EPISODE · Jul 25, 2025 · 42 MIN
Bracknell Forest: Garden Gnomes, Carrots and Tools
from Gardeners' Question Time · host BBC Radio 4
If you could have a garden gnome what would it be doing? What tools should I have on my first allotment? Any tips on growing carrots on a sandy soil? Peter Gibbs and a panel of green-fingered gurus head to the lush landscapes of Bracknell Forest, where a lively audience of passionate gardeners awaits answers to their most pressing plant problems. Joining Peter are pest and disease specialist Pippa Greenwood, head gardener Matthew Pottage, and the ever-enthusiastic plantswoman Christine Walkden.Later in the show, Pippa Greenwood takes us behind the scenes at Heathrow Airport, where she meets Kelvin Hughes from the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Together, they uncover the fascinating work being done to safeguard the UK’s biodiversity from invasive pests and diseases hidden in overseas plants and produce.Senior Producer: Daniel Cocker Junior Producer: Rahnee PrescodA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – If you were forced to have one garden gnome, what would that garden gnome be doing? (01’38”) Q – Do the panel have any advice on growing carrots in sandy soil? (05’47”) Q – Are the panel opposed to the use of decorative wood chips in borders? (07’56”) Q – Can they explain how buddleia can grow in church roofs and railway sidings and not come to much in my garden? (11’36”) Matthew Pottage – Buddleja davidii 'Black Knight', butterfly bush 'Black Knight'Feature – Pippa Greenwood meets with Kelvin Hughes with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to discover how Heathrow Airport protect the UK's biodiversity from overseas produce and plants. (18’31”)Q – What could we grow in our south-west facing garden that will provide vibrant colours during the summer? (24’06”) Matthew Pottage – Aesculus Aesculus parviflora, bottlebrush buckeye Eucryphia Eucryphia lucida, leatherwood Eucryphia lucida 'Pink Cloud', leatherwood ‘Pink Cloud’ Hydrangea quercifolia, oak-leaved hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia Snowflake ('Brido') (d), oak-leaved hydrangea [Snowflake] Hydrangea quercifolia Ice Crystal ('Hqopr010'PBR), oak-leaved hydrangea [Ice Crystal] Hydrangea quercifolia 'Harmony', oak-leaved hydrangea 'Harmony'Christine Walkden – Desfontainia OsmanthusQ – I’ve just taken on an allotment in the last year, and I'd like to know what are the top five low-cost items you'd recommend? (28’20”) Q – Is there an aesthetically please alternative to steaks and pea netting that I could use whilst my plants establish? (31’14”)Q – What plant would you like to be remembered by? (36’03”) Christine Walkden – Soldanella hungaricaMatthew Pottage – Araucaria Araucana, monkey puzzle treePippa Greenwood – Magnolia stellata, star magnolia
What this episode covers
If you could have a garden gnome what would it be doing? What tools should I have on my first allotment? Any tips on growing carrots on a sandy soil? Peter Gibbs and a panel of green-fingered gurus head to the lush landscapes of Bracknell Forest, where a lively audience of passionate gardeners awaits answers to their most pressing plant problems. Joining Peter are pest and disease specialist Pippa Greenwood, head gardener Matthew Pottage, and the ever-enthusiastic plantswoman Christine Walkden.Later in the show, Pippa Greenwood takes us behind the scenes at Heathrow Airport, where she meets Kelvin Hughes from the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Together, they uncover the fascinating work being done to safeguard the UK’s biodiversity from invasive pests and diseases hidden in overseas plants and produce.Senior Producer: Daniel Cocker Junior Producer: Rahnee PrescodA Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4Plant List Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided. Q – If you were forced to have one garden gnome, what would that garden gnome be doing? (01’38”) Q – Do the panel have any advice on growing carrots in sandy soil? (05’47”) Q – Are the panel opposed to the use of decorative wood chips in borders? (07’56”) Q – Can they explain how buddleia can grow in church roofs and railway sidings and not come to much in my garden? (11’36”) Matthew Pottage – Buddleja davidii 'Black Knight', butterfly bush 'Black Knight'Feature – Pippa Greenwood meets with Kelvin Hughes with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to discover how Heathrow Airport protect the UK's biodiversity from overseas produce and plants. (18’31”)Q – What could we grow in our south-west facing garden that will provide vibrant colours during the summer? (24’06”) Matthew Pottage – Aesculus Aesculus parviflora, bottlebrush buckeye Eucryphia Eucryphia lucida, leatherwood Eucryphia lucida 'Pink Cloud', leatherwood ‘Pink Cloud’ Hydrangea quercifolia, oak-leaved hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia Snowflake ('Brido') (d), oak-leaved hydrangea [Snowflake] Hydrangea quercifolia Ice Crystal ('Hqopr010'PBR), oak-leaved hydrangea [Ice Crystal] Hydrangea quercifolia 'Harmony', oak-leaved hydrangea 'Harmony'Christine Walkden – Desfontainia OsmanthusQ – I’ve just taken on an allotment in the last year, and I'd like to know what are the top five low-cost items you'd recommend? (28’20”) Q – Is there an aesthetically please alternative to steaks and pea netting that I could use whilst my plants establish? (31’14”)Q – What plant would you like to be remembered by? (36’03”) Christine Walkden – Soldanella hungaricaMatthew Pottage – Araucaria Araucana, monkey puzzle treePippa Greenwood – Magnolia stellata, star magnolia
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Bracknell Forest: Garden Gnomes, Carrots and Tools
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