Gardeners' Question Time

Kathy 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

Peter 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 Smith
Assistant Producer: William Norton
A 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.

Kathy 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 Cocker
Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4
To view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time and open this week's episode page.

Peter Gibbs and the GQT team are in Kimpton, Hertfordshire.
He's joined by Bob Flowerdew, Bunny Guinness and Juliet Sargeant.
With questions submitted from the local audience in Kimpton Memorial Hall, the panel take on a wide range of horticultural challenges, from alternatives to Valentine’s Day roses, to selecting shrubs for a north‑facing chalk‑clay garden and innovative ways of harvesting horseradish.
The panellists also advise our questioners on how to grow figs in containers, prune winter honeysuckle and propagate daphne, and they tell us how best to manage the surprise appearance of fairy rings in a lawn.
Alongside these questions, Marcus Chilton Jones, Curator at RHS Bridgewater shares the Do's and Don’ts of winter pruning.
Producer: Matthew Smith
Assistant Producer: William Norton
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Kathy Clugston and the GQT team visit the Seaton Delaval Hall in Newcastle, to answer questions from the GQT postbag.
Today, the panel helps choose roses for a shaded memorial bed, investigates the sudden collapse of a once‑glorious wisteria, and unpicks the mystery of a white flag iris that decided to flower again in autumn, but this time in blue.
Kathy is joined by Matthew Wilson, Bethan Collerton and Dr Chris Thorogood.
Alongside these questions, Sarah Peilow, Head Gardener at Seaton Delaval Hall takes us on a tour of the Parterre and the South East Garden.
Producer: Dan Cocker
Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali
A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.