Gardeners' Question Time

Is gardening a solitary or a social activity? What could I grow up a garage wall? What do the panel expect to see in open gardens?

Kathy and a team of experts visit The Hanneys to solve gardeners' problems. Joining Kathy to answer the questions are fanatical plantswoman Christine Walkden, dedicated botanist Dr Chris Thorogood, and passionate plant expert Matthew Biggs.

Later in the programme, Matthew Pottage and GQT producer Dominic Tyerman visit the Sydney Botanic Gardens in Australia to understand the wide appeal of living wall gardens, as well as provide tips for making your own.

Producer: Dominic Tyerman

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

What’s the secret to growing Snowdrops? Which single plant or gardening activity instils a feeling of wellbeing in people? What are the do's and don’ts of planting Acers?

Kathy Clugston and a team of experts are in Bristol to answer gardening questions from a green fingered audience. Joining Kathy are garden designers Chris Beardshaw and Matthew Wilson, and house plants expert Anne Swithinbank.

Later in the programme, if you're unsure of what do with your garden during the winter months, Matthew Pottage has an extensive list of jobs and tasks to help you get ahead in the new year.

Producer: Daniel Cocker

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Peter Gibbs digs, rakes and mulches through the GQT archive to uncover some much needed gardening advice, providing you with knowledge to aid you in the new year.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the perfect period to get ahead with maintaining you garden during the harsh winter months to come.

GQT’s various horticultural experts from over the years share their tips and knowledge on what to do with wonky veg, what to do with an Amaryllis bulb after it’s finished flowering, and which plants are deer proof.

Later, we listen back to when Chris Beardshaw visited Tenby Wells to learn all about mistletoe, its origins and the significance it has on the festive period.

Producer: Dom Tyerman

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Where have all the worms gone in my garden? How do I use a glasshouse? Can plants survive without being watered for a month?

Kathy Clugston and a team of gardening experts explore the 70 acres of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, all while digging the GQT postbag to answer your gardening grievances.

Joining Kathy on this extensive tour are ethnobotanist James Wong, garden designer Neil Porteous, and Head of Gardens at Balmoral Kirsty Wilson. They're led around the garden by Head of Collections, David Knott.

Producer: Bethany Hocken

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

How do I get red cedar root balls to spread? What gardening task do the panel find daunting? What are the panel’s thoughts about composting organic materials?

Kathy Clugston and her team of horticultural experts travel to the University of Exeter for a postbag edition of GQT.

While Curator of Horticulture Anthony Cockell leads Kathy and the panel around the grounds, they also dig through the GQT inbox to answer your gardening queries. On the panel this week are garden designer Chris Beardshaw, grow your own guru Bob Flowerdew, and proud plantswoman Christine Walkden.

Later in the programme, the panellists discuss the University of Exeter's national collection of Azaras, share tips on how they can add structure to the garden and provide a sensory experience.

Senior Producer: Bethany Hocken

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

My Fatsia plants had their stems nibbled by deer – will they recover, or should I buy new ones? Any tips on how I can get my eucalyptus plants to produce juvenile flowers? If you were building a scarecrow in your garden, what would you suggest dressing it in?

Kathy Clugston and a panel of experts are in Cheshire West to answer queries from an audience of keen gardeners. On the panel are garden designer Bunny Guinness, houseplant expert Anne Swithinbank, and curator of RHS Bridgewater Marcus Chilton-Jones.

Later, James Wong and head gardener of the Castlefield Viaduct Nancy Scheerhout discuss how the 'garden in the sky' was created, as well as how it's maintained.

Producer: Bethany Hocken

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Will my blind daffodils ever flower again, or should I just discard them? Can I use old yule logs to line my plant beds or will the harvested fruit and veg become poisonous? How can I repel spiders from my garden without using chemicals?

Peter Gibbs is joined by his enthusiastic team of horticultural experts as they dig through the GQT inbox and answer your gardening conundrums. On the panel this week are landscape architect Bunny Guinness, self proclaimed botanical geek James Wong and pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood.

They visit the Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill, where head of horticulture Errol Reuben Fernandes gives the team a tour of their historical and extensive gardens.

Later, Peter and the panel discuss whether there are house plants that can produce enough oxygen to purify air or if this is just a myth.

Senior Producer: Dan Cocker


A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Kathy Clugston navigates the murky waters of the GQT archives in search of some Pond and Bog related advice throughout the years.

Water is the giver of plant life and nourisher of wildlife, but how do we ensure that we’re using it correctly? The GQT team have sorted through the archives in search for some questions and answers from the past.

The programme's horticultural experts share their knowledge on what to do if your pond liner breaks, how to remove bird poo from the surface of your pond, and what sort of plants you could plant in bogs and ponds to increase biodiversity?

We also listen back to when pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood visited the Exbury Gardens dragonfly pond to learn more about these little creatures.

Producer: Dan Cocker


A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Could the panel share some gardening tips for wheelchair users? How do I start growing mulukhiyah in my garden? Which hedges could I grow that are resistant to ermine moths and offer privacy?

Senior Producer: Dominic Tyerman

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Could you suggest some bat friendly plants that will keep them happy? Is it too late to re-pot my five-year-old daffodils? How can I improve the quality of my clay soil and what can I grow on it?

Peter Gibbs and his team of horticultural experts are in the market town of Wokingham for this week's episode of Gardeners' Question Time.

Joining Peter to dig into the audience's queries are garden designer Matthew Wilson, proud plantswoman Christine Walkden and passionate plantsman Matthew Biggs.

Later in the show, Kirsty Wilson gets into the community spirit as she visits Greyfriars Biophilic Garden in Glasgow for a quick tour of their 56 show-stopping plots.

Producer: Bethany Hocken

Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod

Executive Producer: Hannah Newton

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4