Dig It - Discussions on Gardening Topics

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.

This month, Peter Brown is joined by new co-host David Thomas as they dig into one of the hottest UK summers on record, the impact on gardens, and how the recent rains have helped. They discuss major gardening news stories—from early harvests and dragonfly spotting to Bath’s literary blooms (Britain in Bloom) and a Tree Preservation Order-protected grapefruit tree in Battersea. Discover what’s on at this month’s flower shows, plus practical jobs for the garden, from sowing spinach to watering tea bushes. The Dig It Top 5 strawberries are revealed, and there’s plenty of planting advice for a colourful autumn and productive spring.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Matthew Biggs, best known for his appearances on the long running BBC Radio 4 programme Gardeners' Question Time. He shares his special story, which is packed with anecdotes, wisdom, solace and plant stories from his amazing career which started at Pershore College of Horticulture and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and into writing, TV and so much more.Plants mentioned: Apple Cordons, Apple varieties ‘Scrumptious’ and ‘Reverend W Wilks’ (cooker). Beetroot, Redcurrants, packets of annual seeds, Tomatoes, Alpines, Hanging baskets and HerbsPeople mentioned: King Charles III, passionate about gardens and nature. Bunny Guiness, Clay Jones, Christine Walkden, Ernest Wilson (plant hunter), Joseph Banks (plant hunter), Gertrude Jekyll (British horticulturist and garden designer), Mr Middleton (earliest radio and television broadcasters on gardening for the BBC), Professor Alan Gemmell, Roy Lancaster, Geoffrey Smith, William Robinson (the great plantsman) and James Wong.Places mentioned: Pershore College, Kew Gardens (Temperate House, Princess of Wales Conservatory and the Palm House. Sandringham Gardens, Buckingham Palace Gardens. Bluebell Nurseries, Hidcote Manor Gardens and The Beechgrove Garden in Scotland.Garden restoration project at Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood. A collaboration between the Hospital and Sunnyside Rural Trust at Hemel Hempstead. Matt is working with several key people including gardener designer Tom Stuart-Smith (and his wife, Sue Stuart-Smith author of The Well Gardened Mind, a Sunday Times Bestseller), National Garden Scheme new CEO Dr Richard Claxton, founder of the Gardening4health charity, and Mark Gregory, top RHS Chelsea Garden builder with over 160 RHS gardens to his credit! Mount Vernon Hospital’s garden is currently at the planning and fundraising stage, it’s hoped to start planting in September. Details on how to donate to this amazing project can be found on this Just Giving pageMatt’s award-winning podcast, Gardening with Cancer, featuring BBC Gardeners’ World gardening journalist David Hurrion can be found at this linkMatt’s Desert Island plant: Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrate).You can find Matt’s books at most independent bookshops and on second-hand book platforms such as World of Books. Instagram: @matthewbiggs55X: @plantmadmanOur thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After three UK heatwaves so far this summer, our plants and gardens have enjoyed a much-appreciated spell of wet weather. In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day (for the final time), explore the latest gardening news stories, what’s on’s and tasks to be getting on with this month.What’s on14th – 17th August: Southport Flower Show, Victoria Park, Southport.15th – 17th August: RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, Torrington, Devon.29th – 31st August BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, Audley End House, Essex.If you are out and about this month - don’t forget to support the National Garden Scheme, locally or if you are holidaying in the UK, search out one of the many garden treasures.NewsKew Gardens' 175-year-old Palm House will close for five years for major makeover.Sycamore Gap: Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers jailed for over 4 years for felling of iconic tree.The gardening and lifestyle retail brand sarahraven.com has been acquired by its original founder and creative director, Sarah Raven.Current hosepipe restrictions in the UK.Could selling second-hand gardening products bring in a new demographic to Garden Centres?Eden Project Dundee moves one step closer.Further expansion plans at RHS Wisley.OmVed Gardens builds UK's first food and ecology centre.The buzz about trees: Scientists at Wakehurst harness sound to understand bee abundance.Gertrude Jekyll ® named world’s famous rose 2025.‘Coral Gardens’ announced as Rose of the Year for 2026.The UK drought dominates RHS enquiries.Wootten’s of Wenhaston future threatened due to a lack of water on site.Plant theft crime on the rise.Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek becomes the HTA’s new ambassador.Dutch urban greening of a bus station pergola using wisteria hailed as a major success.DIG IT Top 5 Ornamental grassesTop seller is Festuca glauca ‘Compact Blue’ 2nd Festuca glauca ‘Intense Blue’* 3rd Stipa tenuissima * 4th Carex Prairie Fire, and 5th Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’ *RHS AGM.Plants mentioned: Apple cordon tree, Carnations, Bananas (Musa), Blackberries, Bonsai trees, Trachycarpus, Phoenix canariensis, Variegated Monstera, Dahlias, Leeks, French and Runner Beans, Lavender, Tree Ferns, Strawberries, Pinks, Cherries, Rhubarb, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Melons, Sow Marjoram, Basil, Coriander, Dill, Chives, Seed Potatoes to provide a crop for Christmas. Good varieties to consider include Charlotte, Desiree, Maris Piper and Maris Peer. Horse Chestnut and Lime trees. Take cuttings of Mint, Rosemary, and Sage.Products mentioned: Blagdon Fresh Start Pond (removes Chlorine so makes tap water safe for pond fish, Straw, Barley Straw, Bamboo canes, Plant pots, Peat-Free Seed & Cutting Compost, Perlite, Green Up Enhance Liquid Lawn Feed (it has added seaweed and a turf wetting agent which helps reduce grass stress and improves root growth), Taylors Bulbs, Tomato Feed, Nematodes to treat lawn leatherjackets, lawn edging tool, Vitax Citrus Summer Food and Water Butts.Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with renowned Welsh vegetable grower and exhibitor Medwyn Williams, MBE and FNVS. A hobby that went completely out of control is how Medwyn describes his journey to growing amazing vegetables and a modest humble beginning saving seeds from leeks and carrots in the 1970s to his prolific online business today. Medwyn has won 13 Gold medals through the years at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, so he certainly knows his onions!Plants mentioned: Beetroot, Broad beans, Carrots (‘Sweet Candle’, a Japanese bred variety being one of Medwyn’s favourites for flavour and ‘New Red Intermediates' for length on the staging bench), Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Kohl Rabi, Leek, Lettuce, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes, Swedes, Tomatoes, and Turnips.Product mentioned: Become a member of the National Vegetable Society for advice, encouragement and to engage with keen growers. Coco fibre, Cocktail sticks for staging veg, Levingtons Composts, Perlite and Tozers Seeds. Medwin’s Desert Island Tool and favourite Veg: Trowel and Brussel Sprouts.Horticultural heroes: Edwin Beckett was head-gardener for Lord Aldenham at Aldenham House in Hertfordshire. Edwin has been Medwyn’s motivator in staging displays as he used to win with large stands of vegetables at London shows around the 1920s - 30s.Martin Robinson, one of the members of the famous Robinson family who introduced the world to their famous Mammoth Onions gave Medwyn advice and guidance.Places: Royal Welsh Show, Anglesey Flower Show, Ayr Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show (Gold Medal and the RHS Tudor Rose for Best Display), RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Medwyn grew his exhibits in the research establishment greenhouse at Bangor University allowing him to start his Chelsea plants with additional light, and it’s also the original home of the wheelie bin carrots and parsnips grown in pipes.Medwyn is an avid user of social media sharing his growing trials and tribulations with his followers. You can follow Medwyn on X: medwynsofangles. For seeds visit his website.Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our gardens are growing apace this month and there's plenty to be getting on with as Dig It's Peter Brown and Chris Day tackle those essential tasks, plus a round-up of July’s events and garden news stories from around the UK.What’s on1st - 6th July: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, Hampton Court Palace, London. 11th - 13th July: The Norfolk Garden Show, Norfolk Showground, New Costessey, Norwich. 16th - 20th July: RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse, South Yorkshire. On the 17th July Chris Baines will be giving a talk - Wildlife gardening past, present and future at the show at 11am.21st - 24th July Royal Welsh Show, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.26th - 27th July: The National Gardening & Outdoor Living Show, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh.Until 14th September: Seedscape, the art of the seed at the Kew Garden’ wild botanical garden at Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex.Until 21st September: Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party exhibition at the Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, London. NewsFraudster, Thomas Robinson conned luxury hotels and retailers out of £580k by selling fake Scottish-grown tea is jailed for three-and-a-half years.Blue Diamond in exclusive talks to purchase Barton Grange Garden Centre.Improving plant health through voluntary collaboration is the way forward.Famous East Lambrook Manor is in new hands.Campaign to stop trees from being strangled by abandoned tree ties and rabbit guards.Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time to be recorded on 2nd August during the RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show.Pershore College Garden Centre and Wholesale Plant Nursery to close.Roof garden at the Open University to help scientist study on the impact of growing plants on top of buildings.UK heatwave results in the 1,000 year old Robin Hood Oak receiving emergency watering.Dahlia Gardinetta ® Velvet Crush named Best New plant at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.Frank Matthews launches new Apple Rainbow and collects Best in Show for Prunus sumaura Fugenzo Japanese Lantern at the HTA’s National Plant Show.Welsh apple register is launched.Rare Hong Kong orchid – Bulbophyllum bicolor - saved from extinction.A UK first – Baobab tree in bloom at the Eden Project.GP Richard Claxton becomes NGS Chief Executive following George Plumptre, who steps down after 15 years this Autumn.Former garden centre owner and QVC gardening channel champion Richard Jackson is awarded the MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to Children’s Hospices (Greenfingers).Wincey Willis, ITVs first female weather presenter, local radio show host and gardening expert and columnist, has died.M&S introduce Red Diamonds Strawberry and Creme in a sandwich.DIG IT Top 5: Top cakes for the summer 5th position Raspberry & Coconut Sponge, 4th Carrot Cake, 3rd Coffee & Walnut, 2nd Chocolate Sponge with Victoria Sponge at the top spot.Plant mentions: Tomatoes, Runner Beans, Cherries, Bearded Iris, Petunia, Million Bells, Pelargoniums (cutting), Wallflowers, Sweet Williams, Foxgloves, Wisteria (pruning), Jasmine, Lavender, Bergamot, Clover, Gaillardia, Cosmos, and Egyptian Onions.Product mentions: Sprayer for misting, Solar fountain, bird bath, BBQ, and cocoon / egg chair.Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Chris Baines who is recognised as one of the UK's leading independent environmentalists and greatest pioneers in wildlife gardening. His best-selling book, How To Make A Wildlife Garden was published back in 1985 and has been in print continually ever since. Chris’s ethos is simply to encourage us all to think more about wildlife and give it a helping hand in our gardens!People and places: Key Inspiration from Christopher Lloyd (Great Dixter Garden) and Dame Miriam Rothschild (passionate about getting wildflowers on motorway verges and attracting butterflies). War hero General Oliver Leese (a bonsai and cacti grower, RHS Chelsea Flower Show 1984, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Kent apple Orchards, Wind in the Willows Books (Mr Toad reference). Wye College Agricultural and Horticulture Facility, Garden Organic, Sheffield Parks Department. Wildlife and Wetlands Trust created London Wetlands Centre, one of the most successful stories in Europe. English Nature, The Wildlife Trust and Wild Ken Hill, Norfolk featured on BBC SpringwatchPlant mentions: Cowslip, Crocus, Bolted Kale with flower buds, Daisies, Foxgloves, Grape hyacinths, Horse chestnut, Ivy, Michaelmas daisies, Runner beans, Silver Birch, and Saxifraga.Animal mentions: Blue Tits, Skylarks, Lapwings, Curlews, Robins, Swallows, Starlings, Swifts, Slugs, Caterpillars, Bats, Sparrow Hawks, Red Kites, Peregrine Falcons, Magpies, Foxes, Toads, Hedgehogs, Moths, Butterflies, Cabbage White Butterflies, Newts, Damsel flies, Wasps, Leatherjackets, and Woodcock.Product mentions: Bee hotels, Clay pots, Compost bins, Flexible Pond liners, and Nest boxes.Chris’s garden with a large pond: Leyland Cypress, Holly, Yew, Crab Apple, Native Honeysuckle, Bird Cherry (Prunus padus), Rosa banksia, Pink Campion, Lily of the Valley, Meadow Cranesbill / non-native Geraniums, Pulmonaria (lungwort) and Wayfaring tree.Desert island must-haves: Hand lens / Macro lens binoculars and Secateurs.Media highlights: Pebble Mill at One (1989 - 92), Rich Habitat Garden created for Gardeners’ World with Peter Seabrook. Blue Tits and Bumblebees (1985) one 40-minute programme, The Wildside of Town, and Countryfile one of the original presenters from 1989 - 92.The Thames Estuary Partnership: The Living Thames film won the 2019 UK Charity Film Award and has won prizes and awards on four continents. It has an introduction by Sir David Attenborough and is available worldwide through Amazon. Chris is currently working on the sequel, The Historic Thames, which is scheduled for autumn release.Chris’s books: The Wild Side of Town, The RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening (originally titled How to Make a Wildlife Garden), and A Guide to Habitat Creation.Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supplying the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.