After three UK heatwaves so far this summer, our plants and gardens have enjoyed a much-appreciated spell of wet weather. In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day (for the final time), explore the latest gardening news stories, what’s on’s and tasks to be getting on with this month.

What’s on

14th – 17th August: Southport Flower Show, Victoria Park, Southport.

15th – 17th August: RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, Torrington, Devon.

29th – 31st August BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, Audley End House, Essex.

If you are out and about this month - don’t forget to support the National Garden Scheme, locally or if you are holidaying in the UK, search out one of the many garden treasures.

News

Kew Gardens' 175-year-old Palm House will close for five years for major makeover.

Sycamore Gap: Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers jailed for over 4 years for felling of iconic tree.

The gardening and lifestyle retail brand sarahraven.com has been acquired by its original founder and creative director, Sarah Raven.

Current hosepipe restrictions in the UK.

Could selling second-hand gardening products bring in a new demographic to Garden Centres?

Eden Project Dundee moves one step closer.

Further expansion plans at RHS Wisley.

OmVed Gardens builds UK's first food and ecology centre.

The buzz about trees: Scientists at Wakehurst harness sound to understand bee abundance.

Gertrude Jekyll ® named world’s famous rose 2025.

‘Coral Gardens’ announced as Rose of the Year for 2026.

The UK drought dominates RHS enquiries.

Wootten’s of Wenhaston future threatened due to a lack of water on site.

Plant theft crime on the rise.

Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek becomes the HTA’s new ambassador.

Dutch urban greening of a bus station pergola using wisteria hailed as a major success.

DIG IT Top 5 Ornamental grasses

Top seller is Festuca glauca ‘Compact Blue’ 2nd Festuca glauca ‘Intense Blue’* 3rd Stipa tenuissima * 4th Carex Prairie Fire, and 5th Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’ *RHS AGM.

Plants mentioned: Apple cordon tree, Carnations, Bananas (Musa), Blackberries, Bonsai trees, Trachycarpus, Phoenix canariensis, Variegated Monstera, Dahlias, Leeks, French and Runner Beans, Lavender, Tree Ferns, Strawberries, Pinks, Cherries, Rhubarb, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Melons, Sow Marjoram, Basil, Coriander, Dill, Chives, Seed Potatoes to provide a crop for Christmas. Good varieties to consider include Charlotte, Desiree, Maris Piper and Maris Peer. Horse Chestnut and Lime trees. Take cuttings of Mint, Rosemary, and Sage.

Products mentioned: Blagdon Fresh Start Pond (removes Chlorine so makes tap water safe for pond fish, Straw, Barley Straw, Bamboo canes, Plant pots, Peat-Free Seed & Cutting Compost, Perlite, Green Up Enhance Liquid Lawn Feed (it has added seaweed and a turf wetting agent which helps reduce grass stress and improves root growth), Taylors Bulbs, Tomato Feed, Nematodes to treat lawn leatherjackets, lawn edging tool, Vitax Citrus Summer Food and Water Butts.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.

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