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From the Archives: Autumn Advice

We dig into the GQT archives for an autumn and winter advice special.

Kathy Clugston looks back over 75 years of autumn gardening advice on this special archive edition of GQT.

As the leaves fall from the trees and flowers are no longer in bloom, there is still much to be done in the garden. Whether you are looking for a way to add some colour into your borders during the colder months or are wondering how to prepare plants for the upcoming frosts – our horticultural experts are here to help.

Past panels share their knowledge on everything from how to get bright red Poinsettia in time for Christmas to how to overwinter your fruit and vegetable plants.

Producer: Daniel Cocker
Assistant Producer: Bethany Hocken
Executive Producer: Louisa Field

A Somethin' Else production for Â鶹Éç Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 Oct 2022 14:00

Plant List

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

Ìý

Q – I was given aÌýPoinsettiaÌýin a pot last year. It’s now over 3 foot (91cm) tall but it’s still in its original pot. I’d like to give it a bit of care.

(2 minutes 28 seconds)

Ìý

Q – Can you suggest some interesting bulbs I could give as a Christmas present?

(6 minutes 25 seconds)

Ìý

Chris –

Amorphophallus konjac, Voodoo lily

Streptocarpus

Ìý

Anne –

Lachenalia, Cape cowslip

ChionodoxaÌý'Pink Giant'

Ìý

Matthew –Ìý

Saintpaulia, African violet

Ìý

Q – What are your favourite shrubs for this time of year?

(10 minutes 35 seconds)

Ìý

Matt –Ìý

Daphne bholuaÌý‘Jaqueline Postill’

Ìý

Bob –
Locinera fragrantissima, Winter honeysuckle

Ìý

Feature – Kirsty Wilson talks us through how to add a splash of colour in midwinter with Witch hazel.

(13 minutes 5 seconds)

Ìý

Q – Now that my runner beans have stopped producing, should I cut them down, dig them out and compost them? Or should I leave them as-is for overwintering insects?

(17 minutes 33 seconds)

Ìý

Q – I’ve got an allotment and over the winter I usually use plastic to cover it. What can I use as an alternative?

(19 minutes 40 seconds)

Ìý

Feature – Bob Flowerdew explains how to look after fruiting plants through the colder months.

(23 minutes 8 seconds)

Ìý

Q – What is your favourite thing to grow in the greenhouse over winter?

(26 minutes 55 seconds)

Ìý

Christine –Ìý

Cyclamen persicum

Cyclamen mirabile

Cyclamen coum


Matt –
Mint

Q – We have some holly berries in our garden; how can we keep them from flocks of fieldfares until Christmas?

(30 minutes 5 seconds)

Ìý

Feature – Cherry Carmen shares her top tips for preparing your pond for winter

(33 minutes 29 seconds)

Ìý

JuncusÌýeffusus

Equisetum

Giant marsh marigold

SisyrinchiumÌýcalifornicum

AponogetonÌýdistachyos, water hawthorn

Ìý

Ìý

Q – Why doesn’t my Sarcococca have a scent?

(37 minutes 37 seconds)

Broadcasts

  • Fri 28 Oct 2022 15:00
  • Sun 30 Oct 2022 14:00

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