This week, the GQT team are in North Hertfordshire, where Peter Gibbs is joined by Bunny Guinness, Juliet Sargeant and Bob Flowerdew to tackle a fresh crop of horticultural conundrums.
The panellists delve into the challenges of taming coarse grasses in would‑be meadows, ponder why one listener’s tomatoes are thriving better outdoors than under glass, and offer practical approaches to managing soil health and watering, to keep a community allotment productive with less labour.They also discuss the secrets behind successfully rehoming family rhubarb from the Yorkshire Triangle, explore how to rejuvenate a towering Mahonia, and end the show with novel ways to encourage members to join the local gardening society.
Also, Matthew Biggs celebrates the spring magic of our native bluebells, and advises us on the careful stewardship of these beautiful but delicate plants.Producer: Matthew Smith
Junior Producer: Rahnee PrescodA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.* If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
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Gardeners' Question Time Folgen
A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week
Folgen von Gardeners' Question Time
69 Folgen
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Folge vom 06.03.2026Hertfordshire
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Folge vom 27.02.2026Postbag Edition: Ninewells Community GardenKathy Clugston and GQT team have packed their wellies for a trip to the Ninewells Community Garden in Dundee.Kathy is joined by Matthew Pottage, Neil Porteous and Kirsty Wilson to explore the grounds whilst delving into the GQT Postbag together. Among todays questions, the panellists break down which leaves are better to compost than others, tackle a listener’s battle against tomatoes with tough skins, and debate the long‑term impact of weed‑suppressing membranes on soil health. They also explore the ins and outs of olive tree care, suggest the perfect daisies to plant in a pair of cherished old police boots, and consider which dramatic grasses can bring structure and movement to a no‑mow lawn rooted in very sandy soil. Later in the show, Garden Facilitator at Ninewells Community Garden, Mary Colvin, leads the team on a tour of the vibrant community garden, sharing how gardening and green spaces can boost wellbeing, support recovery, and promote a holistic approach to health.Producer: Dan Cocker Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
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Folge vom 20.02.2026ChaldonPeter Gibbs and the GQT team are in Chaldon.Peter's joined by Anne Swithinbank, Pippa Greenwood and Matthew Pottage.This week the panel take on a wide range of gardening dilemmas, from how to reach into borders without treading on emerging plants, to which colourful plants thrive in shady, chalky soil. When it comes to growing veg, the team also has answers on whether leaving weeds in place can help crops during extreme heat, and tips on non‑chemical approaches to protecting cabbages and sprouts from hungry pests.The panellists also discuss how their plant recommendations have changed over the years, and which plants they now avoid altogether!Later in the show, we hear from Peter’s visit to RHS Wisley where he spoke with RHS Chief Horticultural Advisor, Guy Barter, and Botanist and Taxonomist, Dr Kálmán Könyves to follow up on last year’s Daffodil diaries scheme.Producer: Matthew SmithAssistant Producer: William NortonA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.* If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
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Folge vom 13.02.2026Tyne ValleyKathy Clugston and the GQT team are in Tyne Valley, Newcastle.Kathy's joined by Dr Chris Thorogood, Bethan Collerton and Matthew Wilson, who tackle a variety of questions from troubled Aspidistra, yellowing Choisya and planting for winter colour. The team also discusses beech hedges, how to tackle the issue of invasive Japanese knotweed and unlikely exotics thriving in northern gardens.Later in the show, Bunny Guinness enlightens us on the benefits and use cases of grow lights within greenhouses. Producer: Dan CockerAssistant Producer: Suhaar AliA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4To view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time and open this week's episode page.