Gardeners' World Season 54, Episode 8: Episode 8

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Episode 1

Monty welcomes spring at Longmeadow with plenty of changes in the garden to share. As well as getting on with some essential pruning, he lifts and divides perennials, starts sowing chillies and begins growing this year’s vegetables. Last autumn, Joe Swift travelled to Swansea to join Sue Kent and find out about her new plan to grow vegetables on her allotment. There's a meeting with a passionate gardener at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire who curates a national collection of over 100 different varieties of rhubarb, and in Leeds there's a look at how a shady back yard has been transformed using containers and lots of ingenuity. There's also another chance to join Carol Klein as she shares the highlights of the plants that shine out in winter at Bressingham Gardens in Norfolk, followed by some of the films that have been sent in by viewers.

59 min

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Episode 2

With the clocks going forward this weekend, there’s an extra hour of gardening to enjoy. Monty makes the most of this as he begins to sow dahlia seeds for summer flowers, reveals a new project and shows what to plant now in the vegetable garden. Adam Frost is in his own garden as he extends the planting in his gravel garden and reveals his plans for the coming year. Meanwhile, there's a passionate grower in north London who has filled her home with cacti and succulents. Last year, Frances Tophill met ecologist and professor of biology Dave Goulson, who has planted his garden with the conservation of insects in mind. And there's a second chance to meet Poppy Ocotcha as she discusses how she utilises every available space to grow vegetables on her barge.

59 min

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Episode 3 - Easter Special

It’s the Easter weekend, which means extra time to get out and enjoy the garden. At Longmeadow, Monty plants out sweet peas for summer colour, gives advice on what to use for mulching borders and has plenty of ideas for jobs to get on with this long weekend. Carol Klein is at RHS Rosemoor to revel in the floral spring sensations that epitomise the season. In Scotland, JJ Chalmers explains how important his local park was in helping both his physical and mental rehabilitation and there’s a look back at how Nick Bailey transformed his back garden in one season, from a blank space into a colourful and productive oasis. Plus enter the world of the daffodil show to find out what serious enthusiasts do to produce the perfect bloom, followed by some of the films that have been sent in by viewers.

59 min

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Episode 4

Monty adds self-sown ornamental grass seedlings to the paradise garden, Advolly Richmond explores the extraordinary history of lawns and Adam Frost explores the front gardens in a London street.

59 min

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Episode 5

Monty gives advice on what to plant under shrubs and roses, Carol Klein celebrates a spectacular display of tulips and Kate Bradbury takes us through the first stages of creating a wildlife garden.

59 min

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Episode 6

Monty takes us through the next steps of chilli seed growth and plants out some of the evergreen cuttings he has propagated. There’s also plenty to be getting on with in the vegetable garden, including planting beans. Joe Swift gets some garden design and planting inspiration when he visits a shady courtyard garden in London, and from Dorset, there's expert advice from a woman who grows chillies from all over the world. In central Wales, there's a gardener whose back garden has been planted to remind her of her childhood home in Jamaica, while Nick Bailey finds out about what can be done about an annoying pest which is spoiling box hedges. Our viewers have also been busy with their own hints and tips from their gardens.

59 min

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Episode 7

At Longmeadow, Monty gives us a masterclass on growing Mediterranean herbs, plants lily bulbs for summer scent, and in the vegetable garden, he begins to sow seeds for salad root crops. Carol Klein is in Devon, where she takes a close look at late summer planting combinations. Meanwhile, in Cumbria, there's a gardener whose passion for exotic plants and dahlias has taken over his family garden and spilled over onto his allotment. In Milan, Arit Anderson visits an extraordinary high-rise building which has been designed as a living forest, and in Kent is a man with a collection of over 80 different varieties of wisteria. Meanwhile, viewers give hints and tips from their own gardens.

59 min

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Episode 8

In Adam Frost’s garden, he gives his tips on lawn repair, grows some unusual vegetables and plants a seasonal container. Meanwhile, Advolly Richmond brings us up to date in her history of lawns.

59 min

9

Episode 9

At Longmeadow, Monty revels in seasonal blossom and flowers, plants out his tomatoes and demystifies the myriad of different plant foods by showing us what we can feed our plants and when we should be doing it. Arit Anderson visits the peatlands of Cumbria, where she begins her journey looking into the use of peat in the horticultural industry. We catch up with Sue Kent to find out about the progress she has made on her allotment and in her garden this spring. Meanwhile, in Cornwall, we discover a garden designer with a unique approach to combining edible and ornamental plants, and in Wales, we meet a gardener who has amassed a collection of over 400 different rhododendrons.

59 min

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Episode 10

At Longmeadow, Monty adds flowers for pollinators to his wildlife garden, creates an alpine trough and plants out tender veg in his vegetable garden. Adam Frost uses the wonders of technology when comedian Susan Calman contacts him for advice with her garden in Glasgow, and we travel to Devon to visit an enthusiast who has discovered a passion for collecting different varieties of a highly scented spring-flowering shrub. Nick Bailey shows us how we can all attract wildlife into our gardens by making a simple a pond in a barrel, and we explore some new ideas of planting in the Sheffield garden of Professor James Hitchmough.

59 min

11

Episode 11

Monty gives advice on plants to use for foliage with tropical proportions and shows us how to plant them to suit their needs, gives a masterclass on herbs to grow in shady areas of the garden and sows sweetcorn and cucumbers for summer harvests. Arit Anderson continues her investigation into the use of peat as she talks to the people involved in the manufacture of compost as well as growers and consumers. In Cheshire, an enthusiast aims to have a clematis in flower every day of the year in his garden and has amassed a collection of over 150 plants in his quest for floral abundance. One of the most vibrant of spring flowering plants is the euphorbia, and Carol Klein is at Oxford Botanic Garden to explore their national collection. We also find out what viewers have been getting up to in their own gardens.

59 min

12

Episode 12

Arit Anderson and Frances Tophill introduce a special Gardeners’ World from Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex. They not only explore the gardens but also meet the gardeners, joining in on their planting projects and finding out more about the UK’s largest conservation project, the Millenium Seed Bank. There's also a houseplant enthusiast whose passion for monstera has taken over most of the rooms in his flat in Cheltenham, and in London, we visit the garden of a designer who has made the most of the limited space in his outdoor courtyard - but who still finds room for the odd weed or two. And in Cornwall, we discover a gardener with a unique approach to planting meadows by combining edible and ornamental plants.

59 min

13

Episode 13

At Longmeadow, Monty turns his attention to containers, planting them up for drama and summer colour in the jewel garden and showing us how to repot citrus plants. In Hampshire, Joe Swift meets the designer of an award-winning contemporary garden to explore the techniques and the plants she has used to seamlessly integrate both house and garden. Meanwhile, we catch up with the three extraordinary sisters from Dorset who we met last year to find out about a whole new growing project they have started. In Cheshire, we visit a garden where lack of space has not deterred the gardener from packing it full with tropical plants, and in Staffordshire, we get expert growing tips from the holder of a national collection of one of summer’s most delicate flowers, the angel’s fishing rod. We also find out what our viewers have been getting up to in their gardens.

59 min

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Episode 14

As midsummer approaches, it’s the perfect time for Monty to place succulents outside at Longmeadow, as well as planting out dahlias and tender vegetables. Carol Klein visits Trebah Garden in Cornwall, where she finds plants which can add early summer pazazz to our borders. Nick Bailey is at RHS Wisley to look at a variety of shrubs that can be used as alternatives to traditional box hedging. We travel to the seaside in Kent to meet a group of gardeners who have transformed an unloved public space, and in Wales, we find a garden packed with unusual and prehistoric plants.

59 min

15

Episode 15

We join Adam Frost in his garden, where he will be giving tips on laying turf, planting succulents and adding perennial plants to his kitchen garden to grow as cut flowers. Joe Swift travels to Marwood Hill Gardens in Devon to explore plants that thrive in moist conditions, and in Buckinghamshire, we uncover the story of a hidden collection of iris accumulated over a period of 45 years. In Midlothian, we visit a nursery where the Himalayan blue poppy is a speciality, and Frances Tophill meets a florist who has a passion for growing cut flowers on her allotment. Carol Klein visits Trebah Garden in Cornwall, where she finds plants which can add early summer pazazz to our borders. Nick Bailey is at RHS Wisley to look at a variety of shrubs that can be used as alternatives to traditional box hedging. We travel to the seaside in Kent to meet a group of gardeners who have transformed an unloved public space, and in Wales, we find a garden packed with unusual and prehistoric plants.

59 min

16

Episode 16

Adam Frost adds tall plants for shady conditions to his borders, shows us how to make a window box for growing vegetables and herbs, and gives his tips on how to grow plants successfully in peat-free compost. Nick Bailey is in Worcestershire exploring a garden where peonies are taking centre stage, and we return to the urban garden of Kate Bradbury to find out how she ensures that visiting wildlife is kept well fed throughout the summer months. We travel to the Isle of Man to a garden where a range of exotic plants are thriving in the micro-climate on the island, and we meet a nurseryman in Kent with a passion for hydrangeas.

59 min

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Episode 17

We are back with Monty at Longmeadow this week, where he catches up with all his summer jobs in the border and the vegetable garden. Carol Klein gets inspiration for planting combinations when she explores the garden rooms at Cothay Manor and Gardens in Somerset, and Arit Anderson goes to RHS Wisley to find out about their research into the variety and function of the different slugs and snails found in our gardens. We celebrate an iconic summer flower when we travel to Staffordshire to meet a family who specialise in growing a huge variety of sweet peas.

59 min

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Episode 18

At Longmeadow, Monty gives a masterclass on the summer pruning of fruit and advice on maintaining ponds, and plants up a pot to give colour and interest to last into the autumn months. Adam Frost travels to Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire to meet a head gardener who has been set the challenge of restoring the gardens to their 19th-century glory. We meet a young couple at a nursery in Devon to find out about the plants that thrive around water, and in Essex we visit a gardener who loves vibrant colours and changes her plants to suit the season.

59 min

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Episode 19

Monty gets going on a new planting project, gives advice on planting for east- and west-facing borders, starts reaping summer vegetables and sows seeds for autumn harvests. Sue Kent finds inspiration for her own garden when she explores the glorious Aberglasney Gardens in Wales, while Nick Bailey travels to Scotland to investigate a disease affecting trees and shrubs in both woodlands and gardens. We meet a gardener in Kent who fills every space in her garden with the different textures, colours and shapes of foliage, and we visit a school in West Yorkshire where their garden has been planted for the benefit of wildlife and bees.

59 min

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Episode 20

Monty is at Longmeadow, keeping on top of seasonal maintenance as well as enjoying the plants of high summer. Adam Frost travels to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens to view a new area of the garden which was inspired by a visit to the Greek island of Delos, and in Berkshire we find out how one enthusiast keeps her garden full of interest in every season of the year. In West Sussex, we get tips on producing the perfect dahlia from a grower with over 50 years of experience, and we travel to Kent where we meet a gardener with a passion for colourful containers. We also get plenty of inspiration and tips from our viewers' gardens.

59 min

21

Episode 21

In a special programme, Carol Klein and Nick Bailey celebrate gardeners throughout the country who have created some truly unique gardens and made every space count. Carol meets a couple in Dorset whose garden is full of inspirational features, and Nick is in his own city garden, giving his design and gardening tips for making the most of limited spaces. Frances Tophill travels to the Isle of Man to find out how a community of gardeners copes with extremes of weather, while Joe Swift is in Cardiff visiting an extraordinary water-filled front garden. In Sheffield, one man’s garden is given over to homes for wildlife and we visit a beautiful garden in Essex, the restrained colour palette of which conveys a sense of romance and tranquillity. And, of course, there is plenty of inspiration from our viewers' own gardens.

59 min

22

Episode 22

Monty welcomes a special guest, the Duchess of Cornwall, to Longmeadow, where she shares her love of gardening. Also in this programme, Monty carries out some seasonal maintenance on the mound, demonstrates how to plant a fragrant lavender hedge and catches up on the progress of his aubergines and chillies in the greenhouse. Nick Bailey visits Knoll Gardens in Dorset and gives his tips on the tall perennials which give a burst of colour in borders towards the end of the season, when other flowers have started to fade. JJ Chalmers heads to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and discovers the vital role it plays in the local community. And we get plenty of inspiration and tips from our viewers' own gardens.

59 min

23

Episode 23

Monty is at Longmeadow, enjoying the colours of late summer in the garden. He also has plenty of tips to keep gardeners busy over the bank holiday weekend. Adam Frost, Carol Klein and Frances Tophill get an exclusive preview of Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC, where they explore the show gardens and floral delights on offer. We also meet an inspirational gardener who lost her sight as a child and shows us around her garden in Leicestershire, and we visit a couple in Lincolnshire who are passionate about ferns. We also get plenty of inspiration and tips from our viewers' own gardens.

59 min

24

Episode 24

Monty is at Longmeadow with plenty of seasonal advice to keep us busy and our gardens colourful. Will Young shows us around his south London courtyard garden and reveals why it has become an absolute joy in his life, and Joe Swift helps him create some seasonal pot displays for sunny and shady spots. We also visit an inspirational garden in Essex filled with beautiful summer flowers, and its owner explains why it has become increasingly important for her health and wellbeing. And we get plenty of ideas and tips from our viewers' own gardens.

59 min

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Episode 25

As we head into autumn, it’s time for Monty to get some shrubs in the ground and plan ahead for spring with some bulb planting. Meanwhile, Frances Tophill joins Sue Kent on her allotment near Swansea to find out how her growing year has been. We also meet a man in Bedfordshire to learn about his passion for salvias and pay a visit to a beautiful garden in Gwent, where a sloping garden has been transformed. And, as always, we share some of our favourite films sent in by viewers.

59 min

26

Episode 26

We join Adam in his garden for a seasonal catch-up. Toby Buckland gives timely tips on summer and autumn maintenance for your borders, and we join singer-songwriter Billie Marten as she shares her passion for growing vegetables. In North Yorkshire, we meet a couple who have developed a colourful garden on a sloping site, and we also catch up with more viewers' gardens.

59 min

27

Episode 27

With autumn fast approaching, Monty is preparing the borders for the change of seasons and looking ahead to spring. Adam Frost and Advolly Richmond visit a glorious historic garden in North Yorkshire - Scampston Hall. Advolly will be delving into its fascinating history whilst Adam immerses himself in the design. He reveals how it has changed over the years and meets the head gardener, who is the current custodian of the garden. We also visit an allotment in Warwickshire without a vegetable in sight. And we get lots of ideas and suggestions from our viewers' own gardens.

59 min

28

Episode 28

In a special programme, Monty and the team celebrate the wonder of trees and explore the vital role they play in our gardens and the wider landscape. Toby Buckland visits a tree project in North London which is all about engaging children with nature, growing and sustainability, while Nick Bailey gives us his ultimate guide to the top trees for your garden. We visit a ground-breaking project in Staffordshire, which is using living experiments to monitor the crucial part trees play in mitigating climate change, and Arit Anderson finds out how planting more trees can support both humans and the planet.

59 min

29

Episode 29

Monty is back at Longmeadow, getting stuck into more seasonal tasks. Joe Swift heads to Houghton Lodge Gardens in Hampshire, renowned for its walled kitchen garden and heritage fruit collection. We visit Rachel de Thame’s garden, where she has been experimenting with growing different and unusual cut flowers. She is joined by floral artist and designer Hazel Gardiner as they both create their own unique flower arrangements. Plus lots of ideas and suggestions from our viewers' own gardens.

59 min

30

Episode 30

In the final episode of the series, Monty is preparing for spring colour and sowing broad beans. Adam Frost meets the head gardener at Broughton Grange in Oxfordshire to find out how he manages the garden to ensure that it connects with the wider landscape. Toby Buckland visits Sue Kent’s garden near Swansea to help out with autumnal maintenance, we head to Norwich and the National Collection of Muscari, and in Nottinghamshire a couple share their bright ideas for a shady woodland garden. Also, there are lots of suggestions from our viewers' own gardens.

59 min