An interview with Paul Stone We caught up with Paul Stone, designer of the headline ‘A Garden Fit for a King’ Show Garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2023 and The Theatre of Greens at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair 2023.Paul Stone is an award-winning garden designer based in Cornwall where he helped create the acclaimed Eden Project gardens. Paul has won awards at Chelsea and Hampton Court, and three Platinum Awards and Best in Show at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, including for The Nostalgia Garden, which celebrated BBC Gardeners’ World’s 50th Anniversary in 2017. Paul has designed the headline Show Garden for BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2023, A Garden Fit for a King, which marks the Coronation of HM The King Charles III. The Show Garden is inspired by the gardens and Arboretum at Highgrove in Gloucestershire, and celebrates His Majesty’s passion for gardening and the environment.Paul Stone’s A Garden Fit for a King will be at BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the Birmingham NEC from 15th-18th June 2023. Paul is also designing the Theatre of Greens at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair 2023. /*! 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)} Play Video A Garden FIT FOR A KING The Theatre of greens The Interview Paul, this is no ordinary show garden you’re creating! Is this the most significant/ambitious design you’ve ever worked on and what can you tell us about it? At 15m x 15m, A Garden Fit for a King will larger than most Chelsea Main Avenue Show Gardens. However, this Show Garden’s ethos seeks to be all about plants and people living simply and harmoniously, side by side. As a result of this theme, the content is deliberately simplistic and designed to leave a low carbon footprint in its creation at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2023. The display is inspired by Highgrove’s gardening ambitions and projects but does not set out to copy any feature in the gardens there. Instead, I have mixed Highgrove elements into one scene that tells the story of an approach to gardening and living that is all about investment in the environment, the love of plants, and the resulting benefits to us all at so many levels. HRH The King is well-known for being a keen, hands-on gardener at Highgrove and a knowledgeable plantsman. To what extent has he been involved in or has inspired the Show Garden’s design and how will his ethos for organic, sustainable gardening be reflected? I’ve met the then Prince Charles on a number of occasions and his commitment and love of gardening is without question. I felt the biggest tribute I could give in celebration of his Coronation would be to concentrate and credit his specific contribution to his renovation of the Highgrove Gardens and the resulting impact on the gardening community. Back in 1980, the then Prince Charles voiced and demonstrated his passion for naturalist and environmentally-friendly gardening. Also, for using the land to the benefit of people, wildlife and plants at a time when sustainability was not on the agenda for most agricultural and horticultural projects and activities. He received a lot of criticism from many quarters with vested interests in land management. There was also an attempt to ridicule his open avocation that it was all round a good thing to talk to flowers, to hug and shake hands with a tree, and whisper good luck to a tree when you planted it. Any true gardener will recognize this connection with people and plants. History has shown that by standing up and speaking honestly about such things, HRH The King has made a brave and big contribution to education and public perception of how an individual has responsibility to themselves and the world around them. The standout feature of A Garden Fit for a King will be that everything in it has a connected purpose and design. Habitats for sun and shade, dry and damp, trees and wildflowers, all combining for a setting that is good for the soul but also for the living things that support and are supported within. I have heard HRH The King say that a very important thing about Highgrove, about what he does there and what I believe him to be recommending to us all – is to trust in Nature. It’s important to me that A Garden Fit for a King delivers this message. Woodland is another of The King’s passions and Highgrove’s own Arboretum is a haven for biodiversity. Can we expect to see trees feature prominently in your Show Garden? The Woodland ecosystem is another of the King’s passions. A Garden Fit for a King gives a nod to that with a range of classic native woodland trees on display including Cherry and Beech but is also inspired by the Highgrove Arboretum collection. It is a feature of the Highgrove Garden planting style that there is attention to detail with added value for ornamental interest and effect. At Highgrove, the Arboretum contains many non-native species and in our display, Magnolia and Japanese Maple are typical of what you will see at Highgrove, mixed into the planting matrix. My resource of trees is from Hillier specialist tree nursery and I assure some fine specimens will be on display in this garden! The Wildflower Meadow at Highgrove was created by HRH The King Charles III in 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of HM The Queen’s Coronation. It features more than 70 plant varieties and we understand that some of those same plants will feature in A Garden Fit for a King. Can you tell us more?  The award winning wildflower meadows at Highgrove commemorating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth’s 60th anniversary are recognised in our display. They are of course a fundamental element of sustainable, environmentally-friendly gardening. A Garden Fit for A King will have a carpet of annual and perennial wildflowers and grasses in profusion. Beneath the trees in dry shady areas, Campanula, Digitalis, Geranium and Lamium are included. In open sunny spots, Achillea, Knautia, and Hawkweed will be amongst the perennials. Most of these plants will come from British Wildflower Plants Ltd of Norfolk. The annuals Cornflower, Echium, Corn Marigold, Ox eye Daisy will be amongst many old favourites on display. The annuals are being grown in 500 trays and will be delivered to the NEC by specialist nursery Kernock Plants Ltd in Cornwall and delivered by articulated lorry one week before the show opens on 15th June. It’s all about pollination, bees, insects and regeneration of the land. Requiring no chemicals, fertilizer or insecticides, the land is enriched with its own cycle and enhanced by sympathetic maintenance that mostly involves cutting down vegetation once or twice a year and removing the arisings to maintain low soil fertility. Around the boggy Reed bed Withy, more specialist wildflowers like Hemp Agrimony and the reed Phragmites will appear in the function of sewage water filtration treatment, turning ammonia to nitrates just like at Highgrove. Centrally there is a winding grass lawn pathway and open space but this will also include species of wildflower that don’t mind being mown regularly like vetch, yarrow and Daisy. Made in Birmingham Garden designed by Paul Stone at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2018 HRH has been a vocal critic of modern architecture. Can you tell us why it was important to you to include a Bothy in your design? Just as in gardening, HRH The King has had his well-publicised views on architecture under scrutiny in the past. His spiritual crusade against huge blank impersonal buildings – “monstrous carbuncles”- has been another part of his contribution to public perception. In A Garden Fit for a King, I have included a simple traditional Bothy building within the landscape. This lovely garden feature is greatly inspired by the manufacturers’ website which states: “Designers and builders of special spaces for special places. A harmonious fusion between landscape and architecture drives our antecedent heritage style, whilst being super kind to the environment.” The Bothy is made entirely from natural stone and timber. Visitors will be able to go inside and see its fully-furnished bedroom, kitchen and lounge. This garden building is unique in that it is available to the public in pre-built kit form. It will be delivered to the show ready-made and craned into position! No on-site building, no waste and everything removed back to the showroom at the end of BBC Gardeners’ World Live. We hope it meets with HRH’s approval! The Archers inspired floral feature by Paul Stone at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2022 Paul, you are well-known for your inclusive approach when building gardens, often involving others from the gardening community. Are any particularly groups or organisations involved in the creation of this special Coronation garden? Alongside my specialist team, I am hoping that I will meet up again with some old friends and collaborators who have assisted me in the past and achieved great work and high award Show Gardens. Wildflower expert Paul Pulford from the charity Providence Road Homeless Association will be in charge of that part of the project. Paul has worked with me at two Chelsea Flower Shows and in 2016 at BBC Gardeners’ World Live when we planted a meadow in front of a narrow boat canal scene. He and I were both involved in the creation of the roof garden on the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank London where today he continues to help other excluded people get benefit from gardening and horticulture with his London-based Grounded Ecotherapy gardening team. Also Liz Brace from Knowle who has assisted me on two gardens with help from her Flowers from the Farm connections. I am also hoping that the Solihull Mind gardening team that worked on my 2018 Show Garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live will join the planting team this time round. BBC Gardeners’ World Live is special at enabling me to give opportunity to individuals who really get inspiration and personal wellbeing from contributing to the creation of such a project. What practical ideas or elements can visitors to BBC Gardeners’ World Live take home after visiting A Garden Fit for a King and replicate easily in their own gardens? Just as I find car maintenance unfathomable, I appreciate that gardening is a big challenge in its complexity. I am looking to inspire just by using beautiful plants in great combination. I want people to challenge what a ‘weed’ actually is and consider that any plant large or small can be an important contributor to an ecosystem. I would like people to experiment with wildflowers which are easy to establish and then learn how to maintain long term which is trickier. My suppliers, British Wild Flower Plants, Kernock Plants, Pictorial Meadows Ltd and Hillier Nurseries will be able to help on that. I would like people to consider that perfect mown grass lawns are not a great idea in these changing times and that there is an opportunity to contribute to the environment in most outdoor spaces – with a bottom line motto and belief – to trust in Nature – and invest in it. Some lucky people may wish to own the beautiful Bothy and the supplier, Bonnie Boltholes Ltd, would be delighted to help with that. Seeing plants working to a clear purpose like the reed bed filtration system may also inspire some and we will have a composting system on display. I hope that the combination of all the aspects and contents of the Show Garden will promote the idea of gardening without artificial, manmade products and will promote organic, sustainable research and practice. Make sure to see Paul Stone’s headline ‘A Garden Fit for a King’ at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, from 15-18 June at the NEC, Birmingham, and his ‘Theatre of Greens’ at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair from 28-30 April at Beaulieu, Hampshire.Find out more about Paul Stone here. Read more about A Garden Fit for a King FIND OUT MORE Discover The Theatre of Greens Find out more

Treat someone special this Mother’s Day If you’re looking for a gift for Sunday 19 March, we’ve cultivated a full list of treats to suit every style and budget. From smaller gardening accessories to big ticket items to make a statement, you’ll find have plenty to choose from.  This wish-list of gifts are all available online, from exhibitors you’ll be able to meet and buy from, across the BBC Gardeners’ World this year. Will you be shopping at BBC Gardeners’ World Live or the BBC Gardeners’ World Fairs in 2023? Please note that all gifts are subject to availability and delivery times of independent suppliers may vary.  /*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 */ .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-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start: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--element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start: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)} The gift of a great day out! Tickets make a great gift for anyone with green fingers, a day to look forward to!   With the flagship BBC Gardeners’ World Live (Birmingham’s NEC, 15-18 June); the boutique BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair (Beaulieu in Hampshire, 28-30 April), and the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair (Audley End House & Garden in Essex, 1-3 September) which day out will you choose this year? Spring fair AUTUMN FAIR BBC GARDENERS' woRLD LIVE Leon Boots Co – Ultra Light Ankle Boots£39.99ULTRALIGHT ladies’ ankle boots – not just great for working out in the garden or walking dogs across the moors, these unique boots also make great everyday footwear, come rain or shine.With 6 lovely colours to choose from, you’ll find a style to suit. Stand G60: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Ecosure – Extra Large Classic Planter in Millstone£153Help her showcase this year’s blooms with a large planter that’s rotationally molded to ensure it’s strong, durable and can tolerate all weather conditions. A great choice for anyone who has a love for bare root plants such as fruit trees, roses and shrubs. Stand G140: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring FairStand E282: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Traditional Garden Growers – Natural Wool Pellets£9.99Improve your produce in a sustainable way by using wool pellets. Only needing a single application each year, they enhance the soil as they degrade and feed plants naturally. Easy to store and apply, this environmentally friendly option is made from 100% British wool and boast many benefits, including moisture retention, increased soil porosity, long acting fertiliser and slug deterrent.  Stand G130: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW QWiCKHOSE – Starter Set£39.99The unique wing-lock hose connector that won’t pop off! The Qwickhose Starter Set makes a fantastic gift for the enthusiastic gardener, with no breakable teeth making for an easy connection – simply push your hose on to the inner-tube, clamp the wings shut and secure with the nut. This starter set includes two award-winning, wing-lock connectors, one standard and one No-Flow, tap connector, nozzle spray end and a space saving wall mount to keep your accessories neat and tidy. Stand G98: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW Arthur & Luna – Plantable Cards£2.50Show her how you feel with a card that’s both pretty and practical. Each card is embedded with up to 24 types of wildflower seeds and is made from post consumer cotton waste, meaning no trees are harmed in production. Simply tear, soak, plant and grow! For each order placed, Arthur & Luna also plant a tree on your behalf. Stand G112: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW Acre Holt – Garden Wrap£260-275Made from thorn-proof tweed and leather, this wrap-around garden belt has pockets for string, seeds and secateurs, and even D-rings to hang your tools from. Totally unique, comfortable, made in Somerset and designed to last a lifetime. Personalise it with an initialled leather tag to order. Stand G12: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW Lincolnshire Pond Plants – Damsel & Dragonfly pack£12.99Make any pond an even more enticing environment for damsel and dragonflies with pond emergent plants, including blue flag irises and water plantain. For those who prefer amphibians, there’s also a Frog & Newt seed pack! Stand FM28: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Hortiwool£39.99Hortiwool’s 100% compostable all-season, multi-use garden pads have many benefits around the garden, thanks to the natural properties of wool. Use them to line pots, planters, or hanging baskets for extra hydration, deter slugs, to add nutrition to soil, protect from frost and much more. Stand G172: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Hardy’s Plants – Paeonia lactiflora ‘Mothers Choice’£24‘Mother’s Choice’ Peony has stunning double cream blooms with a sensational pink flush and it exudes a delightful perfume. Superb for a cutting garden or for your flower beds and borders. Stand F13: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring FairStand FM12: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Rum & Reggae – Serious Honey Rum£29.95Let the wonders of British wildlife enter your drinks trolley as well as your garden. A smooth Caribbean rum infused with warming kitchen spices and a drizzle of premium woodland honey produced by rescued bees in the Exe Valley. Delicious over ice or with fresh apple juice and lemonade, best enjoyed outdoors with friends. Stand GF64: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW SeeHow£47.99Inside SeeHow you will find 140 beautiful hand-drawn illustrations of popular garden plants showing month-by-month how they grow and flower over the whole calendar-year. Play with flower choices and create a garden full of year-round colour.. Stand G16: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW The Seaside Jungle Co. – Air Plant Jellyfish£12-20A variety of Air Plants suspended from Urchin shells by a cotton thread. Air Plants love light spots without direct sun, an require a bathe in water once every two weeks. Available in three sizes, Medium £12 , Large £15 and Extra Large £20. Stand F31: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW Olive & Olive – Large Adeline Galvanised Garden Tray£40Galvanised metal trays with contrasting metal handles with a gold finish. Versatile use both indoors and outdoors, available in three sizes (large size pictured) and great for those who love to entertain.For those who prefer a different look, Natural White Limed Rattan Trays are also available. Stand G108: BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair BUY NOW Rockart – British Bird Collection£19.50-25.99Hand-made sculptures made from steel wire and colourful beads to create a whole host of British Birds – including robin, blue tit, goldfinch, blackbird and thrush. Stand G32: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW Plant Supports – Rustic Peony Cone £30.59 The Rustic Peony Cone provides protection and support for those taller peonies that produce huge and beautiful heads on slim and wind-vulnerable stems. 1m high in a natural rustic finish, the cones also add architectural interest over the winter months. Stand E224: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Glass Garden Art – White Echinacea£450A unique piece of handcrafted stained glass art. Wispy white semi-transparent glass combines with tranquil greens and rich gold cathedral glass to create a beautiful, contemporary focal point for any outside space. Set in a bespoke steel frame, it is fully weatherproof adding year round colour. Stand G164: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW Home & Garden Extras – Garden Pride Trug Trolley£39.99A carrier for water, compost, and garden tools, the trolley self-levels, ensuring the contents will always remain upright. Easier than a wheelbarrow with no lifting required, the frame folds flat when not in use, making for easy storage. The trolley also includes a 45-litre trug with measurements in both litres and gallons, making it suitable for mixing and pouring. Stand G144: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring FairStands E400 & E408: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW InColour Designs – Hand-Printed Glass Tealight Votives£39.99Add a touch of colour with hand-painted tealight votives. Available in a variety of designs, as well as round or tapered styles, all are supplied with a tealight candle.  Stand AC16: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Laces & Co – Super Snack Sized Gourmet Sweet Bags£3.50 A choice for those with a sweet tooth, after toiling in the garden! Packaged in compostable recyclable 4 polymer packaging and available in 3 flavours (Super Gummy, Super Fizzy, Super Vegan). With 6 colours to choose from, you’ll find a style to suit. Stand GF72: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW More to discover at BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair... Exhibitor list See who you'll find at this year's Fair What's on Explore the Fair highlights

Tips for the tastiest toms! If you’re looking to take a step into the world of grow-your-own, it’s the perfect time of year to sow tomatoes! Whilst our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine are on hand with tips to make the most of your tomato crop, we’ve got the perfect recipe from the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022, as seen on the Italian Kitchen with Alex Hollywood; a delicious tomato and olive bread stick recipe to bring the fresh Italian summer flavour to your kitchen table.   The time for sowing tomatoes is between late January and late March, with harvests to come between July and October. This easy to grow crop does best when grown in full sun and there is a wealth of varieties to choose from, including cherry, plum, and beefsteak, with each of them having their own distinctive shape, flavour and culinary use.  Whilst it’s possible to buy young plants from garden centres, it’s also easy to grow from seed – especially for some of the more unusual varieties. There are two growing types to choose from – determinate (bush) or indeterminate (cordon) – with bush types being planted in pots or hanging baskets and cordons growing tall, supported by a cane or stake.  Once your crop is flourishing, bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with a delicious tomato and olive bread stick recipe – a perfect accompaniment to hazy summer days.  Find out more about the recipe below…  How to growGrowing from seedSow seeds in 7.5cm pots of moist peat free compost, then water and cover with cling film. Stand on a warm, bright windowsill or in a propagator.Once germinated, remove the cling film (or take them out of the propagator) and keep the compost damp.Transplant seedlings when they reach about 2-3cm tall into 5cm pots filled with moist multi-purpose compost and return them to the windowsill. Keep potting on as necessary as they grow.Planting tomatoes outsideYour tomatoes can be moved outside once the last frost in May disappears.Choose a sunny, sheltered spot, where you can plant them into a border (into soil that has had plenty of well-rotted garden compost added), or into 30cm pots, or put two or three plants in a growing bag.Growing in a greenhouseGrowing tomatoes in a greenhouse gives you a longer growing season.Shade your plants from excessive heat, which could cause tough skins and blotchy ripening, by fitting some blinds, use shade paint, or hang woven shading fabric.Caring for tomatoes Beginner gardeners will find it easier to work with bush tomatoes, as they require slightly less maintenance.  Cordon tomatoes will need a stake for support and will need to have side-shoots pinched out to keep the plant fruiting on a central stem.  Water regularly – irregular watering can cause fruit to split or develop hard black patches known as blossom-end rot. Once flowers appear, feed your plants weekly with a liquid tomato food or a high-potash fertiliser. If your fruits are hidden beneath leaves, thin out the foliage to give them a little more sun to ripen in.  It’s harvest time! Leave tomatoes to ripen on the vine to improve their flavour and pick once flush with the colour of their variety.  Best eaten straight from the vine, they can be stored for a week or so at room temperature. Avoid storing in the fridge as this causes a mealy texture.  For more information on tomato varieties, growing tips and guides on cordon training, head to the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine site. MORE TOMATO RECIPES Italian-style tomato & olive sticks ​ This recipe is from the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022, as seen on the Italian Kitchen with chef Alex Hollywood.Makes 3-4 sticks. Ingredients400g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting1 tsp sugar1 tsp fast-acting dried yeastOlive oil, for drizzlingHandful of stoned olivesHandful of cherry tomatoes, halved1tbsp pesto mixed with 2tbsp olive oilMethodTip the flour, sugar and 1 tsp salt into a large bowl. Combine the yeast with 350ml warm (not hot) water and slowly pour into the flour mix, bringing the wet dough together gently with your hands or a spatula. Cover and place in a warm, draught-free area until the dough doubles in size (around 2 hours).Tip the dough onto a floured surface – it will be wet and gooey, so gently fold it into itself 5-6 times to make a wobbly rectangle shape. Place back in the mixing bowl, drizzle with some olive oil and a little sea salt, cover with a floured tea towel and leave to rise again in a warm place for at least 2 hours, until doubled in size.Line two non-stick baking trays with silicone paper. Press the dough with your gingers to see if it leaves an indent – if it does, it’s ready. Tip out onto a floured surface, cut the dought into quarters or thirds (depending on how chunky you want your sticks to be) and gently stretch each one out to a stick shape the length of a tray, leaving room between sticks.Heat the oven to 230C/210C fan/gas mark 8. Brush each stick with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, add a final dusting of flour, then press the olives and tomato halves into the dough. Allow to rise for another 10-15 mins, then drizzle with a little pesto and bake for 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness of the sticks.Leave to cool and then enjoy! Find out what's on at BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair this April See who's on when at the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine stage

Hillier unveils the 2023 Garden Design at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair Hillier has unveiled its garden design for the 2023 BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair. This year’s design is an interactive, walkthrough garden enclosed in high hedges and wildflower turf. Inspired by The Secret Garden, the design will encourage visitors to get up close and personal with the plants displayed. There are three main areas in the garden for visitors to experience. On the right-hand side and flowing around the garden will be a stunning colour-coordinated display of herbaceous perennials and shrubs, beginning with cool whites and purples through to fiery reds and oranges. Moving through the garden from the softer, more delicate colours to intense and vibrant shades will depict the feel of the sun’s movement during the day. Visitors begin their journey through the garden with the relaxed, calm feel of morning, moving through the afternoon when colours get more vivid, then finishing with a bright sunset – a beautiful end to the day.To the left of the garden as you enter from the bottom of the hill is a contemporary area, featuring Himalayan Birch trees and hostas. Himalayan Birch is known for its brilliant white trunks and is the ideal tree for low-maintenance borders and beds. An array of hostas will be planted among the trees, creating a sea of lush green foliage that will stand in stark contrast to the variety of colours in the opposite border.Wildflowers will surround the entire garden, differentiating from the hornbeam hedge, which will be uniform and conceal the garden within. Visitors will have the unique opportunity of getting up close to the planting displays with the interactive walkthrough, allowing inspiration to be taken home to their own gardens. At the conclusion of the garden, visitors will reach the Hillier display’s retail section, which allows you to purchase a range of plants on display and other Hillier gardening products.Find out more >

Sow seeds of love this Valentines Day If you’re unsure what to gift your most beloved gardener this Valentine’s Day, we’ve done the digging for you!We’ve curated a green-fingered wish-list of gifts available online, from exhibitors you’ll be able meet and buy from, across our events this year.Will you be shopping at BBC Gardeners’ World Live or the BBC Gardeners’ World Fairs in 2023?Please note that all gifts are subject to availability and delivery times of independent suppliers may vary.   The gift of a great day out Tickets make a great gift for anyone with green fingers, a day to look forward to!  With the flagship BBC Gardeners’ World Live at Birmingham’s NEC, 15-18 June, and the boutique  BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair in the stunning setting of Beaulieu in Hampshire, 28-30 April, there are plenty of days to choose from. Plus, save the date for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair at Audley End House & Garden in Essex, 1-3 September – tickets on sale in March. A Blackbird Sang – ‘If I had a flower every time I thought of you’ Leaf Decoration – £12.95 Give the gift that gives twice the joy this Valentine’s Day, with this delightfully thoughtful decoration – 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Perennial, the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping everyone who works in horticulture and their families when times get tough.   Stand G198: Spring Fair BUY NOW Enchanted Earth – Heart decorations – £19.95-£24.95 Add a touch of love to any garden with charming decorations, from planters to bird feeders:  Heart Bird Feeder Stake – Stylish and weatherproof, this whitewashed metal feeder stands on a 105cm long stake.   Teapot Heart Planter – Bring a unique style of planter to your garden with a colourful large 38cm teapot planter. Decorated with white love hearts and weather resistant. Perfect for plants or succulents, this can be used in your home or garden.  Large Solar Firefly Garden Heart – Brighten up any part of your garden with this decorative hanging, complete with 30 warm white solar lights and a 4m cable and hanging loop on the back.  Stand E406: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW A Blackbird Sang – Pot Stems: Everlasting Wildflower Cluster – £12.95Looking for something that’ll bloom whatever the season? Give a sustainable and ever-lasting bunch of wildflowers – a lovely year-round enhancement to indoor plants.   Stand G19: Spring Fair BUY NOW Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants – Perennial flowers – £9.50-13.50 With so many blooms to choose from, Hardy’s has a selection of romantic and heart-shaped perennial flowers to choose from: Lamprocapnos spectabilis – Flowering year after year in late spring, this provides delicate pink heart shaped flowers on arching stems.  Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’ – These pure white heart-shaped flowers are held on arching stems above divided light green foliage, blooming in late spring.  Anemone ‘Frilly Knickers’ – an anemone with a name that’ll be sure to be noticed! With semi-double blooms, each pure white petal is suffused with pale lilac and finely frilled, brushed with deep violet from beneath and surrounding a boss of deep golden yellow stamens. Unsure what to choose? Treat someone to a gift voucher! Hardy’s has exhibited at Gardeners’ World Live every single year since our show opened over 30 years ago and 2023 is no different! Stand FM12: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Home and Garden Extras – Decorative Rusty Roses – £19.99  Give a rose that will never wilt this Valentine’s Day, with this decorative rusty flower stake that’ll add function and style to flower beds, window boxes and plant pots. Add a cluster of stakes and watch as they rust over time to create a charming aesthetic and provide support for an array of blooms.   Stands E400 & E408: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Ecosure – Ecosure Midi Metropolitan Water Butt Planter – £192  Doubling up as a stylish planter, this water butt can create a great focal point in any garden. With two outlets, the front can be attached to a garden tap and is at the right height for a watering can, and the back is designed to drain the water butt completely. Available in a variety of colours and effects, there’s a choice for every garden and style. Stand G140: Spring FairStand G198: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Hand Made Mosaics – Mosaic Heart – £25 Show your love with a touch of mosaic made by your own hands! The kit that includes everything you need, from base to tiles and grout. Available in a variety of colours, including pink and blue.   Stand G178: Spring Fair BUY NOW Hydria Life – Hydria Fountain Kit Bundle – £199.99 The latest bundle from Hydria Life comes with the Fountain Kit, Premium Planter and the Mindfulness Pebbles Collectible. Easy to set up and harnessing new battery technology, this remote-controlled water feature with lights can run for a 2-month period between charges and can be set up in minutes. Fitting in any planter wider than 30cm, bring the relaxing sound of water to any garden or balcony.   Stand G48: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW John Cullen Gardens – Herb Collection – £15Perfect for those who equally enjoy the garden and the kitchen, this selection of organically grown herbs will be the perfect accompaniment for many meals to come. Perfect for a sunny windowsill and ready to plant out once Spring warmth arrives, the set includes Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Chive and Oregano in 9cm pots.  Stand F25: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring FairStand FM3: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Elly Harvey Silver – Garden Inspired Jewellery – £55 – £165 Whether you’re a fan of growing your own or wonderful wildlife, add it to your jewellery collection with these hand-made pieces from Dorset Peapod Pendant – With a choice of 2, 3, or 4 peas, this charming pendant is also available with 9ct yellow gold peas to order.  Bumble Bee Pendant and Earrings – Give a charming matching set, with a solid cast 9ct yellow gold bee pendant and matching earrings in either drop or stud style. Also available in sterling silver.   Stand G2 at Spring Fair BUY NOW STIHL – Cordless Gardening Equipment – £119 – £169 Tackle your garden with some new gardening tech! GTA 26 Cordless Garden Pruner – A multifaceted tool, able to prune trees and shrubs, cut up garden waste and assist in building with wood thanks to its ¼” PM3 saw chain for powerful cutting. Designed for use with both hands, with comfortable rubberised handles for accuracy and ease. HSA 26 Cordless Garden Shears – These battery-powered handheld shrub shears are perfect for gardens of any size, making pruning small-leaved trees and shrubs easy. Coming with an easily interchangeable grass trimming blade, it allows you to maintain topiary, hedges and lawn edges.  Stand G98: Spring Fair BUY NOW John Cullen Gardens – Achillea Love Collection – £29.99 Give a gift that will last for years with a drought tolerant collection of Achillea that benefits the all-important pollinators and make a great cut flower. Containing 4 of the most popular red and pink Achillea, they can be planted right away as long as the ground is not frozen.   Stand F25: the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair Stand FM3: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW SeeHow – £47.99 A garden design tool for everybody, SeeHow is developed to help gardening see when plants will flower through Plantsticks. Each Plantstick shows the colours of individual plants, as well as how and when they grow and flower throughout the calendar year. Look ahead into how your garden could bloom in 2023.  Stand G460: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Allet – Grooved Front Rollers – £199 – £219If you’re looking to up your lawncare, this innovative grooved roller is a great addition to your kit. With 23% of its surface area in contact with the ground, the remaining 77% is ready to be presented to a the bottom blade, leaving you with a cleaner cut and less stragglers. With 2 sizes available (17”/20”), improve your straight lining with a more manoeuvrable mover and achieve most perfectly straight stripes.  Stand G32: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Traditional Garden Growers – Natural Wool Pellets – £9.99 Improve your produce in a sustainable way by using wool pellets. Only needing a single application each year, they enhance the soil as they degrade and feed plants naturally. Easy to store and apply, this environmentally friendly option is made from 100% British wool and boast many benefits, including moisture retention, increased soil porosity, long acting fertiliser and slug deterrant.  Stand G130: BBC Gardeners’ World Live BUY NOW Distinctive Iron Work – 4ft & 6ft “Loopies” – Multi Use Looped Planting Stakes – Set of 3 – £30 – £40 Suitable for both gardens and the allotment, grow either plants or vegetables against this planting system which can be formed into a variety of structures – from in line to arches, obelisks, fans and more!  Stand G26: BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair BUY NOW A Great Escape Art – 100% Silk Scarves – £50 – £75 Bring a splash of horticulture to the wardrobe with a colourful silk scarf. Designed from original paintings, this collection of 100% silk twill and chiffon scarves reflect the changing seasons and all come with a matching care card and presentation box.   Stand G156 at Spring Fair BUY NOW Related news See who’s on when at the Spring Fair! 17 Apr 2024 Read More » Top 10 must-have house plants 12 Apr 2024 Read More » Rosy Hardy: Perfecting Propagation 05 Apr 2024 Read More » Rosy Hardy: Perfecting Propagation 05 Apr 2024 Read More » Duck egg custard with forced rhubarb 05 Apr 2024 Read More » Duck egg custard with forced rhubarb 05 Apr 2024 Read More »

New year, new garden, new trends! We’re through the garden gate into 2023, with a host of gardening trends blooming throughout the country. From house plants reaching dizzying heights of popularity, to the colour of the year ‘Viva Magenta’, read on for our full list of trends. To get up close and personal with fresh garden inspiration, new plants, the latest gardening kit and more, make sure to join us in 2023 at the Fair. Find out more here. Gardening trends of 2023 Colour of the Year 2023Hand-picked by Pantone, the colour of the year has been named as ‘Viva Magenta.’Pantone describe the colour as ‘brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.’ We’ve put together some garden inspiration from our Shows in 2022 here to inspire you to get planting. Sustainable gardeningWhilst your garden might seem to already be very green, it can always be greener! From upcycling common items to make stylish features, to transforming pallet, hessian bags, bits of pipe and tin cans into planters, grow bags, water features and wildlife habitats, the possibilities are endless. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in the Beautiful Borders and Small Space Gardens at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair. Take a look at our previous blog on recycling and upcycling here. Grow your own foodLooking to go from soil to supper this year, but not sure where to start? Whether you’re stuck between carrots and cauliflower or spinach and strawberries, or you’re not sure which tools are right for the job, you’ll be able to get brilliant advice from the experts at BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair. Take a look at our latest news to explore our grow your own tips and recipe ideas..  Indoor gardeningFoliage doesn’t just belong outside – bring nature indoors with simple succulents, mighty monsteras and cute cacti. Add a bit of greenery to your home, whatever the size.At last year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Live we caught up with expert Joe Bagley for his top tips. Read the blog here to find out more. Mindful gardeningGardening is calming for many of us and the theme for this year’s entries to Beautiful Borders highlights that. Inspired by the theme ‘My Garden Escape’, exciting garden design will inspire your next garden project and give you space savvy ideas.Take a look at our previous blog here for inspiration to create a calming garden space. Gardening on a budgetWith budgets tightening all over, don’t let it wilt your enthusiasm!  Discover different ways you can still let your garden bloom with advice from expert gardeners throughout the Show next summer- from experienced exhibitors to your favourite BBC Gardeners’ World presenters live on stage.What’s more, take a look at our blog here for some top tips for a budget friendly garden. Fermented foodsThere’s always plenty of plot to plate inspiration at our Fairs. Why not try reaching delicious new heights using your home-grown produce and explore fermenting? No visit to our Fairs would be complete without some delicious snacks and a tasty lunch! Visit the BBC Good Food Market to discover the latest foodie trends.  Calling all garden designers! Find out more about designing a Beautiful Border in 2023... FIND OUT MORE Looking for even more spring gardening inspiration? Delve through our 2022 gallery here... GALLERY Related news See who’s on when at the Spring Fair! 17 Apr 2024 Read More » Top 10 must-have house plants 12 Apr 2024 Read More » Rosy Hardy: Perfecting Propagation 05 Apr 2024 Read More » Rosy Hardy: Perfecting Propagation 05 Apr 2024 Read More » Duck egg custard with forced rhubarb 05 Apr 2024 Read More » Duck egg custard with forced rhubarb 05 Apr 2024 Read More »

Add the colour of 2023 to your garden - Viva Magenta! As we bloom into the year 2023 with new resolutions, we’re looking to Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta, to inspire you to blossom in your gardens in 2023.Pantone has named its highly anticipated Colour of the Year for 2023. This is an annual trend forecast by the colour giant that determines which colour is set to appear all over our homes and gardens in the following year. Viva Magenta is a fabulous pop of colour to add to your border, windowsill or outdoor space, bringing a brave, joyous and vibrant splash of warmth to your garden.What’s more, this empowering colour appeared across many gardens at BBC Gardeners’ World Events in 2022, so we’ve got the perfect inspiration to help you pick out plants for your garden in 2023’s trendiest hue… EchinaeceasGrow ‘Satisfy’, ‘Delicious Candy’ or ‘Magnus’ for a pop of Viva Magenta. These flamboyant echinaceas featured on English Heritage’s Formal Bedding in a Dry Future Beautiful Border by Emma Peirce and Felicity Gray at BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair in 2022.Easy to grow, echinaceas are a striking plant to plot in any garden and will bring many buzzy visitors to your patch, including bees and other pollinators. Their seeds also offer something for the birds. Grow at the front of your border or in containers in full sun.  Sow in March or April, or plant in May and June for brilliant flowers all the way through to late summer in September. AstilbeTry growing: ‘Spotlight’ You may have spotted this pop of magenta on the Where the Wild Things Are Beautiful Border at BBC Gardeners’ World Live in 2022 by Zoe Cook, Trellis Designed Limited.Astilbe is a perennial with showy plumes of dramatic flowers atop fern-like foliage, perfect for a shady corner to add height and colour. These flowers will bring pollinators, especially hoverflies to your plot. Dianthus Grow ‘Sugar Plum’ or ‘Sweet William’ varieties for a warm pink pop of colour. Did you spot these in the Floral Marquee at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2022? A traditional cottage plant, dianthus come in all sorts of colours and fragrant scents. Plot these in your garden beds or at the front of sunny borders and in containers. What’s more, these flowers make great cuttings to bring indoors, so you’ll be able to bring Viva Magenta into your home space.Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and trim back in autumn to promote new growth. Bergamot monarda didyma At BBC Gardeners’ World Live, you may have seen these fiery pops of colour peeping out in Frances Tophill’s Show Garden. Why not try growing it at home?These plants are another popular plant for bees, with a long flowering season, an aromatic foliage.Grow plants in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Mulch around the roots with garden compost annually, and divide congested clumps in spring. FoxglovesWhy not try: ‘Ruby Slippers’ Foxgloves come in a range of colours you can add to your garden. Featured in the photo are some foxgloves you may have come across at BBC Gardeners’ World Live on Alexandra Froggatt’s floral feature inspired by the Peaky Blinders to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the BBC.Find out more about how to create your own foxglove haven at home from our previous blog here. LupinsGrow: ‘My Castle’  A cottage garden favourite, lupin offers both height and colour to your garden plot. Their flowers are loved by bumblebees and they make a fantastic cut flower to bring indoors.Plant in full sun and make sure to protect your plants from slugs and snails.  PenstemonsGrow: ‘Raven’, ‘Garnet’, ‘Geoff Hamilton’ or ‘Flamingo’ Get growing Penstemons for a flourish of late summer flowers. Plant in groups of three or five for impact. Grow in moist, well drained soil in full sun and mulch annually.  Roses Try: Rosa ‘Munstead Wood’ or Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ Roses are some of the most beautiful garden plants and make lovely cut flowers. They come in a variety of forms, from patio roses to shrub roses, ramblers and climbers. Most roses need sun and heavy soils to thrive. Mulch your roses annually with organic matter for the best results and make sure to also prune to promote healthy growth and encourage flowering. You can plant bare-root roses from November to March. Are you a garden designer interested in bringing a Beautiful Border in 2023? Beautiful Borders are an annual visitor favourite at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair as they display a variety of excellent designs, space savvy ideas, planting combinations and creative features that can be packed into a small garden. At just a few square metres, creating a Beautiful Border is a fantastic way to showcase your skills to a large audience of keen gardeners, press and experts.This year, we invite you, garden designers and creators, to encapsulate the essence of your ideal garden escape, by designing a Beautiful Border at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair 2023. Your interpretation of the ‘My Garden Escape’ theme might be a quiet oasis or refuge, a place of mindfulness or an area shaped around it’s mental health benefits and sensory aspects. Or is your ‘Garden Escape’ a place for friends and family to gather, to grow edibles for your table, to let your hair down in, or a firework display of exuberance and colour? Perhaps your Garden escape reflects one of your hobbies or pastimes, or maybe it embodies your ultimate happy place. Find out more here. Calling all garden designers! Find out more about designing a Beautiful Border in 2023... FIND OUT MORE Looking for even more spring gardening inspiration? Delve through our 2022 gallery here... GALLERY

Grow your own garlic tips for flavoursome fritters Calling all garlic lovers! Have you ever tried growing your own? We’ve paired some helpful tips from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, with a tantalising fritter recipe, as seen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022, to bring fantastic flavours to your winter table. This December, why not try sowing garlic for a crop that makes a delicious seasoning to your cooking all year round. Plus, garlic takes up very little space and is an easy crop to grow. Make sure you always buy bulbs at the garden centre or order them from a seed supplier – don’t use bulbs from the supermarket. Ready to use your freshly grown garlic gloves in a delicious recipe? If you’re bored of roast and mash potatoes this winter, why not try making sweet potato and saltfish fritters to put a kick back into your dinner time. Find out more about the recipe below… How to growPlot garlic in a warm, sunny spot in well-drained soil that doesn’t get too wet in winter – dig in some home-made compost or well-rotted manure for best resultsSow in small pots, a large container or directly in the ground 15cm apart, leaving 30cm between rowsBreak the bulbs into separate cloves and plant the large ones with the fat end downwards and the pointy end 2.5cm below the soil.TIP! Lay bird netting or fleece over new plants until the shoots are 5cm tall to keep the birds at bay whilst your garlic grows. Caring for garlic Water regularly in spring and early summer Reduce watering once you see the foliage turning yellow – this is a sign that the bulbs are reaching maturity.  Weed between the plants to reduce the competition for water and nutrients.  Remove any flowers, or ‘scapes’ the plants produce – you can eat these in stir-fries. Time to harvest!When the leaves have turned yellow, gently lift out bulbs with a fork or trowel, taking care not to damage them. Leave the garlic to dry out for a couple of days, by laying it out on a table or tray, in full sun.Once the bulbs are dry and feel papery to touch, you can either store them loose or plait their foliage to make a traditional string of bulbs. Store in a cool, dry place. Take care not to bruise the bulbs, as any damage can make them deteriorate in storage.  White sweet potato and saltfish fritters, ackee cream and green seasoning oilThis recipe is from the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022, as seen on the Big Kitchen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer with chef Andi Oliver. Serves 6-8.IngredientsFor the ackee cream:165g canned sweetcorn180g canned ackee200ml oat cream For the green seasoning oil:1 handful of mixed herbs (such as sorrel leaves, chervil and tarragon)2 thyme sprigs10g Christmas bush or bay leaf1 small bunch of flat leaf parsley1 small bunch of coriander4 spring onions10 garlic gloves1 green chilli or 1 scotch bonnet chilli (depending on how hot you’d like it)6 little Caribbean seasoning peppers, or a mix of red, yellow and green mini sweet peppers1/2 white onion400ml cold pressed rapeseed oil For the fritters:250g white sweet potato, grated120g skinless and boneless saltfish, twice oiled, drained and rinsed110g grated white onions4 garlic cloves, finely grated15g finely grated ginger 1sp turmeric1tsp cumin seeds1tsp chilli flakes40g self-raising flour30g fine cornmeal1 thyme sprig, leaves only8g finely chopped chives500ml oil (vegetable/rapeseed/sunflower) Method 1.To make the seasoning oil, blend all the ingredients together, add seasoning, and blend until smooth. Sieve the mixture to create a green oil.2.In a bowl, combine the fritter ingredients (minus the oil) plus a big pinch of salt and pepper and mix thoroughly using your hands, squeezing the mixture so it all sticks together. Cover and set aside.3.Heat the oil in a wide pan to 150-170C. Test the heat of the oil by dropping a pinch of the potato mixture into it – if it rises and starts to golden quickly, it’s ready to fry. Slip 1 tbsp of mixture at a time into the hot oil until golden. Transfer the cooked fritters to a plate or bowl lined with kitchen paper to get rid of any excess oil.4.To make the ackee cream, gently toast sweetcorn until it’s slightly charred. Add the ackee and cook for 1-2mins and mix. Blitz the mixture with the oat cream in a blender until smooth and season.5.To serve, divide the ackee cream between six-eight shallow bowls or plates, top with two or three fritters and drizzle the seasoning oil over the top. Looking for spring inspiration? Discover the Showcase Gardens from Spring Fair here Delve into more garden inspiration, top tips and hear all our latest news

Make someone's day merry & bright this Christmas! It’s time to write up that list of names and start the hunt for the perfect gift! Whether treating a veteran horticulturalist or someone who’s only just taking root in the gardening world, there’s something for anyone with a green-thumb below. Featuring products from exhibitors who will be attending BBC Gardeners’ World Live Events in 2023, get ready to tick names off your list and ease your festive shopping worries.  Please note that all gifts are subject to availability and delivery times of independent suppliers may vary.  The gift of a day out  Tickets make a great gift for anyone with green fingers, a day to look forward to!  With BBC Gardeners World Live at Birmingham’s NEC, 15-18 June, and the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair in the stunning grounds of Beaulieu in Hampshire, 28-30 April, there are plenty of days to choose from. Plus, save the date for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair at Audley End House & Garden in Essex, 1 – 3 September (on sale Feb).  BOOK TICKETS Luxury Gardening Gifts Hydria Life – Hydria Christmas Bundle £179.99 Hydria is the latest in garden tech, having won the prestigious Glee New Product Award and their brilliant bundle comes with the Fountain Kit, Premium Planter and a Christmas Collectible. Harnessing new battery technology, this remote-controlled water feature with lights can run for a 2-month period between charges. Assembled in minutes in any planter wider than 30cm, it will bring the relaxing sound of water to gardens and balconies.   Buy Now Ecosure – 180 Litre City Water Butt Planter£215 Doubling up as an elegant planter, this water butt is one that won’t be hidden away in any garden – it could even become a focal point! With extra-large capacity, collect naturally soft rainwater to sate any garden’s thirst. With brass outlets moulded into the front and back, this water butt planter works for both watering cans and hoses.  Buy Now STIHL – iMOW®£1,100 – £2,000Cultivate the perfect lawn without the effort using the STIHL iMOW® robotic mower. By cutting grass clippings finely before dropping them back to the ground to act as a fertiliser, iMOW will help your lawn to look lusher over time without you needing to lift a finger.  Buy Now Enchanted Earth – Dancing Leaves Kinetic Garden Wind Spinner£79Make a real statement with this stylish wind spinner that would look stunning nestled amongst beds and borders. Covered with durable copper powder coated finish to make sure the brushed copper is scratch resistant and won’t weather, it will bring movement and style to any garden.   Buy Now Plant Gifts Top Five Christmas Plants – Hillier£12.99-19.99From the stunning sweet box to the winter-flowering hellebore, give a living gift this year. All available to purchase on the Hillier online shop or in their Garden Centres, subject to availability.Helleborus ericsmithii HGC Frosty: enjoy dazzling white flowers with a delightful yellow centre blooming above this evergreen perennial with dark green leaves.Sarcococca confuse: bring sweetly scented flowers to your woodland borders, followed by blackberries with this bushy, evergreen shrub.Viburnum globosum ‘Jermyns Globe’: whether standing alone or part of a mixed border, this rounded, evergreen shrub will bring deep green leathery foliage all year round, as well as white flowers followed by small black fruits in spring.Abeliophyllum distichum Roseum Group: if you prefer deciduous shrubs of open growth, this one boasts oval leaves with 4-petalled pale pink flowers borne in racemes in the leaf axils in late winter and early spring.Sarcococca hookerania ‘Winter Gem’: bring a highly scented evergreen shrub to a shady corner or woodland border, with white flowers opening from red buds in winter, followed by red-black fruits.Can’t choose? Let them decide with a Hillier gift card. Buy Now Winter Flowering Cherry – Hedges Direct£44.99Add a splash of colour in the colder months with the pretty pink and white flowers of a deciduous flowering cherry tree, perfect for smaller spaces. Blooming periodically during milder weather spells between November and March, this specimen also provides deep-green foliage and small fruits that will be popular with local birds.   Buy Now Agapanthus ‘Sweet Surprise’ – Fairweather’s Plant Shop£9-17 Let this gift live up to its name – a pale blue evergreen agapanthus that opens into a beautiful star-shape.  BUY NOW Floyd’s Climbers – Clematis Christmas Surprise£12Bring a new burst of colour to the garden with an evergreen Clematis. This variety flowers at Christmas time, with white nodding bells in 2 litre pots.  Buy Now Hardy’s Plants – Helleborus x nigercors ‘Emma’ PBR£17.50 With green-grey foliage and erect stems bearing large outward-facing, saucer-like white blooms that age to pink then green, this evergreen Hellebore flowers from late winter into spring.   Buy Now Sienna Hosta – Hosta ‘Dinner Jacket’£10 Featuring powder blue leaves and a yellow streak running through the centre, this medium size variety is the perfect way to brighten up a shady spot.  Buy Now Gardening Wildlife Gifts Lincolnshire Pond Plants – Pond Seed Packs£12.99 Make any pond an even more enticing environment for damsel and dragonflies with pond emergent plants, including blue flag irises and water plantain. For those who prefer amphibians, there’s also a Frog & Newt seed pack!  Buy Now Made by Alpacas – Eco Friendly Fleece Bird Hanger£7 Made from recycled drink packaging, this natural fibre will attract small bird varieties including Blue Tits, Robins and Finches as they start their nest building in earnest in the new year. Naturally water repellent, hang it up after Christmas and it can stay out all year, with the opportunity to switch out fleece with fat balls in winter.  Buy Now Little Allotment Co – Spring Beginner Kit £31.50 Perfect for the spring growing season, this set for new gardeners not only comes with high yielding organic vegetable seeds (including sweetcorn and tomatoes), but also three types of flower seeds to entice bumble bees and beneficial insects to your garden.  Buy Now Gardening Tool Gifts Leon Boots Co – Ultra Light Ankle Boots£39.99 The latest addition to Leon Boots Co’s ULTRALIGHT range, these boots weigh only 219g a pair and are great for use in gardens or allotments. With 6 colours to choose from, you’ll find a style to suit.   Buy Now Carbon Gold – 1L Biochar Houseplant Booster£9.99 Help them nurture their houseplants with an organic Soil Association Approved booster designed to support healthier growth by preventing drying out, supporting healthy soil and giving better airflow to protect the roots. Perfect for any indoor plant, including cacti!  Buy Now Jasell Home and Gifts – Wrendale Designs Hydrangea and Bee Garden Pocket Tool Bag£21.99 Have their tools at the ready with a handy bag, finished in the ‘hydrangea and bee’ Wrendale Designs print! A great addition to any gardener’s collection, with plenty of pockets for everything you need and finished with durable handles, a waterproof lining and an antique brass wren detail.  Buy Now Edible Gardening Gifts Robinson Seeds and Plants – Seed Collections£8-£12 Whether they’re craving leeks, radishes or kale, there’s a seed collection for any green fingered friend who’d like to grow their own. Select from the Exhibitors, Winter Salad and Kitchen collections, with the latter able to grow in the kitchen all year round as micro greens.  Buy Now The Little Allotment Company – Grow Your Own Organic Tea Kit£19.50 For those who love a comforting cuppa after some time in the garden, this sustainable kit box gives easy to follow instructions on how to grow a selection of seeds that promote well-being. With unbleached self-fill tea bags, the kit will help grow calming Chamomile, uplifting Lemon balm and invigorating Peppermint to prepare for those soothing sips.    Buy Now Radish Apron – Perennial£21 Bring the allotment indoors, with the bold textile of this apron, made of high quality 100% cotton with an adjustable strap.   Buy Now Or, why not try… Do What You Love Annual Pass£80 What do BBC Gardeners’ World Live, Cycle Show, London Art Fair, The Knitting & Stitching Shows, BBC Good Food Show, The Festival of Quilts, Move It, and the Country Living Fairs all have in common? You can get access to ALL of them in 2023 with the Do What You Love Annual Pass. With 17 events to choose from across the year, they’ll be spoilt for choice! Quote DWYL15 for 15% off the annual pass – that’s entry to 17 events for just £68 (worth over £320).*Offer valid for a limited time only. Buy Now Caley Brothers – The world is your oyster mushroom tote bag £12  Show the world your loved one is the champion of growing their own! With this tote bag, the world is truly your oyster (mushroom).  Ever tried growing your own mushrooms? At the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, the Caley Brothers will be running a workshop to show you the ropes. Find out more here… Buy Now BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine special edition guidesFrom £7.99The BBC Gardeners’ World special edition guides are the perfect treat for every gardener. 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How your garden can help wildlife this winter With the colder months just around the corner, find out what you can do in your garden to help wildlife. With some garden inspiration from our past Shows, you’re sure to have plenty of ideas for your plot.  We’d like to thanks our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine for help with the useful tips and advice below! Habitat piles Use logs, twigs, pots, leaves and other garden debris to create a habitat pile for wildlife looking for somewhere to bed down for the winter. Choose somewhere out of the way that will be undisturbed. Dry areas make great places for insects and mammals, while damp areas will attract amphibians. Time to put away the bee hotel If you put up a bee hotel in the spring or summer, make sure to take it down in the winter months and pop it in a shed or dry place, to avoid damp conditions which could put any bees nesting inside at risk of fungal infections. Don’t bring your bee hotel into the house as the warmth may wake up your nesting bees early! You can put the bee hotel back up in March when the weather is warmer. Mulch, mulch, mulch! Here at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, we love a Beautiful Border. Make sure to mulch your borders – collect leaves each autumn to use as mulch the following year. This replicates the natural cycles of a woodland floor, increases worm activity in the soil, and provides shelter for centipedes and beetles.  Help the birds As well as stocking up bird feeders with fat balls, peanuts, seeds and more, you could also try making your own helpful nesting supply. Using a bird feeder, stuff nesting wool, cones, twigs, leaves, grass clippings, straw, moss and more.  Create your own water feature Having a source of water in the garden is a great way to encourage all sorts of wildlife to your garden, throughout the year. You can find out how to create your own naturalistic pond here. Or, why not try creating a smaller water feature, using a large ceramic bowl or perhaps an upcycled basin to create a small area for wildlife to flourish, or for birds to bathe.  Feeling inspired? 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Discover the Showcase Gardens from Spring Fair here Delve into more garden inspiration, top tips and hear all our latest news

Top tips for homegrown onions and a tasty home-made tart Sink your teeth into some grow your own inspiration and try growing your own onions. With some gardening advice from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, you’ll be able to make a delicious tart, using Nadiya Hussain’s recipe as seen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022. From soups and salads, to warming onion gravies, curries, tarts and much more, onions find their way into a huge variety of dishes, giving you all the more reason to get them into your plot this November. Read below for some great growing tips, and for a tasty tart recipe, perfect for your homegrown produce.  TIP! In autumn, common onion planting varieties include ‘Autumn Champion’ and ‘Electric’ – these are more tolerant to the colder conditions.  How to growPlant a small onion set 10-15cm apart in moist, fertile soil in a sunny spot, with the tips showing out of the soil surface. Allow 30cm between rowsKeep the area weed freeGrowing onions from sets is usually a little easier and quicker, but you can also grow from seed. Sow these indoors 1cm apart in moist compost in January. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, transplant them into multi-purpose compost. You’ll be able to plant them into the garden come spring. Help with problemsStop birds from pulling up your onions by covering them with horticultural fleeceWatch out for drooping yellow foliage – this could be a sign of fly larvae. Planting parsley with your onions can help prevent thisBe careful of neck rot – this can be prevented through not overcrowding when planting When the leaves droop over and turn brown, it’s time to harvest your onions! Loosen the soil with a fork and lift out your produce. To store, leave your onions on a drying rack or on newspaper. Their outer skins will rustle when they’re dry, and you can then hang them in a cool, dark, dry place to store. Feeling hungry? Why not try making a delicious tart with your home-grown produce, as seen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer at the 2022 Show. Find out more below… French onion and blue cheese tartThis recipe is from the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022, as seen on the Big Kitchen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer with chef Nadiya Hussain. The recipe is from Nadiya Bakes by Nadiya Hussain.Ingredients2 tbsp butter2 large lemon thyme sprigs, leaves picked1 garlic clove, grated5 onions, thinly sliced (about 1kg)2 tsp caster sugar1 sheet ready rolled pastry1 egg, lightly beaten150g blue cheesesmall handful of chipped chives, to serve Method 1.Melt the butter in a large non-stick frying pan, and add the onions, garlic and lemon thyme leaves, mixing everything together. Mix in the sugar, 1 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp salt. Stirring occasionally, leave to cook for 30 minutes on a medium heat.2.Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line a baking tray using parchment. Roll out the pastry onto the tray.3.Score a smaller rectangle 1cm inside the pastry rectangle gently with a knife. Make sure you don’t cut the pastry all the way through. Next pierce the inner rectangle with a fork, to allow steam to escape. Brush the edges with the egg, and bake for 20 minutes.4.With the back of a spoon, push down the puffed-up pastry of the inner rectangle to leave you a neat border.5.Crumble the blue cheese and onions into the pastry and bake for another 15 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before eating and sprinkle your chives on top. Looking for spring inspiration? Discover the Showcase Gardens from Spring Fair here Delve into more garden inspiration, top tips and hear all our latest news