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BBC Radio 4 LW

Gardeners' Question Time

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Homes & Gardens: Gardens

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts

A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week

BBC Radio 4 FM

Gardeners' Question Time: Buxton

Buxton

31/01/2014

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time, Buxton

Eric Robson presents the horticultural panel programme from the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton.

Eric Robson presents the horticultural panel programme from the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton. Bob Flowerdew, Bunny Guinness and Anne Swithinbank take questions from local gardeners.

Eric Robson presents GQT from The Pavilion Gardens in Buxton. Bob Flowerdew, Bunny Guinness and Anne Swithinbank take questions from local gardeners.

Anne Swithinbank takes a tour of the Pavilion Gardens botanical conservatory to explore a collection of plants from all over the world. James Wong visits Bob's Winter Garden for the second in a special series of topical tips.

Produced by Howard Shannon.
Assistant Producer: Darby Dorras.
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4


This week's questions:

Q.I have recently added a half allotment to our existing hilltop site, which has come with some established soft fruit. Can the panel suggest some additional soft fruit to add to the traditional strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants?

A. If you have established strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants you could take them all out and add new stock. They rarely last for more than three or four years. However, redcurrants and white currants are worth preserving. A suggestion would be Aronia, which has a sour taste alone but makes a wonderful jam when mixed with apple puree and sugar. The Rokula Gooseberry is another option. Blueberries would also grow well in an acidic soil. Loganberries grow well in drier soil. Boysenberries would be recommended for a clay soil.


Q. I bought a Winter Sweet to brighten up the winter months but it has not flowered in the ten years I have had it. What can I do to encourage it to perform?

A. Winter Sweet is a slow starter and can take ten years or more to perform. They only flower on the younger growth. Consider cutting it right back.


Q. Could the panel suggest some scented, colourful, trailing plants for my hanging baskets? They are positioned in a north-facing porch, often exposed to vicious winds?

A. Try trailing Pelargoniums, such as the Tomentosum with its scented foliage. Trailing Nasturtium is scented and good if you are on a budget. Sweet peas are also a good option. Jasmine could hang and would be extremely scented.


Q. Due to a warm winter my perennials are starting to put out new shoots and leaves. I am concerned that they will be burnt by the frost and that there will be less growth and fewer flowers in the summer?

A. You could try straw or dry leaves around the shoots to protect them from the frost, but perennials are often tough enough to grow back.


Q. To mark the anniversary of World War One, we plan to create a bed of vegetables that would have been grown in 1914. Could the panel recommend simple, easy to grow, everyday vegetables for a garden at 1000ft?

A. The Carlin Pea and other tall pea varieties. Visit the Heritage Seed Library for more inspiration.


Q. How do I get rid of Speedwell on my allotment?

A. Be vigilant, pull it out before they are able to flower. Speedwell does not like lime, so add lime to your vegetable beds and it will discourage the weed.

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