Gardeners’ World 2021 episode 23: Monty is at Longmeadow, enjoying the colours of late summer in the garden. He also has plenty of tips to keep gardeners busy over the bank holiday weekend. Adam Frost, Carol Klein and Frances Tophill get an exclusive preview of Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC, where they explore the show gardens and floral delights on offer.
We also meet an inspirational gardener who lost her sight as a child and shows us around her garden in Leicestershire, and we visit a couple in Lincolnshire who are passionate about ferns. We also get plenty of inspiration and tips from our viewers’ own gardens.
Gardeners’ World 2021 episode 23
Dividing perennials
Dividing perennials regularly will ensure healthy, vigorous plants that will continue to perform year after year. It also offers the opportunity to multiply your plants. Plant divisions as soon as possible and water them in well. They can either be replanted in the same spot, taking the opportunity to mix in a little garden compost or other soil improver first, or moved to a new part of the garden. Alternatively, pot up individually to build up size, overwintering pots in a frost-free environment.
There are few specific problems associated with dividing, especially if carried out between autumn and spring. However, ensure that plants don’t dry out while they do re-establish. It is also worth carrying out slug and snails control as these are often problematic pests for perennials.
Roof gardens and balconies – Gardeners’ World 2021 episode 23
If you live in a building without its own garden, establishing a roof or balcony garden is the ideal way to create your own mini horticultural haven, ensuring you don’t miss out on growing a wide range of plants.
Depending on the level of exposure and altitude, a wide range of plants can be grown on a balcony or roof garden. The ideal method is to establish some shelter using screens or robust plants, which then creates a microclimate where other plants can survive. With regular watering, feeding and maintenance (pruning, re-potting etc.), your balcony or roof garden should be relatively trouble-free.
How to grow lavender
Lavender is prized for its richly fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. This easy-to-grow shrub thrives in a sunny spot, in free-draining soil or a container. Lavender is best planted in April or May as the soil naturally warms up and when many fresh plants become available in garden centres. Lavender should never be planted in winter when young plants are vulnerable to rotting in cold, wet soils.
Lavender looks great in flower borders, herb gardens and as a low hedge or edging to a border. It also grows well in containers. Lavender is a Mediterranean plant (in needs if not always in geographic origin) and needs lots of sun and fast-draining soil. It will not survive long in shady, damp or extremely cold conditions. It prefers poor, dry or moderately fertile soil, including chalky and alkaline soils. Lavender will not thrive in heavy clay soil or any soil that becomes waterlogged over winter.
