Let love bloom this Valentine’s Day
Let love bloom this Valentine’s Da...
Jan 25, 2024
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Treat the green-fingered loved one in your life Not sure where to find the perfect gift for your favourite gardener? We’ve done all the digging for you! Browse our specially curated list, featuring products from exhibitors attending BBC Gardeners’ World Events this year and sow the seeds of love with a wonderful gift. Please note that all gifts are subject to availability and delivery times of independent suppliers may vary. Share a great gardening day out this year Let their love of gardening flourish with an inspiring day out, with plenty of options throughout 2024, including:BBC Gardeners’ World Live, 13-16 June at Birmingham’s NECBBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, 3-5 May, Beaulieu HampshireBBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, 30 Aug-1 Sept, Audley End House & Garden (on sale March) BOOK GW LIVE TICKETS BOOK spring fair tickets /*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image-carousel .swiper,.elementor-widget-image-carousel .swiper-container{position:static}.elementor-widget-image-carousel .swiper-container .swiper-slide figure,.elementor-widget-image-carousel .swiper .swiper-slide figure{line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-image-carousel .swiper-slide{text-align:center}.elementor-image-carousel-wrapper:not(.swiper-container-initialized):not(.swiper-initialized) .swiper-slide{max-width:calc(100% / var(--e-image-carousel-slides-to-show, 3))} A little something sweet Glass Terrarium ‘Garden Globe’ KitSurreal Succulents | £13 The Glass Terrarium succulent kit makes for an amazing gift, whether it’s for yourself or someone special!Design and craft your unique mini garden with this kit, which includes all the accessories necessary for creating this little living world. Step-by-step instructions are included for an easy set up. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (stand F16) Hemerocallis ‘Olive Bailey Langdon’ New Forest Hostas | £9 each Surprise a loved-one with a bloom from Spring Fair’s 2023 Display Award winner, New Forest Hostas. With a stunning purple bloom, this hemerocallis is an award-winner in its own right, blooming early mid-season and semi-evergreen, you’ll be gifting them a reminder of you affection to flourish for years to come. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (stand F5) Rustic Love HeartBeechwood Trinkets | from £12 Spread the love to their beloved green space, with a beautiful weather resistant decoration. With 2mm thick steel, this rustic heart is perfect for hanging in the garden (or home!). Plus, find the version that suits any size of space, with the option of sizes 8, 10, or 1 inches.  BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (stand G78) and at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand G80) Solar Red Flaming Balloon Enchanted Earth | £12.95 Help them bring a touch of whimsy to their outdoor space, with a beautiful glass solar-powered hot air balloon light. Complete with realistic flaming effect (whilst staying cool to the touch), add a burst of colour and light to their haven. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (stand G102) and at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand E406) More than a trinket Hanging Leaf quoteA Blackbird Sang | £12.95 Remind them of your love every time they step in to the garden with a beautiful hanging leaf featuring the quote ‘If I Had a Flower For Every Time I Thought Of You’. Made with mild steel and able to hung with either nylon line or string, they can be hung wherever suits. Looking for a more naturalistic effect? Simply bend with hand or pliers to make it truly unique. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (stand G78) and at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand G80) Living Frame with SucculentsPlantamamita | £38 Gift them the greenest art you can find, with a stunning living frame. Featuring several live succulents, these ready to hang features are perfect for those with minimal house-plant space. Complete with wooden easel and detailed care instructions, these beautiful handmade artworks are sure to flourish. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand HP6) Gold-Filled Hand Stamped Birth Month Flower NecklaceRebecca May Jewellery | £40 Bring their love of gardening to an elegant piece of jewellery filled with sentiment. Each necklace comes with the hallmark of bespoke hand-drawn birth flowers, with most months offering two options for the flower. With difference chain types and lengths available, you’ll be able to craft and share a piece that is truly unique to your loved one. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand AC32) Football Cartoon History PrintsFootball Cartoon Histories, Richard Argent | £25-45 Bring their favourite team to life in a beautiful hand-drawn print showcasing the history of their club. Whether you’re after a mounted print (£25) or a canvas (£45), you’ll have a choice of teams from Arsenal right down to York City.  BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand AC40) Mini Rose & Carnation KitToft | £30 If they’re a lover of all things crafty and gardening, why not combine the two? Give them a bouquet that will never wilt with a mini rose and carnation crochet project that’s quick to make, ready to bring a splash of colour and brighten their days all year round! BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand G182) Things to make the heart soar Luxe Six-Wick Candle, Moody GoldSpry Scents | £250 Don’t just gift a bouquet – fill their home with the scent of Rose & Musk with this limited edition, slow burning, six-wick scented candle. Hand-set in a luxurious Moody Gold that gives a shabby chic effect, and complete with a matching lid to snuff out, it’s a great way to life their spirits and create a cosy feeling for 250 hours of burn time. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand AC12) Ultimate Orange Wine CollectionThe Italian Wine Shop | £149.99 Treat a beloved amateur sommelier to a collection of delightful orange wine from 3 Italian regions renown for their tipples. Not only will they be able to adventure beyond the traditional red, white and rosé, they’ll be introduced to a group of diverse winemakers from across Sicily, Aosta and Sardinia. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand GF66) Reversible Suzani – no 52Twizzell | £150 Let florals bloom on their bed spread, with a stunning hand-embroidered suzani. Limited edition, lined in velvet and reversible, it makes a colourful statement and truly cosy option. And, if pink isn’t their colour, explore the full range of suzanis, each with their own unique design and colour palette. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (stand G10) Gifts to bowl them over Lupin Study (original)A Great Escape Art | £460 Spoil them with a stunning artwork featuring beautiful watercolour lupins – a wonderful way to bring a touch of colour and their green-fingered focus to their walls. Coming complete with frame and mount, it’s ready to find a home on their walls and in their heart. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (stand G96) Maryville Bubbling Hearts Contemporary Solar Water FeatureOutdoor Living UK | £278.23 (discounted from £375.61) Let love bubble over and flow with a show stopping water feature, with its soothing sound ready to make their garden a tranquil retreat. Attractive to wild birds looking for refreshment and powered by solar energy, it’s sure to add character to any garden space. BUY NOW Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (stand G84) and at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand E214) Discover all these exhibitors and more across our shows in 2024 – book your tickets for BBC Gardeners’ World Live or the Spring Fair today!Plus, if you want to be the first in the know when the Autumn Fair goes on sale, sign up to the newsletter below. BOOK spring fair tickets BOOK GW LIVE TICKETS SIGN UP TO THE AUTUMN FAIR NEWSLETTER
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Let the colour of 2024 bloom in your garden
Let the colour of 2024 bloom in your gar...
Jan 05, 2024
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Pantone's Peach Fuzz is here to flourish As the fresh shoots of a new year start to peek out, we’re looking to the Pantone Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz, for inspiration. Embrace the warmth of this delicate orange, with Pantone noting that this ‘velvety gentle peach tone’ is the perfect hue to ‘enrich the mind, body, and soul.’Below, you’ll find a beautiful bouquet of blooms in this year’s colour, taken from BBC Gardeners’ World Events of the past few years. You’ll find the full spectrum of colours amongst the incredible variety of plants available to browse and buy at the BBC Gardeners’ World Events. Sign up to the Autumn Fair newsletter to be one of the first to know when tickets are on sale! Sign up to the newsletter Dahlia – ‘Maya’ Dahlias offer a spectrum of colours and shapes, from petite pompons to larger blooms. These half-hardy plants thrive in mild winters and are moderately easy to grow, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, making them ideal for wildlife-friendly gardens. Best planted from May to June in well-drained, humus-rich soil and a sunny location, be sure to give them approx. 60cm between plants. They flower from June until the arrival of the first frost. Versatile and adaptable, Dahlias are suitable for borders, gardens, beds, cut flowers, as well as containers and patio pots, offering a charming addition to any plot. Foxtail Lily – ‘Eremus Cleopatra’ Foxtail lilies, also known as Eremurus, are enduring perennials prized for their striking flower spikes that typically bloom in June or July. These majestic spikes consist of numerous star-shaped flowers, alluring to bees and offering a captivating presence in the garden for about three weeks and should be planted between January to March.They necessitate a cold winter period to ensure the most magnificent blooms, and thrive best in full sun and well-drained soil. They are ideally situated at the back of a border where they can also contribute valuable height to the rear.  Fox Gloves – ‘Dalmatian Peach’ Foxglove ‘Dalmatian Peach’ (Digitalis) is a biennial or short-lived perennial that blooms in midsummer, attracting bees and pollinators. This variety typically blooms in its first year, and prefers humus-rich, moist soil and grows well in sun or part shade.As a hardy plant, doesn’t need winter protection, and can be propagated easily from mid-summer seeds. Ideal for borders or containers, it pairs beautifully with purple companions wherever you choose to plant it. Alstroemeria Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian lily or Lily of the Incas, is a hardy perennial originating from South America, renowned for its vibrant summer-to-autumn blooms in reds, oranges, purples, pinks, yellows, and softer hues.Planting these flowers in warm, damp soil during spring or autumn ensures the roots are established quickly, and are perfect for borders, containers, and compact pots. Loved by bees, these blooms thrive in sunny or partially shaded spots, lasting from early summer to late autumn. Roses Roses add charm to any garden, delighting both gardeners and pollinators. Blooming in summer, many varieties re-flower in autumn and endure for years, with a broad variety of hues to choose from. Attractive pollinators and serve as nesting spots for bees, most prefer full sun and fertile soil, while some tolerate shade and poorer grounds. Plant bare-root roses from November to March or container-grown roses anytime, avoiding frozen or waterlogged conditions.  Lupins – ‘Lupinus Salmon Star’ Lupins, classic in cottage gardens, thrive in sunny spots like formal borders and gravel gardens. They prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and bloom in various colours, attracting pollinators. Plant them in sunny to partially shaded areas with moist, well-drained soil. Best placed towards the back of borders, they don’t suit containers due to potential weak growth. Lupins, with their traditional charm, also fit modern schemes when nestled among ornamental grasses for a unique display. Anemone-Flowered Dahlia – ‘Totally Tangerine’ Anemone flowering Dahlias, also called Powder Puff Dahlias, bear distinctive double feathered central petals resembling a Powder Puff, making them ideal for indoor displays as cut flowers. These versatile plants are suitable for garden borders, beds, patio pots, or containers. Growing up to 90cm in height, they bloom from June to October, providing a long flowering period. Trumpet Pitchers – Sarracenia Trumpet pitchers, scientifically known as Sarracenia, are carnivorous plants known for their unique pitcher-shaped traps. These plants thrive in wet, boggy environments, using their pitchers to attract, trap, and digest insects for nutrients. They make intriguing additions to gardens or terrariums, requiring moist, acidic soil and plenty of sunlight. Trumpet pitchers are captivating and low-maintenance plants, adding a fascinating touch to any plant collection. What will take root in your garden this year? Don’t forget, you can glean expert advice at all of our events, with live expertise on stage and one-to-one recommendations from a wealth of exhibitors.With every hue right there at your fingertips, don’t miss out on a great gardening day out – register for the newsletter and be one of the first to know when Autumn Fair tickets for 2024 go on sale! sign up to the newsletter
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Your 2023 gardening gift list!
Your 2023 gardening gift list!
Nov 29, 2023
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'Tis the season to find the perfect gift! Make someone’s day merry and bright this Christmas by finding them a gift they’ll treasure. Whether it’s for someone with the greenest of fingers or someone who’s gardening passions are just starting to sprout, there’s something for everyone below. Featuring products from exhibitors who will be attending BBC Gardeners’ World Events in 2024, ease your festive worries and tick everyone off on your list, with plenty of time to relax with a mince pie before the big day.Please note that all gifts are subject to availability and delivery times of independent suppliers may vary. The gift of a great gardening day out Help inspire someone’s gardening projects in 2024 with tickets, with plenty of days to choose from, including:BBC Gardeners World Live, Birmingham’s NEC, 13-16 JuneBBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, Beaulieu, Hampshire, 3-5 MayBBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, Audley End House & Garden, Essex, 30 Aug – 1 September (on sale Feb) BOOK SPRING Fair TICKETS BOOK GW LIVE TICKETS Explore even more events in 2024 Treat yourself or a loved-one all year round with the Do What You Love Annual Pass!From gardening and food, to art, dance, knitting and stitching, there are many great days out to enjoy with your Annual Pass, including all three of BBC Gardeners’ World Events in 2024.Find out out more, and order your Annual Pass, below: BUY AN annual PASS TODAY /*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ 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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)} A little something special... Ceramic heartsBroadlands Pottery | £5 – 11 Give a loved one an everlasting reminder of how wonderful they are, with a handmade ceramic decoration from Broadlands Pottery. With plenty to choose from with a floral flourish, they’re bound to leave smiles in their wake, whether it’s for family or friends. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live – stand AC10 BUY NOW Velvet Rose & Oud candleBumble and Bee | £14 Fill their home with the beautiful scents of velvet rose & oud. These hand poured soy wax candles boast a 35 hour burn time, giving them plenty of time to bring an extra level of aromatic cosiness  Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair – stand G190 BUY NOW Floral earringsBurbi | £18 Let them bring their love of all things floral everywhere with some delicate floral studs – the delightful accompaniment to any outfit.  Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live – stand E120 BUY NOW Famous Gardeners Wash BagElegance Natural Skin Care | £28.95 Take care of your favourite gardeners’ green-fingered hands with a wash bag filled with everything they need for a bit of potting skin care. Including honey hand cream, honey hand soap, a nail brush and flannel mitt, all inside a green wash bag, they’ll be ready to dig in time and time again. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live – stand E154 BUY NOW Donkey GlovesDonkey Gloves | £16 Are they looking to take on new gardening challenges in 2024? Give the gift of practical and stylish gardening gloves, designed by horticulturalist and ex-Blue Peter gardener, Clare Cooke. With four sizes available and profits supporting a private animal sanctuary, they’re both practical and charitable. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand G274) or Spring Fair (stand G124) BUY NOW More than a stocking filler Root wrapped raspberry canesFrank P Matthews | £16 for all varieties Help them start their grow-your-own journey with raspberries. With over 100 years’ experience, Frank P Matthews offer a broad variety of trees, including fruit trees that can be planted during the festive period for masses of delicious fruit next summer! Easy to grow, easy to maintain and only needing a small space, they’re a great first step.  Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live – stand E282 BUY NOW Open Terrarium KitThe Seaside Jungle Co | £50 Looking for a sustainable, but low maintenance way to bring some greenery indoors? This open terrarium kit is a great choice and comes with a hand-blown recycled glass terrarium, soil, and a selection of succulents to make it their own. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair – stand F17 BUY NOW Hydro-herb kitsFig & Fox | £22 for all types Perfect for the chef in your life, these recycled wine bottles house everything they need for a replenishing stock of their favourite herb! With simple instructions for watering and enough hydroponic fluid to keep growing for approximately two years, their next dish will be full of fresh flavours.  Plus, each kit comes with spare parts, giving even the newest gardeners a chance to learn as they go. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair – stand G64 BUY NOW A touch of luxury Stunning oil paintingsHeather Philp | From £80 Let flowers blossom no matter the time of year with a beautiful oil painting that’ll brighten up any home. Whether you’re keen on original paintings or the giclée print of them, add a splash of colour all year round. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair – stand G168 BUY NOW Sensory Garden BorderGarden On A Roll | £75 – £630, depending on size/border type Help a novice gardener make the most of any border with the innovative Garden on a Roll! With nine different border options, you can choose the one best suited and order it to size.Whether they would prefer a shady, sunny, Mediterranean or a sensory border (as shown to the right), let them create it with a bio-degradable template, designed by professional horticulturalists. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair – stand G66 BUY NOW Hand embroidered suzani throwTwizzell UK | £150 Bring handmade luxury to their home with stunning limited edition suzanis. Hand embroidered and lined in velvet, these beautiful blankets are reverseable and ready to make a statement in any home.Hurry – with just one of each pattern, they’re bound to be snapped up quickly! Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair – stand G10 BUY NOW Splurge-worthy surprises NEW Supper Club at Lime Wood with Adam FrostLime Wood Hotel | £185 pp Treat them to a one-of-a-kind evening with the all-new Supper Club at Lime Wood (Lyndhurst, Hampshire). Indulge in laidback luxury at Lime Wood’s restaurant, Hartnett Holder & Co, where Chef Director Luke Holder and Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost present a seasonal Supper Club menu featuring locally sourced produce, including a selection from Lime Wood’s own greenhouse.Places are extremely limited – tickets include welcome drinks, a seasonal banquet with wine, a talk from your hosts and a night to remember! BUY NOW Eleanor Double Folding Hanging ChairMaison & Garden | £379.99 Add a stylish seating area to the garden with space for two people to enjoy. Easy to store with an innovative folding design, this sturdy chair comes with large comfortable seat and back cushions, making it a great place to sit back and relax in. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (stand G240) or Spring Fair (stand G210) BUY NOW iMOW® RMI 422 Robotic MowerStihl | £1,100 Give them the independence to focus on other areas of the garden with a robotic mower. Fully automatic, it includes a mulching mower unit to cut, shred and fertilise the lawn. Compact and perfect for medium-sized green areas of up to 800 m² and gradients up to 35%. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair – stand G132 BUY NOW NEW Cheeky Charlie Charcoal OvenCharlie Oven | £4,500 Encourage their love for outdoor cooking with a tabletop version of the original Charlie Oven! Perfect for gardens with slightly less space but with all the same design, functionality, and footprint as the original freestanding oven.  Whether you’re looking for a barbecue, hot or cold smoker, or pizza oven, this does it all in one and can be matched to their tastes with 10 colours available. Find them at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair – stand G12 BUY NOW Don’t forget, you can explore all the exhibitors above and even more more at all our 2024 events. Secure your tickets for BBC Gardeners’ World Live or the Spring Fair today, and mark the Autumn Fair dates on your 2024 calendar for an unforgettable experience! BOOK TICKETS FOR SPRING FAIR BOOK GARDENERS' WORLD LIVE TICKETS Discover the highlights of the Autumn Fair in 2023 - from live expert advice to stunning gardens Sign up to the newsletter and be the first to know when tickets go on sale!
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Transform your urban garden
Transform your urban garden
Nov 29, 2023
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Create an urban oasis Small urban gardens, balconies and roof terraces needn’t be a barrier to growing the plants you love. From living walls to hanging pots and growing climbers, you can utilise every last inch of your space to create an urban jungle in the heart of the city. Find out some top tips for getting the most out of your urban garden from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine below.What’s more, NEW to BBC Gardeners’ World Live this year, are the Urban Garden Area. There will be plenty of inspiration to take-home in this area, from two Showcase Gardens, designed by Cherry Carmen, as well as a stage dedicated to all things urban gardening!  FIND OUT MORE Top tips for urban gardens Get the most out of your balcony If you have a balcony or small garden with a low fence, you can maximise your growing space with balcony planters. These nifty planters can be hung over the balcony rail or fence ledge, giving you extra growing space that needn’t impact on the area beneath it. For more top tips on balconies, read more here from expert Chris Collins. Use every inch of your space Level surfaces, including the tops of low, sheltered walls, may be used as an additional space to house potted plants. Do this only where it’s safe to do so and use heavy pots such as terracotta, which are less likely to be blown off by wind.  Hanging pots Fill trellis by hanging pots planted with fast-growing bedding. Using brackets that can attach pots to a range of surfaces including fence posts, fences, walls, trellis and even drain pipes, you can fill space that would otherwise be bare. These easy to use, multi-purpose brackets can be used again and again, to fill space where you need it at the time. Grow climbing plants Another way to utilise wall space is to grow climbing plants. Several species of clematis can be grown in containers, and will climb up a simple trellis or wire frame, attached to the wall. You can also grow annual climbers for a more temporary display.  Create a private area Looking to screen off overlooking windows? Why not erect a pergola to increase privacy, creating a cosy, private seating area? You can also grow climbers up it.Or, plant a tree to provide privacy in your garden. It’s often better to plant it in the middle of the garden, as opposed to on the boundary – check where you think it would work best.  Add some colour Accent colours on walls work just as well outside as inside your home. Blues help to make a space feel bigger, while brighter colours can act as stunning backdrops for plants. Either way, some colour will help bring year-round energy to walls, fences, sheds or trellis. Water features Bring the soothing effect of water into a garden. Water features come in all shapes and sizes, and many require minimal wiring and a pump, while others are solar-powered or fitted with LED lights. Place on pebbles for a natural scene.  More balcony tips Find out more about the Show
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Joe Swift’s tips for December
Joe Swift’s tips for December
Nov 27, 2023
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Joe Swift's top tips for December Watch the video below to find out what to grow in December, from expert gardener Joe Swift. What’s more, you’ll be able to see Joe and get even more expert advice for your garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live on Sunday 16 June. BOOK TICKETS As well as planting perennials and deciduous shrubs this December, why not try growing Sarcococca. Christmas box, Sarcococca confusa, is a dense, winter-flowering evergreen shrub, bearing sweetly scented, pure white blooms, in contrast with dark green leaves. It’s extremely tolerant of shade and is therefore perfect for growing in a woodland border or shady corner, where you can enjoy its heady fragrance throughout winter.Grow Sarcococca confusa in moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade, ideally near a path or in your front garden, where you can appreciate its scent. /*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ .elementor-widget-video .elementor-widget-container{overflow:hidden;transform:translateZ(0)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{height:100%;width:100%;display:flex;border:none;background-color:#000}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% / var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-open-inline .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-size:cover;background-position:50%}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{cursor:pointer;text-align:center}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay:hover .elementor-custom-embed-play i{opacity:1}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{display:block;width:100%;aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio);-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:center center;object-position:center center}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% / var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .e-hosted-video .elementor-video{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-video,.e-con>.elementor-widget-video{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)} A ticket to BBC Gardeners’ World Live gives you a summer day out blossoming with garden inspiration, top experts, shopping and entertainment. From seasoned gardeners to new gardeners and everyone in between, the Show has something for everyone.Get ready to learn, explore, and have fun alongside fellow nature lovers at the Show– the ultimate celebration of all things gardening! Join Joe Swift at the Show on Sunday 16 June. BOOK TICKETS
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Warm up this winter with home-grown chillies
Warm up this winter with home-grown chil...
Nov 27, 2023
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Warm up this winter with home-grown chillies We’ve got quite the winter warmer for you this month, for both your plot and plate! Try growing chilli peppers for a sizzle of heat into your winter dishes, with some top tips from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. What’s more, put your delicious chillies to good use in a recipe from Ching-He-Huang, as seen on the Summer Kitchen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023. Chilli peppers can be sown anytime of year, but you’ll need a heated propagator and a grow lamp to give them a good start.  How to grow Chillies need a warm, sunny spot for the best results and the hottest chillies. Ideally, grow them in a greenhouse or raise them in pots on a south-facing patio or windowsill. Chillies need a long season to grow, so it’s best to sow seed early in moist, peat-free multi-purpose compost, and keep in a heated propagator under a growing light, to prevent seedlings going leggy (sow seed in March if you don’t have a heated propagator).  Potting out Pot on into individual pots when the first true leaves appear. Keep potting on if growing in pots or plant out into the greenhouse when night temperatures exceed 10ºC – ensure the soil or compost is free-draining. Feed weekly with a high potash fertiliser once plants have started flowering, and harvest chillies as and when they appear.  Care Once planted out, chillies require very little attention. Pinch out the growing tips when plants are about 20cm tall to encourage bushy growth. Tall varieties may need staking.Water your chilli plants little and often. As soon as the first flowers appear, feed weekly with a high-potash liquid fertiliser such as tomato feed.In hot weather, mist chilli plants to increase humidity and deter spider mites. Chillies will be ready to pick from late summer. For the mildest flavour, pick chillies while they’re still green, leave them to mature for more heat. Hawaiian sticky mushroom and pineapple fried rice As seen on the Summer Kitchen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023 with Ching-He Huang. Serves 2 1 tbsp rapeseed oil2 1/2 cm-sized piece ginger, finely grated100g carrots, chopped into small pieces200g can sweetcorn, drained400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed well200g fresh king trumpet mushrooms, sliced into strips300g cooked jasmine rice1 tbsp dark soy sauce2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce1 tsp sriracha2 tbsp tamari or low-sodium light soy sauce150g fresh pineapple, chopped into small pieces (if you’re using fruit from a whole pineapple, keep the hollowed-out shell to serve)1 tsp toasted sesame oilsmall handful chopped chives1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped, to serve1 tsp chiu chow chilli oil, to serve Fresh king trumpet mushrooms, wok-fried in tamari, sweet chilli and sriracha, then served with chickpeas, sweetcorn and carrots in a hollowed-out pineapple. Serve with chiu chow chilli oil for a spicy kick. Heat a wok over a high heat until smoking, then add the rapeseed oil. Once hot, give the oil a swirl, then add the ginger and stir-fry for a few seconds. Add the carrots and cook for a few seconds, then add the sweetcorn, chickpeas and mushrooms and cook, tossing, for less than 1 min. Add the cooked rice and use your spoon to gently break down the rice in the wok.Add the dark soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, sriracha and tamari or light soy sauce and toss to mix well. Add the pineapple and stir to combine.Now add the ground white pepper and toasted sesame oil. Spoon the mixture out of the wok and into a hollowed-out pineapple, if using. Sprinkle over the chopped chives and chilli, then serve with chiu chow chilli oil on the side. Find more grow your own recipes Find out more about the Fair
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Zöe’s Story: Taking a Tea Break
Zöe’s Story: Taking a Tea Break
Nov 01, 2023
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Zöe's Story: Taking a ‘Tea Break’ At BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, Zöe designed and created the ‘Tea Break’ Beautiful Border.Zöe’s Border was inspired by the concept of having a conversation over a cup of tea and cake whilst listening to bird song, surrounded by beautiful and scented flowers and plants that you have grown is one of the great pleasures that a garden brings. As part of her Beautiful Border, Zöe decided to raise awareness for the Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group (ADSHG) by doing an interview about Addison’s disease and also fundraising on the Border for donations.Find out more about Zöe’s journey creating her Beautiful Border below. If you are interested in designing and creating your own Beautiful Border at one of the BBC Gardeners’ World Events in 2024, click here to find out more > Written by Zöe Defoe In early September, I exhibited my first show border for the BBC Gardener’s World Autumn Fair. It had been months in the planning, and it involved conquering a lot of my personal fears to be able to do it. I had a lot of anxiety in the lead-up to the show and a lot of fatigue throughout, as well as managing the early September heatwave! That said I had an absolutely amazing time meeting lots of other like-minded people, celebrity gardeners and designers and learning lots along the way.  The theme this year was ‘My Garden Escape’. I chose to use grasses and lots of bright colourful flowers to create the feeling of seclusion, sanctuary and also joy. I also set up a bistro table and chairs laid with a tea set – the perfect place to sit and relax and appreciate your surroundings. I called my border, ‘Tea Break’ which ended up being used as a pun by many! I was lucky enough to achieve a silver medal. Why ADSHG?I was diagnosed with Addison’s disease in 2017 after years of asking doctors to find out why I was so sick and tired all the time. I had already been diagnosed with Graves’ disease aged 10, and B12 deficiency in my twenties. I subsequently developed Hypothyroidism and later also had shingles. At the point of diagnosis with Addison’s disease at the age of 37, I was very unwell but grateful that my persistence had paid off and, by all accounts, just in the nick of time! I wasn’t happy with my first endocrinologist so requested to move to another hospital and my care has been amazing! I was also informed about the ADSHG. The information and social media content from the ADSHG has been phenomenal. I’ve also been able to take part in research projects that have been shared by ADSHG through social media and will soon be doing a Professional Doctorate myself looking at autoimmune conditions. Addison’s and II think the hardest thing for me upon diagnosis was getting used to taking medication three times a day and knowing when to up-dose. Since then, it’s the weight gain that has been the hardest to deal with, I feel like my body has changed a lot, so it has been about accepting those changes. I get bad bouts of fatigue and pain from time to time and have to listen to my body and rest when this happens. Why Gardening?I found gardening helped me to slow down, process my thoughts and gently exercise. It is a great stress buster. It is also a great reward to see something you have sown grow into an amazing flower, fruit or vegetable. I am a strong advocate for therapeutic horticulture. A garden is both a place to gently work and a sanctuary. My design shows the beautiful balance between the two – the seating area a retreat at the back of the border, the gardener’s gloves and tools at the front.Tea break symbolises the need to pause and take notice of your surroundings – something especially important to me upon my diagnosis with Addison’s disease. A garden is never finished, it’s constantly changing and evolving. As Lao Tzu said, ‘nature does not hurry, yet all is accomplished.’What better way to escape to the garden than with a ‘Tea Break’? If you’d like to donate and contribute to Zöe’s fundraiser, or find out more about the Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group (ADSHG) click the buttons below.  Zöe's fundraiser Addison's Disease Self-Help Group Zöe's Beautiful Border Apply to bring a Beautiful Border to 2024
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Bring birds to your garden this winter
Bring birds to your garden this winter
Oct 27, 2023
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How to care for birds in your garden this winter The Woodland Trust, who you may have seen at our BBC Gardeners’ World Events earlier this year, have put together some top tips to care for birds in your garden this winter. Read on below to find out more!  Winter can be a difficult time for wildlife. Temperatures plummet and food becomes difficult to find. Insect-eating birds turn to alternative foods, some species travel far and wide, and foraging behaviour adapts, but we can lend a helping hand by providing a welcome source of extra food for birds to turn to in leaner times. Different birds are attracted to certain foods, often reflecting their special adaptations for natural food types. Offer a variety of tempting morsels to maximise your bird table’s wow factor. Where to feed birdsIt’s not only the types of food that tickle particular birds’ fancies, but also where they’re fed. You may have noticed that dunnocks and wrens shy away from bird tables and hanging feeders.Sprinkle crumbled fat balls and seed beneath shrubs for secretive and ground feeding birds. Smear fat mixtures into the cracks and crevices of branches or bark for treecreepers, nuthatches and woodpeckers. And don’t forget to clear feeders and feeding areas of snow after fresh falls as smaller birds can struggle to get through it. Waxwing Planting for birds One of the most satisfying and hassle-free ways to feed birds in winter is to plan ahead and let nature provide. Rowan produces a lasting crop of berries that in bumper years can see birds through for several months. They’re a favourite of mistle thrushes which will guard them jealously from other hungry visitors. Ivy is also a good plant to encourage, its late-ripening berries offering food through the colder months and its evergreen leaves provide the perfect larder for wrens to search out hibernating insects. Redwing Keep it upOnce you start feeding birds, try to keep regular in your topping up habits. While most visitors will adapt and move to new feeding grounds when natural food gradually runs out, a sudden drop off in feeding puts them on the hop. In winter when alternative food sources are already scarce, this could mean the difference between life and death for some.Woodland Trust woods support wild birds year round with food and shelter in their natural environment so even if you don’t have your own outdoor space you can be there for your favourite winter visitors by standing up for trees with the Woodland Trust. To find out more about our work and get involved, click the button below: Blackbird FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WOODLAND TRUST With thanks to See what happened at BBC Gardeners' World Autumn Fair in 2023 Applications for Beautiful Borders are now open - find out more
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Time to grow: asparagus
Time to grow: asparagus
Oct 26, 2023
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Time to grow: asparagus This November, add asparagus to your vegetable patch for a delicious addition to your summer table with some advice from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. What’s more, you’ll be able to put your asparagus to use with a delicious gnocchi with asaparagus, lemon and ricotta recipe, as seen on the Summer Kitchen with Chris Baber at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023. Asparagus is a tasty vegetable that grows every summer. Some may think it’s hard to grow asparagus because it needs a lot of space and time. It’s true that you won’t get any shoots to eat in the beginning, but after a few years, it’s definitely worth it. Plus, once you get it going, taking care of the asparagus is not too difficult, and you can enjoy it for up to 20 years. How to growAsparagus plants thrive in soil that gets a lot of light and can drain well. If your soil is heavy, you can still grow asparagus, but it’s a good idea to build a raised bed for it. Pick a sunny spot and make sure the soil is well-prepared with lots of natural material like compost, and make sure it’s free from weeds.If you happen to get an existing asparagus bed, it’s best not to replace it with new plants. If you want to grow more asparagus, find a different spot that doesn’t have asparagus diseases. Also, avoid planting asparagus where you previously grew potatoes.Asparagus can be raised from seed, but the most reliable method is to plant one-year-old dormant plants called ‘crowns’ in March. Some varieties can also be planted in autumn.  PlantingWhen you plant new asparagus crowns, make sure to give them enough water and keep the area free from weeds. Let the crowns grow lots of feathery leaves so they can become healthy and strong. It’s important not to pick any asparagus during the first two years because it will make the plants weaker. At the end of the growing season, trim the foliage to about 10 centimeters above the ground, and in the fall, cover the area with compost that has decomposed well. Also, make sure to keep the area free from weeds and remove any asparagus beetles you see in the spring. CareAfter you plant asparagus, avoid picking any for the first two years. When the third year rolls around, you can start harvesting in mid-April when the spears reach about 18 centimeters in height. Use a sharp knife to cut them about 2.5 centimeters below the soil level. If the weather is warm, you can pick them every two to three days for about four weeks. In the following years, you can harvest over a longer period.Stop gathering asparagus around mid-June. This break allows the plant to store energy for the next year. It’s also a good time to provide some general fertilizer to the plants. Problem solvingKeep an eye out for asparagus beetles from late spring onward. If you spot any tiny bugs or adult beetles, remove and destroy them. At the end of the year, burn the old asparagus stems to get rid of any beetles that might be hiding for the winter.Asparagus can also suffer from a disease called violet crown rot, which makes the base of the plants rot. If this happens, you’ll need to dig up the affected plants, burn them, and start fresh in a new spot Gnocchi with asparagus, lemon and ricotta As seen on the Summer Kitchen with Chris Baber at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023. Serves 2500g shop bought gnocchi2 tbsp olive oil2 garlic cloves, sliced250g asparagus, cut into bite-sized piecesknob of butterhandful of grated parmesan1 tbsp lemon juiceZest of 1/2 lemon 4 tbsp ricottahandful of rocket leavesdrizzle extra virgin oil, to serve  Cook the gnocchi in a large pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes until it rises to the surface. Drain and allow to steam-dry in the strainer for 2 mins.While the gnocchi is cooking, heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over a medium hear. Add the garlic and asparagus with a pinch of salt and pepper, plus 2 tbsp water from the gnocchi pan to create some steam, then cook for 3 mins stirring now and again. Transfer the cooked asparagus to a plate.Put the pan back on a medium-high heat. Add the remaining oil to the pan with the butter. When the butter has melted and starts to foam, add the gnocchi. Fry for a couple of minutes until slightly golden.Add the asparagus back to the pan with a splash of water, the grated parmesan and the zest of half the lemon. Toss together for a minute, then stir through the riccota, a squeeze of lemon juice and seasoning.Serve up, then top with a handful of rocket and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Find more grow your own recipes Find out more about the Fair
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Happy apple day!
Happy apple day!
Oct 17, 2023
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Happy Apple Day! Apple trees are a wonderful enhancement to any garden. During spring, their blossoms are a visual delight, and in autumn, their fruits offer a delectable taste. These trees can serve as a central element, adding structure to the garden, and they offer diverse habitats for a range of wildlife, including bees, birds, and moths. For more information about growing your own apples, take a look below with some tips from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. SUMMER PRUNING TIPS expert advice to help you grow Apple trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them adaptable to gardens of all dimensions, thanks to the utilization of dwarfing rootstocks. These compact fruit trees remain small throughout their lifespan and can even thrive in containers. When cultivating apples, it’s essential to select a location with well-drained, moist soil and ample sunlight. Pruning should occur during either the summer or winter, depending on your tree’s desired shape, and apples should be harvested once they ripen. When to grow The optimal season for planting bare-root apple trees is winter. These trees are more cost-effective compared to their container-grown counterparts and offer a broader selection of varieties from fruit nurseries, spanning from October to March. The ultimate height of these trees varies depending on the rootstock they are grafted onto.Pot-grown apple trees, on the other hand, can be planted throughout the year. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the summer months often bring drier conditions, so keep them well watered. Planting When planting apple trees in your garden, it’s important to select a sunlit location and ensure there is ample space for branch growth. Even if your garden is small, don’t fret; you can also cultivate apple trees in fan, cordon, or espalier shapes, training and pruning them to be grown against walls, fences, or trellises.Before planting your apple tree, prepare the soil accordingly. Create a square hole, insert a tree stake, and position the tree within it. While adding soil around the tree, support the tree in place.Verify that the “graft point,” a slight swelling on the stem where the rootstock was grafted, is positioned just above the soil’s surface. Compact the soil around the roots to eliminate any air pockets and secure the stem to the stake. Ensure the tree receives consistent watering throughout the year. Caring If well maintained and fed, an apple tree will mature and crop for decades.Once a year in late winter, apply a balanced fertiliser, such as pelleted chicken manure, around the base of the tree. Encourage good flowering and fruit formation by applying sulphate of potash fertiliser. Each spring, spread a mulch of garden compost under the tree to condition the soil, hold in moisture and suppress weeds.  Your harvest Some apples start ripening in August, but most are ready in September and October. Pick them as they ripen to avoid fruits falling and being damaged. Cup them in your hand and lift. If the apple doesn’t pull away gently, leave it for another week.  Summer pruning tips Be inspired to grow at the Fair
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Ideas for water in your garden
Ideas for water in your garden
Oct 05, 2023
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Ideas for water in your garden We take a closer look at the SubAqua Show Garden from the 2023 Show with David Hurrion, and have some great ways to include water in your own garden from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Garden water elements elevate the appeal of any outdoor space by offering decorative charm, creating a tranquil ambiance, and fostering a habitat for various wildlife.Incorporating a water feature into your garden doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Even something as uncomplicated as an appealing garden water bowl can have a substantial effect, as it catches and reflects sunlight alongside nearby plants. You can produce serene trickling sounds with a streamlet or fountain, and a pond can enable you to cultivate aquatic flora while also serving as a residence for newts, frogs, and dragonflies. Water rills Water rills are shallow conduits that facilitate the movement of water from one location to another, offering a continuous and peaceful auditory backdrop that can complement any garden. Ponds A garden pond is versatile and adaptable, fitting seamlessly into gardens of all sizes and design aesthetics. Whether you prefer a biodiverse haven teeming with plants or a serene, minimalistic pool with clean, straight edges, a pond offers endless possibilities. You can enhance its ambiance by incorporating bubbling sounds through the use of fountains or rills. Water pouring jugs Pouring jug water features have a romantic, classical feel to them. Purpose-made jugs with a hole for the pump to discreetly slot into are easy to find and they can be either be free-standing features that pour into a bowl, or used as a starting point for rills, pouring into a pond or even a swimming pool. Plant around the jug to integrate it in your overall design.  Pebble piles Pebble piles are one of the simplest and cheapest to set up. A pile of artfully placed stones and pebbles conceal a pump and water reservoir beneath. You can use a similar set up with a millstone – a pump hidden in the central hole of the millstone will radiate water out, and if needed, can be concealed by a heap of pebbles.  Fountains Fountains are ideal if you have an area that’s in need of a focal point. There are lots of different styles to choose from, including polished metal spheres and stone monoliths and columns. Troughs and tanks Watertight troughs and containers can be filled with water to create interesting unique features. This upcycled metal trough has a bed of grey pebbles to precent the water looking too dark and murky, while colourful planting softens the hard edges.  Take a look at the gallery below to get inspiration from the water features seen at our previous Shows… /*! elementor-pro - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ .elementor-gallery__container{min-height:1px}.elementor-gallery-item{position:relative;overflow:hidden;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:solid var(--image-border-width) 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Time to sow: broad beans
Time to sow: broad beans
Oct 05, 2023
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Time to sow: broad beans October is a great time to sow broad beans and we have some tips from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine to get you started. Plus, we’ve got a recipe from the BBC Good Food Show Summer for your harvest later.  Home-grown broad beans offer a delightful and exceptionally tender addition to your menu, typically among the earliest harvests of the year. These beans are simple to cultivate from seeds, producing vibrant pods containing green or white beans, perfect for enhancing salads, stews, and soups. Their compact growth means they’re suitable for planting directly in the ground, raised beds, or spacious containers. Alternatively, you can acquire young plants in the early spring season How to grow: Plant broad beans outdoors during either spring or autumn, spacing them 20cm apart within rows separated by 60cm. If you reside in a chilly region, contend with dense soil, or face issues with rodents, consider sowing the seeds indoors initially, and then transplant the young plants six weeks later. To deter blackfly infestations, prune the plant tips, and for taller varieties, provide support to prevent them from bending due to the weight of the beans. Optimal tenderness is achieved by harvesting the pods when they reach a mere 6cm in length.If you started off your broad beans in pots, they will be ready to plant out once the roots have filled their pots. Plant around 20cm apart and water in well. Steps for outdoor broad bean sowing:Prepare the planting area by incorporating an ample amount of compost or manure into the soil using a garden fork. Afterward, use a rake to create a finely crumbled surface.Create furrows that are 5cm deep, leaving approximately 20cm of space between each furrow. Alternatively, you can opt for double rows with a 60cm separation.Plant the broad bean seeds at a depth of 5cm within the furrows.Cover the seeds with soil, compact it gently, and ensure thorough watering.If you anticipate cold weather, provide protection by using horticultural fleece or cloches to cover the sown area. Steps for indoor sowing:For those residing in colder regions, dealing with dense or waterlogged soil, or combating seed-eating mice, initiating the broad bean sowing process indoors is a wise choice.Begin by filling small pots or modules with peat-free multipurpose compost.Insert a single seed into each pot or module, ensuring a planting depth of 5cm.Position these containers in a cool, frost-free environment, such as a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. Typically, germination should occur within a span of three weeks.Once approximately six weeks have elapsed and the roots have occupied their respective containers, it’s time to transplant the young broad bean plants into the outdoor garden space. Care Shield the freshly sown area by draping it with netting to safeguard the seeds against avian and squirrel interference. The emergence of seedlings hinges on the prevailing weather conditions and the state of the soil, typically manifesting within a few weeks.Once the blossoms make their debut, ensure a consistent watering regimen, and employ a hoe to maintain weed control within the rows.To ward off blackfly invasions, promptly pinch off the growing tips as soon as the flowers materialize.For taller broad bean varieties, it’s essential to provide sturdy support using canes and twine. Position robust supports at the termination of each row, then proceed to encircle them with rows of twine, spaced at 30cm intervals, to bolster the plants. This support infrastructure should be installed while the plants remain small in size. Your harvest If you want to eat broad beans in their pods, harvest them really young (when they’re about 6cm long) before they have the chance to become tough or bitter. To eat them shelled, wait a little longer, until you can clearly see that the pods are bulging with beans.After harvesting, leave the plants in the ground for as long as possible. Like other legumes, broad beans have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the nodules on their root system, which boost nitrogen levels in the soil. The crops you grow in this area in the following year will reap the benefits Why not try using your broad beans in this bean salad recipe below? Honey mango jerk halloumi & bean salad As seen on the Summer Kitchen with Craig and Shaun McAnuff at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2023. Serves 4200g kidney beans, washed and drained200g butter beans, washed and drained200g black beans, washed and drained100g watercress, spinach and rocket salad200g cherry tomatoes, halvedhandful of parsley, chopped1 large avocado, sliced1 tbsp balsamic vinegar250g halloumi, thickly sliced1 tsp jerk seasoning rubsplash of avocado oilgrated parmesan, to serve For the honey mango jerk dressing 2 spring onions 2 garlic cloves 5 pimento seeds 6 thyme sprigs 1/2 scotch bonnet, or 1 red chilli, deseeded 50ml honey 150g fresh mango chunks 1 tsp light soy sauce 1 lime Tip all the beans, salad leaves, tomatoes, parsley and avocado into a large bowl. Add the vinegar and toss to combine. Chill until ready to serve.Lightly season the halloumi with jerk rub. Add a splash of avocado oil into a griddle pan set over a medium heat and grill the cheese slices for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Once cooked, transfer the halloumi to a plate lined with kitchen paper.Put all the dressing ingredients into a blender and whizz for 20 seconds. Chill until needed.Tip the chilled salad into a large bowl or onto a large plate. Put the halloumi and avocado on top, followed by the dressing. Finish with grated parmesan, if you like.
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