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Episode 28

Monty Don plans for next year, while Adam visits a community allotment in Manchester where growing food is providing solace and support to refugees.

The beginning of October is a good time to plan for next year and Monty begins the process of taking out plants which are in the wrong place and either moving or dividing others. He also gives advice on making leaf mould from fallen leaves and how to use it.

Frances Tophill helps a gardener whose plants are not thriving where they are planted, and Joe Swift visits a small garden full of great design tips. Nick Bailey meets a soil zoologist to find out about the abundance of life which lives under our feet, Adam Frost is on a community allotment in Manchester where growing food is providing solace and support to refugees, and we travel to Staffordshire to visit a cottage garden which has been planted with a particular emphasis on colour.

1 hour

Grafton Cottage

Grafton Cottage

Margaret and Peter Hargreaves have been opening their cottage garden for the National Garden Scheme for the past 25 years, raising an amazing £75,000 for charity. They plan to do so again in 2018, so if you would like to see their beautiful, colour-themed borders for yourself in July or August, check out the link below nearer the time.

Grafton Cottage
Barton-under-Needwood
Staffordshire
DE13 8AL

(www.ngs.org.uk)

Community allotment

Community allotment

Growing Together Levenshulme is a truly inspiring project in Manchester where refugees and asylum seekers come together every week to garden. The dedication and enthusiasm of everyone involved left quite an impression on Adam during his visit, and it is a day he will never forget. If you live in the area and would like to become a volunteer, here’s how to get in touch.

(www.facebook.com)

Winter salads

Winter salads

At Longmeadow, Monty would never be without his winter salads and the empty beds inside his unheated greenhouse provide the perfect spot. In a mild winter, you could also try growing them under a cloche or in a cold frame – anything that helps to give them that little bit of extra protection. Oriental greens are always a good bet as they are pretty hardy, as are certain varieties of lettuce. Here are 10 you might like to try:

Claytonia
Corn salad
Lettuce ‘Valdor’
Lettuce ‘Winter Density’
Mibuna
Mizuna
Mustard ‘Giant Red’
Mustard ‘Ruby Streaks’
Rocket
Tatsoi

(giveitagrow.gardenorganic.org.uk)

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Monty Don
Presenter Nick Bailey
Presenter Adam Frost
Presenter Joe Swift
Presenter Frances Tophill
Series Producer Sharon Fisher
Executive Producer Paolo Proto
Production Manager Mel Hoffman

Broadcasts