Hertfordshire
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鈥慴e meadows, ponder why one listener鈥檚 tomatoes are thriving better outdoors than under glass, and offer practical 鈥奱pproaches 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 麻豆社 Radio 4.
* If listening on 麻豆社 Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page.
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Plant List
Q1 鈥� How to become a gardener rather than a farmer? (1鈥�55)
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Q2 鈥� Why won鈥檛 my radishes grow properly? (7鈥�11鈥�)
Bob Flowerdew
- Raphanus sativus, common radish
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Q3 鈥� Why do my outdoor tomatoes outperform my greenhouse tomatoes? (9鈥�30鈥�)
Bob Flowerdew
- Solanum lycopersicum, tomato
- Cucumis sativus, cucumber
- Cucumis melo, melon
- Cucurbita pepo, squash
- Solanum lycopersicum 鈥楶ink Brandywine鈥�, tomato 鈥楶ink Brandywine鈥�
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Q4 鈥� How can I control coarse grasses in a meadow鈥憇tyle garden? (13鈥�27鈥�)
Bunny Guinness
- Rhinanthus minor, yellow rattle
- Geranium spp., wild geraniums
- Fritillaria meleagris, snake鈥檚 head fritillary
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Q5 鈥� My Mahonia is growing too tall and lacks lower branches: What鈥檚 the best way to encourage new growth? (19鈥�19)
Bunny Guinness
- Mahonia spp. , mahonia
- Mahonia听oiwakensis听subsp.听lomariifolia, lomaria-leaved mahonia
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FEATURE 鈥� 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鈥�07)
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Q6 鈥� Do the panel have any tips for transplanting rhubarb from the Yorkshire Triangle? (25鈥�34鈥�)
Bob Flowerdew
- Rheum听脳听hybridum, garden rhubarb
Bunny Guinness
- Rheum 鈥榁ictoria鈥�, rhubarb 鈥榁ictoria鈥� (recommended as reliable/strong variety)
- Rheum听脳听hybridum听'Victoria', rhubarb 'Victoria'
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Q7 鈥� What are some practical 鈥奱pproaches to managing soil health and watering, to keep our community allotment productive with less labour? (28鈥�54鈥�)
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
鈥楶ortuguese cabbage鈥�, braganza
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Q8 鈥� Do the panel have any guidance on how to report an out-of-control Strelitzia that is floor to ceiling? (33鈥�42鈥�)
Strelitzia, Bird of Paradise
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Q9 鈥� Can the panel suggest ways to excite and recruit new volunteers for Britain鈥慽n鈥態loom projects? (37鈥�11鈥�)
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Broadcasts
- Fri 6 Mar 2026 15:00麻豆社 Radio 4
- Sun 8 Mar 2026 14:00麻豆社 Radio 4
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Gardeners' Question Time
Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts
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