Episodes
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We've had some rough weather to start the winter, which is miserable enough for us, but spare a thought for the wild creatures in our garden that might have been unable to forage and find food. In this episode, Dan & Julia talk to Clare Carhill, founder of A Little Bird Co., about caring for birds during winter, with some surprising information about the threat caused by cats. Later in the show, they share tips about how you can take care of other animal visitors, too.
Jobs to do in the garden this fortnight
Make sure brassicas and taller plants are securely supported.Firm back in plants that have rocked in the ground - use the heel of your boot and stake if necessary.Brussel sprouts should be ready to harvest; pick from the bottom upwards.Collect fallen debris and use any attractive foliage to decorate the house for Christmas.Take hardwood cuttings.Prune climbing roses.Remove the lower leaves from hellebores to see the flowers more clearly when they emerge.Do a health check on the greenhouse and house plants. Look for whiteflies and fungus gnats and treat them if necessary.Sow sweet peas through to January.Garlic should be planted on the shortest day, the 21st of December.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchGold Leaf GlovesLettuce Publishing - use code Xmas 2024 to get a signed copyA Little Bird Co.Produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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To celebrate the season of plum puddings and cranberry sauce, Dan and Julia devote this episode to all things fruity. They reveal their favourite fruits and share tips on how to grow and use them. Dan describes one of his favourite tools for pruning fruit trees, and Julia delves deeper into the art of cultivating blueberries.
Listen to the end to hear Dan & Julia's list of jobs to do in the garden over the next fortnight and to find out where they'll be popping up in the run-up to Christmas.
Jobs to do in your garden this fortnight:
December is the last call for planting spring-flowering bulbs. It's a little late for everything other than tulips, but it's still worth getting bulbs in the ground or pots now rather than wasting them. Collect redundant bamboo canes and store them safely. Errant plant supports cause hundreds of accidents yearly, and the last thing anyone wants is to spend Christmas in A&E.During cold weather, put out high-energy food and ensure animals can access fresh water. Cleanliness is vital for the health of garden birds, so it's a good time to start cleaning out bird boxes in readiness for the spring.If it's grotty outside, or you haven't got the energy to move beyond the sofa, now's a great time to sort your seedbox, discarding any that are out of date (although they could still be worth trying) and making a note of new varieties you'd like to source. On fine, dry days, gather any remaining seed heads to provide decoration around the home or use them for making wreaths and garlands. Should it snow, shake the excess from trees and shrubs where the weight might cause branches to bend and break. Columnar (pillar-shaped) trees and topiary are particularly vulnerable. If you store tubers, fruit, and vegetables in a shed or garage, check them every fortnight to ensure there's no sign of mould, rot, or shrivelling. They should be firm to the touch with taught skin.If you planted potatoes in anticipation of fresh spuds at Christmas, you should be able to start lifting them now. Main crop potatoes still in the ground can be dug as needed, but don't forget they are there as they'll begin to sprout as soon as the weather warms up in spring.The wind is one of our greatest enemies. Firmly stake new trees and support or 'earth up' tall brassicas such as Brussels sprouts, kale and purple sprouting broccoli. Many of our greatest gardens put on spectacular light displays from now until early in the New Year. These events might not offer a complete escape from the madding crowd, but they highlight the magnificent structure of gardens we're used to seeing fully clothed.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchGold Leaf GlovesLettuce Publishing - use code Xmas 2024 to get a signed copyBrenton Roberts on InstagramProduced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Missing episodes?
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In this episode, Dan & Julia change their usual format to focus on Christmas gifting. They chat to Lucy Hutchings, co-founder of She Grows Veg, about her take on the traditional advent calendar and ask what she'd like to find in her stocking on Christmas morning. Later in the show, your hosts receive festive voice memos from some of their horticultural friends and heroes, discovering what's on their wish lists.
Our guests in this episode:
Lucy Hutchings, Co-Founder She Grows Veg - https://shegrowsveg.com/Thordis Fridriksson, BBC Presenter and Podcaster - https://www.thordis.co.uk/, https://www.getgardeningnow.co.uk/talking-dirtyAlexandra Campbell, The Middle-Sized Garden - https://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/Pat Marsh, Presenter, BBC Radio Kent, Sussex and Surrey - http://www.patmarsh.com/Steve Newland, Gardener and Allotment Holder - https://www.instagram.com/snewland97/Nelly Hall, Creative Director at Alitex! - https://www.instagram.com/nellyatalitex/Steve Edney, Gardener and co-owner of The No Name Nursery - https://www.thenonamenursery.co.uk/Alex Mitchell, aka The Edible Gardener, Writer and Flower Farmer - https://alex-mitchell.co.uk/Jamie Marsh, Allotmenteer, Writer and Podcaster - https://www.instagram.com/jamies_little_allotment/Michael Perry, aka Mr PlantGeek, Presenter and Horticulturalist - https://mrplantgeek.com/Phillipa Lepley - Couture Wedding Dress Designer - https://www.phillipalepley.com/Barbara Segall, Editor, Garden Writer and Horticulturalist - https://thegardenpost.com/about-barbara-segall/Charles Dowding - The God of No-Dig - https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/Jimi Blake - Plant nerd, Gardener and Custodian of Hunting Brook Gardens.https://www.huntingbrookgardens.com/Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchGold Leaf GlovesScilly FlowersMilli | ProustProduced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Dan & Julia dispel the myth that winter gardens must be devoid of colour. Your hosts choose their favourite flowering and foliage plants to display in pots during the colder months, from shrubs to tiny bulbs. Dan reveals why the Japanese 'leisure knife' we call a Hori Hori has taken the gardening world by storm, and Julia explains how and when to plant onion sets - be quick, as time is running out! Your hosts round off with a list of jobs you can do in your garden over the next fortnight:
Mulch around plants and over empty beds and borders. Over winter, worms will busily pull the organic matter into the soil, improving its structure. Collect leaves and add them to your compost heap, or pack them into jute sacks. They'll slowly decompose to make leaf mould, one of the most precious ingredients in good compost. Shredding them will make them break down faster.Brush paths with coarse sand or use a jet washer to remove moss and algae, which can become slippery when wet or icy.In exposed gardens, reduce the height of tall shrubs such as roses, buddleia, and lavatera to prevent them from rocking in high winds. For the same reason, newly planted trees should be staked low down.Turn off the water supply to outdoor taps and drain hosepipes before storing them. Install a water butt if you need a ready supply of water over winter.If you've experienced blight, black spot, rust, or mildew this season, removing and destroying any infected plant matter is essential. Cutting off this year's hellebore leaves is a good idea, allowing an uncluttered view of the nodding blooms in spring.Take a walk around the garden and inspect large shrubs and trees, noting any branches that appear as if they might fall. Remove them yourself using loppers or a pruning saw if you feel able. Call an arborist for a second opinion and to carry out the work if in doubt. Do the same exercise for fences, garden buildings and ornamental structures, such as pergolas. Give the lawn one last cut, avoiding emerging bulbs - some early-flowering varieties can appear above ground well before Christmas.Order and plant bare-rooted plants. This is one of the cheapest and most environmentally friendly ways to create a hedge, rose garden, orchard or woodland area.Dan's Products of the Episode—Niwaki's Japanese Hori Horis—are available to buy at most of his events. Click here for details.
Dan & Julia's Favourite Plants for Winter Containers:
Iris reticulata 'George', 'Spot On', 'Katherine Hodgkin', 'Blue Note'Narcissus' Rijnveld's Early Sensation'AconitesGalanthus nivalis (snowdrop)Helleborus niger and Helleborus x sahinii 'Winterbells'Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' (dogwood_Sarcococca confusa (winter box)Skimmia japonicaEdgeworthia chrysantha (paper bush)Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchGold Leaf GlovesProduced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Dan and Julia talk to Charlotte Molesworth at Balmoral Cottage, the garden she and her husband, Donald, have been creating for 42 years. Charlotte describes the art of making a garden from scratch and on a shoestring, rarely buying plants. Most of the trees and shrubs she has trained into birds, crowns, pyramids, mounds and spirals have been grown from cuttings or seedlings grubbed up or given by friends.
Charlotte also explains the legacy of 'Cherry' Ingram, the English country gentleman who found and reintroduced the Great White Cherry, Prunus 'Tai Haku', to Japan. Ingram once lived next door and led a particularly long and interesting life.
'Cherry' Ingram - The Englishman Who Saved Japan’s Blossoms - Naoko Abe
Listen carefully as Charlotte shares her wisdom and challenges Dan & Julia not to give up on beleaguered box.
Jobs to do in your garden this fortnight
Cut back the old stems of summer fruiting raspberries and tie in the new green stems.Apply grease bands to the trunks of apple trees to deter winter moths.Apply a winter wash to other fruit tree trunks.Use a fork or spiked shoes to aerate the lawn to avoid water logging.Reuse the compost from spent grow bags to grow some winter salad leaves.Now is an excellent time to move plants, shrubs and trees,Harvest pumpkins in time for Halloween.Prune rambling and climbing roses now, removing old, tangled branches.Apply a final biological spray to box, to eradicate box moth caterpillars.Continue planting spring-flowering bulbs, and prepare to plant tulips from early November.Dan's Products of the Episode:
Niwaki Mini ShearsJakoti Hand ShearsWebsite links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchGold Leaf GlovesEuropean Boxwood & Topiary SocietyProduced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Dan & Julia consider the gardening chores we could do less to free up time for new projects or relaxation. Dan explains why anvil secateurs are better for some pruning jobs and Julia shares how to sustain your crop of annual herbs into the late autumn and early winter. Your hosts round off with a list of jobs to do in your garden this fortnight and reveal what will keep them out of mischief until the next episode.
A few of Dan & Julia's time-saving measures:
Not washing or sterilising pots.Not using crocks at the bottom of pots and containers.Not sowing seeds too early in the season.Using a mulch of bark, compost or grit to reduce watering time.Choosing shrubs that grow slowly and neatly and require little pruning.Selecting tried and tested plants that aren’t too fussy - an RHS Award of Garden Merit is a good sign that a plant won’t be too diva-ish!Jobs to do in your garden this fortnight
Clear out greenhouses and clean the glass to let more light in.Sow wildflower seeds.Lift and divide dahlias after the first frost unless left in the ground, in which case cover them with mulch.Compost or mulch empty beds - or still time to sow green manure.Cut back asparagus fern when turning yellow.Make a final cut to topiary and hedges before winter sets in - but it’s too late for most conifers now.Clean and sterilise bird feeders before refilling with high-energy seeds.Sow sweet peas and broad beans.Stake sunflowers if they’re still blooming.Reduce the height of any roses or perennials that might rock about in the wind.Dan's Products of the Episode:
Original LÖWE anvil secateursWebsite links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchGold Leaf GlovesProduced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Two Good Gardeners return for a new series with an episode devoted to autumn seed sowing. Dan and Julia reveal which varieties you can plant right now for fabulous flowers and delicious edibles next year before sharing a list of jobs you can do in your garden during the second half of September. Your hosts announce a new sponsor—Gold Leaf Gloves—and celebrate with a giveaway: visit their Instagram account @twogoodgardeners for details. Closing date: Friday, 27th September 2024.
Julia's recommended crops for autumn sowing:
Carrots 'Nantes', 'Autumn King' and 'Parabel'Broadbeans, 'Aquadulce' and 'The Sutton'Lettuce 'Oak Leaf', 'All Year Round', Winter Density'ParsleyPea 'Meteor'Radish 'Wintella', 'Sparkler'Spring Onion 'White Lisbon'Spinach 'Perpetual'Pak Choi 'Red Choi', 'Glacier', 'Cholo F1'Onion 'Red Baron', 'Electric', 'Snowball', 'Radar', 'Autumn Champion'Shallot 'Jermor'Dan's recommended flowers for autumn sowing:
Ammi majusCornflowerCorncockleCalendulaChrysanthemum carinatumLinariaNigellaPoppy (corn and opium)PhaceliaAntirrhinumAnaethiumEschscholziaCerinthe major 'Purpurascens'ClarkiaGodetiaRequiring a cold spell - Rudbeckia, Monarda (bergamot), Orlaya, Echinacea, Eryngium (sea holly), Persicaria, Larkspur, Centaurea (Batchelors’ buttons)
Jobs to do in your garden this fortnight
1. Protect Brussels sprouts, kale and broccoli from birds, bugs & butterflies
2. Add compost to any beds you are clearing to improve soil structure and boost nutrients
3. Order tulips, but don’t be tempted to plant them until November
4. Plant narcissi, daffodils and alliums
5. Order indoor bulbs for forcing
6. Bring exotic/tender plants back into the greenhouse, conservatory or house when nighttime temperatures drop below 10ºC
7. Switch summer feed to winter feed for all citrus trees
8. Collect seeds from perennials
9. Lift, divide and replant large clumps of herbaceous perennials
Dan's Products of the Episode:
Gold Leaf GlovesWebsite links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchGold Leaf GlovesProduced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, the last in series three, Dan & Julia explain how to transform your garden into a tropical paradise using bold foliage, bright flowers and exciting edibles. They share tips on creating the perfect environment for exotics and some of their favourite plants to grow. You'll discover that anything is possible! As always, your hosts round off with a list of jobs you can do in your garden over the next fortnight and share what they’re up to over the coming weeks.
Two Good Gardeners will return for a fourth series in early autumn 2024.
Tender Plants for Exotic Effect:
Banana (Musa and Ensete)CannaOrnamental ginger (Hedychium)Castor oil plant (Ricinus)LantanaAngelAngels'pets (Brugmansia)Tree ferns (Dicksonia and Cyathea)Taro (Colocasia and Alocasia)Gloriosa lilyPapyrus (Cyperus)BegoniaColeus (Solenostemon)Persian shield (Strobilanthes)CaladiumChinese rice paper plant (Tetrapanax)Hardier Plants with Exotic Looks:
AlstroemeriaAgapanthusBistort (Persicaria)FatsiaHostaIndian bean tree (Catalpa)Foxglove tree (Paulownia)Large-flowered clematisReeds and grasses (Arundo and Miscanthus)Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)RodgersiaOrnamental rhubarb (Rheum)WaterlilyTuberous and bulbous plants such as Amaryllis, Amarine, Dahlia, oriental and trumpet lilies, Gladiolus and NerineDan's Product of the Episode:
Romney Marsh Wools Garden Kneeler CushionWebsite links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchJungle SeedsProduced by Scott Kennet at Red Lighthouse Local
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Dan and Julia share tips for keeping your garden in top condition while you take a well-deserved summer break. Your hosts advise on preparing lawns, vegetable plots, containers, greenhouses, and houseplants before your holiday. Dan chooses his favourite tools for trimming hedges and cutting back early-flowering perennials, and, inspired by Wimbledon, Julia shares a money-saving trick for propagating new strawberry plants.
Dan & Julia's Pre-Holiday Checklist:
Check your home weather forecast before departure and plan accordingly.Water everything thoroughly, especially container plants, camellias, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and houseplants.Install a drip irrigation system or seeper hose - use a timer to save water and hassle.Cut and edge lawns - but not too short if hot weather is predicted.Weed everywhere.Guard against pest damage by laying traps, using nets and maintaining good ventilation.Support tall and heavily laden plants with canes or stakes.Pick open flowers, ripening fruit and vegetables - give them away or preserve them for later.Move outdoor pots into the shade and houseplants out of the full sunTop-up ponds and birdbaths and provide water for pollinating insectsSecure valuables in sheds or move them into a locked garageAnd remember, if your garden looks a little shaggy when you return, it will be superficial and can quickly be fixed.
Dan's Product Picks:
Niwaki ShearsNiwaki Mini ShearsJakoti Hand ShearsGrow Bag Trays for keeping houseplants moist while away.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchProduced by Scott Kennet at Red Lighthouse LocalHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Dan & Julia celebrate the rose, Britain's most popular flowering plant. With so many species and varieties available to buy, there's a rose for every garden, but the choice can be bewildering - your hosts share their favourites for containers, walls, banks, wild areas and coastal gardens. Dan highlights his favourite tools and gloves for maintaining roses, and Julia explains how and why you should condition cut roses and other flowers before displaying them indoors. As always, your hosts supply a list of jobs you can do in your garden over the next fortnight.
Dan & Julia's Rose Picks
Climbers and Ramblers - 'Albertine', 'Masquerade', 'Bobby James', 'New Dawn', 'Buff Beauty', 'American Pillar Rose', 'Paul's Himalayan Musk', banksia 'Lutea', laevigata 'Cooperii'
Hybrid Teas - 'Peace', 'Fragrant Cloud', 'Just Joey'.
For Wild Areas - 'Canary Bird', x odorata 'Mutabilis', x odorata 'Bengal Crimson'.
For Coastal Gardens - rugosa 'Hansa', pimpinellifolia 'Dunwich Rose'.
For Ground Cover - 'The Fairy', 'Grouse 2000', 'Partridge', 'Magic Carpet'.
For Pots - 'Boscobel', 'Blue for You', 'Pearl Drift', 'Gabriel Oak'.
For Borders - 'Queen of Sweden'.
Dan's Product Picks:
Mainichi Snips - perfect for picking and pruning rosesOpinel No.12 Pruning Saw - ideal for tackling rampant ramblersGold Leaf Tough Touch Gloves - to protect your hands and wrists from thorns and pricklesGardening Jobs for the Fortnight Ahead:
Mist houseplants with rainwater to keep the humidity up and ward off red spider mites.If you're going on holiday, arrange for a friend or neighbour to take care of the watering.Water and feed tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergines regularly. Irregular watering can cause the fruits to split.Watch out for vine weevils in potted plants. The telltale signs are little notches in the leaf edges.Keep deadheading all flowering plants and feed with a high potash fertiliser to keep the blooms coming.Divide bearded irises and replant so the rhizome is exposed on the soil surface.Trim vigorous climbers such as vines, jasmine, honeysuckle and wisteria if they get unruly. Prune rambling roses after flowering, removing about a third of the flowered stems.Harvest courgettes and beans regularly - daily if possible so they aren't watery or tough.Harvest garlic as soon as the leaves turn yellow and start to wither.Keep birdbaths and ponds topped up with water - rainwater if you can, but small amounts of tap water are better than no water.Thin out parsnips and carrots. You can't replant the thinnings, so eat them lightly steamed. They are delicious.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchProduced by Scott Kennet at Red Lighthouse LocalHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dan and Julia delve into the subtle, little-understood subject of companion planting, revealing which plants get along well and which really don’t! Dan describes three fantastic new tools that have just joined his Signature range, and Julia explains the Three Sisters method of growing beans, squash, and sweetcorn together.
Dan & Julia's Favourite Plant Companions:
Plant basil near or at the base of tomatoes to ward off white flyGrow nasturtiums as sacrificial plants to attract black flyPosition French marigolds attract aphids from cucumbers and runner beansTansy deters ants due to its spreading nature underground and planted under fruit trees; it helps deter flies. (It is, however, toxic to pets.)Plant strong-smelling herbs such as sage and parsley to keep aphids awayBlack mint or Hucatay, Tagetes minuta is part of the marigold family. It is an excellent companion plant for greenhouse veggies such as cucumbers, chillies, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines. The pungent smell helps repel and confuse insect pests through the flowers and leaves and releases anti-nematode compounds into the soil. Grow strawberries beneath grape vines as they succumb to vine weevils first, giving you a fighting chance to save your grapes. Strawberries also indicate if scale insects are a problem on vines by getting covered in sooty mould first.Grow chamomile amongst other plants to keep fungus, mildew, mould and blight away.Plant onions or garlic between carrot rows to deter carrot root flies.Grow lavender alongside carrots and/or leeks. The scent attracts many pollinators and keeps pests at bay.Plant borage and strawberries together - borage attracts pollinators and has a mild cucumber scent; this will help keep predators off the strawberries and improve their flavour.Plant calendula with courgettes as the calendula protects the courgettes from slugs and snails, in theory!Dan's Product Picks:
Signature T-handle Spade - perfect for border work, planting roses and perennialsSignature T-handle Fork - great for working on your hands and knees in beds.Signature Japanese Weeding Hoe - great for weeding raised beds.Gardening Jobs for the Fortnight Ahead:
Make a final sowing of summer annuals like cosmos and zinnias.Sow biennials, including sweet williams, foxgloves, hesperis, honesty, stocks and wallflowers.Sow broccoli, kale, spinach, and a final batch of runner and French beans.Don’t let containers dry out - bright and breezy weather dehydrates plants very quickly.Deadhead roses to keep them neat and tidy and encourage further flushes of flowers.Pinch out dahlias, fuchsias and coleus to encourage bushy growth.Give wisteria its summer prune, cutting all the long side shoots back to 20cm.Prune late-spring or early-summer shrubs after flowering, thinning out the flowered stems.Install a water butt if you don’t already have one.Harvest salads regularly.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchProduced by Red Lighthouse LocalHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Dan & Julia reflect on this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, sharing features that impressed them and those that left them wanting more. Dan highlights two ways to keep bugs at bay, which are chemical and plastic-free, while Julia shares family-friendly tips for growing vegetables in recycled containers. As always, your hosts offer their suggestions of jobs to do in your garden over the next fortnight and reveal where they’re popping up next!
Dan's products of the week:
Bugnet - Bug Killer Spray Concentrate
Insectonet - Plastic-Free Insect Net
Buy Julia's book, 'The Little Grower's Cookbook' at Lettuce Publishing.
Garden Jobs for the Week
Support herbaceous plants in borders. Harvest early potatoes, usually when they are in flower.Start making your own plant food using nettles, comfrey or seaweed soaked in a bucket.Pinch outside shoots on cordon tomatoes and tie into canes.Plant out sweet corn and continue to successionally sow salad crops.Net strawberries and other soft fruit crops to keep birds off.Sow runner beans.Be on guard for slugs and snails and treat accordingly.Spray box moth caterpillars every few weeks on a dry day; they are highly prevalent at present.Evict exotic plants from house and greenhouse.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchThis podcast was produced by the brilliant Scott Kennett of Red Lighthouse Local https://linktr.ee/redlocallighthouse
The episode was sponsored by Dan Cooper Garden, where garden lovers go to find outstanding garden products, sage advice, and abundant inspiration. You can shop online at dancoopergarden.com or plant fairs and garden events across the south and east of England.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Occasionally, your hosts like to explore a garden in depth ..... and have a good old natter. In this episode, Dan and Julia revisit Sissinghurst Castle, starting in an area of the garden known as Delos. Recently resurrected after a long spell in the doldrums, they consider the challenges of recreating a slice of ancient Greece in Kent. Back in the studio, they each share five ways that Sissinghurst inspired them. Dan reveals his current 'must have' garden tool and shares exciting news about new product launches. Julia talks about an alternative method of training and pruning her fig tree. As usual, Dan and Julia finish off with a list of essential jobs to do in your garden over the next two weeks and tell you where they'll be popping up next.
Jobs for the fortnight
Finish hardening off annuals and tender perennialsIf all danger of frost has passed, start planting containers and hanging basketsPrune forsythia, flowering currant and Japanese quinceTake cuttings of woody herbs such as hyssop, rosemary and thyme. Tie in wisteria, honeysuckle, passionflower and clematis to keep them from wandering in their own direction. Pheromone traps can be hung in apple and plum trees and box hedges to control pests like codling and box moths.Indoors, take stem cuttings from tradescantias, coleus, plectranthus, impatiens and pothos and root them in water.Damp down greenhouse paths on hot days to increase humidityTake the opportunity to clean garden furniture, jet wash patios and scrub barbecues.Settle down and watch the BBC coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show - you'll have the best seat in the house.Dan's product of the week:
Niwaki Japanese Weeding Hoe: https://www.dancoopergarden.com/products/niwaki-weeding-hoe
Dan's upcoming events:
Sunday, 19th May - Rare Plant Fair at The American Museum in Bath
Sunday, 26th May - Rare Plant Fair at Kingston Bagpuize House, Oxfordshire
Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchThis podcast was produced by the brilliant Scott Kennett of Red Lighthouse Local https://linktr.ee/redlocallighthouse
The episode was sponsored by Dan Cooper Garden, where garden lovers go to find outstanding garden products, sage advice, and abundant inspiration. You can shop online at dancoopergarden.com or plant fairs and garden events across the south and east of England.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, Dan and Julia discuss whether no-mow May is good for our gardens and discover the many magical properties of copper tools. Julia advises on how to look after tomato plants while waiting for the weather to warm up, and Dan highlights Calycanthus, aka Carolina allspice, an increasingly popular shrub that produces exotic-looking flowers and a culinary spice.
The pros and cons of not mowing in May
Pros:
Reduces time spent mowingRequires no fertilisers, pesticides or watering Allows some wildflowers to bloom freelyEncourages insects, birds and mammals that like to shelter or feed in longer grassIt can look attractive and even romanticIt Increases the cooling of the surrounding air and locks up more carbon dioxide than short grassCons:
It may take a while to restore the neat appearance of a lawn, depending on the weather in JuneReduces space to play and walk in a small space.It doesn’t increase biodiversity long-term. It's a gesture rather than a long-term commitment.It may increase the number of weeds, especially dandelions, that appear in adjacent beds and borders.Some birds, insects and flowers prefer a habitat with shorter grass.Our conclusion - a mix of grass lengths maintained all year round is probably better than not mowing for a month. However, No Mow May is a good reminder to take steps to balance what we need from our gardens against what wildlife needs.
Jobs to do in your garden this fortnight
Tie in sweet peasDeadhead tulipsSow runner and French beansContinue to sow salads, radish, and beetroot for succession cropsContinue to earth up potatoes to protect from frostPlace citrus trees outside in a sheltered spotNet gooseberries & strawberries as fruit forms to keep birds offWatch out for lily beetles and remove them fast!Ventilate greenhousesPinch out growing tips on broad beans when 3-4 ft tallDan's upcoming events:
Saturday, 4th May - Plant Fair and Open Garden at Saltwood Castle near Hythe, Kent
Sunday, 5th May - Chiswick Flower Market, London
Monday, 6th May - Spring Plant Fair at Belmont House, Throwley, near Faversham, Kent
Sunday, 12th May - Rare Plant Fair at Salthrop House, near Swindon, Wiltshire
Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In the first episode of the new series of Two Good Gardeners, Dan and Julia debate whether it's worth saving your own seeds and throw a spotlight on wool, the secret ingredient our gardens have been crying out for. Julia shares her top tips for growing lemongrass to fill your kitchen with oriental flavours, and Dan waxes lyrical about hostas, the foliage plant we'd all love to love if slugs and snails didn't love them more! As always, your hosts round off with a list of things to do in your garden over the next fortnight and news of where you can find or hear them next.
Jobs for your garden this fortnight:
Plant out hardened-off sweet peas.Deadhead daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs.Put in supports for perennials and climbers before they get too large.Lift and divide hostas and other perennials you’d like more of.Protect fruit blossoms from late frosts.Feed citrus with summer feed.Plant out second-early potatoes.Sow carrots, beetroot, chard, spinach, salads, radish & peas.Watch out for box moth caterpillars and treat them if necessary.Ventilate greenhouses on sunny days.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In the final episode of Series 2, Dan & Julia reflect on the many highlights of a busy and eventful year and share their New Year's resolutions.
They'll return with Series 3 in spring 2024. If you've enjoyed Series 2, then click follow on your favourite podcast platform, so you're notified when new episodes are launched. Leaving a rating or writing a review will help us know what you like and how we can do better in future.
The book 'The Secret Gardens of Cornwall', which Dan talks about, is available from Waterstones. Sussex gardens are covered in 'Secret Gardens of the South East' by our friend Barbara Segall (which we really should have remembered!), also available from Waterstones.
Your hosts wish you a very Happy New Year and look forward to entertaining you again soon.
Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchAlitex Modern Victorian GreenhousesHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Christmas is a frenetic season when time and budgets are often overstretched. With less time to focus on living sustainably, how can we make the best environmental choices, especially when they're not always obvious? Talking as amateur gardeners, Dan & Julia discuss some of the options and reveal surprising facts - did you know, for example, that burning a real Christmas tree on a bonfire is far more sustainable than putting it out for collection and composting?
Julia shares how much of her Christmas lunch she grows herself (prepare to be impressed), while Dan divulges how he keeps his dinner candles upright using a flower frog - watch him do it here.
Your hosts wish all their listeners a very happy Christmas and a fruitful New Year 🎄 They'll be returning soon with a review of 2023, when they'll also share their resolutions for 2024.
Useful links:
Dan's guide to choosing the perfect real Christmas tree (and disposing of it!)
Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchAlitex Modern Victorian GreenhousesHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Owning a greenhouse is a luxury and privilege many gardeners dream of. In this special episode, recorded at Torberry Farm in Hampshire, Dan and Julia meet Nelly Hall, Brand Director at Alitex, to discover how to make the most of a greenhouse all year round. As the year draws to a close, Nelly explains how to use a greenhouse to prepare plants for Christmas and get an early start on spring, learning the importance of light and heat. Moving on to summer, we learn about ventilation, maintaining humidity and keeping pests under control before coming full circle to autumn for Nelly's tips on good glasshouse hygiene.
Nelly's top greenhouse gardening tips
Good light in a greenhouse is as essential as heat to keep plants compact and healthy.Buy the biggest greenhouse you can - no one ever wishes they'd bought a smaller model!Think carefully about how you want to use your greenhouse to maximise the space and create the right growing conditions.Instal power in your greenhouse, even if you have no immediate plans. It gives you options in future.Consider using solar power to reduce energy costs.Make space for a chair and table so that you have somewhere to take time out and enjoy.Keep sacks of compost in the greenhouse over winter so it doesn't freeze and remains usable in cold weather.Play with a greenhouse to bring forward flowering and cropping to extend the growing season.Use the winter months, when there's less to do, to experiment by taking cuttings and making compost.Be vigilant and don't allow pests to take control - good hygiene is essential in an enclosed space.Don't over-sow and stagger your seed planting to avoid waste.Vents between a greenhouse and a cold frame can help keep a cold frame warmer.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchAlitex Modern Victorian GreenhousesHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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As the days get shorter and the nights colder, it's time to bite the bullet and protect your tender plants from the cold, wet and wind. Dan explains how to tackle different groups of plants, from annuals to evergreens, and Julia shares advice on keeping herbs, citrus, ginger, chillies and pineapples happy until spring.
Your hosts anticipate the outcome of the Garden Media Guild Awards, where Two Good Gardeners has been shortlisted (see below if you want to know the result) and look forward to visiting their sponsor, Alitex, so record a special episode which will air before Christmas.
Julia offers advice on growing garlic from shop-bought or own-grown cloves, and Dan reveals a new Christmas trend - including seeds in your Christmas cards.
Dan's guide to overwintering tender plants: https://www.dancoopergarden.com/blogs/advice-inspiration/how-to-protect-tender-plants-over
Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchAlitex Modern Victorian GreenhousesAlitex Events*our congratulations to Gardens Illustrated, who won the category for best podcast or radio broadcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In episode 4, Dan and Julia offer advice on filling your home with plants and flowers this Christmas, including how to force bulbs and buy and care for seasonal plants such as poinsettia and cyclamen. Julia explains how to grow a crop of spuds for your Christmas dinner, and Dan shares his favourite garden-inspired Christmas decorations. Julia champions the humble beetroot (pickling recipe below), and Dan is elated that others are finally joining his crusade to revive the much-maligned chrysanthemum.
Julia's recipe for pickled beetroot, adapted from a recipe by Clodagh Mckenna
Ingredients
6 small beetroot 4 sprigs of thyme 160 ml white wine vinegar 150 ml cold water 110 g caster sugar ( Suggest adding 90 g, then taste if you want it sweeter, add the rest) ½ tsp mustard seeds ½ tsp black peppercorns ½ tsp sea saltMethod
Cook the beetroot in a saucepan covered with cold water for 30-40 mins or until tender. Drain and refresh under cold water. Peel the beets and cut them into small wedges. Place in sterilized jars Put the thyme, vinegar, caster sugar, mustard seeds, peppercorns, sea salt and 150ml cold water in a saucepan and heat until all has dissolved. Pour this vinegar mixture over the beetroot and allow to cool completely. Seal and store in the fridge for up to one year.Dan's favourite chrysanthemums:
'Dixter Orange' - very early, starting late June / early July and over by September - completely self-supporting and makes a terrific low hedge.'Percy Salter' - the colour of a well-baked custard cream, pretty and long-lasting.'EH Wilson' - produces delicate sprays of butter-yellow single flowers.'Breitner's Supreme' - lax form with white daisy-like blooms - use to flop over other plants.'Burnt Orange' - fiery orange quilled petals that are yellow inside.'Dulwich Pink' - neat and smothered with cranberry red flowers in November.Dan's Christmas decorations - https://www.dancoopergarden.com/collections/christmas
Dan & Julia's jobs for the next fortnight
Start planting tulip bulbs and indoor bulbs to be forced.Keep gutters clear of leaves and moss.Gather fallen leaves and store them in hessian bags to break down into leafmould.Clean bird feeders thoroughly before filling them with fresh seed.Sow sweet peas, broad beans, peas, radishes and rocket.Cut away the old stems of autumn-fruiting raspberries, blackberries and loganberries.Reduce excessive top growth to prevent wind damage.Plant up, tidy and wash greenhouses and clear benches.Continue to mow lawns but on dry days.Visit arboreta to enjoy the blazing autumn colours.Website links:
Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchAlitex Modern Victorian GreenhousesHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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