Gardening with the RHS

It's Plant Health Week, and we're celebrating with expert tips to keep your garden thriving. RHS Plant Health Advisor Helen Latham will be sharing practical advice to help your plants stay strong and resilient. Meanwhile, Nick Turrell returns to shine a light on the unsung heroes of the garden — weeds! Last week, he turned a common garden nuisance into a delicious, nutrient-rich summer salad. Today, he's back with another surprising use for those persistent plants — and a fresh perspective on why they might deserve a second chance. Plus, as gardens burst into bloom, your questions have been flooding in. We've handed a few over to the RHS Garden Advisory Team to get the expert answers you've been looking for. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Helen Latham, Nick Turrell, James Lawrence, Chris Taylor Links: Plant health in gardens  Previous episode on plant health and passports with Dario Spagnoli

This May Day we're embracing new growth in the garden — even from the unexpected plants that pop up on their own! Nick Turrell from the RHS Gardening Advice Team will be shining a spotlight on one so-called ‘weed' that's actually packed with nutrients — a perfect addition to your summer salads. Liz Mooney from the edibles team at RHS Garden Wisley is back to share her top tips for growing beans — whether broad, runner, or French. And horticulturist Alessandra Sana will be diving into the crowning jewel of any summer pond: the glorious, timeless waterlily.   Host: Guy Barter   Contributors: Nick Turrell, Liz Mooney, Alessandra Sana   Links: How to grow broad beans How to grow runner beans How to grow French beans How to grow waterlilies

Spring is stretching its limbs, and the garden is stirring to life. As the days grow longer and begin to warm, there's a tangible energy in the air – a heady mix of birdsong, budding leaves, and the unmistakable scent of fresh soil and blossoms. This week horticulturist Liz Mooney will be sharing her expert tips on getting the best from beetroot, turnips and parsnips – perfect for anyone looking to grow a productive plot from the ground up. The RHS Gardening Advice Team will also be joining us to answer your most frequently asked questions this month, and Elizabeth Medal of Honour winner Clare Hermans will be sharing her enduring fascination with Madagascan orchids and the stories behind these rare and remarkable plants. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Liz Mooney, James Lawrence, Chris Taylor, Nick Turrell, Clare Hermans Links: Previous episode on growing potatoes with Liz Mooney Previous episode on growing tomatoes with Liz Mooney RHS Gardening Advice

As gardeners, we understand the deep connection between people and the planet. The choices we make in our own green spaces – no matter how small – can ripple outward, creating real impact. This Earth Day, ecological home grower Poppy Okotcha invites us into her world of regenerative gardening. Dr. Hayley Jones explores how welcoming all creatures – even the less popular ones – can nurture a thriving, balanced ecosystem. And campaigner Russell Ball shows us simple, powerful ways to give our urban trees the care and attention they deserve. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Poppy Okotcha, Dr Hayley Jones, Russell Ball Links: A Wilder Way: How Gardens Grow Us Poppy Okotcha RHS Slugs: Friend or Foe?: Know Your Slugs and Learn to Live With Them How to stop slugs and snails: what works? Slugs and Snails advice Strangling Tree Ties #FreeTheTree Fund4Trees

We start this week with a journey back in time, exploring some of the oldest and most resilient plants on the planet: ferns. Gardener, botanist and author Ben Dark has been uncovering some surprising stories about these living fossils as part of his sweeping journey – 2.5 billion years deep – into the fascinating history of plants. Ferns thrive in damp, shady garden corners — but they're not the only ones. Horticulturist Alessandra Sana faced this exact challenge when she took on the north-facing wall of RHS Wisley's walled garden. She shares her go-to plants and creative inspiration for transforming those tricky, low-light spots into lush, green sanctuaries. And finally, we cross the Atlantic to hear from John Sonnier, Head Gardener at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. His pioneering sustainable gardening practices have just earned him the prestigious Elizabeth Medal of Honour from the RHS. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Ben Dark, Alessandra Sana, John Sonnier Links: The Grove: A Nature Odyssey in 19 ½ Front Gardens Shade planting: annuals, bulbs and perennials What can I grow in a dry shady spot? Sustainable planting combinations: shade collection RHS People Awards

April is in full bloom, and with it comes a gardener's to-do list bursting with promise! This week, Liz Mooney from RHS Garden Wisley shares expert tips on growing a bumper potato crop, while Guy Barter reveals how to plant summer bulbs for a dazzling display. Plus, we celebrate horticultural excellence with Victoria Medal of Honour recipient Martyn Rix, reflecting on a lifetime dedicated to plants. Links: How to grow potatoes RHS People Awards  RHS Grow Your Own

This week we're finding out how to be a hoverfly hero. These masters of mimicry are vitally important pollinators, decomposers, and aphid predators, but their populations are in steep decline in the UK. RHS entomologist Josie Stuart will be telling us more about these garden friends, and how we as gardeners can help. Keeping our gardens blooming for as long as possible is a great help for all our pollinators and Cosmos shows off its delicate flowers all the way from late summer through to the first frosts of autumn. We'll speak to National Collection holder Jonathon Sheppard for his recommendations of the best cultivars to try this year. And from one remarkable collection to another – Sarah Cook has dedicated years to researching and reviving the lost irises of Cedric Morris. These striking blooms, once thought to survive only in his famous paintings, have been brought back to life thanks to her tireless work in the RHS archives and in Cedric's garden at Benton End. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Josie Stuart, Jonathan Sheppard, Sarah Cook Links: Be a hoverfly hero Help hoverflies: 5 top plants and 5 fun facts What are hoverflies? Read Jonathan's cosmos and hollyhock blog British cosmos (seed sales) Plant Heritage, home of the National Plant Collections Benton End The Nurture Landscapes Garden at Chelsea Flower Show  RHS People Awards

Spring is in the air, and it's time to get your hands dirty! This week, we're diving into the juicy world of tomatoes with Liz Mooney from the RHS Garden Wisley edibles team. She shares some of her best tried and tested cultivars and expert advice on how to grow a bumper crop. Plus, if hydrangeas are on your planting list, renowned woody plant collector and hybridizer Maurice Foster will be picking out some of his favourites. And finally, we're tackling food waste head-on – Jenny Laville and composting guru Heather Gorringe break down worm farms, compost heaps, and bokashi bins to help you turn scraps into garden gold! Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Liz Mooney, Maurice Foster, Jenny Laville, Heather Gorringe Links: How to Grow Tomatoes Wiggly Wigglers How to stop throwing away food waste – with or without a garden Bokashi composting  The Hydrangea - A Reappraisal  White House Farm Garden and Arboretum White House Farm Hydrangea open days: June 28th and August 23rd

Spring is starting to unfold, and with that in mind, we're heading back to the vegetable patch with kitchen gardener Lucy Chamberlain for the final instalment of her "Grow Food Anywhere" mini-series. This time, Lucy guides us through which crops thrive in those tricky, shady spots that can often be a challenge in the garden. Nick Turrell from the RHS Advisory Team gives us the lowdown on why Leylandii – once a garden favourite – has since earned a notorious reputation, and says what you can do about it! And finally Jamie Walton, the familiar face behind the Nettles & Petals social media account, shares some of the benefits and ecological gardening mindset can bring to your plot. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Lucy Chamberlain, Nick Turrell, Jamie Walton (Nettles&Petals) Links: Grow Food Anywhere Pruning Leylandii Grow Food. Eat Weeds. Save Seeds. pre-order

This week we're returning to the vegetable garden with author and kitchen gardener Lucy Chamberlain to find out what delicious goodies will thrive in some of the least loved corners of your garden. We'll also be discovering more about the rich history of the magnolia genus, and the stunning range of varieties available today with horticulturalist Seamus O'Brien. Rosemoor's Alex Paines will be sharing how you can employ the chop and drop mulching technique in your own garden without it looking messy. And Alan Tichmarsh CBE launches an appeal to save some of the important work being done at RHS Garden Wisley. Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: Lucy Chamberlain, Seamus O'Brien, Alex Paines, Alan Titchmarsh Links: Grow Food Anywhere National Botanic Gardens Ireland Magnolias Chop and Drop RHS Garden Wisley petition

With the right approach, your garden can give back just as much – sometimes even more – than you put in. This week, we're finding out how to get the most out of our edibles plots with kitchen gardener and writer Lucy Chamberlain who will be proving you really can grow food anywhere. We're also heading back to Roz Chandler's Field Gate Flowers to discover the perfect mix of annuals, perennials, biennials and foliage plants for stunning arrangements year-round. And finally, how about a cup of tea? Jonathan Jones – head gardener of one of Europe's largest and most diverse tea gardens – shares how to cultivate tea at home and take your plants from bush to brew. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Lucy Chamberlain, Roz Chandler, Jonathan Jones, Jenny Laville Links: Grow Food Anywhere book How to plan a cut flower garden episode 1 Field Gate Flowers Tregothnan

This week we're exploring some of the plants which may have flown under your radar. Plantsman Chris Sanders will take us on a journey that began with a casual flick through a rare horticultural book and spiralled into a decades-long obsession with rare Japanese cherry cultivars, never seen before in the UK. Horticulturist Scott Galloway makes a compelling case why the resilient favourite of Gertrude Jekyll – the much overlooked bergenia – could be a game-changer in an era of shifting climates. And Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden curator David Pearce proposes why African boxwood makes the ideal box alternative. Hosts: Gareth Richards and James Armitage Contributors: Scott Galloway, David Pearce, Chris Sanders Links:  Subscribe to the Plant Review  Grow bergenias Scott Galloway's website with more info on bergenia Find Matsumae cherries  Plant Heritage

Valentine's Day and flowers go hand in hand, so what better way to celebrate than by dedicating this week's programme to the stunning blooms you can grow right in your own garden? Over the past four years, the RHS has been on a mission to find the best red roses for home gardens. We'll be revealing the top contenders with Wisley's Roz Marshall. If roses aren't your thing, Roz Chandler from Field Gate Flowers will be guiding us through the process of starting your own cut flower garden from bare earth to vase. And finally, nothing signals the arrival of spring quite like the golden explosion of daffodils! This year, the RHS is launching a nationwide appeal to track their varieties, flowering times, and distribution across the UK. RHS Principal Scientist and daffodil enthusiast Dr. Kálmán Könyves will share their fascinating history and his hunt for rare—and possibly lost—cultivars. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Roz Marshall, Roz Chandler, Kálmán Könyves Links: Red Roses Trial results Field Gate Flowers Seed To Vase Course Daffodil Diaries

This week, Guy Barter takes us through some essential gardening tasks for the season ahead and we explore a hardy favourite: as Caroline Williamson from RHS Garden Bridgewater reveals the fascinating (and surprisingly dark) art of forcing rhubarb. And finally, mother-daughter duo Ellie and Claudia of Elka Textiles will show us how to turn garden plants into beautiful, sustainable dyes—perfect for a creative winter project! Host - Jenny Laville Contributors - Guy Barter, Caroline Williamson, and Ellie Fisher & Claudia Gosse from Elka Sustainable Textiles Other links   How to grow rhubarb How to force rhubarb More jobs to be getting on with in February Green Futures Gardening Club PDF tutorial 'Natural Dyeing with Brown Onion Skins' General natural dyeing, onion dye and Green Futures Gardening Club images

This week, Jenny Laville explores the incredible world of seeds with RHS botanist James Armitage, uncovering their diverse shapes and dispersal methods. We'll also be embracing this time to start planning our gardens for the growing season ahead, RHS Senior Wildlife Specialist Helen Bostock will be describing all the key things to consider when it comes to creating wildlife friendly spaces bursting with key habitats. Plus, in the final part of our front garden mini-series, RHS Gardening Advisor Nick Turrell offers practical advice on designing a space that's both beautiful and functional.  Host Guy Barter Contributors Jenny Laville, James Armitage, Nick Turrell, Helen Bostock Links The Great Seed Swap at RHS Garden Wisley Wildlife Gardening

Join us as we celebrate garden birdlife ahead of the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch! The RSPB's Adrian Thomas gives us a crash course in birdwatching from the comfort of your own kitchen window, while scientist Arran Folly discusses the threats facing our feathered friends and what we as gardeners can do to help. Plus Nick Turrell from the RHS advisory team shares how front gardens can play a vital role in reducing flood risks in our communities. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Dr Arran Folly, Adrian Thomas, Nick Turrell Links: The Big Garden Bird Watch RHS guide to identifying garden birds The Vector-Borne RADAR project

There's plenty to do at this time of year to get your garden prepped for the growing season ahead. This week we'll be finding out how hellebores can bring some winter joy to your garden with passionate plantsman John Grimshaw. It's also time to start planning your veg patch and Liz Mooney from RHS Garden Wisley's edibles team will be explaining the principles of crop rotations and why they are great for some growers (but not all). Finally Nick Turrell, one of the encyclopedic minds on the RHS Gardening Advice team, is on a mission to help us unlock the potential of one of the most overlooked parts of our outdoor spaces… Host: Jenny Laville Contributors: John Grimshaw, Liz Mooney, Nick Turrell Links: RHS guide to Hellebores RHS guide to crop rotations

It may be bitterly cold outside but there's still plenty to get excited about in the garden. This week we're joining Fruit Specialist Jim Arbury in the Orchard at RHS Garden Wisley to find out how to prune your apples and pears at this time of year. Horticulturist Alex Hankey shows us around the diversity and delicate beauty on display at Wisley's alpine glasshouse, and RHS Garden Rosemoor's Alex Paines shares his passion for the ancient hedgerows which lace the Devonshire landscape.   Host: Guy Barter   Contributors: Jim Arbury, Alex Hankey, Alex Paines   Links: Apples and pears: winter pruning Devon Hedges Group RHS advice on hedges

Let's make 2025 the year we all embrace growing our own fruit and vegetables—whether you've got a sprawling garden, a small balcony, or just a windowsill! No matter how much space or time you have, we've got plenty of inspiration to get you started and keep you going all year round. First, we'll hear from Shelia Das and Liz Mooney from RHS Wisley's talented edibles team, who will share their expert advice on growing delicious produce across every season. Then, we'll check in with Lucy Chamberlain, author of Grow Food Anywhere, as she reveals how to make the most of your space—whatever its size, shape, or location. And what about all that fantastic homegrown produce? Don't worry! We'll revisit our fascinating chat with Canadian chef and photographer David Zilber, a fermentation expert who's worked in some of the world's top kitchens, including the renowned Fermentation Lab at Restaurant Noma. He'll inspire you with creative ways to preserve and enjoy your harvest. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Shelia Das, Liz Mooney, Lucy Chamberlain, David Zilber Links: RHS Grow Your Own Veg Through the Year: 365 Days of Homegrown Vegetables & Herbs Grow Food Anywhere

Today Guy, Gareth, and Jenny reflect on the past twelve months of beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests, but also wet weather and guzzling gastropods! Join us as we revisit some of our favourite stories from 2024, and share what garden tips and seasonal advice we're taking with us into the new year. Hosts: Gareth Richards, Guy Barter, Jenny Laville Episodes mentioned: Dr Hayley Jones discussing slugs from episode ‘Critter camaraderie: Slugs, Snails, and Guerilla Gardening Tales'  Gareth Richards and James Armitage take a walk through Chelsea from episode ‘Notes on hardiness' James Lawrence and the sustainable planting combinations from episode ‘Sustainable plant combos, GYO tips (for tomatoes, beetroot, squash), flowering shrubs' Jassy Drakulic on encouraging mycorrhizal relationships in your soil, from episode ‘Compost, fungi, and giant vegetables' Anya Lautenbach's money saving advice from episode ‘Growing on a budget' Additional Links: Become an RHS member

This week we're bringing the garden indoors and welcoming in the Christmas cheer. RHS Horticultural Advisor Jenny Bowden will be sharing her love letter to the tradition of the Christmas wreath, and Freddie Garland – founder of Freddie's Flowers – will be sharing his tips on how to make your own (among many other seasonal crafts to get stuck into). And finally, we'll be learning all about our favourite festive parasite, mistletoe, with Oxford PhD student and mistletoe expert Oliver Spacey. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Jenny Bowden, Freddie Garland, Oliver Spacey Links: Christmas with the RHS Freddie's Flowers MistleGo! RHS plant profile: mistletoe Hippeastrum Amaryllis belladonna

This week we're decking the halls with seasonal foliage, as RHS Garden Hyde Hall's Sarah Wilson-Frost shares her ideas for natural decorations foraged from your own garden. Gareth Richards is here to inspire you to try a different type of Christmas tree this year and consider bringing a potted plant indoors for the festive season. And we've got the perfect gift idea to brighten up a dreary January day, as Chris Lane of Witch Hazel Nursery explains why he fell in love with these winter gems.  Host: Jenny Laville  Contributors: Sarah Wilson-Frost, Gareth Richards, Chris Lane Links:  Grow your own Christmas Witch hazels Chris Lane - Witch Hazel Nursery  Become a member of the RHS

With the festive gift giving season just around the corner, this week we've turned our attention to the botanical wonders awaiting us on the bookshelf. We've invited journalist, author, and gardening enthusiast Ann Treneman and horticultural hero and authority on all things plants, Guy Barter to join our host - head of Libraries and Exhibitions at the RHS, Fiona Davison, to chat about some of their favourite garden reads from the past 12 months. Host: Fiona Davison Contributors: Ann Treneman, Guy Barter Visit the RHS Bookshelf   Books mentioned: Horti Curious: A Gardener's Miscellany of Fascinating Facts & Remarkable Plants by Ann Treneman RHS Garden Almanac 2025 by Guy Barter and Zia Allaway The Accidental Garden: Gardens, Wilderness and the Space In Between by Richard Mabey  Good Nature: The New Science of How Nature Improves Our Health by Kathy Willis Brutalist Plants by Olivia Broome Small Space Revolution by Tayshan Hayden Smith A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven A Garden A Day by Ruth Chivers How Plants Can Save Your Life: 50 Inspirational Ideas for Planting and Growing by Ross Cameron  100 Herbs to Grow by Jekka McVicar The Crevice Garden: How to Make the Perfect Home for Plants from Rocky Places by Kenton Seth and Paul Spriggs

This week, we're teaming up with The Plant Review magazine for a houseplant special. Jenny Laville talks to Rebecca Hilgenhof of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to learn about the exciting prospect of growing passionflowers on the windowsill. James Armitage is in conversation with former RHS Director of Horticulture Jim Gardiner to chat all about his favourite houseplant, Begonia masoniana, and the famous plantsman who it is named for. Plus, Kevin Mann shares his love of the miniature Christmas cactus. Passionflowers mentioned: Passiflora citrina, Passiflora murucuja and Passiflora boenderi. Host: Gareth Richards and James Armitage  Contributors: Rebecca Hilgenhof, Jim Gardiner, Kevin Mann, Jenny Laville Other Links: The Plant Review The Orchid Review RHS Plant Finder 2025 Passion Flower Cultivation Become a member of the RHS

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

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?

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 

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'

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 

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 

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

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

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 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

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 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

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 Vertical Veg Bats in your garden Bat Conservation Trust - Sunset Survey 

This week, renowned nurserywoman Claire Austin shares her top picks of stunning bearded irises – the perfect blooms to plant now for a burst of beauty next spring. Plus, join us as we explore the vibrant world of asters with Helen Picton, discovering how these late-flowering gems can add a splash of colour to your garden just when it needs it most. And finally, we'll take a look at the remarkable conservation success story of the bittern, a bird that owes its booming comeback to the vital wetland habitats many of us can help protect. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Claire Austin, Helen Picton, Jarrod Sneyd, Kate Bradbury, Helen Bostock Other Links: How to grow irises Claire Austin Plants Old Court Nurseries Malvern Autumn Show Leighton Moss Nature Reserve

This week, we're teaming up with The Plant Review magazine to explore how to future-proof your garden in the face of our changing climate. We discover resilient plants that thrive in both flood and drought conditions, and take a fascinating trip to a nursery that's successfully cultivating greenery in pure sand. Plus, we find out why the unusually named Ungnadia could soon become a common sight in urban landscapes.  Host: Gareth Richards and James Armitage  Contributors: Jenny Bowden, Elisabeth Karlstad Larsen, Thomas Freeth, Philip Clayton  Other Links: The Plant Review How to choose plants for seasonally wet and dry soils Planting for the Future report  RHS Feedback email address: podcast@rhs.org.uk Become a member of the RHS 

This week we head to the Sussex South Downs to explore RHS Partner Garden, Denmans – and hear about its unique history intertwined with the lives of two unsung garden pioneers, Joyce Robinson and John Brookes. We also bring you top tips for the perfect blueberry harvest and we talk to Plant Heritage about the gaps in their collections and what they're on the lookout for.  Host: Jenny Laville  Contributors: Gwendolyn van Paasschen, Pavlina Kapsalis, Gwen Hines Other Links: Denmans Gardens - RHS Partner Garden RHS Partner Gardens RHS Blueberries Plant Heritage - Missing Collections Become a member of the RHS

Do you get confused between your “sepals” and “stigmas”? This week Jenny Laville will be studying the anatomy of flowers, with the help of RHS botanist James Armitage. Guy Barter shares top tips for August allotmenting as we celebrate biodiversity in National Allotment Week. And RHS fruit specialist Jim Arbury talks apples and pears, with a guide on harvesting and pruning.  Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Jenny Laville, James Armitage, Guy Barter, Jim Arbury  Other Links:  How Plants Reproduce  RHS The Plant Review The National Allotment Society  Apples and pears: summer pruning Allotments – all you need to know Fruit identification

This week we talk about all things lavender, exploring the array of varieties and sharing top tips for growing. We hear from a group of gardeners with a passion for growing and showing dahlias. Plus, we bring you a wisteria masterclass and put your mind at ease when it comes to questions about pruning. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Tim Upson, Alessandra Sana, Vanessa Penn Other Links: RHS Wisley Garden Flower Show National Dahlia Society National Dahlia Society Facebook Page  RHS-Affiliated Societies  Become a member of the RHS How to grow lavender How to grow dahlias  How to grow wisteria

This week we explore the life and work of William Robinson and look at his enduring legacy. We take a tour of an Arts and Crafts inspired show garden at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Plus, we have the ultimate guide to collecting and storing seed from your own garden.  Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Emma Raymond, Heather Cooke, Callum Bain MacKay  Other Links:  RHS Members' Seed Scheme William Robinson Exhibition

This week we explore the history of Kiftsgate Court Gardens and catch a glimpse of their famous, gigantic, eponymous rose. We chat to self-confessed fern fanatic Julian Reed about what makes this group of plants so fascinating. Plus, we hear why thinking more about the soil microorganisms in our garden could benefit our blooms and crops.  Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Anne Chambers, Julian Reed, Eddie Bailey  Other Links: Kiftsgate Court Gardens  British Pteridological Society Rhizophyllia  Become a member of the RHS 

Welcome to the largest flower show in the North of England; RHS Flower Show Tatton Park! This show is all about exploring the infinite possibilities of your back garden – whether you have an acre of land, or simply a patio or windowsill – Tatton really celebrates spaces of all shapes and sizes. We visit Leon Davis' UnPave the Way garden to find out how to transform dull paved driveways into inviting spaces which are full of clever take-home ideas designed to ‘slow the flow' of rainwater. We also hear from some of the exceptional growers who have filled the floral marquee to the rafters with botanical wonders, and finally Tom Saunders – designer of the Orchid terrace garden – highlights some of the threats facing one of the most diverse and widespread flowering plants on earth.   Presenters: Jenny Laville, Gareth Richards   Contributors: Leon Davis Colin Hickman (Hoyland Plant Centre) John Amand (Jacques Amand Limited) Luke Whiting (D'Arcy & Everest) Tom Saunders   Other links: RHS Flower Show Tatton Park Tickets Ferns & Carnivorous Plants Show Unpave the way garden North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee: Unpave the Way project Orchid terrace garden Inside Tatton's Floral Marquee Long Borders The Kaleidoscope Ginnel Garden The Woodland Trust: 49% Garden

In this episode we delve into the profound connection between nature and well-being. Landscape Architect Adam White discusses creating dementia-friendly sensory gardens, designed to evoke early memories and nostalgia. Mandy Barber from Incredible Vegetables shares the benefits of growing perennial edibles. Plus, we visit RHS Garden Wisley to get expert answers to your pressing gardening questions. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Mandy Barber, Adam White, James Lawrence, Amy Ashman, Nick Turrell Other Links: Advice on creating a dementia friendly garden Supporting people with dementia - a guide for community gardens Incredible Vegetables RHS Sustainable Planting Combinations ISHS Symposium on Greener Cities: Improving Ecosystem Services in a Climate-Changing World

Welcome to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2024! We're exploring the site and transporting you right to the heart of this buzzing showground. Anya Lautenbach – best known as ‘Anya the Garden Fairy' on Instagram, and RHS Ambassador and passionate plantsman Jamie Butterworth share some top tips on how to create a showstopping garden on a budget. Groundbreaking young garden designer Bea Tann illuminates the magic of moss and makes the case for what new build homes could benefit from embracing these prehistoric plants. Finally graduates of the London College of Garden Design show us just how versatile the Asteraceae (daisy) family can be in your garden. All this and more coming up on this special Hampton edition of Gardening with the RHS.   Presenters: Jenny Laville, Gareth Richards & Guy Barter   Contributors: Anya Lautenbach, Jamie Butterworth, Bea Tann, Brian Youngblut, Garden Girls Collective (Melissa Wilkinson, Rachel Barnard, Annie Shephard and Bev Small), Kate Campbell, Sally-Anne Rees and William Murray   Other links: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival tickets 10 thrifty tips from The Money-Saving Gardener The Magic of Moss All About Asteraceae   Contact: podcasts@rhs.org.uk

Chris Kidd, Curator of Ventnor Botanic Gardens, discusses his pioneering low-intervention approach to horticulture with a two decade long experiment which has yielded some surprising results on the Isle of Wight. New research from Butterfly Conservation reveals letting parts of your garden grow wild can increase butterfly numbers by up to 93%, we meet entomologist Dr Richard Fox to find out why moths and butterflies are such important members of the garden community. And finally, we catch up with Gemma Burr at RHS Garden Wisley to learn what you can sow right now to ensure your garden stays insect friendly throughout the season. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Chris Kidd, Dr Richard Fox, Gemma Burr Other links: Ventnor Botanic Gardens website Butterfly Conservation wild garden study Wild Spaces website The Big Butterfly Count Sustainable Planting Combinations Become a RHS member

After a deluge of questions relating to garden critters, RHS Principal Entomologist Hayley Jones makes the case for why you shouldn't be too quick to eradicate slugs and snails from your garden. Artist and ‘accidental activist' Paul Harfleet shares how he has been transforming sites of hate crime through guerilla gardening. Finally, Rosemoor's Peter Adams talks about the benefits of potager gardening, a style of ornamental kitchen gardens with roots in the formal gardens of the French Renaissance. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Hayley Jones, Paul Harfleet, Peter Adams Other Links: The Pansy Project More Information on Slugs and Snails The Potager and Cottage Garden

This week we'll be dropping in with the advisory team at RHS Garden Wisley to answer some of your most asked questions this season. Plantsman Ed Cooper will be shining some light on the enigmatic delphiniums he's been growing down at the trials field, and horticulturist Verity Battyll shares some top tips on how to keep your rose garden looking stunning all year round. Host: Guy Barter Contributors: Ed Cooper, James Lawrence, Amy Ashman, Nick Turrell, Verity Batyll Other Links: Bowes-lyon rose garden Delphiniums Become a RHS member

This week we're diving into the enchanting world of herbs. Join us as author and horticulturist Connor Smith uncovers the rich history of these remarkable plants, celebrated in food, medicine, and mythology for millennia. The Queen of Herbs, Jekka McVicar, shares her expert advice on cultivating your own herb garden. From RHS Garden Wisley, Liz Mooney delivers a heartfelt love letter to her favourite herb. Plus, we'll hear reflections from Wisley curator Matt Pottage as he bids a fond farewell after 20 dedicated years with the RHS. Host: Gareth Richards Contributors: Connor Smith, Jekka McVicar, Liz Mooney, Matt Pottage Other Links: How Herbs Healed the World by Connor Smith 100 Herbs to Grow by Jekka McVicar Jekka's farm website

From butternuts to tromboncinos – on this week's show, Wisley's Liz Mooney tells us about some of her favourite squashes with top tips on how to grow them. Roz Marshall talks us through the results of the RHS Hebe trial at Wisley and Harlow Carr, and Director General Clare Matterson reflects on the announcement of King Charles III as the new patron of the RHS. Presenter: Guy Barter Contributors: Liz Mooney, Roz Marshall, Clare Matterson Contact: podcasts@rhs.org.uk  Links: Shrubby Veronica (Hebe) trial results How to grow squashes - RHS RHS patron announcement

Welcome to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024! We're diving headfirst into all of the trends and highlights this hotly anticipated show has to offer; from the growers filling the Great Pavilion with their dazzling botanical displays, to the striking RHS Plant of the Year Prunus ‘Starlight', and of course the legendary garden designers lining main avenue with some truly spectacular show gardens.  This year is all about celebrating the young gardeners of tomorrow, so join us for a peak inside The RHS No Adults Allowed Garden designed by Harry Holding in collaboration with local schoolchildren, as well as Ula Maria's Best Show Garden-winning Muscular Dystropy UK - Forest Bathing Garden showstopper, Tom Massey and Je Ahn's Gold medal-winning WaterAid Garden, Tom Stuart-Smith's luscious Gold-winning The National Garden Scheme Garden, Ann-Marie Powell's RHS Children Choice Award-winning garden, and much, much more…   Presenters: Jenny Laville, Gareth Richards, Guy Barter Contributors: Tom Massey, Je Ahn, Ula Maria, James Armitage, Ann-Marie Powell   Contact: podcasts@rhs.org.uk  Other links: RHS Chelsea Flower Show Website SheGrowsVeg Urban Organic Pure Grenada