In this episode Bill and Peter discuss the latest Hosepipe Ban, most of the NGS gardens scheme gardens have finished now, but there are a few RHS shows to go and see and all the other wonderful National Trust and British Heritage Gardens to visit.

The Chelsea Flower Show may have problems next year as it’s drive to go peat free before the industry is ready is causing growers to pull out as they don’t feel the alternative peat free composts are quite ready yet to grow show winning plants. Bill puts the idea of using oasis forward that is often used in flower arrangements, as one option, and Peter suggested trialing the same growing medium currently being used in Hydroponics as another idea.

The Channel Islands have had some bad news about their cut flower industry as the postal service plane is no longer going to take the cut flowers which leaves growers needing to find a different way to fly the flowers out.

Wildlife trust has been given a new 6 hectare Wild flower meadow near Earls Barton Northamptonshire which is also a flood plain so they will be able to help even more native plants and animals.

Due to the lack of rain this year there is a Hosepipe ban in lots of areas of the UK now, which means lots of people will have to stop using irrigation on their lawns. There are lots of things you can do like using your old bath water to irrigate the garden, or use water from your water butt to fill your watering can or hosepipe. There are types of irrigation you can use but it’s best to check with your water supply company. Peter has also learned that lots of organic material is great for water retention and Bill points out that having stone free soil can also help grow great vegetables without blemishes on their roots.

Bill also suggests a few vegetables we can plant at this time of year on your vegetable patch and get a crop off, and it’s nearly time to plant Christmas potatoes. If you do plant Christmas potatoes aways grow them in a frost free environment in a couple of months time when the days get shorter and the nights cooler.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music for providing the Music

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