• Dig It - Discussions on Gardening Topics

  • By: Dig It
  • Podcast

Dig It - Discussions on Gardening Topics

By: Dig It
  • Summary

  • Chris Day and Peter Brown from Buckingham Garden Centre talk about their gardening experiences, what to do in the garden, seasonal gardening advice and interviews with horticultural experts.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Buckingham Garden Centre
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Episodes
  • The new era of beautiful Chrysanthemums with Naomi Slade
    Dec 15 2024

    In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with horticultural journalist, garden designer and broadcaster Naomi Slade. Naomi’s latest book, Chrysanthemum: Beautiful Varieties from Home and Garden, is a celebration of the ever so versatile Chrysanthemum. On the podcast we discover more about Naomi’s garden design journey, plus great advice on planting and her love of plants, including some recommendations for winter interest.

    Plants mentioned: Apples, Cyclamen Florist types, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Daffodils, Elodea (Canadian Pondweed – now banned from sale), Herbs, Helleborus, Hardy Cyclamen Coum and C Hederifolium, Snowdrops (including Galanthus reginae-olgae 'Naomi Slade' (Monksilver Nursery), Rhubarb, Roses, Paeonies, Plums, Prunus subhirtella autumnalis (winter flowering cherry), Wild Strawberries, Tulips, consider more vigorous rootstocks in difficult soils when growing fruit trees. The aptly named Cottage Chrysanthemums range are reliable and hardy as are the varieties ‘Ruby Mound’ and ‘Dulwich Pink’ (RHS AGM).

    Scented winter plants: Sarcococca, Viburnum bodnantense, Snowdrops, Lonicera fragrantissima, Mahonia and Hamamelis (Witch Hazel).

    People, products mentioned: Sir David Attenborough, Gerald Durrell, photographer Georgianna Lane, Piet Oudolf, Sarah Raven and Halls of Heddon. Which Gardening, Garden News, Water Butts, Old bread knife for dividing perennial clumps in the spring.

    National Collection of Chrysanthemums: Norwell Nurseries and Gardens, Nottinghamshire.

    Show gardens mentioned: 'Never Mind The Hollyhocks' Award Winning punk-themed conceptual garden by Naomi Slade at RHS Hampton Court 2012 and The Flood Resilient Garden in conjunction with Dr Ed Barsley. Silver Medal Winner at RHS Chelsea 2024.

    Desert Island luxuries: Naomi’s tool would be her trusted bread knife and an apple tree, maybe a ‘Bramley’, would be her island tree of choice.

    To find out more about Naomi and her books visit her website

    Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    54 mins
  • December '24 in the Garden
    Dec 1 2024

    In this month’s DIG IT Peter Brown discusses the latest news in the world of gardening, what’s on’s and as the winter kicks in, Chris and Peter look at those gardening tasks to keep your garden looking its best this month and beyond.


    Places to visit:

    Winter Flowers Week at the Garden Museum, London

    National Memorial Arboretum mile long light trail

    Alnwick Castle lights show

    Cambridge University Botanic Garden Light show

    Kew Gardens Lights Show


    Plants Mentioned:

    The Welsh Bramley - Gabalfa Apple, Rose

    Perfumy Silueta Rose bred by Kordes Rosen wins several categories in Rochfords International Rose Trials

    The Woodland Trust Highlights the plight of our Native trees and encourages planting more.

    Collections of Hamamelis, Amelanchier and Eucalyptus held at the National Memorial Arboretum and Ventnor Botanic Gardens gain National Plant Collection status.

    Skippinish Oak wins the Woodland Trusts tree of the year competition

    Lace Bug pest spotted in London

    Garden Organic searches for comfrey

    A new Palm Tahina Spectablis arrives at the Eden project

    60 000 snowdrops planted at the National Trust property Montacute House in Somerset

    Jane Steward champions the medlar and tries to raise its profile

    In the news:

    Cruser SB Neonicotinoid Thiamethoxam has been licensed for use on Sugar Beet in the UK despite being banned in the EU.

    British Horticulture will have to bear increased costs on imports due to the Common User Charge

    Inverary Castle wins Prestigious Gardens Award

    Haig Hall in Wigan undergoes restoration

    Bath wins prestigious RHS Britian in Bloom award for the second time, Wrexham won a Gold award for the City and Forres in Scotland also won the town award.

    Defra’s latest Data indicates a fall in Bird species

    Green Allotments offer a chance to win an Allotment site to try and help increase the number of allotments in the UK

    The National Gardens Scheme announce gardens to visit in the New Year

    Greenfingers charity has a new president who takes over from Sue Allen

    Allett mowers announce the 2024 winner for the Creative Stripes competition

    We announce our support of Ripple Africa again this festive period.

    Our special thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    36 mins
  • Jekka's 100 Herbs to Grow
    Nov 15 2024

    In this edition of DIG IT we are delighted to welcome back Jekka McVicar, top organic herb grower, consultant, and Royal Horticultural Society Judge. Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Jekka on issues affecting herbs, best growing practices, composts, tea infusions, plus we delve into Jekka’s latest fabulous book, 100 Herbs To Grow.

    Plant mentions: Coriander, Basil, Bulbine frutescens (burn jelly plant), Lemon Verbena, Mints including Peppermint and Mentha spicata (Spearmint), Murraya koenigii (Curry tree), Nasturtium, Oregano, Rosemary, Horse Radish, Silybum marianum, Szechuan (Sichuan) Pepper, Rosemary, Thymes, Wild Rocket, Nasturtiums, Wild Strawberries and Winter Savory.

    People and product mentions: Jamie Oliver, Delia Smith, Borage (the gnome), Charles Dowding, Marcus Waring and garden designer Sarah Eberle. Radio 4’s Just a Minute. Horticultural grit, RocketGro Peat-Free Herbs and Alpine Compost, horse manure, Jekka’s own peat-free compost mix contains bark, loam, peat-free compost, plus mycorrhizal fungi. Working in some loam can help the composts porosity. Use grit rather than bark for herb mulching. Seaweed feeds are generally best for herbs. Westland Epsom salts will help keep the foliage green and healthy. Growth Technology SG Invigorator. Black plastic for horsetail and general weed suppression.

    Problem pests: Leaf-hoppers, rosemary beetle and thrips.

    Tea Infusions: Lemon verbena or lemon grass (with a gin and tonic works a treat). Citrus trilogy, a perfect mood lifter orange blossom, lime leaves and lemongrass and rosemary. Garlic leaf tea for keeping slugs away on your seedlings.

    Sore throat - sage tea (gargle) for coughs and cold, sprig of hyssop and thyme in hot water with some honey. For Indigestion, try fennel leaf tea which also helps reduce cholesterol.

    Jekka McVicar and Charles Dowding in conversation on YouTube

    Jekka’s castaway luxury: A propagating kit with a snip, sharpened chop stick, a pair of long tweezers and a wet stone.

    To find out more about Jekka’s story, the specialist herb farm containing over 400 culinary and medicinal herbs from all around the world and online shop.

    Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr

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