East Horsley: Potato Beetle, Indoor edibles and Fallow Year

Can I grow fruits or vegetables in a flat with no balcony? Could garlic help stop slugs from eating my Hostas? Why did you become gardeners?Kathy Clugston is joined by a panel of much-loved gardening experts in the picturesque village of East Horsley, Surrey, to answer listeners’ horticultural dilemmas and offer practical, down-to-earth advice. On the panel this week are botanist and broadcaster James Wong, plant health specialist Pippa Greenwood, and award-winning garden designer Juliet Sargeant.Later in the programme, Pippa Greenwood explores the growing threat of Colorado beetles to UK biosecurity in conversation with Tracy Wilson, Import Specialist at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).Producer: Matthew Smith Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly MaileA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – Can you suggest a suitable hedge that can be kept slim but tall to go between a six-foot fence and a path? (01’31”) James Wong – Trachelospermum jasminoides, star jasmineJuliet Sargeant – Muehlenbeckia complexa, necklace vine Osmanthus delavayi, delavay osmanthus Osmanthus heterophyllus, holly olive Elaeagnus × ebbingei Q – How do I encourage my 100-year-old rhododendrons to flower? (05’35”) Q – Is there a way for me to grow fruits or vegetables in a flat with no balcony? And if yes, what would you recommend with limited space? (08’54”) Juliet Sargeant – HydroponicsJames Wong – Tomato Chilli Basil Thai Basil Ocimum kilimandscharicum, camphor basil Ocimum basilicum 'Christmas', basil ‘Christmas’ Curry Leaves Mint LeavesPippa Greenwood – ChilliFeature – Pippa Greenwood discusses the threat Colorado Beetles have on our crops with Tracy Wilson (15’02”)Q –  We have raised vegetable beds. I put a layer of mulch on them every autumn. Would it be a good idea to let a bed lie fallow occasionally? (19’49”) Q – What’s causing my Hydrangea petiolaris to die off? (24’05”) Q – What could I grow in a large rockery in our garden, that’s also difficult to kill? (28’31”)Q – Would wild garlic help stop slugs from eating my Hostas? (31’31”) Q – What possessed you to become the garden experts you are? And as a result. What advice would you give to up-and-coming young gardeners to continue? (36’00”)

What is stunting the growth of my Japanese maple tree? My red tip Photinia keep falling and dying, what’s causing this? What's the best way to get rid of moss from a pond?Peter Gibbs and the GQT panel take root in the historic grounds of Belvoir Castle, a site steeped in history since the Norman Conquest of 1066.Joining Peter are garden designer Bunny Guinness, horticulturist Matthew Wilson, and Belvoir Castle’s Head Gardener, Andy Tudbury. Together, they tackle a thorny selection of questions from the GQT postbag.This week, the panel shares expert advice on safely transplanting roses, taming an unruly Potentilla, and uncovering the reasons why some flowers lose their scent over time.Senior Producer: Daniel Cocker Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly MaileA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – My garden is filled with roses, but they’ve lost their scent, why is this? (03’31”) Q – What’s the best way to transplant and plant from one environment to another? (06’24”) Q – My garden has been completely taken over by Potentilla, how do I control it without using chemicals? (09’31”) Q – My red tip Photinia keep falling and dying, what’s causing this? (11’49”) Q – What is the problem with my Japanese maple tree? (17’40”) Q – My 10-year-old rainwater pot pond in a black plastic barrel has become overgrown with moss – What’s the best way to get rid of it? (21’22”)Q – Is it possible to cover the base of a 175-year-old copper beach tree with fallen moss? (24’19”) Q – Can I use sawdust as a mulch? (25’49”) Q – My mature Mahonia has flowered and ripened at two different time this year – what’s the reason for this? (31’20”) Q – We have recently moved into a new property. We would like advice, please on where to position a new greenhouse. (35’11”) Q – Could the panel suggest a way to keep our Melia azedarach whilst we’re away on holiday? (38’28”)

What causes onions to bolt? What do the team think about using crocs at the bottom of pots? How should I go about pruning my lilac tree? Kathy Clugston and a panel of esteemed gardening experts visit West Horsley, Surrey, to tackle common horticultural challenges and share practical solutions. Joining her are pest and disease specialist Pippa Greenwood, botanist James Wong, and award-winning garden designer Juliet Sargeant.Later in the programme, Bob Flowerdew wraps up our Edible Essentials series with a fool proof guide to feeding and watering your crops - ensuring a rich and rewarding harvest.Producer: Matthew Smith Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly MailePlant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – My Ficus Ginseng has lost most of its leaves, what am I doing wrong? (01’35”) Q – What do the team think about using crocs at the bottom of pots? (06’41”) Q – Can the panel suggest shrubs that will flower late spring, early summer and thrive in chalky soil? (10’57”) Juliet Sargeant – Philadelphus, mock orange Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine' (d), mock orange 'Manteau d'Hermine' Weigela All Summer Red ('Slingco 1'PBR) (All Summer Series), weigela [All Summer Red] Weigela All Summer Peach ('Slingpink'PBR) (All Summer Series), weigela [All Summer Peach] Ceanothus, californian lilacPippa Greenwood – Magnolia stellata, star magnolia Mahonia, oregon grape Syringa pubescens subsp. patula 'Miss Kim', lilac 'Miss Kim' Deutzia × rosea 'Carminea', deutzia 'Carminea'James Wong – Pittosporum tobira, japanese pittosporum Wisteria Feature – Bob Flowerdew’s Edible Essential guide to watering and feeding crops (16’56)Q – What causes onions to bolt? (21’19”) Q – Can the panel advise on what I can plant on a north facing one-and-a-half-meter border adjacent my mixed hedge? (25’37”) Juliet Sargeant – Euphorbia robbiae, mrs Robb's bonnet Anemone hupehensis, japanese anemonesJames Wong – Digitalis, foxglove Primula vulgaris (Pr/Prim), primrose Hyacinthoides non-scripta, bluebell Hakonechloa, japanese forest grass Ferns LilliesPippa Greenwood – Hardy geraniums Epimedium Helleborus, helleboreQ – How should I go about pruning my lilac tree? (31’48”)Q – What plants would the panel take from your current gardens if you were moving to a much smaller garden with very poor soil and lots of builder’s rubble in it? (35’23”) James Wong – Tree fernsJuliet Sargeant – Iris germanica, bearded iris Ficus carica (F), fig Salvia 'Royal Bumble', sage 'Royal Bumble' Salvia 'Hot Lips', sage 'Hot Lips' Salvia, sage Salvia 'Amistad'PBR, sage 'Amistad' Erigeron karvinskianus, mexican fleabanePippa Greenwood – Aubrieta Eryngium, sea holly

What's the best way to revive a dying bonsai tree? Do Peonies hate being moved? I am inundated with ants – how do I get rid of them?Kathy Clugston hosts BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time, joined by a panel of esteemed plant and gardening experts in Perton, Staffordshire. Sharing their horticultural wisdom are the passionate plantsman Matthew Biggs, head gardener Marcus Chilton-Jones, and renowned plantswoman Christine Walkden.Later in the programme, Matthew Biggs has a chat with David Austen Jr to explore his father’s remarkable legacy in rose breeding at their prestigious nursery. He also gets an exclusive glimpse at some of their latest, most exquisite varieties.Senior Producer: Daniel Cocker Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly MailePlant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – What colour would you paint a garden fence to best show off and compliment the plants in it? (01’32”) Q – Why have my Peonies stopped blooming? Is it because I’ve moved them? (05’03”) Q –   Which plants would the panel recommend covering a roof of five feet by 10 feet with a depth of two and a half inches? (08’07”) Matthew Biggs – Thymus vulgaris, common thyme Thymus serpyllum 'Russetings', creeping thyme 'Russetings' Campanula, bellflower Campanula portenschlagiana, wall bellflowerChristine Walkden Sempervivum, houseleek Hylotelephium, sedum Mentha requienii, corsican mintMarcus Chilton Jones – Puschkinia Allium schoenoprasum, chives Ajuga repens, bugleQ – What are the panel's thoughts on reusing compost that's been used in pots for summer annuals? (10’53”) Feature – Matt Biggs speaks with David Austen Jr about his father’s legacy in breeding unique roses (15’01)Q – I wondered what was the best way to revive a dying bonsai tree? (19’26”) Q – How hard should I cut back our Ceanothus? (23’59”)Q – What can the panel recommend that's low maintenance and won't prickle anyone that I could plant in a two foot wide plot? (28’10”) Christine Walkden – Cyclamen hederifolium, ivy-leaved cyclamen Ajugas Lamiums Heucheras Thalamus Aquilegia Veronica, gentian speedwellMatthew Biggs – Hedera (ivy)Marcus Chilton-Jones – Lonicera, honeysuckle Dryopteris, wood fern Nettles Q – I am inundated with ants – how do I get rid of them? (33’49”) Q – How do I stop bugs from getting into my plums? (37’25”)

Why do my ferns have rusty spots? Any tips for stopping caterpillars eating my cabbages? Have you upcycled any objects in the garden?Peter Gibbs and a panel of plant and gardening experts are in Crowthorne, Berkshire and offer advice to an audience of keen gardeners. Joining Peter are pest and disease expert Pippa Greenwood, head gardener Matthew Pottage and proud plantswoman Christine Walkden.Later in the programme, house plant expert James Wong visits the Of The Oak exhibition at The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, which celebrates the Lucombe oak and oak trees as a vital hub of biodiversity. He's joined by visual artist Ersin Han Ersin and arborist Cecily Withall.Senior Producer: Daniel Cocker Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly MailePlant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – The council have recently cleared a raised flowerbed at the front of the Morgan Centre. It previously had in it a giant prickly pyracantha. What would the panel suggest? (02'02")Matthew Smith – Callistemon rigidus, stiff bottlebrush Alstroemeria Indian Summer ('Tesronto'PBR) (Summer Paradise - Summer Series), Peruvian lily [Indian summer] Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna', Balkan clary 'Caradonna' Salvia rosmarinus Prostrata Group (Ro), rosemary Prostrata GroupQ - Why have my ferns developed rusty looking spots – is it caused by a disease? (06'31") Q – Any tips on growing miss Willmott's ghost? (09'08")Q – I have a bank of mature Heathers. Can I prune them as they're quite tall now or do I need to replace them as they get straggly? (13'13")Q- How do I stop caterpillars from eating my cabbages? (17’05")Feature – James Wong visits the 'Of the Oak' at The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, which celebrates the Lucombe oak. He's joined by Ersin Han Ersin and Cecily Withal (21’28”)Q - How do we encourage our Camellia to flower? (25'56")Q – I would like to plant some other more interesting climbing plants in a shady spot – what do the panel recommend? (29'13")Matthew Pottage – Hydrangea petiolaris, climbing hydrangea Hydrangea petiolaris 'Silver Lining'PBR hydrangea 'Silver Linng' Hedera colchica 'Dentata Variegata' (v), ivy 'Dentata Variegata'Christine Walkden – Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Virginia creeper Dactylicapnos scandens, yellow bleeding heart vinePippa Greenwood – Lonicera, honeysuckleQ – How often do Clematis Clematis’ flower? (34'02")Q – Can the panel recommend any other ways to repurpose objects? (36'26")Q – I’d like you to recommend plants for a red hot, south facing gravel garden? (36'25")

How do I take care of a kokedama? How do you take care of a sedum living roof? Why won't my trollius flower? For the first time ever, GQT sets up shop at the heart of the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show, broadcasting from the charming bandstand. Kathy Clugston is joined by a panel of horticultural heavyweights, including Bunny Guinness, Matthew Wilson, and James Wong.Keep your ears pricked up for some familiar voices - among the questioners are none other than Scott Mills, David Tennant and Zoe Ball, each bringing their own garden problems to the table.Later, Peter Gibbs takes a tranquil detour to the stunning Songbird Survival Garden on Main Avenue. There, he chats with designer Nicola Oakey and dedicated volunteer Bee about how we can turn our outdoor spaces into welcoming sanctuaries for Britain’s beleaguered songbirds.Producer: Daniel Cocker Producer: Dominic Tyerman Producer: Matthew Smith Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali Executive Producer: Carly MaileA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – I’ve got a floppy snake plant – is this because I’ve overwatered it? (01'17")Q - Why do the flower buds fall off my chameleon each year? (02'38") Q - Hello, it's David Tennant here. I've been gifted a beautiful kokedama. How do I water this? How do I not kill it? (05'26")Q – Could you recommend some pretty and low maintenance for flowers for window boxes? (07'34")Bunny Guinness – Verbena officinalis 'Bampton', vervain ‘Bampton’ Polystichum setiferum, soft shield fern Salvia rosmarinus (Ro), rosemaryMatthew Wilson – Thymus vulgaris, common thyme Thymus praecoxJames Wong – Portulaca, porcelain Mesembryanthemum Delosperma. Q- My trollius hasn’t flowered this year. What am I doing wrong? (12’58")Feature – Peter Gibbs visits the ‘Songbird Survival Garden” on main avenue, where he meets with designer Nicola Oakey and volunteer Bee (17’22”)Q - We've got a garden room with a sedum living roof – how do we look after it? (22'20")Q – Hello! Zoe Ball here! How do I stop squirrels from eating all my plants? (32'06")Q - My trachycarpus and dicksonia antarctica. They're getting thinner and thinner each year – how do I appropriately thin them out? (28'54")Q – Hi GQT, it’s Scott Mills. How do I stop my dog’s pee from ruining my lawn? (28'54")Q – I’d like you to recommend plants for a red hot, south facing gravel garden? (36'25")James Wong – Hardy aloes Aloe polyphylla Eschscholzia californica, california poppy Bunny Guinness – Salvia confertiflora, sabra spike sageMatthew Wilson – Rosa 'Sally Holmes' (S), rose 'Sally Holmes' Dasylirion wheeleri, spoon flower Aloiampelos striatula, striped-stemmed aloe Beschorneria yuccoides, yucca-leaved beschorneria

Kathy Clugston and a panel of green-fingered gurus, Kirsty Wilson, Pippa Greenwood, and Dr Chris Thorogood, explore the spectacular Chelsea Flower Show!Meanwhile on the vibrant main avenue, roving reporter Peter Gibbs explores gardens shaped by climate challenges. He steps into the thought-provoking Save for a Rainy Day Garden to chat with designer Baz Granger about clever water-saving ideas. Then, he ventures into the lush creativity of the Hospitalfield Arts Garden, where he meets celebrated garden designer Nigel Dunnett for a conversation on art, ecology, and sustainable planting.Producer: Dom Tyerman Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod and Suhaar AliA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Kathy Clugston prunes through the extensive GQT archive, which includes some much needed advice on all things Foliage.With 77 years of experience in providing ample advice, our various GQT panellists are more than equipped to solve your gardening conundrums. They provide tips on the best plants for a foliage border, banana plants that can withstand the winter, and plants for a bed that never sees any sunshine. Away from the questions, Matthew Wilson heads over to Sienna Hosta nursery to speak with Chris Potts, who explains how they keep their hostas slug and snail free.Producer: Daniel Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly MaileA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q - What would be the best plants for a foliage border? (01'07")Matthew Biggs – Euonymus fortunei f. radicans 'Silver Queen', spindle ‘Silver Queen’ Euonymus fortunei var. radicans, wintercreeperAnne Swithinbank – Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'PBR , Siberia bugloss ‘Jack Frost’ Cornus canadensis, dwarf cornelMatthew Wilson – Hosta, plantain lily Hosta sieboldiana, siebold’s plantain lily Hosta 'Big Daddy' (_sieboldiana_ hybrid) (v), plantain lily ‘Big Daddy’Q- Why isn't my Christmas berry 'Red Robin' in here a lovely bright colour, like others? (04'22")Q- Can banana plants stay outside during the winter? (08'10")Matthew Pottage – Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish', banana 'Dwarf Cavendish'Q – Why has my 12-year-old smoke bush has turned brown overnight? (11'19")Feature – Matthew Pottage speaks with Managing Director of Sienna Hosta Nursery Chris Potts about how they nurture their Hosta’s to be pest free (17'07")Q-  What type of ferns should I use in my fernery? (22'40")Matthew Wilson – Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance', copper shield fern 'Brilliance' Polystichum setiferum (Divisilobum Group) 'Herrenhausen', soft shield fern 'Herrenhausen' Matteuccia struthiopteris, shuttlecock fern Pippa Greenwood – Primula vulgaris (Pr/Prim), primrose Wild violetsQ - What could I plant in a bed that never sees any sunshine? (27'51")Matthew Wilson – Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign', lungwort 'Blue Ensign' Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance', copper shield fern 'Brilliance' Matteuccia struthiopteris, shuttlecock fern Deschampsia cespitosa, tufted hair grassChristine – Rheum palmatum, Chinese rhubarb Heuchera, cora bells Ligularia Q- How do I properly mow my lawn without ruining the foliage surrounding it? (32'33")Q - What can I do to take care of my 3ft Poinsettias? (37'35")

How can you get a second season out of tulips grown in pots? What is the most natural and cost-effective way to add nutrients to my soil? How do you garden with hedgehogs in mind?Kathy Clugston and her team of gardening experts return to Bangor, Northern Ireland where they solve some gardening dilemmas. Joining her are ethnobotanist James Wong, garden designer Neil Porteous, and Head of Gardens at Balmoral Kirsty Wilson.Later in the programme, continuing our Edible Essential Series is Bob Flowerdew, who provides the top fruits and vegetable to add to your shopping list this season. Producer: Bethany Hocken Assistant Producer: Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer: Carly MaileA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q- What should I do with my phalaenopsis orchid? (01'24")Q- How do I look after auriculas during the summer? (05'02")Q- How can you get a second season out of tulips grown in pots? (06’57")Q- I’ve killed four Japanese acers over the years – what am I doing wrong? (19'30")Feature – Bob Flowerdew’s edible shopping list. What fruit and veg you should grow this season (14'41")Bob Flowerdew – Asparagus officinalis, asparagus Ribes nigrum, blackcurrant Chillies Allium sativum, garlic Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, globe artichokes Helianthus tuberosus, Jerusalem artichokes Allium cepa, onions Solanum tuberosum, potatoes Raphanus sativus, radish Rubus idaeus, raspberries Ribes rubrum, redcurrants Rheum rhabarbarum, rhubarb Allium cepa var. aggregatum, shallots Fragaria × ananassa, strawberries Zea mays var. saccharate, sweetcorn Q- My soil is very much depleted of nutrients. What is the most natural and cost-effective way to remedy this? (18'44")Q – What shrubs could I grow in containers that are exposed to extreme winds and sea salt? (23'36")Neil Porteous – Grevillea rosmarinifolia, rosemary grevillea Euphorbia stygiana subsp. Santamaria, Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius, sea rosemaryKirsty Wilson – Phormium tenax, New Zealand flax Hakonechloa macra, Japanese forest grassJames Wong – Pinus pinea, stone pineQ - How do you garden with hedgehogs in mind? (29'38")Q - I’m just about to dig out an area for a large pond. What plants do the panel recommend I use to get me started? (31’20")James Wong – Soleirolia soleirolii, mind-your-own-business Nymphaea, waterliliesKirsty Wilson – Iris pseudacorus, yellow iris Hosta, Plantain lily Astilbe, astilbe Meconopsis, Himalayan poppy Cyperus alternifolius L., umbrella plantNeil Porteous – Eryngium, sea holly Eryngium pandanifolium, pandan-like-leaved eryngoQ - Can you recommend some plants that are showstoppers and conversation starters? (37'21")Kirsty Wilson – Nepeta 'Blue Dragon', catmint 'Blue Dragon'Neil Porteous – Vitex lucens, puririJames Wong – Mahonia, oregon grape Daphne

What's your recommended recipe for homemade seed compost? What makes a dog friendly garden? What is the most inappropriate piece of garden advice that you've received?Peter Gibbs and the panel offer advice to an audience of keen gardeners in the borough of Wokingham. Joining Peter are house plants expert Anne Swithinbank, garden designer Bunny Guinness, and proud plantsman Matthew Biggs.Later in the programme, for Plant Health Week, Kirsty Wilson visits the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to meet biosecurity officer Matt Elliot and discover how new pests and diseases are threatening our gardens — and what we can do to fight back.Producer: Matt Smith Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod Executive Producer: Carly MaileA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q - Do the panel have any favourite help or design features in their gardens made by their pets? (01'45")Q- Could you give me some top tips on growing Dahlias? (05'40")Q- How do you manage a wildflower area after the first year of flowering? (10’18")Feature – Kirsty Wilson and Biosecurity Officer of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh discuss how we can protect our plants from new pests and diseases (14'20")Q- My Fatsia Bush has flowered – do I prune it back or leave the fruits for the birds? (19'30")Q - Which exciting new plants should we be looking forward to growing in the south-east of England? (22'31")Bunny Guinness – Diospyros virginiana (F), common persimmon Diospyros 'Nikita's Gift' (F), Nikita’s Gift Persimmon. Salvia involucrata 'Hadspen', rosy-leaf sage ‘Hadspen’Matthew Biggs – Salvia officinalis 'Bicolor', sage 'Bicolor' Echium Echium wildpretii, tower of jewels Echium pininana giant viper's buglossAnne Swithinbank – Leonotis Leonurus, lion's tail Dictamnus albus, burning bush Eriobotrya, loquatQ - What is your recommended recipe for homemade seed compost? (28'00")Q - I have a small starter allotment; can the panel advise me on how to make the most of my small plot? (32'10")Bunny Guinness – Onion Garlic LettuceMatthew Biggs – Lettuce, fresh beetroot, fresh carrots, finger carrots Baby leaf Spinach radish courgettes French beans Runner beans Anne Swithinbank – Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum, florence fennelQ - What is the most inappropriate piece of garden advice that you've received, and did you follow it? (37'24")