tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56985447459442922572008-05-05T13:18:27.042-07:00Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-9564167993041537162008-05-05T13:10:00.000-07:002008-05-05T13:18:27.111-07:00

You can't beat it - apart from the four days at Easter! Apart from the antics in the veg patch and my appearance on Dougan Does Gardening on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Sunday, both of which you can read about on my RHS veg blog, my only other main gardening antic this weekend was to help Clare cut back the large holly and the cotoneaster growing underneath it to reclaim some new planting areas.

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-5516982034751718862008-04-27T12:35:00.000-07:002008-04-27T12:49:03.621-07:00

When I moved into my current house seven years ago, one of the things that persuaded me to buy it - along with the L-shaped garden (I’ve got the bottom of the gardens of the two houses to the right) – was the fabulous white-blossomed cherry tree. Sadly, it looked like it was suffering from bacterial canker, but seemed to be growing fine. Even more sadly is the fact that the canker has been

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-23386371352977101762008-04-20T12:01:00.000-07:002008-04-20T12:14:11.530-07:00

This weekend’s forecast for yet another mixed bag of weather meant that I needed to get cracking early – just in case, just in case things turned really nasty and put the kybosh on my plans. As a result I was out in the garden by 8 o’clock on both days. The weather wasn’t as bad as expected – although Sunday started out dull, damp, dingy and wet, but by 11.15am (having gone back indoors for

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-37191149273456263492008-04-13T13:50:00.000-07:002008-04-13T13:54:59.446-07:00

Because we’ve been away the last couple of weekends and haven’t managed to spend much time on the garden or the allotment, jobs were beginning to pile up – and both my girlfriend Clare and I were beginning to get just a tad twitchy about the situation. So this weekend we were going to get on with things whatever the weather. Perhaps a touch too much bravado considering the forecast! Luckily, we

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-17187913976386939532008-04-05T00:46:00.000-07:002008-04-05T00:47:18.718-07:00

April – my favourite spring month. The weather’s warming up and generally becoming more pleasant, allowing me to get on with more things in the garden. At least it better be!! The weather forecast doesn’t sound great for this weekend, but let’s see what can be done. Talking of weather, the Met Office has released its forecast for the coming summer. Apparently, it’s expected to be a 'typical

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-14307390010346308372008-03-24T11:52:00.000-07:002008-03-24T12:02:24.242-07:00

What a washout – or snowout this Easter was. This is one of the most unpleasant ones I can remember. Snow, biting cold winds, frosts and cold temperatures. They all combined together to make me feel inclined to stay indoors and eat Easter eggs and hot cross buns. But there were things that had to be done. Ever hopeful that the Met Office had got the forecast wrong I ordered a tonne of compost for

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-15081249196832270592008-03-16T08:21:00.000-07:002008-03-16T08:42:11.556-07:00

Wow, it's windy. And if there's one thing I hate (since experiencing the Great Storm of 1987) it's wind. We've had a few fence panels become dislodged, but managed to rescue them before they completely blew away. Now I'm inside catching up with work - rather than being outside, which is what I'd prefer. In the lead up to the week before the big gardening weekend - Easter - I've been recording

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-60345939375328552362008-02-28T02:47:00.000-08:002008-02-28T02:53:50.380-08:00

One of the other things that I get up to on a monthly basis, and really enjoy doing, is recording the monthly gardening and promotional messages for Garden Radio. This is the in-store music and messaging service for garden centres, now playing in more than 90 outlets throughout the UK. This service is a great way for garden centres to promote their special offers and gives timely tips to

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-44226782886522491782008-02-22T10:28:00.000-08:002008-02-22T10:44:17.711-08:00

I'm getting impatient. It’s that time of year when gardeners can’t make up their minds what to do – and either get really frustrated or do silly things too early and regret it later. OK, yes I’ve done some pottering around the garden – tidying this and straightening that. But I want to get on with seed sowing, major projects and the like. So what has been happening in the great outdoors? Well, I’

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-44580996896203190232008-01-28T01:14:00.000-08:002008-01-28T01:21:45.653-08:00

This weekend was another radio fest – on Saturday I was on BBC Essex doing the Gardening Plus programme, and Sunday on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Dougan Does Gardening. Both have a strong element of answering listeners’ questions and having a general chat about gardening. On Gardening Plus a lively text debate erupted over how to keep water butts clear of mosquito and other insect larvae. My

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-70055930760800281252008-01-21T09:54:00.000-08:002008-01-21T10:07:18.606-08:00

Being British and, worse than that, a British gardener, I’m fascinated with the weather. It is so important for deciding what to grow, when to plant and sow and whether it’s possible to go outside and do some gardening! And now that the climate is meant to be changing I thought it was time I kept an eye on it. There are people that do this professionally – the Met Office and the weather station

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-49429003888085714172008-01-20T02:32:00.000-08:002008-01-28T01:23:51.013-08:00

“I’m late!, I’m late! For a very important date.” So said the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. And if I was an exhibition veg grower I would be late. I’ve just sown some ‘Mammoth Improved’ onion seeds for this year, whereas exhibition growers always try to sow on Boxing Day or as soon after the shortest day as possible. These are now sitting in the propagator in the garage. Sadly, I can’t get

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-64902963442926638952008-01-13T00:50:00.000-08:002008-01-13T01:04:41.282-08:00

In my last blog I made comment about climate change and the possibility of whether or not we would have to consider gardening in a changing climate. I guess the whole climate change issue is one that raises all sorts of questions - and all sorts of responses. Is it happening or is it just 'one of those weather cycles'?, is it man-made?, is it going to cause real problems? - and, who cares anyway

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-39013276746573872382008-01-07T12:31:00.000-08:002008-01-07T12:51:13.740-08:00

Are we experiencing global warming? Will we have to garden in a changing climate?? One thing that could provide evidence for this is seeing plants that flower out of season. Plants are very sensitive to changes in weather conditions and patterns. I went out into my garden on New Year's Day to see what exactly was in flower to see if there were any anomalies. The list was: Calluna vulgaris (2

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-73538467986418678622007-11-12T05:25:00.000-08:002007-11-12T05:45:47.873-08:00

It has been a busy radio week for me - Gardening Plus (the new name for Down to Earth, which is now three hours long) on BBC Essex and the Thursday phone-in and Dougan Does Gardening on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Along with the usual "How do I kill this or that bug, disease or weed?" (rose blackspot is still a major concern for gardeners, even at this time of year) and "Why is this plant dying?",

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-31318621144178389692007-11-02T04:37:00.000-07:002007-11-02T05:00:20.177-07:00

Speaking of the day job (see last blog) it's all systems go on RHS Online - the RHS website. We've been working on some new areas of the site and updating others. There's Passion for Plants, which ties in with the BBC TV programme A Passion for Plants shown on Friday evenings; Garden Explorers, which is a new membership category for families; Campaign for School Gardening, which is aimed at

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-25900755184223375862007-10-21T08:24:00.001-07:002007-10-21T08:33:41.101-07:00

It's hard to believe that I haven't posted a blog since the end of August - but then again not! I've been soooo busy with other things that I just haven't had the time. I managed to get some holiday in during September and went off to Greece for some sun and relaxation; I also went on my annual fishing trip to the Norfolk Broads with friends from University. I've also had the proofs back from

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-4424072282130372202007-08-28T09:03:00.000-07:002007-08-28T09:06:12.041-07:00

One of the perks of being a gardening journo is that you get new plants and products to trial. This year has been no exception and in spring I received a massive box of bare-root perennials from Darwin Plants in Holland. Here’s how I got on with them. There were two new cultivars in the collection: ‘Love and Pride’ and A. chinensis ‘Diamonds and Pearls. I’m not a great fan of astilbes, so when I

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-85265455679019672132007-08-22T09:59:00.000-07:002007-08-22T10:13:37.419-07:00

That certainly is a question. And a question I get asked a lot; most starter gardeners are petrified of attacking plants with secateurs thinking they'll kill them. Most plants can survive and some even enjoy massed butchery, so there isn't anything to be too worried about. Whether they'll flower and fruit afterwards is another matter! I give a talk to gardening clubs on pruning, and it's always

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-89405492105336891332007-08-12T02:52:00.000-07:002007-08-12T03:04:03.462-07:00

Yesterday I made my usual five-to-six-weekly visit to Chelmsford to do my guest spot on BBC Essex' Down to Earth gardening programme with Ken Crowther. I've been doing the show now for about 14-15 years and really enjoy it - I'm told I have a face for radio! It's a two-hour programme that concentrates purely on gardening - no music, just a lot of chat and phonecalls, e-mails, letters and texts

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-72363325993536707542007-08-12T02:49:00.000-07:002007-08-12T02:50:18.880-07:00

I love the summer, as it is usually filled with press trips and other events. Following last week’s trip to Ball Colegrave, this week I’ve been to Mr Fothergill’s. This seed company has its trials grounds on the outskirts of Newmarket in Suffolk, and there’s always something exciting, interesting and new to see. The near-perfect summer’s day followed several weeks of poor weather – so much so

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-52648764222711215732007-08-02T08:49:00.000-07:002007-08-02T09:27:29.856-07:00

Yesterday I spent a glorious sunny day at Ball Colegrave during the company’s press day. This company is one of the world’s leading bedding plant producers, and my visit to its trials grounds at West Adderbury, near Banbury in Oxfordshire is always a highlight of the year. Not only can you see the trials fields where new cultivars are being trialled and tested against the current leading best

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-25433058473012853322007-07-29T10:45:00.000-07:002007-07-29T10:49:38.066-07:00

I've just been doing some surfing - and blog spotting - and noticed that there are a few blogs about Gardenforum crossing the line, doing the dirty etc, etc. That is they're now charging for their premium services. Please be aware this ain't me. GardenForum Horticulture (www.gardenforum.demon.co.uk) - that's me - is different to Gardenforum (www.gardenforum.co.uk). I'm a one-man band offering

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-31870020056224420102007-07-29T10:20:00.000-07:002007-07-31T10:45:29.141-07:00

As a gardening journalist working in a broad portfolio of mediums, one of my favourites is radio. I appear regularly on BBC Essex and am the gardening correspondent for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Today was one of my regular slots on the latter. Dougan Does Gardening from 11am to 1pm offers a phone-in advice service, and it's always interesting to hear what people are having problems with and

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698544745944292257.post-9357396483189942972007-07-24T23:55:00.000-07:002007-07-25T00:13:19.127-07:00

What a year it has been so far! I know I love the subject of plant pests & diseases - but only to help other gardeners get the best out of their gardens. I get as annoyed as the next person when plants that have had lots of TLC, suddenly go down with a nasty problem. I always make sure I inspect my plants on a regular basis for signs of attack - usually for 10 minutes or so after work, and

Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07822934117047414045noreply@blogger.com