Keep your garden looking great this September, with tips from Arit and Miranda At the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, we asked gardening expert Arit Anderson and BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine’s Miranda Janatka for their advice on getting the most out of your garden in September, as we come to the end of the summer season. Watch the video below to find out more! Find more top tips and advice Find out more about the Fair

A delicious recipe for your aubergine harvest Summer isn’t over just yet, and we hope you’ve got plenty of aubergines to use up with this tasty idea for your table from the BBC Good Food Show Summer. In the same family as tomatoes, peppers and chillies, aubergines can be easy to grow if you give them the right conditions. They need a good, rich, moisture-retentive soil, plenty of sun and warm conditions. A sunny greenhouse or windowsill is perfect for them. For tips on growing them, from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, read on below! How to grow Plant aubergine seeds indoors in January with a heated propagator or in March without one. Transfer the seedlings to 7.5cm pots when the first true leaves emerge. Later, plant them in the ground or individual 30cm pots filled with peat-free, multi-purpose compost. If growing aubergines outdoors, wait until the threat of frost is gone before placing them in their final growing spots. Caring for aubergines Aubergines thrive in consistent temperatures of around 20°C.To boost fruiting, you can either gently tap or shake the flowers to release pollen, or plant pollinator-friendly species nearby (though this may pose challenges in enclosed greenhouses).When your aubergine plants reach 30cm in height, prune the tips of the main stems to encourage side shoots. Once flowering begins, provide weekly doses of high-potash fertiliser or tomato feed, and lightly mist the plants to enhance fruit formation. When you have five to six fruits, remove any small fruiting shoots. Taller varieties may require staking, especially during fruit ripening. Maintain adequate watering and apply mulch as needed. Harvesting and storing The standard practice for harvesting aubergines involves picking them before their skin loses its shine. While this can indicate over-ripeness, it’s important to consider the specific traits of the aubergine variety you’re cultivating, as some may naturally have less glossy skins.When it comes to storing aubergines, they are at their best when picked fresh and cooked right away. Certain varieties may require slicing and salting before cooking to eliminate any bitterness. /*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 */ .elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:"";border-bottom:0;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)} …and now for something delicious. Why not try this Stuffed Braised Aubergine recipe? As seen on the Summer Kitchen with Kwoklyn Wan at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023. Serves 4350g raw king prawns, shelled and deveined1/4 tsp sugar1/4 tsp white pepper1 tsp sesame oil1 tbsp vegetable oil, plus 1 tbsp for frying1 tsp Chinese rice wine or dry sherry1 egg1 tsp cornflour3 spring onions, chopped2 large aubergines For the sauce1 tbsp vegetable oil1 tsp chicken powder2 tbsp oyster sauce1 tsp dark soy saucepinch of white pepper1 tbsp Chinese rice wine or dry sherry5 garlic cloves, minced1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp water to create a slurry1 tsp sesame oil MethodPut the prawns into a blender and pulse until you have a chunky paste. Don’t over-mince the prawns. Transfer to a large bowl and add the sugar, white pepper, salt, sesame oil, vegetable oil, rice wine, egg, cornflour and half the spring onions. Mix well until you have an evenly distributed paste. Cover and chill for 30 mins.Cut the aubergines in half lengthwise and then slice into 2cm thick half moon shapes. Cut each aubergine half moon in half again from the skin side, but not all the way through – you’re creating a cavity for your filling. Using a teaspoon, fill the cavities with prawn paste, with it bulging out slightly.Heat a non-stick wok over a medium heat and add extra vegetable oil and fry the aubergines prawn side down until golden.While the prawn and aubergine is browning, combine the sauce ingredients except for the garlic, sesame oil and cornflour. Add 350ml to the sauce ingredients and mix well.Add the garlic to the wok and fry for 20 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the sauce around the aubergines. Turn the heat down to a low simmer and put a lid on the wok. Cook for 15 minutes.Remove the cooked aubergine and place on a serving plate. Give the cornflour slurry a mix to loosen and slowly add to the sauce to thicken, stirring continuously. Pour the sauce over the stuffed aubergines. Find more grow your own recipes Find out more about the Fair

BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair Beautiful Border winners announced The Autumn Fair’s Beautiful Borders are compact 9×9 show gardens packed with creative design features and planting, offering inspiration and achievable ideas for visitors with small garden spaces and challenging places. This year’s Beautiful Border theme is ‘My Garden Escape’. Awards were presented to talented garden designers on the opening day of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, in association with English Heritage, at Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden. The winner of Best Beautiful Border and a Platinum award was Hertfordshire-based Rachel Sporborg from Rachel Sporborg Design. Her Border design, Free Thinking, was inspired by artist David Tremlett’s wall drawing, Drawing for Free Thinking, installed at Tate Britain’s Manton Stairwell. The Border contrasts rigid hard landscaping with soft, relaxing movement in the planting and offers a vision of the garden as a way to escape and relax from the constraints of modern life. Drawing the eye in, an expansive steel arch frames the planting and a central circulating water feature designed for physical and contemplative reflection. The autumnal planting includes grasses and perennials with a Viburnum Plicatum ‘Watanabe’ as the signature shrub. Winner of the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Subscriber Border Award was Consuelo Franco, Assistant Head Gardener at Ballynatray House Estate in Waterford, for On Cloud 9, a Border design inspired by country walks, open skies and the ever-changing cloudscape. /*! elementor-pro - v3.15.0 - 09-08-2023 */ @charset "UTF-8";.entry-content blockquote.elementor-blockquote:not(.alignright):not(.alignleft),.entry-summary blockquote.elementor-blockquote{margin-right:0;margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-blockquote blockquote{margin:0;padding:0;outline:0;font-size:100%;vertical-align:baseline;background:transparent;quotes:none;border:0;font-style:normal;color:#3f444b}.elementor-widget-blockquote blockquote .e-q-footer:after,.elementor-widget-blockquote blockquote .e-q-footer:before,.elementor-widget-blockquote blockquote:after,.elementor-widget-blockquote blockquote:before,.elementor-widget-blockquote blockquote cite:after,.elementor-widget-blockquote blockquote 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Roman,Times,serif;font-weight:900;line-height:1;display:block;height:.6em}.elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation .elementor-blockquote__content{margin-top:15px}.elementor-blockquote--align-left .elementor-blockquote__content{text-align:left}.elementor-blockquote--align-left .elementor-blockquote .e-q-footer{flex-direction:row}.elementor-blockquote--align-right .elementor-blockquote__content{text-align:right}.elementor-blockquote--align-right .elementor-blockquote .e-q-footer{flex-direction:row-reverse}.elementor-blockquote--align-center .elementor-blockquote{text-align:center}.elementor-blockquote--align-center .elementor-blockquote .e-q-footer,.elementor-blockquote--align-center .elementor-blockquote__author{display:block}.elementor-blockquote--align-center .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button{margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto} “Rachel’s design has great presence and visual appeal, complemented by a restricted planting palette that carried off the vision with great panache.” Ian Hodgson, Head assessor Rachel Poletti-Gadd, Portfolio Director – Gardening Division at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, said: “Following the Autumn Fair’s successful launch last year, we are absolutely delighted that so many talented designers applied to enter this year’s Beautiful Borders competition. The Beautiful Borders offer show visitors a huge range of ideas to take home and try in their own gardens. A lot of hard work, dedication and commitment goes into designing and building Beautiful Borders and we wish Rachel and Consuela our hearty congratulations.” READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE “We loved the artistry in Consuelo’s Border which was underpinned by a diverse range of interesting plants.” Ian Hodgson, Head assessor Discover all the gardens from the Autumn Fair See who joined us at Audley End

Discover everything included in your Autumn Fair ticket! One ticket, a Fair-load of inspiration In this helpful guide you can uncover all the garden inspiration to be had with a ticket to the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair. BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW Three drop-in stages You don’t have to book, just drop in to hear from the experts at these stages during your visit:BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage – Frances Tophill, Arit Anderson, and Adam Frost will take centre stage at the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine stage with the magazine’s insightful editorial team, offering a wealth of valuable tips and tricks. Let’s Grow Stage – Eager to cultivate your own garden haven or just starting to sow seeds? Head over to the Let’s Grow stage for a bushel of grow-your-own inspiration and top tips from a variety of experts.In Conversation talks – Enjoy the intimate discussions in the Parterre Gardens, with ‘In Conversation’ talks throughout the day, hosted by TV presenter Chris Bavin. Drop-in tours & workshops There’s plenty at the Fair to jump in to without reservations!Capability Brown Landscape Tours – Have you ever contemplated a journey back to the 1760s? Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown can transport you there with an insightful tour of the grounds and its architecture. Reserve your spot on the day from the Customer Service desk.Dahlia Workshops – If the art of creating a flower bouquet intrigues you, here’s your chance to delve into it with dahlia workshops from Kim O’Brien. Head over the stand on the day to confirm your space.Sow Along – Looking to learn? Head to the Beautiful Borders for a daily sow-along at Cara, with seeds provided by Mr Fothergills – check the board by the Borders for timings. Explore all of Audley End Not only does your ticket give you access to the Autumn Fair, but also the chance to the spacious grounds and estate of one of England’s grandest mansions, Audley End House & Gardens!Audley End House – Whether you’re exploring the servant’s wing, state rooms, stables, kitchen garden or beautiful grounds, you’ll discover what life was like at a Victorian country house.The Gardens and Grounds – Take your four-legged friends on a walk around the impressive grounds, where you can find English Heritage gardens team and volunteers out and about to share growing tips and talk to visitors about the plants found in the gardens.Audley End’s cafes – Top up your energy and head to the Servant’s Hall Tea Room with its locally sourced delicious hot and cold meals, drinks and snacks. Or grab a light refreshment at the Cart Yard Café, handily located next to Children’s Play Area so you can enjoy a coffee while the kids play. Entertainment Enjoy live entertainment throughout your visit, with you’ll find toe-tapping tunes from the Bandstand. From soulful songs thanks to Jocee Duo to shanty covers from Shanty Buoys, and contemporary choir songs from Rock Choir (Sat/Sun), there’s something for everyone’s taste.Plus more to explore with:Street Food Alfresco BarBBC Good Food Market Some of the best ticket rates Choose the tickets that best suits your group, with options including:Under 5s go FREEFamily tickets available with up to two children going FREEFREE carer ticketsConcession prices for over 65s and NUS membersSpecial rates for English Heritage Members BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine subscribers save until 23 AugustBook here > Dogs welcome No need to leave furry friends behind – dogs on leads are welcome to the outside areas of the Fair! They’ll love the wide open parkland of Audley End, so make time to explore the Capability Brown landscape with them during your visit. With the exception of Guide and Assistance dogs, dogs are not permitted inside Audley End House. Garden inspiration Looking to be inspired for your own plot? Autumn Fair has it all for you to explore!Beautiful Borders – space-savvy ideas to make the most of your garden, designed by a bumper crop of garden designersShowcase Gardens – find inspiration for a productive garden throughout the colder monthsAPL Skills competition – new for 2023, two landscaping groups will be invited to compete in this year’s Association of Professional Landscapers’ (APL) competition at the Autumn Fair. English Heritage member perks If you’re an English Heritage member, don’t miss out on your perks: FREE parking (book at the same time as tickets) Voucher for a free BBC Magazine Flexible entry time Find out more here > So, what will you do first? Your ticket to BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair gives you access to a bumper crop of gardens, experts, fun activities, and inspiration. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just someone who loves soaking up the change in seasons, the Fair has something for everyone.Get ready to learn, explore, and have fun alongside fellow nature lovers at the Fair – the ultimate celebration of all things autumnal! BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW See what else is on Family activities throughout the Fair

10 top tips for your shed clean out Maintaining an organised and clean shed is essential for maximising its functionality and ensuring that your tools and equipment are easily accessible when you need them. A well-organised shed can save you time, reduce stress, and extend the lifespan of your tools.  In this blog, we’ll provide you with 10 top tips to help you efficiently clean and organise your shed, with a special focus on utilising the Autumn Fair stage product supplier, Regina Blitz kitchen roll, to keep your space spick and span. Flower for the Power of Bees by Nikki Hollier (Border in a Box) at BBC Gardeners' World Live Special Edition 2019 1: Declutter first Before diving into the cleaning process, take the time to declutter your shed. AS difficult at this part can be, remove any items that you no longer need or use. This will create more space and make it easier to organise the remaining items. It will be worth it! 2: Sort and categorise Once you’ve decluttered, sort your belongings into categories. Group similar items together, such as gardening tools and outdoor equipment. This will help you create a clear plan for organisation. 3: Create zones Assign specific zones for different categories of items. For example, designate one aera for gardening tools and another for pots. This not only makes it easier to find what you need but also helps maintain order over time. Make do and mend by Andy Wright at BBC Gardeners' World Live Special Edition, 2019 4: Invest in storage solutions Utilise shelves, hooks, pegboards, and bins to create efficient storage solutions. Wall-mounted hooks are perfect for hanging tools, while shelves and bins can hold smaller items neatly. The Sea Garden by Teasels Landscapes at BBC Gardeners' World Live Special Edition, 2019 5: Use clear containers If you can, choose clear containers for smaller items. These allow you to see what’s inside without having to open them. 6: Label everything Label your storage containers, shelves, and hooks to ensure that items are returned to their proper place after use. This simple step can prevent clutter from accumulating over time. 7: Regular maintenance  Make shed organisation part of your gardening routine. A little maintenance goes a long way. To the Garden I Go, to Lose my Mind and Find my Soul, by Shona Lockeart, BBC Gardeners' World Live 2023 8: Floor space matters Maximise floor space by using wall-mounted storage options. This will keep your shed from feeling cramped and provides more room for larger items like your lawn mower. David Hurrion at The Garden Shed 50 Years On feature, BBC Gardeners' World Live 2018 9: Clean with Regina Blitz Our product supplier Regina Blitz kitchen roll is not just for the kitchen! Its also a versatile tool that can be used as part of your shed organisation. Use it to wipe down surfaces, clean tools, remove spiderwebs and even soak up spills. Its strength and absorbency make it an excellent choice for maintaining a clean and tidy shed. 10: Safety first Lastly, prioritise safety. Make sure you store your hazardous materials such as chemicals and sharp tools are secure and out of reach of your pets and children. Artemis Landscapes 'Living in Sync' Garden designed by Viv Seccombe, BBC Gardeners' World Live 2017 By following these top tips, you can transform your cluttered shed into a well-organised space in time for autumn. Don’t forget to include our product supplier Regina Blitz in your shed cleaning arsenal and start your journey of maintaining a clean and orderly workspace that can be enjoyed for years to come Garden inspiration at the Autumn Fair Find out what's on at the Autumn Fair

It's the summer of cornflowers The perfect plant for your summer garden – cornflowers! Coming in deep blues and shades of pink, maroon and white, these ruffled flowers make a lovely addition to a border or garden path. If you visited BBC Gardeners’ World Live, you would have seen Paul Stone’s headline A Garden Fit for a King, which overflowed with beautiful cornflowers. Scroll down to see the photo gallery.Read on for expert growing tips from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and, if you’re looking for more inspiration for the season ahead, get tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair at Audley End House & Gardens from 1-3 September 2023. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AUTUMN FAIR Growing and caring for cornflowers Grow cornflowers in sun and well-drained soil, sowing seed directly into weed-free ground or into pots, in spring. Thin out the resulting seedlings. After that, little care is needed apart from deadheading to encourage more blooms. Grow as a gap-filler in any bare spots in borders, as part of a seed mix to create an annual flowering meadow, or in pots. Well-drained soil is best, and sun for at least half the day. Cornflowers do best in soil with low fertility so there’s no need to add fertilizer or organic matter. Cornflowers in pots need a general-purpose , peat-free potting compost mixed with a third by volume of coarse grit. Shorter-growing varieties are best for pots as taller ones tend to flop without support. Be aware that cornflowers bloom for around 10-12 weeks, which isn’t as long as many summer-flowering bedding plants. Ideally, sow seeds directly where plants are to flower. Otherwise sow in seed trays and harden them off before planting out in spring, spaced 15cm apart.Remove faded flower heads to encourage more blooms to form. Once flowering is over, you can pull up and compost the plants, or leave them to self seed and provide food for birds such as goldfinches. PropagationCornflowers usually self-seed readily, but if you want to save the seed, collect it from the faded flowers. Store the seed in an envelope and sow from early spring to early summer, 0.5-1cm deep, either in drills, or simply by scattering the seed and lightly raking to cover with soil. Thin the resulting seedlings to 10-15cm apart. Making several sowings throughout spring will ensure a succession of flowers through summer.If ground or weather conditions do not permit outdoor sowing, an alternative is to sow in modular trays or small pots under cover in an unheated greenhouse or polythene tunnel. 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.elementor-gallery__item-overlay-content__title{opacity:1}a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title{color:var(--galleries-title-color-normal)}a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title.elementor-item-active,a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title.highlighted,a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title:focus,a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title:hover{color:var(--galleries-title-color-hover)}a.elementor-item.elementor-gallery-title.elementor-item-active{color:var(--gallery-title-color-active)}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-gallery,.e-con>.elementor-widget-gallery{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)} Get garden inspiration for the season ahead at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair at Audley End House & Gardens from 1-3 September – book tickets today! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AUTUMN FAIR Garden inspiration at the Autumn Fair Find out what's on at the Autumn Fair

Pruning apples this summer? Get top tips If you’ve got apple trees, don’t forget to prune them in the summer to regulate new growth on your plants and prevent diseases. With some help from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, we’ve got some top tips below to help you prune in the summer months. What’s more, there’ll be plenty of grow your own advice and tips at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair from 1-3 September at Audley End House & Gardens, Essex. On the Let’s Grow Stage, you’ll find be able to make the most of your apple harvest with Sara Ward. Find out how to press apples for juice and cider, and use the pulp for jelly and wine. let's grow stage BOOK TICKETS Tips for summer pruning Make sure you use the best tools for pruning – for clean cuts that heal quickly. Avoid loppers, as they can bruise the stems.Avoid pruning fruiting spurs on your apple tree. These spurs are often short and stubby with closely spaced leaves. If your fruiting spurs are bunched too closley together, cut away the old branches to open up the branches and allow better air circulation. Remove stems that clearly must go: anything dead, diseased or damaged, and any upright shoots growing above the top tier of branches. Shoots that will need pruning are produced from the main branches and will have been produced this year. Cut these back to within three to four leaves of last year’s growth. The upright shoots should be around 18-23m long. Cut just above a leaf joint, at an angle away from it. Shorten all side shoots and leave unpruned ones where needed to extend the main framework of the tree. Where shoots have developed from laterals that were pruned last year, cut this year’s growth back to one leaf. Prune your apple tree with the aim of spacing the knobbly fruiting spurs around 10cm apart to avoid overcrowded spurs and allowing better air flow to the plant. Don’t miss the Let’s Grow Stage at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair where you’ll find be able to make the most of your apple harvest with Sara Ward. Find out how to press apples for juice and cider, and use the pulp for jelly and wine. BOOK TICKETS Find out more about the Let's Grow Stage Find out what's on at the Autumn Fair

Grow your own tips for rocketing success Rocket boasts zesty, peppery foliage, perfect for adding a kick to your salads. Try growing your own and adding them into a delicious Mushroom ricotta tart recipe as seen on the Big Kitchen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer this year. While the optimal sowing period is from March to September, you can still achieve a bountiful harvest of flavorful leaves even with later plantings. Pluck the tender leaves as required, relishing in abundant harvests that can span weeks. To ensure an uninterrupted supply, sow seeds every fortnight during the spring and summer seasons. As autumn draws near, safeguard your arugula plants from chilly temperatures by draping them with layers of horticultural fleece. This protective measure could extend your harvesting period right up until the initial frost sets in.We’ve paired some top tips from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine with the tart recipe below!Looking for even more grow your own inspiration? Book a day out at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair from 1-3 September at Audley End House & Gardens, Essex. Make a beeline for the Let’s Grow Stage to dig into plenty of grow your own talks and inspiration. let's grow stage BOOK TICKETS Growing rocket in containers is straightforward. Start by filling a pot or suitable container, leaving a small gap below the rim, with damp, peat-free, all-purpose compost. Sow the rocket seeds with care, maintaining a recommended spacing of approximately 3cm between each seed. Gently overlay a thin compost layer, then delicately water the seeds using a watering can equipped with a rose attachment. This ensures the seeds are adequately moistened without disruption. Use a string or cord to delineate the planting row. Sow in a straight line 1m-2m long. Sowing in a straight line will enable you to pick out any weed seedlings.  A packet of rocket seeds typically contains an ample supply – often sufficient for sowing a row spanning up to 6m long. You may end up with a large harvest of rocket if sown all at once. Sow a small quantity at a time regularly for a prolonged harvesting window. Sow your rocket seeds thinly along the row, spacing them out evenly 3cm apart. Water the seeds in well. Mushroom ricotta tart As seen on the Summer Kitchen with Helena Busiakiewicz at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023.Recipe credit: BBC Good Food Magazine. Serves 41 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry2 tbsp olive oil525g family pack mushrooms2 garlic gloves, 1 finely sliced, 1 crushed250g tub ricottagood grating of nutmeg1/4 small pack of parsley, leaves only and roughly chopped50g rocket MethodHeat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and place a baking tray inside. Unroll the pastry onto a piece of baking paper and score a border around the pastry around 1.5cm in from the edge. Place the pastry (on the paper) on the baking tray and cook for 10-15mins.Heat the oil in a large lidded pan and cook the mushrooms for 2-3mins, with the lid on. Remove the lid and add the sliced garlic and cook for 1 min to get rid of excess liquid.Mix the crushed garlic with the ricotta and nutmeg and season well. Remove the pastry from the oven and gently push down the risen centre. Spread over the ricotta mixture and spoon on the mushrooms and garlic. Bake for 5 mins and then scatter over your parsley and rocket to serve. Book a day out at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair from 1-3 September at Audley End House & Gardens, Essex. Make a beeline for the Let’s Grow Stage to dig into plenty of grow your own talks and inspiration. BOOK TICKETS Find out more about the Let's Grow Stage BBC Good Food Market

Get garden-ready this summer We caught up with Arit Anderson, and Miranda Janatka from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, for their top gardening tips this summer. Arit Anderson will be sharing even more advice on Saturday 2 September at the Autumn Fair, to keep your garden growing in the autumn months.  BOOK TICKETS

Frances Tophill's tips for sustainable gardening Conserving water and making sustainable choices is especially importance during the heat of the summer months. At the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, we asked Frances Tophill for some top tips on how to make sustainable choices in the garden. Watch the video below to find out more!

It's the summer of dahlias Summer wouldn’t be the same without dahlias. We’ve put some tips together from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine so that you can grow beautiful pops of colour in your garden, with some dahlia garden inspiration from our previous shows. Dahlias come in many shapes and sizes and make beautiful additions of colour to the garden, whether in bedding, pots, or as cut flowers for indoors. Remember, the more you cut them, the more flowers they produce. What’s more, at the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, head over to the marquee and create your own dahlia bouquet with beautiful cut flowers. Find out more here. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DAHLIA WORKSHOPS How to growPlant dahlias in fertile, moist soil that is well-drainedPlace in a sunny, sheltered spotIf growing from tubers, pot them up individually with the new shoot facing upwards and position it so it sits just below the soil surface. Water well.Keep tubers in a frost-free place and keep the compost moist. New shoots should appear five weeks after plants. Plant out in the garden in May when no more frosts are forecasted.  PlantingWhen planting out your tubers, you might need to remove some shoots. Leave about five remaining to encourage lots of flowers.Before planting outside, harden off the plants by putting them outside during the day and bringing them in at night for about a week.Grow your plants around 60cm apart, in holes around 30cm across.If planting in a pot, use containers 30cm wide and deep. CareWhen the plant is 20cm tall, encourage flowering side shoots by pinching out the main growing tip. Cut the main shoot down to the top pair of leaves. Deadhead to prolong flowering. For cut flowers, cut the flowers when they are fully open. PropagatingDahlia tubers can be divided in spring – press the tubers down onto a tray of shallow compost and leave them to start growth in a sunny room. Once shoots begin to grow, divide them using a knife so each section has at least one shoot and set of roots. Pot on the divisions. Take a look at the gallery below to see just some of the varieties of dahlias you could grow in your own garden. At the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, head over to the marquee and create your own dahlia bouquet with beautiful cut flowers. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DAHLIA WORKSHOPS