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The Eden Project

What can I plant now for a winter harvest? Who inspired you to study horticulture? What easy flowers could be grown in pots and picked by children? The GQT panel answer all.

What can I plant in September for an autumn winter harvest? Do you have any horticultural heroes that inspired your career in horticulture? What easy flowers could be grown in pots and easily picked by children?

Kathy Clugston and a distinguished panel of horticultural experts head to the iconic Eden Project in Bodelva, Cornwall, where they field questions from an enthusiastic live audience. Tackling everything from persistent pests to planting dilemmas, the panel includes houseplant specialist Anne Swithinbank, award-winning garden designer Chris Beardshaw, and allotment aficionado Frances Tophill.

Later in the programme, Kathy visits the National Wildlife Centre to speak with Dan James, Director of Development, about their vital work in conserving the UK’s native flora and fostering biodiversity.

Senior Producer: Dominic Tyerman
Junior Producer: Rahnee Prescod

A Somethin' Else Production for BBC Radio 4.

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Sun 7 Sep 2025 14:00
BBC Radio 4

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Plant List

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

Q – What are these black worms that I keep finding in my garden? Are they dangerous? (02’27”)

Q – What can I plant in September for an autumn winter harvest? (05’24”)

Frances Tophill –

Foeniculum vulgare, common fennel

Brassica oleracea Acephala Group, kale

Cichorium intybus, chicory

Coriandrum sativum, coriander

Raphanus sativus, common radish

Anne Swithinbank –

Vicia faba, broad beans

Peas

Chris Beardshaw –

Ribes nigrum (B), blackcurrant

Red currents

Cherries

Root stock apples

Q – My Cordyline australis is starting to lose its leaves, is it dying? (09’31”)

Q – What can I do to encourage my white pumpkins to flower more consistently? (14’22”)

Feature - Christine Walkden’s no-nonsense guide to watering, to help your plants flourish whatever the weather (17’00”)

Q – Is there a certain compost or a compost mix that’s needed to improve my soil so I can grow healthy plants & perennials? (21’18”)

Q – I’ve got a very shady woodland garden, could the panel suggest some vibrant flowers that could add some colour? (26’52”)

Frances Tophill –

Spring bulbs

anemone

Lamprocapnos spectabilis, bleeding heart (syn. Dicentra spectabilis)

Anne Swithinbank –

Mentha spicata, spearmint

Hydrangea quercifolia, oak-leaved hydrangea

Chris Beardshaw –

Digitalis lutea, straw foxglove

Podophyllum peltatum, may apple

Trachystemon orientalis, early-flowering borage

Omphalodes cappadocic, Cappadocian navelwort

Peony

Paeonia emodi, Himalayan peony

Epimedium

Begonias

Olearia, daisy bush

Hydrangea aspera subsp. Sargentiana, Sargent hydrangea

Q – What easy flowers could my grandmother grow in pots that could be easily picked by children? (33’08”)

Frances Tophill

Helianthus annuus, common sunflower

Cosmos atrosanguineus, chocolate cosmos

Anne Swithinbank –

Lathyrus odoratus, sweet pea

Chris Beardshaw –

Fuchsia

Tropaeolum majus, garden nasturtium

Viola odorata (Vt), sweet violet

Chrysanthemum, mums

Q – Do you have any horticultural heroes that have either inspired you or guided you into your career in horticulture? (36’54”)

Broadcasts

  • Fri 5 Sep 2025 15:00
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 7 Sep 2025 14:00
    BBC Radio 4

Join us at RHS Garden Wisley and be part of the show as we host the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time Summer Garden Party

Join us at RHS Garden Wisley and be part of the show as we host the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time Summer Garden Party

Find out more about how to get tickets to this event.

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