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From The Archive: Grasses and Lawns

Kathy Clugston guides us through the GQT archives in search of advice on lawns and grasses.

Kathy Clugston sows the seeds of knowledge on the topics of lawn care and grasses, with help from the extensive GQT Archive.

Now that we’re well into the summer season, grass maintenance and lawn care have become top priority for most gardeners.

GQT’s various horticultural experts from over the years share their tips and knowledge on how to restore patchy lawns, what variety of bamboo would thrive in small gardens, and how to get rid of moss without damaging the healthy plants around it.

Later, we listen back to when Anne Swithinbank met with ornamental grass guru Neil Lucas, to discuss if there’s truly a variety for everyone.

Producer: Dan Cocker


Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod


Executive Producer: Carly Maile

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

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 21 Jul 2024 14:00

Plant List

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

Ìý

Q – How do I get rid of Pearlwort? (01’15)

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Q – Would applying fertilizer or weed killer to lawn sand irradicate weeds from my lawn quickly? (02’56)

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Q – What can I do to kill the moss growing in my flower beds without damaging the plants around it? (05’06)

Ìý

Q – What should I do about the giant cracks in my lawn? Should I try backfilling now with compost? Or just leave until it eventually rains? (08’35)

Ìý

Q – There are lot of patches in my lawn – would you recommend scarifying it this autumn? Or leaving it until the spring? (11’44)

Ìý

Feature – Anne Swithinbank met ornamental grass guru Neil Lucas to discuss if there’s a variety suited to everyone. (13’45)

Ìý

Neil Lucas –

Miscanthus, elephant grass

Panicum, finger grass

Pennisetum, Fountain grass

Carex, sedge

Nassella, needle grass

Hakonechloa, japanese forest grass

Ìý

Q – What variety of bamboo could I grow in my small Cumbrian garden? (18’22)

Ìý

Matthew Wilson –

PhyllostachysÌýnigra, black bamboo

PhyllostachysÌýaureosulcata, golden groove bamboo

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Anne Swithinbank –

NandinaÌýdomestica, heavenly bamboo

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Feature – Peter Gibbs and the Panel visit AFC Wimbledon to learn more about their lawn care routine? (22’38)

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Q – We think we have Fusarium growing on our lawn, how do we get rid of it? (28’13)

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Q – Our lawn gets no treatment at all, apart from routine mowing.Ìý There's grass, plenty of clover, few dandelions, creeping buttercup, but we haven't seen a single Daisy. Do you experts have any idea why? (31’11)

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Q – Any tips on how to prepare a lawn for the dormant winter months so that in the spring, it comes back luxurious? (34’50)

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Q – I have a giant pampas grass in my garden. The plumes are about 15 foot high, but it is slowly spreading. How do I halve it without damaging it? (38’14)

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