From the Archives: Christmas Edition
Kathy Clugston is visited by the ghosts of GQT Christmases Past, Present and Future for an archive edition of the show.
Kathy Clugston is visited by the ghosts of GQT Christmases Past, Present and Future for an archive edition of the show.
The panellists of past and present, share their knowledge on how to encourage the growth of moss in our gardens and answer gardening conundrums for the likes of Mary Berry and Anita Anand, who ask about indestructible plants that can survive harsh treatment and how you can maintain poinsettias during the festive period.
And later, we hear from three of GQT's wise men - James Wong, Marcus Chilton-Jones and Peter Gibbs - who'll be hoping to inspire you with the jobs they'll be getting on with this Christmas.
Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod

Executive Producer: Hannah Newton
A Somethin' Else production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
Last on
Plant List
Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.
Ìý
Q – What great gardening era would the panel time travel to?
(1 minutes 06 seconds)Ìý
Ìý
Q – My 3-year-old niece loves being in the garden. For Christmas, I would like to buy her a fruit tree. Which tree would the panel recommend?
(2 minutes 55 seconds)Ìý
Ìý
Christine –
Ìý
Apple (Malus domestica) - M27 or M9
Ìý
Ìý
Matthew –
Ìý
Apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
Ìý
Ìý
James –
Ìý
Brown Turkey (Ficus carica)
Ìý
Maynard cherry (Prunus cerasus)
Ìý
Q – Do you re-use your Christmas trees? Ìý
(6 minutes 01 seconds)
Ìý
Neil –
Ìý
Abies nordmanniana
Ìý
Bunny –
Ìý
Pinus
Ìý
Q – How do we encourage more growth of moss in our gardens?
(9 minutes 08 seconds)
Ìý
James –
Ìý
hardy orchids
ferns
Ìý
Q – How do you maintain poinsettias during the Christmas period?
(13 minutes 46 seconds)
Ìý
Q – My mum can’t keep any plants alive, what can she attempt to grow?
(16 minutes 41 seconds)
Ìý
Ìý
James –
Ìý
Scinadapsus pictus (Silver Pothos Vine)
Hoya linearis
Ìý
Q – Does snow actually provide a good layer of protection for plants?
(20 minutes 10 seconds)
Ìý
Q – I’d like to plant a holly bush that will give red berries at this time of year.Ìý Please can you recommend a variety? And do I need a male and a female?
(21 minutes 49 seconds)
Ìý
Christine –Ìý
Ìý
IlexÌý‘JC van Toll’
Ìý
Pippa –
Ìý
‘M¾±±ô°ì³¾²¹¾±»å’
‘Golden King’
Ìý
Matthew –Ìý
Ìý
Ilex crenataÌý
Blue Hollies (Celastrina argiolus)
Ìý
Feature – Chris Beardshaw’s share some folklore and history about the holly plant.
(24 minutes 38 seconds)
Ìý
Q – What’s the best way to grow Brussel sprouts in a raised bed? My sprouts won’t grow any bigger than peas!
(28 minutes 16 seconds)
Ìý
Q – Does chopping the tops of sprout plants spoil them?
(30 minutes 51 seconds)
Ìý
Feature – Gardeners’ Question Time 70th anniversary Shipping Forecast
(32 minutes 13 seconds)
Ìý
Feature – James Wong, Peter Gibbs and Marcus Chilton Jones give their Christmas gardening tips
(34 minutes 40 seconds)
Ìý
James –
Ìý
Micro sinningia
Ìý
Marcus –
Ìý
Apple
Pear
Poplar
Salix
Populus
Ìý
Q – What would the panel consider to be an unusual vegetable to grow in West Yorkshire (that I wouldn’t find in the shops) which could be part of next year’s Christmas lunch?
(37 minutes 04 seconds)
Ìý
Bob –
Ìý
Brussels sprout ‘Noisette’
Scorzonera (Black salsify)
Ìý
Christine –
Ìý
Skirret
Ìý
James –
Ìý
Tasmanian mountain pepper
Ìý
Broadcasts
- Fri 22 Dec 2023 15:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
- Christmas Eve 2023 14:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
Six of GQT’s naughtiest gardening innuendos
When Gardeners' Question Time got mucky.
Podcast
-
Gardeners' Question Time
Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts