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Peter Gibbs hosts this week's horticultural programme from Trafford, Greater Manchester.

Which luxury vegetable shall I grow in a northern climate? Why are my potatoes perfect on the outside, but black on the inside? How can I get my wife to spend more time in the allotment?

The GQT panellists are back in Trafford to answer these questions and more in front of a live audience. Ready to share their top tips on all your garden gripes are proud plantswoman, Christine Walkden, the ‘Mr Cool’ of the plant world Ashley Edwards, and passionate ethnobotanist James Wong.

Also, regular GQT panellist, Juliet Sargeant sheds light on the mysterious practice of potato chitting.

Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock
Executive Producer: Louisa Field

A Somethin' Else production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 5 Mar 2023 14:00

Plant List

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

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Peter –

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Silene stenophylla, Narrow-leafed campion

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Christine –

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Soldanella Alpina

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Ashley –Ìý

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Snowdrop

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James –Ìý

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Opuntia, Cactus

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Q – After the winter frost, my cordyline has black, wilted leaves. How can I stimulate new growth?Ìý

(3 minutes 49 seconds)



Q – My bathroom orchid has ugly grey roots sprouting out the pot, can I chop them off?

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(6 minutes 45 seconds)



Q – I’ve been using a terracotta rhubarb forcer with no success, what am I doing wrong?

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(9 minutes 20 seconds)



Q – If I’m using commercial nematode slug deterrent, should I avoid growing tagetes nearby?

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(12 minutes 3 seconds)

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Christine –Ìý

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Tagetes exotica

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James –

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Tagetes minuta

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Huacatay, Peruvian black mint

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Mycorrhizal fungi

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Q – What are your preferred potato varieties?

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Christine –Ìý

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Charlotte potato

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James –

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Peruvian potato

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Ashley –Ìý

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Anya potato

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Q – My potatoes look great on the outside with no obvious signs of damage, but when I cut them open, they’re black and hollow. What could be the cause?

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(24 minutes 16 seconds)



Q – Which luxury fruit would the panel recommend to grow in a northern allotment?

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(26 minutes 12 seconds)

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James –

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RosemaryÌý

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Sage

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Salad

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Raspberries

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Blackcurrants

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Gooseberries

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Ashley –Ìý

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Pineapple sage

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Wasabi rocket

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Christine –Ìý

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Melon

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Q – I want to bring some summer colour into the garden so it attracts bees. Which flowers should I grow in my shaded flower bed?Ìý

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(30 minutes 10 seconds)

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Ashley –Ìý

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Schizophragma

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Christine –Ìý

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Pittosporum tobira

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Q – What is the best way of using spent tomato compost?Ìý

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(32 minutes 24 seconds)

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Q – Except for hostas and ferns, which plants with flowers can I grow under the shade of trees?Ìý

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Christine –

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Aquilegia

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Aconitum

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Scilla peruviana

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Chionodoxa

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Whatsonia

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CyclamenÌý



Ashley –

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Astrantia

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wood aster

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epimedium

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James –

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Tulips

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fritillaries

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Lunaria

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cow parsley



(34 minutes 47 seconds)

Q – How do I get my wife to spend more time on the allotment?

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(38 minutes 9 seconds)Ìý

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 3 Mar 2023 15:00
  • Sun 5 Mar 2023 14:00

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