In Gardeners World 2018 episode 26: after an extraordinary season, Monty’s orchard has produced a bountiful harvest of apples and he gives advice on how to pick and store them.
Frances Tophill makes a final visit to her shared allotment and joins in with the festivities at their annual show.
Adam Frost visits the RHS garden Wisley, where he meets the curator to find out which plants have fared well and which plants have suffered during the hot, dry summer. Nick Bailey investigates Japanese knotweed, one of the most pernicious weeds in the UK, Arit Anderson provides inspiration for colourful late season containers, and the programme travels to Northamptonshire to meet a gardener who extracts natural dyes from the plants she grows in her garden.
Gardeners World 2018 episode 26
Plants for clay soils
Without some intervention, clay soils can be like concrete in summer and a sticky mess in winter. Any effort to improve the texture of clay will be rewarded with strong plant growth. This soil is rich in nutrients and will happily accommodate a considerable range of plants.
Growing hellebores
Hellebores (sometimes known as the Christmas or Lenten rose) are perennial garden plants with elegant flowers, perfect for brightening up shady areas during late winter and early spring. Some species are grown for their striking evergreen architectural foliage.
How to grow Pak choi
Pak choi can be used in salads or stir-fries as a baby leaf, or used in a variety of Oriental dishes as a cooked vegetable when semi-mature or as fully-grown heads.
Planting bulbs
Bulbs make a fine display planted in containers or borders, especially daffodils, snowdrops and tulips in spring. They are one of the easiest and most rewarding garden plants to grow.
Clay soils
Soils rich in fine clay particles are called ‘heavy soils’ and, although hard to manage, are also potentially very fertile when treated in the right way.
Growing raspberries
Raspberries are really popular garden fruits and are very easy to grow. Try growing both summer and autumn-fruiting varieties: just a few plants will reward you with plenty of fruit from midsummer until mid autumn. If you end up with a glut, raspberries also freeze well, and make wonderful jams, sauces and cooked desserts.
