Gardeners World 2024 Episode 1

Gardeners World 2024 Episode 1 – Welcome to the all-new season of Gardeners’ World, the quintessential guide to gardening in the UK and beyond! Join us as we embark on an inspiring and informative journey through the world of horticulture, with practical tips, expert advice, and captivating stories that will ignite your passion for gardening.

Hosted by the inimitable Monty Don, this season promises to be a treasure trove of knowledge for both seasoned green thumbs and budding enthusiasts alike. From the picturesque grounds of Longmeadow, Monty’s personal horticultural haven, we’ll witness the transformation of his garden through the seasons and uncover the secrets behind his success.

Over the winter months, Monty has been hard at work, meticulously planning and executing new projects that are sure to inspire your own gardening endeavors. Prepare to be dazzled as he showcases the art of planting summer bulbs in containers, creating a vibrant and long-lasting display that will elevate your outdoor spaces. Additionally, he’ll guide you through the process of starting sweet peas, those fragrant and beloved climbers that add both beauty and aroma to any garden.

But that’s not all! Monty’s commitment to sustainable gardening practices shines through as he introduces space-saving fruit additions to his vegetable garden. Witness how he maximizes every inch of available space, proving that even the most compact urban gardens can yield an abundance of fresh, homegrown produce.

As we venture beyond Longmeadow, Adam Frost takes us on a captivating journey through a stunning Japanese garden that has undergone a remarkable restoration. Discover the intricate details and rich cultural heritage that have been painstakingly preserved, transporting you to a serene and harmonious oasis amidst the bustle of modern life.

Embrace the spirit of resourcefulness and creativity as we meet a gardener who has transformed discarded treasures from her local tip into a breathtaking garden sanctuary. Witness how repurposed materials can be transformed into peaceful seating areas, showcasing the beauty that can be found in the most unexpected places.

Gardeners World 2024 Episode 1

Frances Tophill, our resident urban gardening expert, will introduce us to a disused council depot site in Liverpool that has been transformed into a verdant oasis. Prepare to be amazed by the power of community and collective effort as we explore the innovative techniques and sustainable practices that have breathed new life into this once-neglected space.

Finally, we’ll escape to the picturesque Peak District, where a walled garden awaits, bursting with seasonal plantings that harmonize perfectly with its spectacular surroundings. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature as we explore the art of creating stunning displays that celebrate the changing seasons and elevate the garden experience to new heights.

Get ready to be inspired, educated, and entertained as Gardeners’ World 2024 takes you on an unforgettable journey through the world of horticulture. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this series promises to provide invaluable insights, practical advice, and a renewed appreciation for the joy and tranquility that gardening can bring to our lives.

So, grab your trowel, put on your gardening gloves, and join us for an extraordinary season filled with horticultural wonders, expert guidance, and a celebration of the boundless beauty that nature has to offer.

Cutting back grasses

Ornamental grasses, with their diverse textures and colors, play a pivotal role in the garden, creating a tapestry of movement and life throughout the seasons. These grasses are broadly categorized into two main types: evergreen and deciduous. Each type has its own specific care requirements to maintain their beauty and vitality. Deciduous grasses, known for their seasonal foliage changes, require an annual trim to ensure they present their best selves. In contrast, evergreens generally need less maintenance, often only a simple clean-up to remove dead material.

For those cultivating deciduous grasses, it’s essential to embark on a thorough removal of all dead growth come springtime. Here are some quick facts to guide you through this process: The optimal timing for this task is in early to mid-spring, a period that aligns with the natural growth cycle of these plants. The difficulty level of this task is relatively easy, making it accessible for gardeners of all skill levels.

When considering the best time to cut back your ornamental grasses, the focus should be on the species and its specific needs. Deciduous grasses offer a stunning visual throughout winter, standing tall with their striking structure. Hence, it’s advisable to wait until spring for pruning, ensuring this is done before the new shoots begin to break through the soil.

Most deciduous grasses commence their growth spurt in early spring. However, some varieties, like Pennisetum orientale, take a bit longer. For these types, the old stems provide crucial protection against the cold, suggesting a later pruning schedule, perhaps around late April. This is also the case for grasses like Miscanthus, where late pruning, from mid-March to April, is beneficial.

The method of cutting back varies between deciduous and evergreen grasses. Deciduous grasses, which typically turn a golden or straw-brown, require a complete removal of old stems and foliage to allow for a vibrant new growth. This can be achieved by methodically working through the clump, cutting old stems as close to the ground as possible with sharp secateurs, while also removing any loose stems and debris. It’s crucial to avoid any damage to the emerging new growth during this process.

Stipa tenuissima, although classified as a deciduous grass, may act more like an evergreen in warmer regions. If there’s minimal dead material build-up, treat it as an evergreen and gently comb out the loose foliage. However, if dead material is abundant, a full cutback in spring is necessary.

Following the pruning of deciduous grasses, it’s wise to clean the surrounding area, apply a general fertilizer (50g per sq m) to encourage growth, and lay down a thick layer of organic mulch around the clump.

Evergreen grasses, from small to medium-sized varieties like Carex and Luzula, typically require the removal of dead leaves, old flower stems, and debris by hand. For denser clumps, such as Festuca glauca, ensure all dead leaves and brown tips are removed to maintain their aesthetic appeal. Larger evergreen species, like pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), benefit from an annual hard prune in early spring, taking care to not damage new growth. Protective gear is recommended due to the sharp edges of the leaves.

After tidying evergreen grasses, apply a layer of organic mulch and a general fertilizer to promote healthy growth, similar to the aftercare for deciduous grasses. This comprehensive approach ensures that both evergreen and deciduous ornamental grasses thrive, contributing to the garden’s overall beauty and biodiversity.

Box blight – Gardeners World 2024 Episode 1

Box blight is an insidious fungal disease that targets box plants, leading to unsightly bare patches, browning of leaves, and dieback. This condition particularly wreaks havoc on topiary and parterres, with its detrimental effects exacerbated during periods of wet weather. The disease is caused by two distinct but closely related fungi, Calonectria pseudonaviculata and Calonectria henricotiae, formerly known as Cylindrocladium buxicola. These pathogens exhibit varying sensitivities to certain fungicides, particularly triazoles, and primarily affect Buxus species, commonly known as box, predominantly in the United Kingdom. However, other members of the Buxaceae family are also vulnerable to this disease.

Box plants in the UK face multiple threats, with box blight being just one among them. Another less severe but still concerning issue is Volutella blight. Additionally, the presence of box caterpillar is on the rise, posing yet another challenge to the health of these plants.

The symptoms of box blight can be easily mistaken for other plant maladies, making accurate diagnosis critical for effective management. Early detection is key, as the disease progresses rapidly under warm and humid conditions, making it increasingly difficult to control. Affected leaves typically turn brown and drop off, creating bare spots. Young stems may show black streaks and undergo dieback. During moist conditions, white spore masses of the fungus might be visible on the undersides of leaves – a phenomenon that can be observed by placing leaves in a sealed plastic bag with moist tissue for a few days. It is important to distinguish these symptoms from those caused by the box caterpillar, which includes defoliation accompanied by cobweb-like webbing and the presence of green and black caterpillars.

To manage and control box blight, the Royal Horticultural Society advocates for preventative measures, focusing on cultivar selection, rigorous garden hygiene, and the encouragement or introduction of natural predators to the garden environment. If chemical interventions become necessary, they should be employed sparingly and with precision to minimize impact.

Preventative strategies include isolating commercially sourced plants to ensure they are disease-free before planting, inspecting plants regularly for early signs of the disease, and adjusting pruning practices to improve air circulation among the plants. Avoiding overhead watering can also reduce humidity levels that favor the development of box blight. Implementing mulch beneath plants can help reduce soil splash, which is a common pathway for disease transmission.

In the event of an outbreak, immediate actions should be taken to mitigate the spread of the disease. This may involve removing severely affected plants, pruning less severely affected areas, and ensuring thorough cleanup of fallen leaves and debris. For gardeners looking to avoid the risk of box blight altogether, selecting alternative plants for hedges or topiary can offer a viable solution.

Chemical control measures include the use of fungicides such as tebuconazole, with specific products recommended for their effectiveness against box blight. However, it’s crucial to integrate chemical control with cultural and physical strategies for a comprehensive approach to managing the disease.

Understanding the biology of the pathogens responsible for box blight, Calonectria pseudonaviculata and C. henricotiae, is essential for developing effective control strategies. These fungi can survive in the environment for extended periods and are capable of infecting plants without the need for wounds, making prevention and early intervention key components of disease management.

F.A.Q. for Gardeners’ World 2024 Episode 1