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It's always a pleasure to meet and talk with David Stevens and one never leaves his company without a strong desire to quickly write down some of the gems he's reeled off about garden design. He has more RHS medals than I can count plus a host of other awards, recognising more than fifty years of excellence in horticultural design.
For this week's LYG Live, we thought it would be useful to have a case study for David and John Stirland to discuss and we're grateful to one of our new members Mirjam Tigchelaar from the Netherlands for allowing us to use photographs showing the evolution of her garden project. 
It's an opportunity for David to outline the main points to consider before embarking on a garden project of any size.  We cover planning, groundwork, garden buildings, water features, sculptures, lighting, containers, turf and, of course, planting. As ever, the key aspects are highlighted under our chapters tab for easy access.
NB: It would be useful to be able to see the photographs under discussion on our live broadcast (which is streamed on the LYG FB Page) so here's the link to Mirjam's post so you can see for yourself what we're discussing: https://bit.ly/3dtcGyQ
 
With 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 

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John Stirland provides a few suggestions for border fillers that will provide late Summer and early Autumn colour. There's also advice on hedge trimming and answers to listener questions on figs and dealing with fruit pests.  There are so many plant contenders so we're only scratching the surface here but John has gone for plants that will tolerate most soils and conditions.  Plants we didn't get around to discussing but really should have done include Agapanthus, Crocosmia, Eryngium, Clerodendron etc but we will get around to it as Autumn approaches.

If you have any gardening questions, John is a hugely knowledgeable horticulturist so feel free to email them to [email protected] and we'll tackle them in our weekly live event which you can find on our Loving Your Garden Facebook Group page every Tuesday evening at 6pm (UK time) We'll also include any answer in our next podcast episode. 
 
With 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 

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It's a Summer treat for our members as John and I meet up with two stalwarts of the Horticultural world: Rob Hardy from Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants and renowned garden designer (and LYG member) Professor David Stevens.  Recorded just as the July heatwave was setting the mercury rising at the Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden Show, it was a chance to pick up some top tips from the best. It's only 11 minutes or so long but well worth your time. Enjoy!

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

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Regardless of your views on climate change, July's record UK temperatures, coupled with similar events globally, remind us that something is very definitely afoot.  It's an issue gardeners especially have been aware of for some time, particularly those taking an interest in our wildlife - or lack of it!
Our guest this week, Mary Porter, has spent a lifetime championing the cause of UK wildlife from her Lincolnshire base with weekly reports on local radio and now a national station: Boom Radio on Sunday mornings.  We discuss the changes, the challenges different wildlife face and the things we can do as gardeners. Because it's a general conversation between Mary, John and myself, there are no chapters this week, it's one just to set aside half an hour for a, hopefully,  informative piece on this topical issue. 
As ever, your feedback on our podcasts is welcome... 
email: [email protected]

Thanks, as ever, to our sponsors, Fitzgerald Laing Decorators - visit:  https://bit.ly/3zvPicB 
for free advice or a consultation.

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With record temperatures being clocked up all over the world including the more temperate European countries, gardeners need to be alert to the dangers posed to their precious plants. In this week's episode, John Stirland discusses the crucial topic of efficient watering, plant care and Summer lawn maintenance as well as answering member questions on pruning Wisteria and tree care.
As ever,  if time is of the essence, you can scan the contents in our chapter tab.


Brought to you in association with our Sponsors - Fitzgerald Laing Decorators: https://bit.ly/3Pe6E2v

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

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Horticultural Wholesaler and LYG member Mark Smith updates us on some of the new products on display at the National Plant Show held at NAEC Stoneleigh in June.
Blight resistant Box, easy-maintenance Clematis and dwarf varieties of popular shrubs for smaller gardens are just some of the items up for discussion.  He also reveals how the industry feels about the year to date as fears grow the economy generally, and it's positive news for horticulture at least.
Also, John Stirland discusses topical jobs to be getting on with including taking softwood cuttings from your favourite plants.
As ever, you can pick out items of interest from our chapter tab but at just 27 minutes, it's worth listening to the whole piece so as not to miss anything.

Brought to you in association with our Sponsors - Fitzgerald Laing Decorators: https://bit.ly/3Pe6E2v

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

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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This time of year should see our gardens at their best in the more temperate climates but it's also a time when pests and diseases are at their most active. In this week's episode, we consider the main pests we're likely to encounter, such as scale insect, aphids and whitefly as well as fungal infections like powdery mildew and effective ways to control them.
We also discuss jobs to be doing in June and John answers members' questions on roses, spraying and weeding, watering and feeding distressed plants and feeding tomatoes and cucumbers.
As ever, you can check the chapter tab if you want to skip to sections of interest but John covers a lot of interesting topics this week so it's well worth listening through the whole podcast.

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This week Rod and John discuss ways of using the free space above your garden to add another dimension to your outdoor space. Whether it's trees, shrubs or man-made structures, lifting the ceiling of your garden can make a world of difference.
John also touches on a couple of key jobs for this time of year for veg growers including tomato care and leek planting.
We also respond to a couple of member questions concerning distorted and wilting spring onions and whether Callicarpa needs acid soil.
As ever, there's a chapter tab if you want to focus on a specific topic. For more perspective on the gardening issues we're discussing, take a look at our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/574905686709417

Thanks to our sponsors Fitzgerald Laing Decorators: 
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Our garden lawns can be the source of great pride or bitter disappointment! Our guest this week, Guy Jenkins from Johnsons Lawn Seeds and DLF Seeds & Science gives you the inside story on seed development with everything you need to know about giving your lawn the best chance of success.  From choosing your seed to sowing, feeding, scarifying, aerating and mowing, Guy will take you through the dos and don'ts. Guy also has a solution for one of the biggest challenges to maintaining a healthy lawn for dog owners:  coping with dog pee! 
As ever we have a chapter section so you can dive straight into the bit you'd like to focus on.  

LYG Podcast is brought to you in association with Fitzgerald Laing Decorators - for a free quote and advice on any project,  check out their Facebook Page of the same name.

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

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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Summer Bedding is a familiar addition to most gardens, providing an extra burst of colour to your outdoor space.  We look at the options and the pitfalls to avoid including the one common mistake that can leave you with loads of foliage...but no flowers!
We also discuss the importance of plant supports, lifting your Spring bulbs, and respond to your questions about container suitability and plants for the front of a long hedgerow.