Gardeners' Question Time

BBC Radio 4

4.8 (4)
HOME & GARDEN
UPDATED DAILY

A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week

20 HR AGO

Kimpton

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

42 min
2 DAYS AGO

Postbag Edition: Seaton Delaval Hall

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.

43 min
2 DAYS AGO

Clara Vale

How can I lighten my orchids? Is there a reliable mix of weed suppressants and fertilisers for growing edibles? Why have the leaves of my Camelia started turning yellow? This week on Gardeners’ Question Time, Kathy Clugston and a hand‑picked panel of horticultural experts head to Clara Vale to tackle the green‑fingered queries of a live audience. Joining Kathy are garden designer Matthew Wilson, botanist Dr Chris Thorogood, and allotmenteer Bethan Collerton, who bring their combined expertise, practical know‑how and good humour to the discussion. Later in the programme, Peter Gibbs visits the renowned Snowdrop Collection at RHS Wisley, where he meets fellow Galanthaphile and Snowdrops expert Jessica Jansdotter. Producer: Dan Cocker Junior Producer: Suhaar Ali A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

42 min
23 JAN

Caterham

Is it too late to plant daffodil and tulip bulbs? What are the best ideas for planting under a shaded tree? How to maintain a lawn that is regularly used for football? This week on Gardeners’ Question Time, Peter Gibbs and a hand‑picked panel of horticultural experts head to Caterham to tackle the green‑fingered queries of a live audience. Peter is joined by Pippa Greenwood, Matthew Pottage and Anne Swithinbank. Alongside these questions, we hear from Bethan Collerton who visited Wrexham to find out more about the RHS 'It's Your Neighbourhood' Scheme and how it has benefited the community and the gardeners involved. Producer: Matt Smith Assistant Producer: William Norton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

43 min
12 JAN

Firth of Tay

Do the panel have any unusual gardening habits? Can I grow a Walnut tree in Dundee? Kathy Clugston heads to the stunning Firth of Tay with a hand-picked panel of gardening experts, ready to answer questions from an enthusiastic, plant-loving audience. Joining Kathy are garden designers, botanists and allotmenteers Matthew Pottage, Kirsty Wilson and Neil Porteous, bringing their wealth of knowledge and practical tips to the discussion. Also, Bunny Guinness shares her gardening resolutions for the year ahead, offering inspiration for anyone planning a fresh start in their own green spaces. Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

42 min
2 JAN

Postbag Edition: Sefton Park Palm House

How do I maintain a hot compost bin? Do Begonias have a finite life? How do I successfully grow a pineapple? Kathy Clugston and a panel of hearty horticulturalists venture to the Sefton Park Palm House in Liverpool, while digging into the GQT postbag, to solve your trickiest gardening conundrums. Joining Kathy to explore this historic palm house are botanist James Wong, proud plantswoman Bethan Collerton, and head of RHS Bridge Water, Marcus Chilton Jones. They're also joined by head gardener of Sefton Park, Colin Hughes. Producer: Rahnee Prescod A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

42 min
26/12/2025

From The Archives: Seasons Greetings

How do you remove mistletoe? How can you protect plants from frost damage? And why do brassicas develop clubbed roots? Kathy Clugston delves into the Gardeners’ Question Time archives to uncover timeless festive gardening wisdom. Drawing on decades of horticultural expertise, GQT panellists and chairs — past and present — share trusted, practical advice for every green-fingered dilemma. From tackling mistletoe to safeguarding plants against winter cold, their knowledge is as enduring and deep-rooted as the gardens they tend. Producer: Rahnee Prescod A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

43 min
22/12/2025

Wrexham County Borough: Rose Cuttings, Begonias and Hydrangeas

Is there a foolproof way to take rose cuttings? Why have my hydrangeas turned from blue to pink? And do begonias have a lifespan limit? Kathy Clugston is in the vibrant Wrexham County Borough, where an enthusiastic audience puts their gardening dilemmas to an expert panel. Joining Kathy are celebrated garden designer and botanist James Wong, horticulturist Bethan Collerton, and Marcus Chilton-Jones, curator of RHS Bridgewater – the sharpest tools in the GQT shed. Later in the programme, Kirsty Wilson shares her top tips for growing holly successfully. Senior Producer: Dan Cocker Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

42 min

See All (65)

Kathy Clugston

Host
Matthew Wilson

Guest
Bethan Collerton

Guest
Chris Thorogood

Guest
Sarah Peilow

Guest
Pippa Greenwood

Guest
Matthew Pottage

Guest
Anne Swithinbank

Guest
Kirsty Wilson

Guest
Neil Porteous

Guest

4.8

out of 5

4 Ratings

Great listening - just one disappointment

06/10/2020

Anonymmmmus

The panel are good, the advice is generally sound and the show is good to listen to. Just a pity the BBC doesn’t keep the shows available as pod casts more than one month. Why? I know I can listen on line, but most shows are more than a month