大象传媒

Eric Robson hosts the horticultural panel programme from the Bristol Food Connections Festival. Answering the audience questions are Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood and Matthew Wilson.

Produced by Howard Shannon.
A Somethin' Else Production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.

Q: When should I plant my tomatoes?
A: Don't put them out too early. Put them out in the day and bring them back in at night until the second week of May.

Q: Can old feather duvets be recycled in the garden?
A: You can compost the feathers in layers. The feathers are nearly 50% nitrogen, so it's very nutritious. You could cover the feathers with grass clippings and it would work as a feed for roses. Or you could bury the duvet beneath thin, sandy soil and this would act as a buffer, retaining moisture and nutrients.

Q. I have Spanish Bluebells in my garden, and there are wild native Bluebells across the fence. What should I do?
A. If you were concerned about cross-pollination, you could dig your Spanish Bluebells up, but it may well be too late. Research does suggest that cross-pollination is perhaps not as much of a threat as initially thought.

Q. What's the best way to prune a mature Magnolia Soulangeana?
A. Prune cautiously and gently. Remove a couple of branches and see how the plant reacts.

Q. How can I get a Swiss Cheese Plant - Monstera Delicosa - to flower?
A. Put in a big pot and ease the plant into a position where it gets lots of light. Be careful, because if you move it straight into the bright light, the leaves could scorch. Use seaweed spray to encourage growth and maintain a high humidity level. The fruit that follows the flower is delicious too!

Q. How can I get my Rhubarb (transplanted two years ago) to thrive?
A. Make sure it gets enough water, consider feeding it and be patient. Make sure you never let it flower and don't plant it in full sun. Take the best buds off the edges of the crown and replant those.