Gardeners’ World 2022 episode 12

Gardeners’ World 2022 episode 12: Monty Don shows how to get the best from tomatoes planted in grow bags and demonstrates how to divide agapanthus, and we catch up on developments in the recently revamped dry garden.

Adam Frost shares the progress at his new plot and tackles planting in a shady border against a north-facing wall. Frances Tophill meets a couple in Worcestershire who’ve created a garden inspired by their travels around the world. In Cornwall, we meet a window cleaner on a mission to champion trees, and more Gardeners’ World viewers share the joy that gardening brings them.

Gardeners’ World 2022 episode 12

Agapanthus

Agapanthus are known for their large, blue drumstick-headed flowers in summer. These South African perennial plants are equally suitable for borders and large containers. Agapanthus look great when planted with drifts of ornamental grasses, sun-loving rudbeckias and goldenrod (Solidago). Most agapanthus are hardy and their leaves die down in winter. Evergreen forms are more tender and usually need the shelter of a greenhouse from early winter to spring.

Agapanthus have mounds of strappy, bright green leaves. Sturdy stems shoot up in summer carrying loosely spherical heads (up to 25cm (10in) across) of trumpet-shaped flowers – usually in varying shades of blue, with a few white selections too. Typically reaching 60cm-1.8m (2-6ft), a few dwarf varieties such as ‘Lilliput’ with a height of 40cm (16in) are also available.

Agapanthus flower in full sun. They tolerate most soils, as long as they drain freely. Agapanthus hate being too cold and wet over winter. They will be reluctant to flower if allowed to dry out after flowering in late summer.

Tomatoes

Growing your own tomatoes is simple and just a couple of plants will reward you with plenty of delicious tomatoes through the summer. They’re ideal for growing in containers, either outdoors in a sunny spot or in a greenhouse, and there’s a whole array to try, from tiny sweet cherry tomatoes to full-flavoured giant beefsteaks.

Cordon (or indeterminate) tomatoes grow tall, up to 1.8m (6ft), and require tall supports. They are great for growing in a greenhouse, but will also do well in a sunny spot outdoors, either in the ground or in large pots against a south-facing wall. They are useful when space is limited, as plants grow vertically, tall and narrow, and produce a heavy crop. They require regular maintenance – watering, feeding, tying to supports and pinching out side-shoots.

Check seed packets or plant labels before buying, to ensure you get the right type to suit your needs. There are also lots of varieties to choose from, offering fruits of various sizes, shapes, flavours and textures. Fruit colours range from traditional red to dark purple, pink, orange, yellow or green, and even striped. There are heirloom varieties, grown for many generations, as well as modern, blight-resistant choices. There are miniature round fruits, elongated plum varieties, smooth uniform salad tomatoes and huge, wrinkled, mis-shapen beefsteaks, all full of flavour and with their own individual characters.

Water tomato plants regularly to keep the soil or compost evenly moist. Fluctuating moisture levels can cause problems with the fruit, such as splitting or blossom end rot. Plants in containers dry out quickly, so they may need watering daily in hot weather.