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Groundwork: Soil, Compost, Mulch and more!

Kathy Clugston presents an autumnal archival edition of Gardeners' Question Time on soil, compost, mulch and more.

Kathy Clugston digs through the Gardeners' Question Time archive to root out some information on Soil, Compost, Mulch and more.

Our various GQT panellists over the last 77 years have been no stranger to soil and compost related questions, from queries on how to create a workable soil in the garden to questions on the difference between compost and soil conditioner. For the first autumnal archive programme of 2024 we鈥檝e raked through the extensive GQT archive and pulled out some of the best advice on these topics.

We also hear from garden designer and lecturer Humaira Ikram, who explains the importance of understanding the PH level of your soil.

Producer: Bethany Hocken

Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin鈥 Else production for 大象传媒 Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Plant List

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

FEATURE 鈥 Garden designer and lecturer Humaira Ikram explains why it鈥檚 important to understand the PH level of your soil. (00鈥55鈥)

Q 鈥 Do you have any advice for a brand-new gardener wanting to add some interest and a bit of excitement to the garden? (02鈥39鈥)

Q 鈥 How can I create a workable soil in the garden of my new built home? (04鈥26鈥)

Q 鈥 Would you advise digging the garden in the autumn and burying the farmyard manure? (06鈥43鈥)

FEATURE 鈥 Anne Swithinbank discusses the 鈥楴o Dig鈥 method with Charles Dowding (09鈥58鈥)

Q 鈥 Is there a difference between compost and soil conditioner? If so, what is it and which is best for what? (15鈥21鈥)

Q 鈥 I want to store and rot down some turf for to use next year. What鈥檚 the correct method of storing and treatment? (19鈥12鈥)

Q 鈥 Who is/was John Innes? (23鈥48鈥)

Q 鈥 What is wrong with my pot grown hydrangea? (27鈥02鈥)听

FEATURE 鈥 Matthew Wilson鈥檚 mulching masterclass. What it is and how to use it? (30鈥44鈥)

Q 鈥 Is there any other method, aside from mulching, I can use to feed my soil this spring? (34鈥58鈥)

Q 鈥 Is there something we could plant or a way of gardening that would take advantage of the sandy soil in our garden? (37鈥39鈥)

Kirsty Wilson鈥

Lavandula, lavender

Verbascum

James Wong 鈥

Agave, century plant

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