

Gardeners' Question Time
BBC Radio 4
A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 43min
Caterham
Anne Swithinbank, seasoned gardening broadcaster with practical pruning tips. Matthew Pottage, horticulturist offering technical lawn and planting know-how. Pippa Greenwood, experienced plant-care expert. They tackle late bulb planting, boosting apple crops, frost protection, reworking shaded rockeries, diagnosing declining shrubs, and keeping a heavily used football lawn healthy.

5 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 42min
Firth of Tay
Bunny Guinness, garden designer offering fresh-year resolutions. Neil Porteous, practical plantsman with down-to-earth planting tips. Kirsty Wilson, Balmoral head gardener and botanist. Matthew Pottage, Royal Parks head gardener and pruning pro. They discuss naming plants, planting walnuts from foraged nuts, pruning magnolias, discreet composting and why lichens are best left alone.

Jan 2, 2026 • 42min
Postbag Edition: Sefton Park Palm House
In this lively discussion, botanist James Wong shares tips on houseplant care, revealing the secrets behind orchid bud drop and banana propagation. Marcus Chilton Jones offers insights on hot composting techniques and the best plants for different home environments. Bethan Collerton dives into the art of growing pineapple from tops and gives advice on soil improvement for successful planting. Colin Hughes provides fascinating facts about the historic Sefton Park Palm House and the challenges of maintaining giant palms.

8 snips
Dec 26, 2025 • 43min
From The Archives: Seasons Greetings
Bunny Guinness, an experienced garden designer, and Bob Flowerdew, an organic gardening expert, share their seasonal wisdom. They tackle crucial topics like removing mistletoe from trees while maintaining aesthetics and offer practical tips for protecting plants from frost with methods like green fleece and mulch. Bob also suggests recycling cardboard for garden paths, and they discuss ways to repurpose festive plants, like rosemary, for holiday wreaths. Their insights blend tradition with practicality, perfect for any gardener this festive season.

Dec 22, 2025 • 42min
Wrexham County Borough: Rose Cuttings, Begonias and Hydrangeas
In this lively discussion, botanist and garden writer James Wong shares practical tips on propagating roses, recommending layering as a foolproof method. Bethan Collerton, head gardener at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, offers solutions for deterring sheep with spiky shrubs and suggests vibrant plants for shaded areas. Curator Marcus Chilton-Jones dives into the mystery of hydrangeas changing color, explaining the role of soil acidity. Together, they tackle various gardening dilemmas, providing expert advice and encouraging green-thumb creativity.

6 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 43min
Dundee: Amaryllis, Monkey Puzzles and Australian Plants
Join horticulturists Matthew Pottage, Kirsty Wilson, and Neil Porteous as they delve into pressing gardening questions. They reveal expert tips on propagating monkey puzzle trees and recommend hardy Australian plants that can brave Dundee's winters. Curious about why your Amaryllis isn't flowering? They share insights on optimal care for Hippeastrum. Plus, they assess storm-damaged trees and explore the fascinating Garden Futures exhibition. It's a treasure trove of plant wisdom and gardening advice!

16 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 42min
Waltham Forest: Coriander, Sow-By-Date and Perennials
This lively discussion features James Wong, an ethnobotanist known for his botanical insights, horticulturist Matthew Biggs, offering practical plant-care tips, allotment enthusiast Frances Tophill, who shares enthusiastic growing strategies, and seasonal expert Anne Swithinbank, providing winter preparation advice. They dive into the secrets of growing coriander, the importance of sow-by dates, and how perennials can thrive in challenging climates. Plus, Anne highlights essential winter protection strategies for garden plants!

4 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 42min
Henley-on-Thames
Join veteran horticulturalist Pippa Greenwood and head gardener Matthew Pottage as they tackle a variety of gardening dilemmas. They discuss innovative compost techniques using horse manure and how to manage pesky codling moths in apples. The duo shares tailored shrub recommendations for compact gardens and highlights the impact of local wildlife on their landscapes. Additionally, learn about creating an eco-friendly dead hedge and the best practices for pruning pleached olives. It's a treasure trove of gardening wisdom!

6 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 43min
Chirk: Pickled Onions, Tall Perennials and Picky Pests
In this lively discussion, gardening experts Marcus Chilton-Jones, Bethan Collerton, and James Wong tackle pressing green-fingered queries. They explore why perennials can grow too tall, with clever tips like the Chelsea chop. The panel shares insights on the best onions for pickling, emphasizing flavor and sulfur boosts. They also dive into why burgundy flowers attract pests and offer solutions for mushroom identification. Plus, Bethan highlights the Wrexham community's gardening success, showcasing enthusiasm and adaptability.

4 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 42min
St Mary's Walthamstow
Join ethnobotanist James Wong, plant expert Matthew Biggs, and horticulturist Frances Tophill as they tackle pressing gardening queries. They explore how to revive tired raspberry canes and suggest durable plants suitable for families and pets. The trio discusses balancing bee-friendly pavements with public perception and highlights resilient London street trees. Additionally, they delve into the pros and cons of growing Agapanthus from seed versus vegetative care. Tune in for invaluable tips and a sprinkle of green inspiration!


