Correspondence Edition
Peter Gibbs hosts a correspondence edition of the horticultural panel programme. Christine Walkden, James Wong and Pippa Greenwood delve into the GQT postbag with Peter.
Peter Gibbs hosts a correspondence edition of the horticultural panel programme. Christine Walkden, James Wong and Pippa Greenwood join him to delve into the GQT postbag.
The panel discusses growing annuals from seed, how best to reduce a large clump of bananas and what to do if your snowbells are covered in leaves.
They also advise on making your own compost and debate the advantages and disadvantages of privacy in the garden.
And Matthew Wilson visits Peter Murray at his place of work, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Produced by Dan Cocker
Assistant Producer: Laurence Bassett
A Somethin' Else production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4.
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Fact Sheet
Q – Clearing away a thick layer of leaves I noticed Snowdrops and Narcissi poking through. What should I do?
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Christine – Remove all the leaves to avoid mould
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Bob – Biggest danger is snow because people will stand on them!Ìý They’ll be fine in the cold without cover
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Q – I grow annuals from seed – Calendula, Dahlia, Cosmia, Sweet peas, Asters – and I’d like to plant some to flower for my daughter’s wedding in June.Ìý Suggestions please.
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Bob – Grow stuff in pots but definitely have a back up plan just in case!
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Christine – Planting now you’re up against it time wise.Ìý Apart from bulbs like Gladioli and the early-flowering summer bulbs you’re going to struggle.
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Pippa – Go for it
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Q – Can you tell me how to reduce my clump of 15 Musa basjoo (Banana) trees down to about five?
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Bob – Leave the oldest one and some of the buds and then thin the ones in between
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Q – I want to make my own growing medium with a mixture of two-year-old leaf mould and well-rotted stable manure.Ìý Would 50/50 be ok?
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Bob – You need something with more body like grass turfs to add to the mixture too
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Q – Is it safe to compost Foxgloves?
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Bob – They are incredibly poisonous but anything that’s gone through the compost should be fine. They won’t be that nutritious – try Comfrey and the Alkanet family for more potassium and minerals
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Q – Why do the panel put so much emphasis on privacy in gardens?
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Christine – It’s nice to have a balance
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Bob – Good hedges make good neighbours!
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Q – The large Viburnums have succumbed to Viburnum Beetle – what should I do?
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Pippa – You can do some hand picking and collecting.Ìý You can spray the grubs with insecticide.Ìý I would hang bird feeders nearby to bring in birds like Blue Tits to naturally control the beetles
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Bob – You can cut Viburnums back very hard.Ìý Burn that.Ìý Then monitor the new growth carefully
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Q – I have plants in the joints of my garden wall – Linaria, Campanula, Yellow Fumitory – and I’d like to encourage more.Ìý What can you recommend?
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ChristinaÌý - Erinus alpinus.Ìý Welsh Poppy (Mecanopsis cambrica).Ìý
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Q – I’ve inherited a huge Aspidstra – it’s over 100 years old and 4ft (1.3m) in diameter!Ìý It’s too big for my cottage and needs a new home.Ìý Where could I put it?
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Christine – Old people’s homes, community gardens, school foyers are all good shouts.Ìý You could split and divide this plant, keep one, pass the other bits onto other family members
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Broadcasts
- Fri 13 Jan 2017 15:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
- Sun 15 Jan 2017 14:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 FM
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Podcast
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Gardeners' Question Time
Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts