The RHS, the UK’s leading gardening charity, holds several London fairs across the year. Free to RHS members the seasonal shows give visitors the chance to buy new plants and pick up tips and advice as Hester McDonald has been finding out.

It is often the case for garden designers that they spend so much time working on other people’s gardens that their gardens can get forgotten. British trained garden designer Hester McDonald got some ideas for a shady bed from Rosy Hardy, founder of Hardy’s plants.

As summer approaches it is the time to think about growing fruit. Keen fruit grower Lucy Chamberlain shared her tips and advice with Ken Crowther on how to get the best results when growing fruit in your garden.

As one of the largest employers, the horticultural industry offers a wide variety of jobs from landscaper, designer, gardener or tree surgeon. Writtle College lecturer Tom Cole and Ken Crowther talk about education and careers in horticulture.

In the growing shed of Capel Organic mushrooms the ‘unloved’ mushrooms, those that are misshapen, bruised or damaged are sold onto customers in the catering industry. Patrick Herne explained to Ken Crowther about the different types of mushrooms and where they sold too.

One of the garden favourites is the rose, but over the years tastes have changed and some of the old favourites are no longer grown making the way for new varieties. Ken Crowther and Tom Cole talk roses.

Hyde Hall May Podcast.

Vanessa Mann talks to head gardener at Powis Castle.

John Mason Visits The Melbourne International Flower And Garden Show

An important bi-product of mushroom product is the remaining compost. After the mushrooms have been harvested the compost is steam sterilised and sold on to members of the public, landscapers and organic farms. Patric Hearn from Capel Mushrooms explained the process to Ken Crowther.