December in the Garden

In this episode Peter Brown and Chris Day herald the start of Advent by talking about the popular festive favourite, the Poinsettia and its special day in December. We chat to Pam Haigh, the UK general manager of the charity Ripple Africa in Malawi, a charity the Garden Centre is keen to support in its epic work in planting trees - over 17 million trees to date - in Malawi.

It may be December but there are some gardening tasks to be getting on with including defrosting bird baths and ponds, taking hardwood cuttings and how important frost is for some of our winter crops, namely Brussel sprouts and parsnips, to improve their flavour.

Find out more about Poinsettia Day on Sunday 12th December here

Plants mentioned: Camellias (available in store), Hellebores (and instore), Poinsettia (available instore), Pine (Pinus), Eucalyptus. Brussel sprouts, Parsnips, Carrots and Onions.

The bare-root season has started, learn more here. Christmas trees such as the Nordmann fir can be purchased as young transplants for growing on.

Plant trees this Christmas with Ripple Africa. This year the Garden Centre will be donating 50p to Ripple Africa for every cut Christmas tree sold. Every 50p will plant two trees in Malawi.

To find out more about Ripple Africa

News stories discussed

‘No one knew they existed’: wild heirs of lost British honeybee found at Blenheim Palace.

The original Bramley Apple located in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, 200 years old), nears its end but future plans for its legacy are now under discussion.

Gene editing crops is now allowed as the UK can set its own rules after leaving the EU.

Taking Hardwood cuttings: Hardwood cuttings are taken from mid-autumn until late winter from vigorous healthy shoots of the current year's growth - this will be woody but pliable around 9in (23cm) long

Plants suitable for hardwood cuttings include Deutzia, Buddleja (butterfly bush), Cornus (dogwood), Forsythia, Philadelphus (mock orange) Ribes (flowering currant) and Rosa (rose). Climbers Vitis (vines), Lonicera (honeysuckle), Jasminum, and Parthenocissus. Fruit: Gooseberries, black, red and white currants, Figs, Mulberry. Trees, including: Populus (poplars) and Salix (willow).

Vegetables: If you want to escape the TV or the family for an hour, then traditionally Boxing Day is the day for sowing your onions especially if you are planning a tasty crop next year. They will be ready to plant out when the soil warms up in spring but only if you’re into showing and maybe exhibiting them.

A shout out to our Dig It listeners … please help us grow by subscribing and telling your friends about Dig It, plus if there is a subject you think we should be covering or if you have a gardening question then do drop us a message.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music.

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