Our Gardening maestro John Stirland is in great form as we consider plants that will add a little lustre to a flagging garden at this time of year. Flowers, shrubs, and trees all feature in our suggestions for adding some late seasonal interest, so it's worth having a pen and paper to hand as we go. Just a heads-up that we'll get another perspective on Autumn colour with an old friend of LYG, Rosy Hardy from Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants, in mid-September, so do subscribe to be sure not to miss her outstanding advice.

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR. 

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It's not every day you get to chat with one of the UK's top plantswomen, a renowned garden designer and the Gandalf of gardening but that was my pleasure when Rosy Hardy, David Stevens and John Stirland all gathered by Rosy's plant stand at the Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden Show.  It was a delightful conversation about Summer gardens that I'm sure you'll find informative and entertaining.

There's also some bonus clips from this year's annual Glee Garden and Leisure Show at the Birmingham NEC where I took a closer look at composite decking and checked in at the Melcourt stand for an update on where we are with the forthcoming UK peat ban.

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR. 

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Everybody says it's been a great year for so many plants but especially roses so it's a good time to dwell on the ubiquitous rose: conditions, care, suggested varieties, and member questions answered by LYG's resident horticulturist John Stirland. 
We do discuss a couple of varieties so I've attached a link to pics of the roses we discuss but, frankly, there are so many varieties, it really is a question of personal taste.

Roses mentioned in the podcast visible on LYG page (link below)
Tess of the D'urbervilles, Simple Life, Scent From Heaven and Gertrude Jekyll
https://www.facebook.com/groups/574905686709417/permalink/1331208274412484/

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR. 

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A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

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By now, the heavy work is likely done and we can start finessing, ready to relax and enjoy our gardens.  If only!  Of course, there's always something to be getting on with and, this week, we look at pruning and pest control. Meanwhile, John answers a variety of member questions that commonly arise at this time of the year.
You'll find a host of experienced gardeners on our LYG Facebook site but if you'd prefer to ask John direct, you can email [email protected] and we'll respond in the next podcast.
We do reference a promotion, exclusive to  LYG Members for Leon Boots' range of ultra-lightweight boots. That does include our podcast subscribers so feel free to use the code provided in this week's podcast.
 
Please also feel free to provide feedback on the podcast to the same email address.  This is our third year and we've just notched up 10,000 downloads, but I'm sure we can improve and so feedback and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR. 

Share your thoughts

A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

As gardeners, we're closer than most to nature and we have a good understanding of the role we play in attracting wildlife into our neighbourhoods. But, with many species in a progressive decline over recent decades, that responsibility becomes ever more critical. Mary Porter has dedicated much of her life to wildlife promotion and protection and we're delighted to have her as a guest to LYG as Spring brings fresh challenges and opportunities for us to do our bit.

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

Share your thoughts

A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

We put so much effort into finding the right plants for our garden, we sometimes miss the bigger picture of creating the right framework for all those expensive trees, shrubs, and flowers. The cost of good quality landscaping can be offputting but, like any good investment, it can pay off many times over.  Our chat with professional garden landscaper Jan Prodger from Ace of Spades Garden Maintenance and Design gives a good insight into points to consider, and appreciation of the benefits of effective landscaping.

Ace Of Spades Lanscaping:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057294406100

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

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A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

There are few better qualified to talk about herbaceous perennials than 24-time Chelsea gold medal winner Rosy Hardy from Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants and we're delighted to have the benefit of her knowledge once again to discuss this garden essential.
We talk about seed sowing, plant breeding, and popular plant choices for '23. We also discuss how to use herbaceous plants effectively in your garden and Rosy makes some interesting points about colours and shapes.
We also discuss Peat Free which Rosy has long been a proponent of. However, we do talk about the extension of the ban on use of peat-free products but it's worth pointing out that this extension is relevant to professionals. Hobby gardeners will still need to switch to peat free by the end of this year (23).
As ever, there's a chapter page if you prefer to select items of interest but Rosy is such good value, you really ought to listen right through.

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

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A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

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Step away from the Garden Centre! Well, just for a moment as multi-award-winning garden designer and LYG member David Stevens gives you some valuable tips on using colour, texture, and shape of both foliage and flowers to keep your garden looking its best all through the year, including Winter.
Once again David is a rich source of knowledge as he joins resident horticulturist John Stirland and LYG founder Rod Whiting for a look ahead to the gardening year now that the long Winter is finally over.
You'll need a notebook as we discuss plants of all types as well as some handy hints from David and John based on nigh on one hundred years of professional experience between them.
As ever, you can find specific topics in our chapter section, but I would recommend listening to the whole podcast so as not to miss any golden nuggets of information.

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

Share your thoughts

A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

It's not terribly inviting outside, where I am at least, with snow falling and low temperatures set for the next few days. However, that hasn't stopped me from planting a good size Amelanchier Lamarckii and having a wee tidy up of some borders.  This is the thing about March and whatever the weather might throw at us, gardeners gotta garden!
And that's the theme of this week's podcast with horticulturist John Stirland answering LYG member questions and discussing jobs to be getting on with from sowing (we talk about artificial lighting for plants), first cuts for lawns, finishing off Winter pruning, transplanting and a host of other topical jobs before Spring breaks into a sprint.
As we cover a lot of topics, you'll find a quick guide in the chapters section so you can quickly navigate to what particularly interests you although, naturally, I would suggest listening to the whole piece so as not to miss useful nuggets of information.

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

Share your thoughts

A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Given reported supermarket shortages of fresh salad and veg plus exorbitant prices, there's never been a better time to consider growing your own, if you don't already.
Our guest this week is an American garden writer who grew up on a farm in the Deep South of the US and has written many books about growing your own veg - Maggie Stuckey.
Maggie and our own John Stirland are of like minds and spend half an hour putting the case for container gardening of veg and herbs to a sceptical podcaster. Do they succeed?  You'll need to listen to find out and in the process perhaps be converted yourself.
They cover the golden rules for container veg and herb gardening, what to grow and how to get the best out of very little space.

Thanks to our UK-based sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators:
for a free quote and advice on any project, here's their Facebook Group:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FINALIST  IN THE ‘22 GARDEN MEDIA GUILD AWARDS FOR PODCAST OF THE YEAR.

Share your thoughts

A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify