Dig It

Peter speaks with Gerry Edwards about apples and where they came from.

Gerry tells us what to bring in to the Garden Centre for apple identification during our Apple Weekend and how he goes about identification. Why not come along and meet Gerry on the 27th and 28th of September!

They discuss how they have evolved, which country grows the most apples and the many varieties available. Gerry gives us his favourite 5 apples to grow which are not the standard ones you will find in your local supermarket but are definitely worth the effort! They are Lord Lambourne, Laxtons Furtune, Discovery, Howgate Wonder and Lanes Price Albert.

Did you know that apples can cause food allergies and why people say ‘An apple a day keeps the Doctor away!’?

Gerry has written a book called’ Getting started with Growing Fruit’ and we discuss different plants you can grow and how to care for them. We talk through options for training apple trees so you can grow them in small spaces. We explore types of apples, how to grow new varieties and types of rootstock to grow them on

He tells us which are the best cider apples. Is it a Dabinet or a Kingston Black? Gerry has some other great suggestions of ones to try too.

Fancy a trip out to see over 2000 varieties of Apple Trees? Then head to Brogdale Farm, near Faversham in Kent.

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This month, Peter Brown is joined by new co-host David Thomas as they dig into one of the hottest UK summers on record, the impact on gardens, and how the recent rains have helped. They discuss major gardening news stories—from early harvests and dragonfly spotting to Bath’s literary blooms (Britain in Bloom) and a Tree Preservation Order-protected grapefruit tree in Battersea. Discover what’s on at this month’s flower shows, plus practical jobs for the garden, from sowing spinach to watering tea bushes. The Dig It Top 5 strawberries are revealed, and there’s plenty of planting advice for a colourful autumn and productive spring.

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In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Matthew Biggs, best known for his appearances on the long running BBC Radio 4 programme Gardeners' Question Time. He shares his special story, which is packed with anecdotes, wisdom, solace and plant stories from his amazing career which started at Pershore College of Horticulture and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and into writing, TV and so much more.

Plants mentioned: Apple Cordons, Apple varieties ‘Scrumptious’ and ‘Reverend W Wilks’ (cooker). Beetroot, Redcurrants, packets of annual seeds, Tomatoes, Alpines, Hanging baskets and Herbs

People mentioned: King Charles III, passionate about gardens and nature. Bunny Guiness, Clay Jones, Christine Walkden, Ernest Wilson (plant hunter), Joseph Banks (plant hunter), Gertrude Jekyll (British horticulturist and garden designer), Mr Middleton (earliest radio and television broadcasters on gardening for the BBC), Professor Alan Gemmell, Roy Lancaster, Geoffrey Smith, William Robinson (the great plantsman) and James Wong.

Places mentioned: Pershore College, Kew Gardens (Temperate House, Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Palm House. Sandringham Gardens, Buckingham Palace Gardens. Bluebell Nurseries, Hidcote Manor Gardens and The Beechgrove Garden in Scotland.

Garden restoration project at Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood. A collaboration between the Hospital and Sunnyside Rural Trust at Hemel Hempstead. Matt is working with several key people including gardener designer Tom Stuart-Smith (and his wife, Sue Stuart-Smith author of The Well Gardened Mind, a Sunday Times Bestseller), National Garden Scheme new CEO Dr Richard Claxton, founder of the Gardening4health charity, and Mark Gregory, top RHS Chelsea Garden builder with over 160 RHS gardens to his credit! Mount Vernon Hospital’s garden is currently at the planning and fundraising stage, it’s hoped to start planting in September. Details on how to donate to this amazing project can be found on this Just Giving page

Matt’s award-winning podcast, Gardening with Cancer, featuring BBC Gardeners’ World gardening journalist David Hurrion can be found at this link

Matt’s Desert Island plant: Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrate).

You can find Matt’s books at most independent bookshops and on second-hand book platforms such as World of Books.

Instagram: @matthewbiggs55

X: @plantmadman

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.

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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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In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with renowned Welsh vegetable grower and exhibitor Medwyn Williams, MBE and FNVS. A hobby that went completely out of control is how Medwyn describes his journey to growing amazing vegetables and a modest humble beginning saving seeds from leeks and carrots in the 1970s to his prolific online business today. Medwyn has won 13 Gold medals through the years at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, so he certainly knows his onions!

Plants mentioned: Beetroot, Broad beans, Carrots (‘Sweet Candle’, a Japanese bred variety being one of Medwyn’s favourites for flavour and ‘New Red Intermediates' for length on the staging bench), Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Kohl Rabi, Leek, Lettuce, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes, Swedes, Tomatoes, and Turnips.

Product mentioned: Become a member of the National Vegetable Society for advice, encouragement and to engage with keen growers. Coco fibre, Cocktail sticks for staging veg, Levingtons Composts, Perlite and Tozers Seeds. Medwin’s Desert Island Tool and favourite Veg: Trowel and Brussel Sprouts.

Horticultural heroes: Edwin Beckett was head-gardener for Lord Aldenham at Aldenham House in Hertfordshire. Edwin has been Medwyn’s motivator in staging displays as he used to win with large stands of vegetables at London shows around the 1920s - 30s.

Martin Robinson, one of the members of the famous Robinson family who introduced the world to their famous Mammoth Onions gave Medwyn advice and guidance.

Places: Royal Welsh Show, Anglesey Flower Show, Ayr Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show (Gold Medal and the RHS Tudor Rose for Best Display), RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Medwyn grew his exhibits in the research establishment greenhouse at Bangor University allowing him to start his Chelsea plants with additional light, and it’s also the original home of the wheelie bin carrots and parsnips grown in pipes.

Medwyn is an avid user of social media sharing his growing trials and tribulations with his followers. You can follow Medwyn on X: medwynsofangles. For seeds visit his website.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.

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Our gardens are growing apace this month and there's plenty to be getting on with as Dig It's Peter Brown and Chris Day tackle those essential tasks, plus a round-up of July’s events and garden news stories from around the UK.

What’s on

1st - 6th July: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, Hampton Court Palace, London.

11th - 13th July: The Norfolk Garden Show, Norfolk Showground, New Costessey, Norwich.

16th - 20th July: RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse, South Yorkshire. On the 17th July Chris Baines will be giving a talk - Wildlife gardening past, present and future at the show at 11am.

21st - 24th July Royal Welsh Show, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.

26th - 27th July: The National Gardening & Outdoor Living Show, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh.

Until 14th September: Seedscape, the art of the seed at the Kew Garden’ wild botanical garden at Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex.

Until 21st September: Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party exhibition at the Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, London.

News

Fraudster, Thomas Robinson conned luxury hotels and retailers out of £580k by selling fake Scottish-grown tea is jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Blue Diamond in exclusive talks to purchase Barton Grange Garden Centre.

Improving plant health through voluntary collaboration is the way forward.

Famous East Lambrook Manor is in new hands.

Campaign to stop trees from being strangled by abandoned tree ties and rabbit guards.

Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time to be recorded on 2nd August during the RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show.

Pershore College Garden Centre and Wholesale Plant Nursery to close.

Roof garden at the Open University to help scientist study on the impact of growing plants on top of buildings.

UK heatwave results in the 1,000 year old Robin Hood Oak receiving emergency watering.

Dahlia Gardinetta ® Velvet Crush named Best New plant at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.

Frank Matthews launches new Apple Rainbow and collects Best in Show for Prunus sumaura Fugenzo Japanese Lantern at the HTA’s National Plant Show.

Welsh apple register is launched.

Rare Hong Kong orchid – Bulbophyllum bicolor - saved from extinction.

A UK first – Baobab tree in bloom at the Eden Project.

GP Richard Claxton becomes NGS Chief Executive following George Plumptre, who steps down after 15 years this Autumn.

Former garden centre owner and QVC gardening channel champion Richard Jackson is awarded the MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to Children’s Hospices (Greenfingers).

Wincey Willis, ITVs first female weather presenter, local radio show host and gardening expert and columnist, has died.

M&S introduce Red Diamonds Strawberry and Creme in a sandwich.

DIG IT Top 5: Top cakes for the summer 5th position Raspberry & Coconut Sponge, 4th Carrot Cake, 3rd Coffee & Walnut, 2nd Chocolate Sponge with Victoria Sponge at the top spot.

Plant mentions: Tomatoes, Runner Beans, Cherries, Bearded Iris, Petunia, Million Bells, Pelargoniums (cutting), Wallflowers, Sweet Williams, Foxgloves, Wisteria (pruning), Jasmine, Lavender, Bergamot, Clover, Gaillardia, Cosmos, and Egyptian Onions.

Product mentions: Sprayer for misting, Solar fountain, bird bath, BBQ, and cocoon / egg chair.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.

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In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Chris Baines who is recognised as one of the UK's leading independent environmentalists and greatest pioneers in wildlife gardening. His best-selling book, How To Make A Wildlife Garden was published back in 1985 and has been in print continually ever since. Chris’s ethos is simply to encourage us all to think more about wildlife and give it a helping hand in our gardens!

People and places: Key Inspiration from Christopher Lloyd (Great Dixter Garden) and Dame Miriam Rothschild (passionate about getting wildflowers on motorway verges and attracting butterflies). War hero General Oliver Leese (a bonsai and cacti grower, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 1984, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Kent apple Orchards, Wind in the Willows Books (Mr Toad reference). Wye College Agricultural and Horticulture Facility, Garden Organic, Sheffield Parks Department. Wildlife and Wetlands Trust created London Wetlands Centre, one of the most successful stories in Europe. English Nature, The Wildlife Trust and Wild Ken Hill, Norfolk featured on BBC Springwatch

Plant mentions: Cowslip, Crocus, Bolted Kale with flower buds, Daisies, Foxgloves, Grape hyacinths, Horse chestnut, Ivy, Michaelmas daisies, Runner beans, Silver Birch, and Saxifraga.

Animal mentions: Blue Tits, Skylarks, Lapwings, Curlews, Robins, Swallows, Starlings, Swifts, Slugs, Caterpillars, Bats, Sparrow Hawks, Red Kites, Peregrine Falcons, Magpies, Foxes, Toads, Hedgehogs, Moths, Butterflies, Cabbage White Butterflies, Newts, Damsel flies, Wasps, Leatherjackets, and Woodcock.

Product mentions: Bee hotels, Clay pots, Compost bins, Flexible Pond liners, and Nest boxes.

Chris’s garden with a large pond: Leyland Cypress, Holly, Yew, Crab Apple, Native Honeysuckle, Bird Cherry (Prunus padus), Rosa banksia, Pink Campion, Lily of the Valley, Meadow Cranesbill / non-native Geraniums, Pulmonaria (lungwort) and Wayfaring tree.

Desert island must-haves: Hand lens / Macro lens binoculars and Secateurs.

Media highlights: Pebble Mill at One (1989 - 92), Rich Habitat Garden created for Gardeners’ World with Peter Seabrook. Blue Tits and Bumblebees (1985) one 40-minute programme, The Wildside of Town, and Countryfile one of the original presenters from 1989 - 92.

The Thames Estuary Partnership: The Living Thames film won the 2019 UK Charity Film Award and has won prizes and awards on four continents. It has an introduction by Sir David Attenborough and is available worldwide through Amazon. Chris is currently working on the sequel, The Historic Thames, which is scheduled for autumn release.

Chris’s books: The Wild Side of Town, The RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening (originally titled How to Make a Wildlife Garden), and A Guide to Habitat Creation.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.

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After the driest spring in over 60 years, our gardens have been amazing these past months. In this edition of DIG IT, Peter Brown and Chris Day guide us through the month of June looking at the events, topical gardening news and tasks to keep our gardens colourful and productive.

What’s on

Saturday 7th June Royal Windsor Flower Show, Windsor Great Park, Windsor.

7th - 8th June London Open Gardens, Multiple locations, London.

12 - 15th June BBC Gardeners’ World Live, NEC, Birmingham.

20 - 22nd June Blenheim Palace Flower Show, Blenheim, Oxfordshire.

News

The two men who felled a tree at Sycamore Gap convicted of criminal damage.

Eden Project Morecambe set to open in 2028.

Good news for UK horticulture as most routine border checks on plant shipments to and from the EU will be dropped in new trade deal.

Alan Titchmarsh becomes President of the National Garden Scheme as Dame Mary Berry steps down after 10 years in the role.

National Garden Scheme charity funds over 100 gardens.

Anne-Marie Powell’s 2025 award-winning Octavia Hill Chelsea Garden finds a permanent home at Bridgemere Show Gardens in Nantwich, Cheshire.

CHELSEA NEWS HEADLINES

Monty Don’s RHS / BBC RADIO 2 Dog Garden got tails wagging at show.

Taylors Bulbs make it 32 Gold medals at Chelsea.

Cosmos King and friend of the podcast Jonathan Sheppard collects Gold for his National Collection of Cosmos display.

Frank P Matthews awarded Silver Guilt for Malus and trained fruit display.

Cha No Niwa, Japanese Tea Garden collects top awards including the People’s Award for best show garden.

In the Malvern Houseplant Studio category, a gold was awarded to Babylon Beats by James Whiting of Plants by There and The Little Botanical reimagines the Hanging Gardens of Babylon through a 1980s lens.

Winner of the RHS Plant of the Year 2025 goes to Philadelphus Petit Perfume Pink.

The King’s Rose is officially unveiled with proceeds going to The King’s Foundation.

The National Trust creates its first ornamental forest garden at the Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire.

Communities to gather in the Great Big Green Week to help beat climate change.

Tribute garden to late Queen Elizabeth II takes shape at London’s Regent’s Park.

Can you help passionate Cornish Peony gardener – Caroline Stone - and her quest to find rare types of Paeonia lactifolora, bred since the 1800s by Kelway’s Nursery in Langport, Somerset? If you think you can help Caroline, contact her at www.glebegarden.co.uk

DIG IT Top 5 Summer bedders in pots: 5th Dahlietta, 4th Osteospermums, 3rd Ivy Leaf Pelargoniums, 2nd Regal Pelargoniums and at the No1 spot Zonal Pelargoniums.

Plants mentioned: Runner beans, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Lettuce. Forsythia, Philadelphus, Weigela, Deciduous Viburnum, Delphiniums, Lupins, Monstera, Roses, Tulips, Seasonal bedding plants, Paeonies, Petunias, and Speedplanters. Sow now Foxgloves, Poppies, Wallflowers, Sweet William, and Forget Me Nots. Encourage pollinators into the garden by planting Lavender, Aster, Coneflowers Cosmos, and Sunflowers.

Products mentioned: Dutch hoe, Westland All Purpose Boost Plant Feed, Tomorite, Evergreen 4-in-1 Complete Lawn Feed, Greenhouse shading, Poppyforge plant supports, garden canes, Hozelock multi-gun, Hydrangea Colourant, houseplant compost, and pots for houseplant re-potting.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.

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Lee Connelly, the Skinny Jean Gardener, wants to get kids out in the garden and shares his passion for growing plants and engaging with nature. In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Lee on his mission to get children gardening as part of National Children’s Gardening Week this month!

Plants mentioned: Cress, Chilli peppers, Daffodils, Jasmine, Onions, Potatoes, Radish Strawberries, Tomatoes and Wildflowers.

People and products mentioned: Dale Connelly, Jimmy Doherty (Jimmy’s Farm), Jamie Oliver, Micheal Perry (aka Mr Plant Geek), Matthew Biggs, Jim Buttress, Chris Collins, BBC and CBBC Blue Peter.  Garden Clogs, and Crocs - but they let in too much water! Wildlife gardening projects to engage children including a bug hotel.

Lee’s desert Island plant and tool: Chilli peppers and a Hammer (perfect for planting, according to Lee).

To discover more about Lee, his podcast and his gardening activities do visit his website.

Lee’s book, How To Get Kids Gardening is available through bookshops and Lee’s website. Lee’s latest book, Children’s Gardening Coach, will be available in September.

Click on this link to find out about HTA’s National Children’s Gardening Week.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.

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May in the Garden 2025 short notes v2

It’s May and as the saying goes, “N'er cast a clout till May is out”. A proverb which reminds us about the fickle British weather and its ability to bathe us in warmth one day and bring chilly winds the next! Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss what gardening tasks need to be done in one of the busiest months in the gardening calendar, plus a round-up of events and topical news stories.

What’s on

2 - 4th May: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, Beaulieu, New Forest, Hampshire.

2 May - 10th August: Unearthed: The Power of Gardening, British Library, London.

8 - 11th May: RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire.

20 – 24th May: RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London.

24 May - 1st June National Children’s Gardening Week.

30 – 31st May: Scone Palace Garden Fair, Perthshire, Scotland.

News

Chelsea 2025 gardens showcasing climate resilience.

Monty Don’s dog, Ned assists in creating first dog friendly Chelsea Garden.

Frank P Matthews to debut at Chesea Flower Show showcasing Malus.

England’s non-woodland trees freely mapped for first time.

Ancient oak tree cut down by Toby Carvery.

National Trust steps in to save rare Black Poplar trees.

Mixed fortunes of UK gardens visitor numbers in 2024 revealed.

Biddulph Grange Stumpery renovation completed.

A call for action over declining hoverfly numbers from The Wildlife Trust and RHS.

Horticultural Trade Association supports Urban Green Spaces Bill.

2025 Ballot open for 10 Downing Street Garden which will be open to the public for one day.

Rising costs lead to Shrewsbury Flower Show cancellation.

Westland Horticulture acquires Bulldog Products.

Huw Richards and Gardena search for Britain’s best plot in new competition.

Survey conducted by Stihl highlights common garden mistakes

Peter A. Cox of Glendoick, a pioneering figure in the world of horticulture and rhododendron cultivation, has died.

Lawns overlooked in new builds.

Wildlife gardens see a ‘change for the better’ say Wildflower Gardening Forum.

DIG IT Top 5 Top Fragrant Plants

5th spot Lonicera Gold Flame, 4th Lavandula Hidcote, 3rd Rose Lilac Bouquet, 2nd Trachelospermum jasminoides and Lavandula stoechas at the number 1 spot.

Plants mentioned: Polyanthus and Primulas – perfect for division, Swede, Beetroot, Carrots, Autumn Cabbage, autumn / winter Cauliflowers, Broccoli, Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Lettuce and Spring Onions. French and Runner beans, Sweetcorn, Courgettes, and Pumpkins. Blueberries, Cranberries and Strawberries. Sweet Peppers, Chillies, Aubergines, Melons, and Cucumbers. Summer bedding and Seasonal plants. Aquatic oxygenators, marginals, and waterlilies. Pop-in / Drop-In Speedplanters.

Products mentioned: Bug Hotel, Horticultural fleece, Dutch Hoe, Ericaceous fertilisers, Garden Netting, Evergreen 4-in 1 Lawn Food, Lawn seed, Hanging baskets, and Melcourt Peat-Free Tub and Basket Compost.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.

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