Gardening with the RHS

Royal Horticultural Society

Seasonal advice, inspiration and practical solutions to gardening problems

  • 29 minutes 57 seconds
    National Tree Week

    We’re marking National Tree Week, an annual celebration at the start of the tree planting season, and an opportunity for us to wax lyrical about the wonderful world of trees. We’ll be hearing some fascinating stories about the art of tree collecting and the human connection to our woodlands from author and artist Amy Stewart. We’ll be catching up on the latest news from RHS Garden Rosemoor as they set out on a conservation project to protect one of our most rare but little known native trees. And if you’re feeling inspired to get outside and start digging, Bob Askew will be bringing us his thoughts on the best trees for small spaces. 


    Host: Guy Barter 


    Contributors: Bob Askew, Amy Stewart, Jonathan Webster 


    Other Links:


    National Tree Week 

    How to plant a tree 

    Trees for small gardens

    Amy Stewart - The Tree Collectors 

    Devon Whitebeam

    RHS Garden Rosemoor

    21 November 2024, 12:45 pm
  • 37 minutes 12 seconds
    Medlars, Ornamental Grasses, and Elizabeth Blackwell

    This week we explore the fascinating stories and brilliant work of three exceptional plantswomen. Only recently has pioneering 18th-century herbalist Elizabeth Blackwell received proper recognition for her work A Curious Herbal – a beautifully illustrated botanical text that was, for centuries, mistakenly attributed to her scandal-prone husband! Fiona Davison, Head of RHS Libraries & Exhibitions, shares insights into Blackwell’s life and her groundbreaking work, which was created at a time of rapid botanical discovery in Europe as exotic plants flooded into the Western world. We also hear from passionate plantswoman Jane Steward, a dedicated advocate for the medlar, a rare fruit that was once beloved across the UK – even by King Henry VIII. And finally horticulturist Sarah Wilson-Frost from RHS Garden Hyde Hall will be sharing some excellent advice on growing ornamental grasses to add year-round interest to your garden.


    Host: Gareth Richards


    Contributors: Jane Steward, Fiona Davison, Sarah Wilson-Frost, Jenny Laville


    Other Links:

    A Curious Herbal

    RHS Hyde Hall

    How to grow medlars

    RHS advice on growing ornamental grasses

    When is a grass not a grass?

    14 November 2024, 1:03 pm
  • 32 minutes 45 seconds
    Hedgehogs, Houseplants and Homegrown veg

    This week we find out how to help our beloved prickly friends, as RHS Senior Wildlife Specialist Helen Bostock explains the threats to hedgehogs, and what we can do as gardeners to support them. Next we head indoors to find out how tailoring your potting mix can give your houseplants a new lease of life, with the lovely folks at Soil Ninja. Finally, if you’re looking for an autumn project, why not build some raised beds? We glean some expert advice on how to go about this, with RHS horticulturist Peter Adams.


    Host: Jenny Laville


    Contributors: Helen Bostock, Amy Loosley, Levent Latif-Maeer, Peter Adams 


    Other Links:

    National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy 

    Hedgehog-friendly gardening

    Hedgehog street 

    Wild about gardens - Get creative for hedgehogs 

    Wild about gardens - Make friends with molluscs

    Soil Ninja

    Grow Your Own Veg Through The Year 

    Become a member of the RHS 


    7 November 2024, 12:28 pm
  • 35 minutes 40 seconds
    Edible forests, honey fungus, and black aeoniums

    This All Hallow's Eve, we’re venturing into the woods to see what treasures we can find… First up, one of the gardeners' most feared garden inhabitants is stirring. We’ll be chatting with RHS Senior Plant Pathologist Jassy Drakulic to find out about the notorious honey fungus, and how you can protect your beloved plants against infection. Next we’re stopping off at RHS Garden Rosemoor’s edible forest garden, which is based on one of the oldest forms of land use in the world. We’ll be catching up with horticulturist Peter Adams to hear more about this ancient method of permaculture. Finally, if you’re looking for a new addition to your spooky plant collection, look no further than the Aeonium 'Zwartkop.' With its dramatic magenta-black foliage, this striking rosette-shaped succulent is just one example of the remarkable diversity in colour and form within the aeonium genus. We’ll be finding out more, with the help of National Plant Collection holder Mellie Lewis.


    Host: Guy Barter


    Contributors: Jassy Drakulic, Mellie Lewis, Peter Adams


    Other Links:

    More information on honey fungus

    RHS Garden Rosemoor

    Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’

    31 October 2024, 12:45 pm
  • 34 minutes 22 seconds
    A Celebration of Autumn Colour

    This week, Gareth Richards and Guy Barter discuss the science behind autumn colour, why some years are more dazzling than others, and what we can expect to see across the UK this year. RHS Horticultural Advisor Jenny Bowden will share a Love Letter to her favourite tree that promises to shine bright at this time of year and has a distinctive smell that would tempt anyone. We head to northeast Scotland, to explore an RHS Partner Garden - Gordon Castle Walled Garden - to find out what visitors can expect to see at this time of year, and to find out more about the history of one of the UK’s largest kitchen gardens. And we hear from the RHS Garden Wisley trials team about the results of this year's lily-flowered and fringed tulip trial and ask what we should be planting this autumn for a great display next spring.  


    Host: Gareth Richards


    Contributors: Guy Barter, Jenny Bowden, Zara Gordon Lennox, and Roz Marshall. 


    Other Links:

    Cercidiphyllum japonicum (katsura tree)

    Gordon Castle Walled Garden

    Sheffield Park and Garden

    Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery

    RHS Partner Gardens

    RHS Lily and Fringed Tulip Trial Results

    Become a member of the RHS 


    24 October 2024, 12:23 pm
  • 30 minutes 29 seconds
    Chrysanthemums, storing produce, and dividing perennials

    This week, Gareth Richards talks to writer and designer Naomi Slade about the allure of chrysanthemums and their long history of symbolism. We head to RHS Garden Rosemoor for the second part of our series on storing produce over winter, focusing on onions, potatoes and root vegetables. And RHS Garden Wisley’s Ian Trought brings us a masterclass on dividing perennials to create more plants for our gardens next year. 


    Host: Jenny Laville


    Contributors: Gareth Richards, Naomi Slade, Catherine Mawdsley, Ian Trought


    Other Links:

    How to grow chrysanthemums

    Naomi Slade

    Dividing perennials 

    Become a member of the RHS 

    17 October 2024, 11:45 am
  • 38 minutes 18 seconds
    Compost, fungi, and giant vegetables

    This week, RHS Garden Wisley’s Sheila Das talks to ‘no dig’ champion Charles Dowding all about his new book on composting, and how you can go about starting the perfect sized heap to suit your own garden. We explore the wonders of mycorrhizae and learn about the beneficial relationship between fungi and the roots in our soil. And we take a trip to the Malvern Autumn Show to marvel at the display of record-breaking giant vegetables and to talk to some of the hardworking growers.  


    Host: Guy Barter


    Contributors: Charles Dowding, Sheila Das, Jassy Drakulic, Jenny Laville, Sebastian Suski, Peter Glazebrook, Graham Barrett  


    Other Links:

    RHS Grow Your Own Veg Throughout the Year

    RHS Horti Curious 

    Charles Dowding 

    Results from Malvern Autumn Show

    Become a member of the RHS

    11 October 2024, 1:47 pm
  • 37 minutes 48 seconds
    Gardening for a greener future

    This week Gareth Richards and James Armitage journey to RHS Garden Wisley’s Hilltop Science Centre to hear how cutting edge research on the changing climate is shaping the way we think about our gardens. From coping with drought conditions and mitigating the flooding potential of our front gardens to helping pollinators in our urban environments, this week we hear from the world's leading thinkers, and unpack what it means for gardeners.  


    Links:

    Sustainable planting combinations

    Hear more about Leon Davis’ UnPave the Way garden at Tatton

    RHS climate change survey


    3 October 2024, 3:13 pm
  • 33 minutes 21 seconds
    Muscari, storing produce, and fungi

    As the cooler weather of autumn settles in, there's still plenty to do when it comes to keeping your garden in top shape. We’ll be hearing from RHS Garden Rosemoor’s Catherine Mawdsley about how to store your homegrown apples, pears, squashes, and pumpkins through the winter months. We’ll also be finding out the results of the recent Muscari (grape hyacinth) trial with horticulturist Roz Marshall, who shares some of the standout varieties ready to get in the ground now. And finally RHS senior plant pathologist Dr. Jassy Drakulic shares her love of fungi with us, ahead of National Fungus Day.


    Host: Guy Barter


    Contributors: Roz Marshall, Catherine Mawdsley, Jassy Drakulic


    Other Links: 

    Bumbles on Blooms (a citizen science project)

    Finding Fungi at the RHS

    Muscari trial results

    26 September 2024, 11:45 am
  • 35 minutes 39 seconds
    Holehird Gardens, Echeverias, and dividing perennials

    On this week's show we take a trip to Holehird Gardens nestled in the beautiful Cumbrian landscape, with chair of the Lakeland Horticultural Society, Maggie Mees. Next, host Jenny plunges into the mysterious world of plant biosecurity with the RHS’s self-proclaimed plant policeman Dario Spagnoli, to find out why plants need passports, and what to do if you suspect an invasive pest has hijacked your new shrub. Finally, we cast our eyes to houseplants, specifically the rosette-shaped succulents, the echeverias, with passionate plantswoman Tracey Coogan.


    Host: Jenny Laville


    Contributors: Maggie Mees, Tracey Coogan, Dario Spagnoli


    Other Links: 

    National Plant collections episode of Gardening with the RHS

    Holehird Gardens

    RHS Plant Finder

    19 September 2024, 11:45 am
  • 40 minutes 37 seconds
    Balcony gardens, peat-free, and gardening for bats

    As September rolls in, there's a crispness in the air and the first signs of autumn are upon us. In this episode we demystify the peat-free with Jenny Laville and the RHS’s Peat-Free Transition Coordinator, Nikki Barker – including what the definition means for exhibitors at RHS Flower Shows who will be affected by changes to the rules. Author and vertical veg grower Mark Ridsdill-Smith reveals his top tips for turning even the tiniest balcony into a thriving, productive garden. Plus, he shares which winter greens you can start sowing now for a delicious cold-weather harvest. And as the nights draw in, it’s also mating season for bats! We chat with Jo Fergusson from the Bat Conservation Trust about how you can make your garden a haven for these fascinating nocturnal creatures.


    Host: Gareth Richards


    Contributors: Jenny Laville, Nikki Barker, Mark Ridsdill-Smith, Jo Fergusson


    Other Links: 

    RHS Peat-Free Gardening hub

    The RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship

    Research areas at RHS Science

    Vertical Veg

    Bats in your garden

    Bat Conservation Trust - Sunset Survey 

    12 September 2024, 11:57 am
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