In this month’s Dig It podcast Peter Brown and Chris Day look at how the gradual change in seasons is beginning to affect what we plant, prune and plan ahead in our gardens.

Thursday 2nd February Chasing Plants talk with Dr Chris Thorogood in Oxford, 7-8pm. 

Saturday 4th February, 10am-4pm. Our Graft & Grow Event at the Garden Centre with The Mid Shires Orchard Group and grafters Andy Howard and Steve Oram from PTES

Saturday 4th February – Sunday 12th March  Houseplant Takeover at RHS Gardens, Wisley 

Thursday 16 February: Winter and Snowdrops Walk from 9.30am. Breakfast and a Guided Walk with Nick Hamilton at Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland, created by his father Geoff. 

In the news

David Austin Roses retires three rose varieties.

Redesign of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother garden at Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. 

RHS partner garden numbers increase to 221, including Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Powis Castle and Bridgemere Show Gardens.

The Windlesham Trophy awarded to the HM Prison Thorn Cross for its creative gardening efforts. 

Petal patterns found to attract bees, the latest from Cambridge University.

New laws to help protect illegal landscape tree felling comes into force.

Scottish tea grower success in London.

Predictions of garden trends for 2023 from the RHS.  

Kew Science spotlights 10 species of plants and fungi that it has named as new to science in 2022.

NGS biggest ever charity donation in 2022.

Dig It Top 5 Potatoes: From 5 to the number 1 spot Potato ‘Arran Pilot’ (1st early), ‘Desiree’ (maincrop), ‘Rocket’ (1st early), ‘Charlotte’ (2nd early) and at number 1 ‘Kestrel’ (2nd early).

Plant mentions: Asparagus, Garlic, Onions, Grapes, Roses ‘Munstead Wood’, ‘A Shropshire Lad’ and ‘Lady Emma Hamilton’, Phormium, Cordyline australis, Camellia sinensis (tea), cooler houseplants such Kentia palm, Fatsia japonica and Spathiphyllum; Snowdrops, Raspberries (‘Heritage’, ‘Autumn Bliss’), Strawberries, date palm, hedging, ornamental trees and fruit trees.

Product mentions: Swimming pond pumps from Oase, Secateurs, fleece, Baby Bio, Miracle-Gro feed, Phostrogen Plant Food, compost bins, and water butts.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for the music.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.