Main content

GQT at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ: Growing Greens and Buzzing Bees

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts. Peter Gibbs is joined by Pippa Greenwood, Bunny Guinness and Matthew Wilson to answer questions sent in by green-fingered listeners.

This week the panellists advise on tackling an overgrown garden, flowers to encourage bees and unusual plant hacks. They also help a listener with a berry-less Buckthorn, and discuss their favourite January jobs in the garden.

Away from the questions, Anne Swithinbank chats to Gynelle Leon from Prick, London's first ever cactus boutique, and Ashley Edwards from Horatio's Garden London and South East gives some tips for growing greens in January.

Producer - Rosie Merotra
Assistant Producer - Jemima Rathbone

A Somethin' Else production for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Plant List

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

Ìý

Q – I’m moving house and the garden is very overgrown. What advice do the panel have for tackling it so I don’t get over excited and ruin what is likely a well-planted garden?

(2 minutes 35 seconds)

Ìý

Q – What advice could the panel give to some friends who are trying to grow Lavender in Kuala Lumpur? They’ve tried various methods but to no avail.

(5 minutes 30 seconds)

Ìý

Q – We are building a kitchen extension and I was wondering whether an olive tree would work inside? And if not, what other trees or shrubs could the panel recommend that would make a statement?

(7 minutes 45 seconds)

Ìý

Bunny - Dracaena

Ìý

Matthew – Ficus lyrate

Ficus benjamina

Ìý

Q – I noticed some strange growths at the base of my apple tree – any idea what they could be?

(11 minutes 17 seconds)

Ìý

Feature – Gynelle Lyon from Prick, London with Anne Swithinbank

(14 minutes 6 seconds)

Ìý

Mammillaria

Rhipsalis

Astrophytum

Ìý

Q – My Arum-lilies (Zantedeschia) have failed to thrive – have the panel any advice?

(19 minutes 22 seconds)

Ìý

Q – I am getting a beehive for my fifth birthday – what flowers can I plant for my bees to get a good start?

(22 minutes 33 seconds)

Ìý

Matthew – Sedum

Veronica

Ìý

Pippa – Mahonia

Bluebells

Eryngium

Ìý

Bunny – Borage

Hawthorn

Sloe

Ìý

Q – I have a single Sea buckthorn tree with flowers but no berries. I’ve been told I need a second tree to fertilise it – like holly. If so, how do I tell which gender I have?

(26 minutes 37 seconds)

Ìý

Feature – Growing greens in January with Ashley Edwards

(29 minutes 40 seconds)

Ìý

Wasabi rocket

Mustard ‘Red Frills’

Perpetual spinach

Rocket ‘Dragon’s Tongue’

Purple basil

Ìý

Q – I live in a tower bock which is having its windows and cladding replaced. I have a beloved Hibiscus in my kitchen which is at least 15 years old, which needs regular trimming as it grows rapidly. The new windows will be inward facing meaning I won’t have space for my Hibiscus. Would it be possible to replant it outdoors?

(35 minutes)

Ìý

Q – Last year, Christine Walkden advised cleaning plants in the shower; I’m not sure if I did it correctly as I got soil everywhere! Do the panel have any other unusual plant tricks I could try out?

(38 minutes 38 seconds)

Ìý

Broadcasts

  • Fri 8 Jan 2021 15:00
  • Sun 10 Jan 2021 14:00

Six of GQT’s naughtiest gardening innuendos

When Gardeners' Question Time got mucky.

Podcast