Gardening with the RHS

Even though it's still August, the signs of autumn are starting to show. False autumn is a survival-driven stress response where trees shed leaves and change colour prematurely due to extreme heat and drought, and you may find yourself doing the autumn jobs a little early this year.

We dive headlong into seed collecting with RHS horticulturist Lucie Rudnicka, plus find out how best to prune your trained apple and pear trees with RHS Garden Wisley’s fruit tree expert Jim Arbury. And finally, we relish in the joy of wildflowers with our very own Gareth Richards, as today sees the publication of RHS Wildflowers: A Pocket Guide. Plus we answer questions from the listener inbox on late sowings of salads, raspberry pruning and hornets.

Host: Gareth Richards

Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring

Contributors: Lucie Rudnicka, Jim Arbury, Jenny Laville

Links:

Seed: collecting and storing

Apples and pears: pruning

RHS Wildflowers: A pocket guide

Send your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk

In a summer of rolling heatwaves, we look at what we can do to help out one of the garden areas most vulnerable to parching - plants in pots. RHS Horticultural Advisor Nick Turrell explains what you can do to keep them alive and thriving as temperatures soar. The heat and high humidity this summer have provided the perfect conditions for fungal plant diseases to spread like wildfire. RHS Plant Pathologist Dr Jassy Drakulic tells us about powdery mildew, and shares what you can do if your plants have succumbed. And finally, our Chief Horticulturist Guy Barter sheds some light on how we can make the most of this summer's most precious resource, when rainfall finally arrives where you are. Plus some listener questions answered.

Host: Gareth Richards

Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring

Contributors: Nick Turrell, Jassy Drakulic, Guy Barter

Links:

Drought resistant plants for pots

Powdery mildew

Send your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk

As we experience one of the most extreme summers on record, how can we help our garden wildlife cope with the heat? RHS Science and Horticulture Editor Olivia Drake explains why ornamental dahlias can be an excellent late summer food source for pollinators, while RHS entomologist Josie Stuart introduces us to the striking cinnabar moth and its close relationship with drought-resistant ragwort. We also visit Where Magic Grows, a new family-friendly immersive exhibition at Leeds’ Thackeray Museum of Medicine, exploring the connections between plants, folklore and medicine, in collaboration with the RHS. Plus, we answer some of your top gardening questions of the week.

Host: Gareth Richards

Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring

Contributors: Olivia Drake, Josie Stuart, Jack Gann, Holly Tomlinson

Links:

Dahlias for pollinators

Exhibition: Where Magic Grows

Lavendars

Plums

Grey Water

Plants mentioned:

Dahlia merckii https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/5296/dahlia-merckii-b/details

Dahlia 'Tangerine Gem' https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/510690/dahlia-tangerine-gem-sin/details

Dahlia australis https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/181404/dahlia-australis/details

Dahlia Pretty Woman https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/282403/dahlia-pretty-woman-vdtg43-pbr-dark-angel-series-sin/details

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Lavendelturm' https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/111539/veronicastrum-virginicum-lavendelturm/details

Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen'https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/97048/achillea-millefolium-cerise-queen/details

Email your questions to podcasts@rhs.org.uk

If you’re going away this summer and are worried about your garden RHS Chief Horticulturist Guy Barter shares some top hacks for ensuring your plants survive the heatwaves while you’re away. But if you’re staying at home and feel inspired to give your garden a revamp for all those summer BBQs, RHS Horticultural Advisor Nick Turrell explains what you can still plant in high summer for maximum impact. If you’re entertaining children this summer – or you’re still full of wonder for the natural world – David Wembridge from The People's Trust for Endangered Species’ talks about a nationwide search for the gentle giants - stag beetles. And finally, the jobs – we’ll share key things you can do in the next week in the garden.

Host: Gareth Richards

Contributors: Guy Barter, Nick Turrell, David Wembridge

Producers: Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring

Links:

PTES the Great Stag Beetle Hunt

Info on powdery mildew

Drought resistant gardening

The team head to North Norfolk to fill their boots with inspiration from the show gardens, floral exhibits, specialist growers, and innovative designs on display at RHS Sandringham Flower Show. Gareth Richards speaks with Catherine MacDonald, who designed The RHS Royal Legacy Garden in collaboration with King Charles III, with a special focus on climate resilient trees. Jenny Laville catches up with designers Joe and Laura Carey in their playful Pollywiggle Garden, designed for amphibians. And producers Poppy and Dan glean some top tips from the growers and nurseries in the Floral Marquee.

Hosts: Gareth Richards, Jenny Laville

Contributors: Catherine MacDonald, Laura Carey, Joe Carey, John Cullen, Louise Batchelor, David Reynolds, Paul Dibley, Dan Cocker, Poppy Waring

Links:

RHS Sandringham Flower Show

Plants:

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Rubylace' Gleditsia triacanthos 'Rubylace' | thorny locust 'Rubylace'

Aeonium ‘Pink Witch’ Aeonium 'Pink Witch' (v)

Rosemary-leaf willow - Salix rosmarinifolia Salix rosmarinifolia L. | rosemary-leaved willow

Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’ Achillea ptarmica 'Peter Cottontail'PBR | sneezewort 'Peter Cottontail'