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Peter Gibbs and the GQT panel are in Hertfordshire, discussing meadows, tomatoes, rhubarb, bluebells and more.

This week, the GQT team are in North Hertfordshire, where Peter Gibbs is joined by Bunny Guinness, Juliet Sargeant and Bob Flowerdew to tackle a fresh crop of horticultural conundrums.

The panellists delve into the challenges of taming coarse grasses in would‑be meadows, ponder why one listener’s tomatoes are thriving better outdoors than under glass, and offer practical approaches to managing soil health and watering, to keep a community allotment productive with less labour.

They also discuss the secrets behind successfully rehoming family rhubarb from the Yorkshire Triangle, explore how to rejuvenate a towering Mahonia, and end the show with novel ways to encourage members to join the local gardening society.

Also, Matthew Biggs celebrates the spring magic of our native bluebells, and advises us on the careful stewardship of these beautiful but delicate plants.

Producer: Matthew Smith
Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

* If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sunday14:00
BBC Radio 4

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Plant List

Q1 – How to become a gardener rather than a farmer?(1’55)

Q2 – Why won’t my radishes grow properly? (7’11”)

Bob Flowerdew

  • Raphanus sativus, common radish

Q3 – Why do my outdoor tomatoes outperform my greenhouse tomatoes? (9’30”)

Bob Flowerdew

  • Solanum lycopersicum, tomato

  • Cucumis sativus, cucumber

  • Cucumis melo, melon

  • Cucurbita pepo, squash

  • Solanum lycopersicum ‘Pink Brandywine’, tomato ‘Pink Brandywine’

Q4 – How can I control coarse grasses in a meadow‑style garden? (13’27”)

Bunny Guinness

  • Rhinanthus minor, yellow rattle

  • Geranium spp., wild geraniums

  • Fritillaria meleagris, snake’s head fritillary

Q5 – My Mahonia is growing too tall and lacks lower branches: What’s the best way to encourage new growth? (19’19)

Bunny Guinness

  • Mahonia spp. , mahonia

  • Mahoniaoiwakensis subsp. lomariifolia, lomaria-leaved mahonia

FEATURE – Matthew Biggs celebrates the spring magic of our native woodland Bluebells, giving expert guidance on how to grow them in your own garden and advises us on the careful stewardship of these beautiful but delicate plants. (21’07)

Q6 – Do the panel have any tips for transplanting rhubarb from the Yorkshire Triangle? (25’34”)

Bob Flowerdew

  • Rheum × hybridum, garden rhubarb

Bunny Guinness

  • Rheum ‘Victoria’, rhubarb ‘Victoria’ (recommended as reliable/strong variety)

  • Rheum × hybridum 'Victoria',rhubarb 'Victoria'

Q7 – What are some practical approaches to managing soil health and watering, to keep our community allotment productive with less labour? (28’54”)

Juliette Sargeant

  • Vicia faba, broad bean

  • Pisum sativum, garden pea

  • Trifolium spp., clover

Bunny Guinness

  • Brassicas

  • Allium porrum, leek

  • Spinacia oleracea, spinach

  • Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris, beetroot

  • Brassica oleracea Tronchuda Group ‘Portuguese cabbage’, braganza

Q8 – Do the panel have any guidance on how to report an out-of-control Strelitzia that is floor to ceiling? (33’42”)

Strelitzia, Bird of Paradise

Q9 – Can the panel suggest ways to excite and recruit new volunteers for Britain‑in‑Bloom projects? (37’11”)

Broadcasts

  • Friday15:00
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sunday14:00
    BBC Radio 4

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