetables you could grow in your garden. Senior Producer: Dominic Tyerman Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly Maile A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Could you suggest some bat friendly plants that will keep them happy? Is it too late to re-pot my five-year-old daffodils? How can I improve the quality of my clay soil and what can I grow on it? Peter Gibbs and his team of horticultural experts are in the market town of Wokingham for this week's episode of Gardeners' Question Time. Joining Peter to dig into the audience's queries are garden designer Matthew Wilson, proud plantswoman Christine Walkden and passionate plantsman Matthew Biggs. Later in the show, Kirsty Wilson gets into the community spirit as she visits Greyfriars Biophilic Garden in Glasgow for a quick tour of their 56 show-stopping plots. Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Hannah Newton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

I’m having no luck growing chillies from seed. What am I doing wrong? Which plants would the panel recommend to bring fragrance and colour? Which way should a fig tree face to produce the most fruit? Ready to answer all these questions and more, Kathy Clugston and her team of experts have been invited to the House of Lords for this week’s programme. Joining Kathy to offer their best horticultural tips and tricks are Head of Oxford Botanical Gardens Dr Chris Thorogood, garden designer Matthew Wilson, and plantswoman Christine Walkden. Among the questions, Kathy chats to Baroness Fookes about the importance of gardening today. Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Executive Producer: Hannah Newton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

What’s the best way to protect my terracotta plant pots from frost? What should I do if I spot an Asian hornet in my garden? What tall plants can I grow that are resistant to snails? Kathy Clugston and her team of horticultural experts visit the peaceful, Mottistone Gardens on the Isle of Wight for a postbag edition of the programme, where they answering your questions from the inbox. Kathy's joined by organic gardener Bob Flowerdew, pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood, and curator of RHS Wisley Matthew Pottage. And taking our panel on a tour around the magical gardens while offering his own advice is Senior Gardener, Ed Hinch. Producer: Dom Tyerman Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Hannah Newton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

What’s the best way to grow swedes? Why doesn’t my hydrangea come to flower? Are artificial plants acceptable or downright outrageous? This week, the GQT panellists are in Earlsdon to answer these questions and more in front of a live audience. Ready to share their insightful advice on all your plant predicaments are plant pathologist Pippa Greenwood, grow-your-own guru Bob Flowerdew, and conversant horticulturist Anne Swithinbank. Alongside the questions, regular panellist Matthew Wilson visits GQT Producer, Dan Cocker to dig up all there is to know about weeds. A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

What should I plant on the roof of my houseboat? Should I grow lilies in containers or flowerbeds? What is the worst gardening idea you’ve ever had? The GQT panellists are back in North Shropshire to answer these questions and more in front of a live audience. Ready to share their insightful advice on all your plant predicaments are landscape architect Bunny Guinness, horticulturist Christine Walkden, and garden designer Matthew Wilson. Alongside the questions, GQT Assistant Producer Rahnee Prescod chats to London Terrariums founder Emma Sibley about the history and creation of these pocket-sized jar-dens. Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Hannah Newton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Peter Gibbs takes a look through the GQT archives for top tips on sustainable gardening. Over the years the GQT panellists have shared plenty of knowledge on how to be a green gardener. They look at everything from how to make your driveway more environmentally friendly, to efficiently collecting rainwater at home. We also hear Hafsah Haferji's "how-to" on companion planting, and head back to RHS Wisley with Matthew Pottage and Environmental Researcher Tijana Blanusa to learn how trees help us with carbon capture. Producer - Hannah Newton Assistant Producer - Bethany Hocken A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Peter Gibbs and the team are at Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex. Juliet Sargeant, Matt Biggs and Matthew Pottage are this weeks' panellists, ready to answer your gardening questions. Led by Herstmonceux's head gardener Guy Lucas, the team explores the castle grounds and learns about the sustainable gardening practices adopted in recent years. The panellists also tackle questions from listeners, including suggestions for what to plant around a thatched cottage, and when to prune plants that are still in flower in the winter. Producer - Jemima Rathbone Assistant Producer - Aniya Das A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Kathy Clugston hosts the horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts. Christine Walkden, Bob Flowerdew and Matthew Wilson answer the questions. In a GQT first, the panel are joined by a virtual audience tuning in from home, to discuss the best hops to grow, whether the challenge of growing 164 plants in a garden is possible, and their favourite dance to do when a plant finally flowers. Away from the questions, Chris Thorogood has ventured off in the cover of darkness to...

Kathy Clugston hosts the gardening panel show, with Pippa Greenwood, Chris Beardshaw and Matt Biggs joining her to answer questions sent in by listeners. This week, the team discusses how to add a water source to your garden, which plants are best for a living wall, and an impressive amount of train-related plant names. Away from the questions, Humaira Ikram explains how to keep your garden pet-safe and Chris Thorogood investigates the deceptive nature of the orchid. Producer: Rosie Merotra...

Peter Gibbs hosts the gardening panel show. Bunny Guinness, Bob Flowerdew and Chris Beardshaw answer the questions sent in by listeners via email and social media. This week, the panel discusses the best ways to grow coriander at home, suggestions for a fragrance-free climbing rose and tips for growing a chamomile lawn. Away from the questions, Kathy Clugston chats to keen amateur gardener and fellow BBC News presenter, Lukwesa Burak, and Humaira Ikram is back to give advice on planting for...

Kathy Clugston hosts this week's horticultural panel show. James Wong, Matthew Wilson and Christine Walkden answer the questions from green-fingered listeners. This week, the panel discusses the best plants for a bonsai, share tips on caring for a Money Tree, and give recommendations for planting an upright piano and a moon garden. Aside from the questions, Humaira Ikram from KLC School of Design shares tips for planting in acid and alkaline soils, and Chris Thorogood tells the history of...