Dig It - Discussions on Gardening Topics

In this episode David and Peter chat about a few News items, the record breaking amounts of rain we have had in January - the rivers are breaking their banks and lots of areas of the country are flooded - compost heaps, the new Stiga AI robot mower and British Garden Centres have secured another site at Dronfield. It’s still bare root season and Peter talks of his plans to plant another bare root Cox’s Orange Pipin, another Cherry and some more RaspberriesDavid tells us about Simiane shallots which he has grown from seed and also the red and white onions that he grew from sets. The other thing David has planted is Dwarf French Marigold, a flowering plant that over the years Gardeners have used for keeping whitefly away, but David has found they also help keep cats away. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Events :Great Comp Snowdrop and Plant Fair Comp Lane, Platt, Nr Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 8QS Tel: 01732 885094The Alpine Garden Society Plant Show and sale, Pershore High School, PershorePERSHORE HIGH SCHOOL, STATION ROAD, PERSHORE, WORCESTERSHIRE, WR10 2BXShepton Snowdrop Festival Plant Sale and Seed SwapSt Paul's School Hall, Paul Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5LAKingston Bagpuize Snowdrop FairKingston Bagpuize House, Kingston Bagpuize, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 5AXPreston Potato DayBrighter Blooms, Walton Flats Nursery, Gillibrand Street, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 4AX.Frome Seed Swap and Potato DayThe Cheese and Grain Building, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1BE.Nowich Seed Swap and Plant FairSt Mary Magdalene Church, Silver Road, Norwich, NR3 4TF.In the news The Forestry Commission has a new Head, Baroness Young and Peter recommends Hazelborough wood near Silverstone for its Bluebells and a lovely wood to walk in. The RHS has come up with a new naming system for Peat free plants and plants grown in Peat.Cacti and Succulents are our main topic of conversation in the episode. They are best grown in free draining, gritty soils. They also thrive in high light conditions with consistent light levels. They don’t like to be over watered and it is best to allow them to dry out before watering.Echivaria, Cereus – Columnar cacti are 2 of the species we chat about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Episode David and Peter chat about seed swaps, snow drops and our top 5 houseplants.Events and Places to Visit:18th Bletchley Seed swap is happening on 14 February 2026 - 10-2pm Address: Freeman Memorial Methodist Church Hall, Buckingham Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 5HH just £1 entryGatton Park Snowdrop Open Day  Sunday 01 February 12.00 pm - 5.00 pm. The Park and gardens are open to view a spectacular display of snowdrops. Heralds of spring and a sure sign that warmer weather is on the way. Gardens open 12 noon – 5pm Online booking: £7 adult, children free. On the day: £9 adult, children free, subject to availabilityHole Park Snowdrop & Plant Fair Sunday, February 1st at Hole Park Gardens, Benenden Road, Rolvenden, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 4JA. From 11:00 am. Entry Cost: £8 per Adult and £2.50 per child (aged 5-17 years). Under 5’s enter free of charge. Tickets include entry to Hole Park Gardens. With more than a dozen dedicated growers and nurseries from across the South East. Hole Park's garden team will also be on hand to answer your gardening queries and the Coach House Tea Room will be open for refreshments. The Bishop's Palace Snowdrop Month Daily from Sunday, February 1st, throughout February. Address: The Bishop's Palace & Gardens, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD. From 10am to 4pm daily. Entry Cost: Standard admission is £15 for adults, £7 for children (5-17 years), under 5s free. This ticket is valid for 12 months. Explore 14 acres of RHS partner gardens with extensive snowdrop displays and winter borders using a printed guide.Colesbourne Snowdrops daily from Sunday, February 1st, until March 1st. Colesbourne Park, Colesbourne, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 9NP. Experience the stunning and historic snowdrop collection at Colesbourne, known as "England's greatest snowdrop garden". Colesbourne Gardens is the premier place to see snowdrops in bloom. The collection is probably the most varied of any garden on display, with over three hundred varieties. Early Spring Show, Iris & Cyclamen at RHS Garden WisleyOn Saturday, February 14th RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB between 10am–3.30pm, which is free for RHS members,you can discover some of the best early spring flowering iris and cyclamen. Visitors can enjoy rare collections and competition classes as well as a photographic exhibition, unusual plants for sale and friendly experts available to answer your questions.Come and get the new range of Heritage seeds from Franchi this season, not in yet but will be released for sale shortly, ready for this years growing season.Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition provides a unique platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills and ambition. The competition is open to anyone across the UK and Ireland.Scotland’s Gardens Scheme unveils 457 garden openings for 2026Having just finished houseplant week we wanted to share with you some varieties that we do well with. The Houseplants we discuss are our mini Showbox Houseplants, a range of mini mixed houseplants, all are tough, easy to care for, and cheap so make great starter plants. Phalaenopsis Orchids a wonderful flowering plant often used as a great, long-lasting,  colourful gift. Dragon trees or Dracaena the low care houseplant that seems to do well without much water, best kept in a bright position out of direct sun and cold draughts. Fittonia is a delicate looking Houseplant which we discuss which has a great colourful foliage that likes a damp soil and does well in dappled light. Tradescantias are another plant first bought to England in the 17th Century, from South America, it’s easy to propagate, care for and if cut back regularly will make a nice, compact and colourful foliage plant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode we chat about houseplants, seed swaps, what’s been in the horticultural news and onions.Visit House plants at RHS Rosemore, learn more about houseplant care and the perfect houseplant for you. With 4 talks covering ferns. cacti, orchids and Terraniums.Trumpington Seedy Sunday an event run since 2006 where you can swap your seeds, take refreshments and purchase local produce in Trumpington. Can be found at Trumpington Village Hall 75 High Street Cambridge, England, CB2 9HARHS Wisley Seed swap on 31st January with seed swapping of RHS heritage seeds and talks on how to collect, sow and grow! RHS Wisley, GU23 6QBMyddelton house ultimate snowdrop sale is on the 31st Jan at the historic Myddleton house once home to famous horticulturalist E A Bowles. Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, EN2 9HGOther seed swap events can be found at Garden Organic’s website.The last event for the month is the Houseplant and Orchid show at Gordale Garden Centre, where you can enjoy talks, demonstrations, and expert advice from multi award-winning orchid grower Sara Rittershausen of Burnham Nurseries.We talk about Beech nuts, the world's most expensive plant, Peter tries and fails to regrow onions after trying to copy a youtube video. The 5 most popular onions that we sell at the Garden Centre are Red Winter, Electric, Senshyu yellow, Radar, Centurion and Autumn Champion. We also sell lots of shallots and garlic.Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the episode we learn more about Apples and Orchards. Claire is Chairperson of Mid Shires Orchards Group and shares some of her amazing knowledge on varieties, rootstocks, the different types of Apples and what happens at Woughton on the greens community orchard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we suggest places somewhere to visit: Ashampstead Early Snowdrop and Plant Fair: A brand new early Snowdrop & Plant Fair in the heart of the Berkshire Downs that takes advantage of the increasingly early snowdrop season.Or you could go online and join theWildlife and Gardening virtual symposium where you can learn about the latest research related to nature-friendly gardening to help you make evidence-based wildlife gardening decisions.Or Log on to the Climate resilient tree selection course on zoom with John Frater.In the news The National Gardens Scheme has had it’s best fund raising year ever raising over £3,875,596 for great causes. National Garden Scheme Chief Executive Dr Richard Claxton said: “It’s nearly 100 years since our charity was formed to support district nursing and our commitment to nursing care remains central. Long-term partnerships with Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Parkinson’s UK, The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing, Hospice UK and Carers Trust are the bedrock of our donation programme. With the lion’s share of this year’s donation; £2,725,000, going to these much-loved nursing and healthcare charities.We talk about all the wonderful Potatoes we now have out for sale, the different types and varieties, how to chit and plant them and earth them up. We also discuss our favourite things to do with potatoes.On the 31st of January is Graft and Grow Day so next week we chat with Claire Conway-Crapp from MSOG about all things Apples.With thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last episode of the year, so David and Peter say thank you and share a few things about the events of 2025.We also update you on Christmas Opening times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Episode Peter Chats with Pam Haig from Ripple Africa. Ripple Africa have been working in Mwaya and surrounding areas in Malawi since 2003, helping communities to achieve a sustainable future by giving a helping hand rather. We learn of the deforestation issues facing Malawi, its consequences and how their tree planting program has helped reforest large areas. Since 2004 Ripple Africa has planted 26.5 Million trees, helping reduce erosion, restore forested areas, help nature and provide firewood and lumber and a source of income in the future. Malnutrition is one of the problems in Malawi and Ripple Africa has been working very hard showing communities and farmers how to grow different crops to diversify their diet. Now they are growing Sweet Potatoes, Fruit trees and chickens and vegetables.The Chagu chagu moto is another very successful cook stove project. Its simple design using locally sourced materials, reduces the demand on firewood for cooking helping families save time, it provides a stable structure so is far safer than the 3 stone fire and has 2 burners so allows for 2 pot cooking.We also touch on education as this is another arm of the charity, and learn of the schools that they have helped to build.Our thanks to  Chiltern Music for providing the title music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the heating going on indoors, we also chat about houseplant winter care — how to stop your plants drying out when the radiators fire up, simple ways to boost humidity, and why a quick “seasonal reset” can save your favourite foliage.With National Robin Day coming up, Peter and David talk about how to help garden birds through winter, from offering high-energy food to keeping bird feeders clean and disease-free. We take a look ahead to London Open Gardens 2026, a weekend where more than 100 hidden gardens across the capital will open their gates — definitely one for the diary.There’s also discussion on the latest RHS peat-free trials, which show that more fertiliser isn’t always better, plus the key findings from Thompson & Morgan’s 2025 survey revealing how British gardeners are adapting to hotter, drier summers.Finally, we round things off with a spotlight on raspberries, covering the difference between summer- and autumn-fruiting types and some of the bare-root varieties now available at the Garden Centre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode David and Peter talk about Christmas! How to care for your cut Christmas tree, or if you have a live one the best temperature and how to look after it during the festive period. We discuss the joys of the Amarylis bulb and how to get them to last more than one year. And the other Christmas favourite the Poinsettia, where to position it and what it needs to do well. Peter talks about the Spathiphllum wallisii as his go to houseplant due to its forgiving nature and ability to survive without the greatest amount of care. The 2026 Garden Centre Calendar has been released, so come in and buy something to get your free copy (whilst stocks last). This year’s edition features amazing photos of trees, shrubs and unusual plants, monthly tips and space for you to write your appointments on.We also talk about a recent Podcast with Pauline Brown and hedging and go over the importance of preparing the ground and cutting back your new plants if you want to have a thick and bushy hedge. If you need to work out how many plants you need for a new hedge use our Hedging Calculator. We also discuss the skills of laying a hedge, how severe and harsh it looks and the benefits of reviving an old hedge, watch some old video footage from YoutubePeter shares a trick to get woody stems to grow new leafy shoots on a Laurel which he used after cutting his laurel hedge back very severely. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode David and Peter chat about the recent rain and the problems this has caused across England including Monmouth.It's National Tree Week this week so get out and plant a tree! This event is organised by the National Tree Council and it's partners.Oxford University Parks Arboretum Explorer Map Launch and Tree Planting, Thursday, November 27 @ 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Join Oxford University Parks and Professor Martin Maiden, Professor of Molecular Epidemiology and Head of Biology in celebrating the launch of it's new online Arboretum Explorer Map by planting a tree. Following the planting ceremony, Sam Prior, the University Arboricultural Manager will do a guided walk introducing some of the more interesting trees throughout the parks.Do you want to learn how to weave words with the willows, then head outside and join a group from Crofters Café, Cambridge, CB2 1RB. Book tickets in advance for a guided walk. Or maybe you want to grow a willow tree or a hedge Buckingham Nurseries has lots of different varieties for you to plant.Aquifers across the country have started filling up again, Yorkshire still has a hosepipe ban and the Environmant Agency is concerned there may be another shortage next year as we have not had as much rainfall as usual.Frances Tophill designs her first Chelsea show garden for The King's Foundation's Curious Garden exhibit, joining her from the King's foundation will be Sir David Beckham, and from the RHS and King's Foundation Alan Titchmarsh CBE. A large part of the Charity's work is learning to live within nature and learn from it. It also offers courses from it's Headquarters in Dumfries House, Scotland.A rare orchid has been brought back from the brink of extinction and we discuss dividing Strawberries and it's nearly time for planting.Follow us @buckingham-nurseries find our website at hedging.co.uk and our special thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Pauline and Peter talk about Hedging.Our Hedging business, was started by John Brown on a small plot of Land in Harrow on the Hill, but due to a lack of space the business was moved to our present location by his son Richard back in 1970. With a vast range of Hedging, Fruit and Ornamental trees on offer and being one of the oldest Mail Order specialists in the country in this episode we learn a little more about the changes that have happened over the last 75 years and reasons why Buckingham Nurseries and Garden Centre is one of the best places to get your new hedge from. We sell most of our hedging plants in the winter when the plants are dormant. We also sell pot grown hedging which is available all year round. Before getting your hedge, it is best to prepare the soil in advance. Dig the area your hedge is going to go in before your new plants arrive, incorporate some well rotted manure or slow release fertilizer like Bonemeal, or Vitax. If drainage is an issue incorporate some grit. Once the plants arrive, plant them with Mycorrhizal fungi like Rootgrow, keep watered if needed for the first year or two to help them establish. Keep the weeds down with Landscape fabric. If you are wondering what hedges will do best for you, have a walk around your neighbourhood and see what hedges are doing well in your local area as the likelihood is you will have a similar soil type to your neighbours, so what they can grow well hopefully you will be able to do to.We also discuss some of the different types of hedges we sell from Native hedging to Peter’s pet hates Rosa rugosa, and Berberis as they are painful to pack but great for creating a very secure, impenetrable hedge great for deterring burglars and trespassers who you don’t want on your land.Pauline gives us some help and guidance on how to plant a hedge, care for it, from the moment it arrives to getting it established over the first couple of years, growth rates and how often you might need to cut it. Pauline also explains how the business has evolved from simple lists of plants being advertised in National Papers to more modern methods like our website and more recent advertising campaigns through the likes of YouTube and social media. Over the years our shop has gone from a simple shed with tools, fertilizers and a small range of sundries through to today’s large modern shop, including our very popular Restaurant, with all the different departments from Houseplants,  Cookshop and Foodhall, Giftware, Christmas and all the other departments that make up a modern destination Garden Centre worth a visit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dig it we chat about RHS Chelsea 2026 and some of the show gardens planned for next year. The Philadelphia flower show 2026 celebrates 250 years of American independence at it's 197th show. Urban farming and Food insecurity is discussed in an article in the Guardian by David Farrier, that provides some interesting facts about where we are now and how, with a growing population, we will need to grow significantly more food than we currently are and how this might happen.As Autumn gets colder and Winter is nearing, we need to think about expanding our range of bird feeders and what we are feeding our garden birds to help the weaker species get food at our feeding stations and we hear recomendations from Honeyfields recent article in GTN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Episode Peter and David discuss the upcoming RHS Glow Gardens, and Blenheim and Waddesdon winter lit gardens. We discuss some jobs for the week and what you can plant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode David tells uu about cropping his Christmas potatoes, Peter discovers what his compost heap has been up to and we go through a few jobs.The Garden Museum in London has a new exhibition on showing works by Rory McEwan one of the 20th century’s most celebrated botanical artists. We discuss the National Memorial Arboretum in StaffordshireWe discuss compost heaps and how long they take to turn garden matter into compost, David reminds us to collect leaves we suggest cleaning patio slabs to get rid of slippy algae build ups and if you are thinking of planting a hedge or some bare root plants we suggest to get the ground prepared now ready for winter planting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, join us for a deep dive into all things autumn, from the vibrant colours of the season in the Forest of Dean and Winkworth Arboretum to historic harvests and innovative allotments. Discover the origin of the Bramley apple at Nottingham’s Workhouse and Infirmary, where children's yoga adds a modern twist to the Apple Day celebrations. We'll explore the story of Buckland Abbey's reported bumper crop, see how allotments are becoming more accessible and biodiverse, and hear about the distinctive Fly Agaric mushrooms. Plus, we've got your essential gardening jobs for October, from mulching your beds to clearing leaves for leaf mould. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dig It Peter chats with David Gale about fertilisers. David is an industry expert and has had a long, varied and successful career. From organising fertiliser trials to moving on to reformulating some of the most popular fertilisers on the market, for example Phostrogen, to teaching many, many workers in Garden Centres and Big Sheds the benefits and advantages of feeding your plants.We learn where fertilisers come from, the different types and whether organic fertilisers are better than regular and if plants can tell the difference. We discuss the difference between Bio-Stimulants like Maxicrop and fertilisers. There are many different types of plant food on the market and David gives us some great tips on when and where and how often we should feed our plants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the new weekly format David and Peter chat about the fact its rained, splitting Rhubarb, then suggest shows to Visit – The National Garden Alpine show in Harlow Carr, Yorkshire The Apple and Harvest Show, Ely Plants Discussed: Alpines, Cyclamen, learn more with the RHS Alpine Master class series - www.youtube.com/watch?v=REWSjG5LRNk&t=36s  Growing Hops- The Guardian an article by Claire RatinonProducts and suppliers mentioned:Hornes Brewery Silverstone BreweryChafor WineEnriching your plot with Green Manures, David is trying Beans this Autumn.David discusses PomPom Dahlias and how great they are.Jobs to do:Fleece tender plants, start collecting leaves for creating leaf mould in bin liners. Net your pond to help prevent leaves from building up and drain your hoses to save damage from freezing. Plant Spring bulbs and create new winter flowering pots with Cyclamen, Pansies and Ivy. Check your Bird feeders are clean and refill, and make sure bird baths have water to help wild birds. Take care of Hedgehogs making sure you don’t disturb them if they are hibernating and watch out for them in Bonfire piles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Episode David and Peter discuss the impact of the lack of recent rain, on their lawns and gardens how quickly lawns green up after the rain and how to care for your lawn in winter.How the show is moving to a weekly format. Our new email for you to send questions and comments to is digit@hedging.co.uk.Lots of topics covered this week from Northampton’s escaped ring necked Parakeets to Apple storageGreenfingers Charity get is biggest donation yet from visitors to Glee.Whats on:British Carrot Growers Association Demonstration Day 2025 – Thursday 2nd October 2025RHS Rosemoor Festival of flavours 4 & 5th OctoberPlants and products discussedAutumn King CarrotsWhite Lisbon OnionsSBM’s bring Thermacell to market, an innovative new Mosquito repellant for outdoor use.The Coco de mer palm has grown its first full leaf at its home in the Eden Project, Cornwall.Jobs to think about:Time to think about fleecing up your tender plants. Plant next year onions, garlic and Aguadulce Broad Beans. Pull up your old vegetables if they have finished for the year and compost and start tidying up your plot for next year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter speaks with Gerry Edwards about apples and where they came from. Gerry tells us what to bring in to the Garden Centre for apple identification during our Apple Weekend and how he goes about identification. Why not come along and meet Gerry on the 27th and 28th of September!They discuss how they have evolved, which country grows the most apples and the many varieties available. Gerry gives us his favourite 5 apples to grow which are not the standard ones you will find in your local supermarket but are definitely worth the effort! They are Lord Lambourne, Laxtons Furtune, Discovery, Howgate Wonder and Lanes Price Albert.Did you know that apples can cause food allergies and why people say ‘An apple a day keeps the Doctor away!’?Gerry has written a book called’ Getting started with Growing Fruit’ and we discuss different plants you can grow and how to care for them. We talk through options for training apple trees so you can grow them in small spaces. We explore types of apples, how to grow new varieties and types of rootstock to grow them onHe tells us which are the best cider apples. Is it a Dabinet or a Kingston Black? Gerry has some other great suggestions of ones to try too. Fancy a trip out to see over 2000 varieties of Apple Trees? Then head to Brogdale Farm, near Faversham in Kent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.