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Gardening with the RHS

Royal Horticultural Society

'Gardening with the RHS' offers seasonal advice, inspiration and practical solutions to gardening problems. Trusted gardening professionals give you the latest horticultural advice, scientific research and tried and tested techniques to bring out the best in your garden.

Topics covered include: growing your own vegetables, flowers, garden design, lawn care and gardening with children. Plus expert masterclasses in topics ranging from cottage garden plants, growing orchids, to pest control and eco-friendly gardening.

Plus we’ll have behind the scenes reports from the country’s most prestigious flower shows. There’s something in these podcasts to interest every gardener, whatever your level of expertise.

For more info see www.rhs.org.uk/podcast

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33 episodes
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Thursday · 31 min
518: Perilous pumpkins, ghoulish garlic, boo-tiful bats
It’s spooky season, and what better time to investigate three garden topics that are indelibly linked to Halloween. Pumpkins are everywhere, carved into grizzly expressions and displayed outside homes and workplaces. If you’d rather eat your home-grown pumpkin than scare people with it, RHS grow-your-own guru Liz Mooney offers a perfect pumpkin masterclass. We love all wildlife in our gardens but as it’s a spooky special, let’s talk bats and how to encourage them into our plots. Bat expert John Pearse reveals all. It’s Liz Mooney’s second growing guide of the episode, this time it’s a seasonal vampiric bulb, garlic of course. And we’ll round off the episode with listener questions answered with Gareth and Jenny Laville. Host: Gareth Richards https://www.instagram.com/thegrrdener/ Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Liz Mooney, John Pearse, Jenny Laville Links: How to grow pumpkins Gardening for bats Bat Conservation Trust How to grow garlic Send your questions to podcast@rhs.org.uk
October 22 · 33 min
517: How to feed birds, a turf masterclass, and another essential job for autumn
As the weather cools and birds flock back to gardens, many of us enjoy putting more food out for them. But have we been feeding birds all wrong? How can we help our feathered friends without inadvertently endangering them? RHS Senior Wildlife Specialist Helen Bostock tells us how to feed birds properly this winter. After an incredibly tough summer for turf, many domestic lawns are still feeling the effects of months without rain. It might be time for a reboot, so RHS turf and lawn care specialist Jim Millward talks us through how to turf properly and tells us about his team’s progress on returfing alongside Wisley’s famous Jellicoe Canal. It’s off to RHS Garden Hyde Hall to talk with Sarah Wilson Frost about mulch; what is it, why is it important, and what does it do? And we’ll round-off the episode with listener questions answered with Gareth and Melissa. Host: Gareth Richards Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Helen Bostock, Jim Millward, Sarah Wilson-Frost, Melissa Mabbitt Links: Bird statistics Bird feeding Returfing and laying turf Guide to mulch Chop and drop
October 15 · 31 min
516 – Incredible ivy, vegetable folklore and autumn planting essentials
Meet one of our most loved and hated native plants. You might think of ivy as a destroyer of buildings or a nuisance weed, but it’s actually just been crowned the most popular flower with pollinating insects in an 8 year study by the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme. It’s also the RHS Wildlife Wonder plant for October, so our Science and Horticulture editor Olivia Drake is here to explain what makes it so valuable, and worth including in your garden. Staying with plant wonders, did you know if you dream of cucumbers, it means you might speedily fall in love? RHS Head of Libraries and Exhibitions Fiona Davison offers fascinating tales of vegetable folklore for an upcoming online seminar. Hyde Hall’s Andy Tebbutt tells us why autumn is the best time of year for planting, but what’s happening to that plant when you put it in the ground? And Gareth Richards and Melissa Mabbitt answer your gardening questions. Host: Gareth Richards Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Olivia Drake, Fiona Davison, Andy Tebbutt, Melissa Mabbitt Send your questions to podcast@rhs.org.uk Links: Ivy Butterfly Conservation pollinator survey Vegetables, dreams and folklore RHS Libraries Why autumn is the best time for planting
October 8 · 26 min
515 - The Plant Review: Waxcap Wonderlands, ancient apples, and your questions answered
A new season, and a new edition of The Plant Review, the quarterly magazine published by The RHS that delves a little deeper than the regular RHS Garden mag. If you prefer your plant stories and horticultural happenings that bit more detailed, The Plant Review is the publication for you. In this special programme, RHS plant pathologist Jassy Drakulic talks fungi in lawns, Plant Review editor James Armitage tells the story of Blanche Ada’s Thornycroft apples, and Gareth Richards and Melissa Mabbitt answer your gardening questions. Host: Gareth Richards, James Armitage Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Jassy Drakulic, Melissa Mabbitt Links: The Plant Review Waxcap Watch Thornycroft apples Plants mentioned by James: Haplocarpha scaposa Lepechinia hastata Eryngium pandanifolium Vernonia crinita Cyperus involucratus Carex secta Send your questions to podcast@rhs.org.uk
October 1 · 34 min
514 - Plants for pollinators, dividing perennials, and no more cauliflowers?
So many jobs to do at this time of year, but not enough time! As we rush to garden centres and nurseries, you can make it easier on yourself by narrowing down your new plant choices to those which are ultra wildlife friendly. Pollinators will always appreciate a helping hand, and a good place to start is with a new RHS guide, Plants for Pollinators. One of the authors, RHS entomologist Josie Stuart, is on the podcast to talk about what to plant now to boost wildlife diversity. If edibles are more your thing, Guy Barter offers sobering news on the future of Britain’s favourite brassicas – is it the end of the line for cauliflowers? And we continue our guide to essential jobs to do in autumn, this time it’s why and how to divide perennials. Host: Gareth Richards Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Josie Stuart, Guy Barter, Nick Petters, Melissa Mabbitt Links: Plants for Pollinators Autumn ox eye daisy - Leucanthemella serotina No more cauliflowers Guardian article Dividing perennials Rootstocks for fruit Send your questions to podcast@rhs.org.uk
September 24 · 30 min
513 – Autumn gets real, root cuttings, and what do spiders ever do for us?
Head to the bottom of the garden this month and you might end up with a face full of spiders’ webs. Before you run screaming into the house, RHS spider expert Ben Brough offers an insight into why an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare is a fantastic garden ally. Want more plants for next spring without the cost of buying? RHS Garden Wisley’s Sam Gallivan teaches us how to take root cuttings and instantly multiply your plants for free. Last week we ended our series looking at bulbs to plant now for spring interest, and today we begin a new series of serious jobs for serious gardeners throughout a busy autumn, beginning with autumn veg planting with Liz Mooney. Host: Gareth Richards Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Ben Brough, Sam Gallivan, Liz Mooney, Melissa Mabbitt Links: Wildlife gardening advice Plants for bugs Taking root cuttings Grow your own fruit and veg: September Liz Mooney’s allotment life Send your questions to podcast@rhs.org.uk
September 17 · 33 min
512: Turf wars, houseplant MOT, and a final bulb of the week
Many listeners’ turf will have taken a bashing over summer, and now is the time to glow-up the green. RHS Garden Wisley’s Jim Millward shares his tips on how to get your grass ready for autumn. The holiday is officially over for our houseplants, time to bring them back inside after enjoying a hot summer. RHS indoor plant specialist Freddy Fuller offers do’s and don’ts for seasonal houseplant success. And to round-off a month of spring bulb suggestions, RHS Wisley’s Jess Jansdotter offers her choice in the final 'Bulb of the Week' of September. Plus, we answer some of your gardening questions. Host: Gareth Richards Producers: Dan Cocker Contributors: Jim Millward, Freddy Fuller, Jess Jansdotter, Melissa Mabbitt Links: Lawncare advice Autumn houseplant advice: Snowdrops Send your questions to podcast@rhs.org.uk
September 10 · 33 min
511: Saving drought-hit plants, the wildlife wonder of apples, more bulb inspiration
Is it dead? Or is it just sulking? That’s what many listeners will be wondering after returning from their summer holidays to find many plants exhausted by hot and dry weather. Horticultural advisor Nick Turrell provides a dose of reality – and some much-needed hope – when it comes to saving, or binning, the hardest-hit perennials. Presenter Gareth Richards speaks to RHS science editor Olivia Drake about this month’s Wildlife Wonder plant - apples! There’s more to this popular fruit than meets the eye. September is the month for bulbs, and RHS Wisley’s James McDonnell offers his pick for the next instalment of our Bulb of the Week series - Ipheion. Plus, we answer some of your gardening questions. Host: Gareth Richards Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Nick Turrell, Olivia Drake, James McDonnell, Melissa Mabbitt Links: RHS Climate Change Survey RHS Ipheion trials Wildlife Wonder plant: Apple Send your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk
September 3 · 30 min
510: Magnificent mini-beasts, figs, and another bulb of the week
There’s a myriad of weird and wonderful beasties out there who feast on flowers, but all is not rosy inside the garden gate. Pollinators are in trouble, and Josie Stuart, RHS Senior Entomologist at RHS Garden Wisley shares some unexpected ways home gardeners can help pollinators thrive, no matter the size of your plot. Horticultural specialist Jim Arbury offers expert advice on a hot topic many RHS website visitors want to know more about: figs. Which variety should you choose? How do you get started? And how do you grow them successfully? As September brings cooler temperatures and an increasingly autumnal feel, RHS Wisley’s Claudia Connal offers her pick for the next instalment of our Bulb of the Week series - the mysterious and beautiful Turk’s cap or martagon lily. Plus, we answer your gardening questions on dealing with tomato gluts, growing echinaceas, and pruning hydrangeas and evergreens. Host: Gareth Richards Producer: Dan Cocker Contributors: Josie Stuart, Jim Arbury, Claudia Connal Plants mentioned: Turk’s cap lily (Lilium martagon); lilies 'Claude Shride’, ‘Golden Morning’, ‘Pink Morning’ and ‘Albi Morning’. Hoop petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium), Crocus ‘Vanguard’. Figs ‘Brown Turkey’, ‘Little Miss Figgy’ and ‘Brunswick' Links: Find information on all the topics covered at rhs.org.uk Send your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk
August 27 · 32 min
509: Lovely lantanas, deadheading guide and our autumn bulb of the week
While many garden plants have struggled for survival this summer, one which has truly thrived is the lantana. Horticulturist David Hurrion was one of the judges of last year's lantana trial at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, and he joins us to share his takeaways of growing these eye-poppingly colourful bedding plants, and some of the standout cultivars. Deadheading is a practice key to ensuring repeat blooms throughout the summer, and RHS Horticultural Advisor Nick Turrell shows us how to do it properly. And finally, as we enter autumn, we’re kickstarting our bulb of the week series with horticulturist Gemma Burr who shares some favourite coronet tulips from another recent RHS Plant Trial. Plus answers to listener questions on bay trees, lawns from seed and Salvia 'Hot Lips'. Host: Gareth Richards Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Contributors: David Hurrion, Nick Turrell, Gemma Burr Links: Lantana trial results Deadheading Send your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk
August 20 · 29 min
508: Seed collecting, apple pruning, and wildflowers
Even though it's still August, the signs of autumn are starting to show. False autumn is a survival-driven stress response where trees shed leaves and change colour prematurely due to extreme heat and drought, and you may find yourself doing the autumn jobs a little early this year. We dive headlong into seed collecting with RHS horticulturist Lucie Rudnicka, plus find out how best to prune your trained apple and pear trees with RHS Garden Wisley’s fruit tree expert Jim Arbury. And finally, we relish in the joy of wildflowers with our very own Gareth Richards, as today sees the publication of RHS Wildflowers: A Pocket Guide. Plus we answer questions from the listener inbox on late sowings of salads, raspberry pruning and hornets. Host: Gareth Richards Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Contributors: Lucie Rudnicka, Jim Arbury, Jenny Laville Links: Seed: collecting and storing Apples and pears: pruning RHS Wildflowers: A pocket guide Send your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk
August 13 · 31 min
507: Heatwave survival guide for pots and powdery mildew mayhem
In a summer of rolling heatwaves, we look at what we can do to help out one of the garden areas most vulnerable to parching - plants in pots. RHS Horticultural Advisor Nick Turrell explains what you can do to keep them alive and thriving as temperatures soar. The heat and high humidity this summer have provided the perfect conditions for fungal plant diseases to spread like wildfire. RHS Plant Pathologist Dr Jassy Drakulic tells us about powdery mildew, and shares what you can do if your plants have succumbed. And finally, our Chief Horticulturist Guy Barter sheds some light on how we can make the most of this summer's most precious resource, when rainfall finally arrives where you are. Plus some listener questions answered. Host: Gareth Richards Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Contributors: Nick Turrell, Jassy Drakulic, Guy Barter Links: Drought resistant plants for pots Powdery mildew Send your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk
August 6 · 34 min
506: Garden wildlife care for heatwaves: dahlias, cinnabar moths, and more
As we experience one of the most extreme summers on record, how can we help our garden wildlife cope with the heat? RHS Science and Horticulture Editor Olivia Drake explains why ornamental dahlias can be an excellent late summer food source for pollinators, while RHS entomologist Josie Stuart introduces us to the striking cinnabar moth and its close relationship with drought-resistant ragwort. We also visit Where Magic Grows, a new family-friendly immersive exhibition at Leeds’ Thackeray Museum of Medicine, exploring the connections between plants, folklore and medicine, in collaboration with the RHS. Plus, we answer some of your top gardening questions of the week. Host: Gareth Richards Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Contributors: Olivia Drake, Josie Stuart, Jack Gann, Holly Tomlinson Links: Dahlias for pollinators Exhibition: Where Magic Grows Lavendars Plums Grey Water Plants mentioned: Dahlia merckii https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/5296/dahlia-merckii-b/details Dahlia 'Tangerine Gem' https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/510690/dahlia-tangerine-gem-sin/details Dahlia australis https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181404/dahlia-australis/details Dahlia Pretty Woman https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/282403/dahlia-pretty-woman-vdtg43-pbr-dark-angel-series-sin/details Veronicastrum virginicum 'Lavendelturm' https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/111539/veronicastrum-virginicum-lavendelturm/details Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen'https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/97048/achillea-millefolium-cerise-queen/details Email your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk
July 30 · 29 min
505: Summer SOS: holiday-proof your garden, midsummer planting guide, a giant bug hunt
If you’re going away this summer and are worried about your garden RHS Chief Horticulturist Guy Barter shares some top hacks for ensuring your plants survive the heatwaves while you’re away. But if you’re staying at home and feel inspired to give your garden a revamp for all those summer BBQs, RHS Horticultural Advisor Nick Turrell explains what you can still plant in high summer for maximum impact. If you’re entertaining children this summer – or you’re still full of wonder for the natural world – David Wembridge from The People's Trust for Endangered Species’ talks about a nationwide search for the gentle giants - stag beetles. And finally, the jobs – we’ll share key things you can do in the next week in the garden. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Guy Barter, Nick Turrell, David Wembridge Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Links: PTES the Great Stag Beetle Hunt Info on powdery mildew Drought resistant gardening
July 23 · 30 min
504: RHS Sandringham Flower Show: climate resilient trees, rainwater capture, frogs
The team head to North Norfolk to fill their boots with inspiration from the show gardens, floral exhibits, specialist growers, and innovative designs on display at RHS Sandringham Flower Show. Gareth Richards speaks with Catherine MacDonald, who designed The RHS Royal Legacy Garden in collaboration with King Charles III, with a special focus on climate resilient trees. Jenny Laville catches up with designers Joe and Laura Carey in their playful Pollywiggle Garden, designed for amphibians. And producers Poppy and Dan glean some top tips from the growers and nurseries in the Floral Marquee. Hosts: Gareth Richards, Jenny Laville Contributors: Catherine MacDonald, Laura Carey, Joe Carey, John Cullen, Louise Batchelor, David Reynolds, Paul Dibley, Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring Links: RHS Sandringham Flower Show Plants: Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Rubylace' Gleditsia triacanthos 'Rubylace' | thorny locust 'Rubylace' Aeonium ‘Pink Witch’ Aeonium 'Pink Witch' (v) Rosemary-leaf willow - Salix rosmarinifolia Salix rosmarinifolia L. | rosemary-leaved willow Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’ Achillea ptarmica 'Peter Cottontail'PBR | sneezewort 'Peter Cottontail'
July 16 · 29 min
503: Pollinators at RHS Badminton, Elms at RHS Sandringham, and Edimentals
It’s time to recuperate and relish one of the best times in the gardening calendar. Taking inspiration from some of the Pocket Planting gardens at RHS Badminton Flower Show, we’re celebrating plants for pollinators as part of Bees’ Needs Week. Ahead of an elm-themed exhibit at the Sandringham Flower Show next week Jenny Laville meets David Shreeve MBE, who in the late 1970s arranged for the first disease resistant elm cultivars to be brought to the UK. And RHS Wisley’s Liz Mooney spills the beans on edimentals - what are they and how do they benefit us? Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Liz Mooney, Jenny Laville, David Shreeve MBE, Alison Johnston, Darren Gillingham, Natalya Scott, Lucie Dannemann-Scott, Michael Leech, Gavin Moth Links: RHS Sandringham Flower Show Explore the RHS Badminton pocket planting gardens If you have a question you’d like answered on the podcast, write in to us at podcasts@rhs.org.uk
July 9 · 33 min
502: RHS Badminton Flower Show
Join us at the inaugural RHS Flower Show at Badminton in Gloucestershire! It’s a brand-new addition to the gardening calendar, the next in a massive year of RHS events that celebrate the greatest shows in earth, and Gardening with the RHS is here to take listeners on a journey through some of the show’s highlights. Size matters, and we speak with renowned designer Tom Stuart-Smith about one of his most ambitious undertakings ever: designing and building the biggest show garden in the history of the RHS. We learn about another RHS first, the introduction of the Young Designer Gardens, giving early-career designers a major national platform. Plus, we meet the world’s leading growers and nursery experts exhibiting at Badminton, for some take-home tips and vegetal inspiration. Host: Gareth Richards & Melissa Mabbitt Contributors: Tom Stuart-Smith, RHS Young Designers Abigail Stoyle, Sophie Sturgeon, Sophie Leo, And from the Floral Marquee: Rachel from The Tetbury Flower Company, Lee from sedum specialist Plants Let's Grow, Colin from Roualeyn Fuchsias, Luke from D'Arcy & Everest
July 2 · 37 min
501: After the heat, multifunctional fennel, and roses 101
This week we’re recovering from extreme heat to get back to what we love best: celebrating the joy of plants, how to grow them, and some tips for doing more in our gardens. Guy Barter emerges from the heat dome with some lessons learned from inside the furnace, and our science editor Olivia Drake shares an RHS Wildlife Wonder Plant for July that’s a hit with pollinators and people - bronze fennel. Horticulturist Oliver Ongley looks after the rose garden at RHS Garden Wisley, and he offers on successfully growing roses at home, with a nod to RHS Garden Rosemoor’s current Festival of Roses. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Guy Barter, Olivia Drake, Oliver Ongley
June 25 · 31 min
500: Insect week: Beetling about, solitary bees, and summer strawbs
Insects are vital ecosystem engineers in our gardens. Small but mighty, they help create healthy, balanced environments where plants can thrive. Of course, not all insects are flying or scuttling above ground all the time, so to mark Insect Week, we’re going underground with RHS Principal Entomologist Dr Hayley Jones to explore the beetle larvae living in our soils. We’ll learn how to identify the species that benefit our gardens, and what to do about those that can cause problems. Bee expert Rachel Richards from conservation charity Buglife joins us to reveal the remarkable diversity of solitary bees that may be nesting right outside your door, and share simple ways to support these important pollinators. And finally, as the heatwave continues, we turn our attention to a seasonal favourite: strawberries. RHS Horticultural Advisor Chris Taylor shares his top tips for growing healthy, productive plants and getting the very best harvest. Plus a roundup of top tips based on the latest enquiries on rhs.org.uk Email your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Hayley Jones, Rachel Richards, Chris Taylor Links: How to help hoverflies Vine weevil Chafers in garden borders Ground beetle larvae and other predatory gardener allies More in depth ID features for chafers and stag beetles Previous episode on Hoverfly Heroes with Josie Stuart How to help hoverflies Strawberries
June 18 · 30 min
A celebration of British blooms
Insects are drawn to them, poets and artists are inspired by them, and without them, much of our agriculture simply wouldn’t exist. Flowers are one of nature’s most remarkable inventions, and in honour of British Flowers Week, we’ve got three fantastic floral stories. Georgie Newbery, artisan flower farmer and passionate advocate for the British cut flower industry, joins us to share how years of campaigning is giving flower growers a stronger voice and greater visibility at a national level. We explore the sweet pea extravaganza at RHS Garden Wisley this week with National Sweet Pea Society President Roger Parsons. And finally we tackle one of the biggest challenges facing gardens: aphids. Josie Stuart from the RHS Plant Health Team explains how to keep these sap-sucking squatters under control using flowers, while maintaining the natural balance of the garden. Host: Nick Turrell Contributors: Georgie Newbery, Roger Parsons, Josie Stuart Links: National Sweet Pea Society Aphids advice

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