Buckingham Garden Centre

Season 1 - Episode 3 - April in the Garden

Chris Day and Peter Brown discuss some things to do in your Garden in April.

Published:
16/04/2021

Published:
16/04/2021

An interview with John Marshal, expert in growing potatoes and Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner.

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Growing Potatoes in Your Garden

Published:
16/04/2021

Chris and Peter's first show, giving you a bit of background on who we are, our horticultural background and what to look forward to in our upcoming shows.

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Dig It Introduction

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Growing Orchids

In this episode of Dig it Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss growing orchids with orchid expert Manos Kanellos from Growth Technology.

Published:
26/05/2021

Published:
10/06/2021

In this episode of Dig it Peter Brown and Chris Day look at how the late spring is affecting our gardens and how using specific plant fertilisers will help your plants recover and prosper this summer.

Season 1 - Episode 4 - May in the Garden

Season 1 - Episode 8 - July in the Garden

Peter and Chris look ahead to what you need to be doing in your garden during the month of July

Published:
30/06/2021

Published:
15/06/2021

In this episode we chat with Stuart Lowen, Marketing Manager from Ball Colegrave. We look at how bedding plants have evolved over the years as well as examine many of the traditional bedding we still enjoy in our gardens.

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Bedding Plants with Stuart Lowen

Published:
01/06/2021

As June arrives, Peter Brown and Chris Day look at the important tasks in the garden including vegetable planning and sowing, allotment hedging ideas, creative planter and basket tips as well as sowing for spring colour.

Season 1 - Episode 6 - June in the Garden

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Celebrating roses

In this podcast we chat with James Taylor, Nursery Manager and Jo Davey, Marketing Manager from Whartons Nurseries. We look at how roses continue to be admired and prized as our No. 1 favourite flower in the UK.

Published:
14/07/2021

Published:
28/07/2021

Season 1 - Episode 10 - August in the Garden

Peter and Chris look ahead to what you need to be doing in your garden during the month of August and discuss other interesting topics.

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Wildlife in the garden

In this episode we chat with Ed Turpin, Community Wildlife Officer East (Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire) from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

Published:
11/08/2021

Season 1 - Episode 12 - September in the Garden

September is the month of mellow mists and fruitfulness and in this month’s Dig It podcast Peter Brown and Chris Day look at how the gradual change in seasons is beginning to affect what we harvest, plant and sow in our gardens.

Published:
01/09/2021

Published:
15/09/2021

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Bulbs for Spring

In this podcast we talk to Ian Clark, Business Manager from Taylors Bulbs. Our chat covers the history and overview of Taylors Bulbs, a look at the commercial aspects of growing bulbs in the field and how spring bulbs continue to rise in popularity with gardeners.

Season 1 - Episode 14 - October in the Garden

In this autumnal edition of Dig It, Peter and Chris discuss the recent September Chelsea Flower Show and how a change of season has created a very different event. Elsewhere the demise of the front garden and the lawn, the concerns over our failing tree population and how moths are being affected by the change from sodium to LED street lights.

Published:
29/09/2021

Published:
06/10/2021

Season 1 - Episode 15 - English Cider

In this podcast Peter Brown chats with local apple enthusiast Michael Jones about his passion for producing cider from an 11-acre community orchard in North Buckinghamshire. In the podcast we learn that cider is basically fermented apple juice however the process from apple to bottle is far from simple! You need plenty of buckets, different apple varieties and the necessary kit, but it’s fun and you are always learning from the process.

Published:
13/10/2021

In this episode Chris Day and Peter Brown chat with local apple enthusiast Mike Jones. We learn about his apple growing journey from childhood memories to establishing a successful and productive 11-acre community orchard in North Buckinghamshire where they grow of plums, apples, pears and quince.

Published:
27/10/2021

In this episode Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss topics including the new RHS planet friendly campaign, Malvern Garden Buildings collecting a well-deserved Gold Medal at Chelsea for their Houseplant themed Green Room and the Queen’s green canopy scheme in conjunction with the Woodland Trust. They also discuss essential jobs this month in the garden including final lawn mows and pruning for new hedges.

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Trees For Small Gardens

In this special Dig It podcast we talk to Nick Dunn, managing director and top tree nurseryman of Frank P Matthews. Founded in 1901, Matthews are one of the UK's leading ornamental and fruit tree growers supplying trees to the Garden Centre trade. We discover the processes of growing in the field, containerising, budding and grafting, popular tree favourites, new trees coming to the market, top tips on growing them and much more. Nick brings his unique insight on trees and his words of wisdom are bound to encourage you to plant a tree this winter.

Published:
17/11/2021

Season 1 - Episode 19 - December in the Garden

In this episode Peter Brown and Chris Day herald the start of Advent by talking about the popular festive favourite, the Poinsettia and its special day in December. We chat to Pam Haigh, the UK general manager of the charity Ripple Africa in Malawi, a charity the Garden Centre is keen to support in its epic work in planting trees - over 17 million trees to date - in Malawi.

Published:
01/12/2021

Season 1 - Episode 20 - Houseplants with Jane Perrone

In this Dig It podcast we celebrate indoor gardening as we chat with top gardening journalist Jane Perrone about her lifelong passion for growing houseplants and how this has developed into one of the most popular gardening podcasts - On the Ledge. Jane provides great advice on growing indoor plants from keeping them healthy, selecting plants for the home, stories from Jane’s On the Ledge podcast, trends on what we are purchasing at the Garden Centre and the best ways of displaying your potted favourites, plus we get a sneak peek into Jane’s forthcoming new book, Legends of the Leaf which profiles 25 iconic houseplants, charting their history and provides tips to help them thrive in your home.

Published:
15/12/2021

Season 1 - Episode 21 - January in the Garden

In this episode Peter Brown and Chris Day welcome 2022 and the promise of a new gardening year! We chat to Andrew Peck, managing director of Malvern Garden Buildings and discuss the massive rise of interest in outdoor rooms whether for business (home offices) or for pleasure. Andrew chats about the evolution of garden buildings from the humble shed (and who doesn't love their sheds!) to more sophisticated buildings such as the Breeze House. In today's everchanging world with home working becoming more popular as well as having the flexibility of an additional covered space in the garden for entertaining or hobbies or simply the perfect escape into the garden through these challenging times. Peter and Chris look at some topical news stories, including a chat about the way Garden Centres are evolving from traditional plant-based companies to becoming more diverse in the products and services they offer to the customer.  Although it's January there are still a few tasks to be getting on with including winter fruit tree spraying, planting new hedges, looking after our feathered friends and controlling slippery moss on pathways.

Published:
01/01/2022

Season 1 - Episode 22 - Exploring the Heritage Seed Library

Chris and Peter discover how the Garden Organic’s Seed Heritage Library is helping to ensure older, traditional seed varieties are maintained for future generations. We chat with Catrina Fenton, who is the Head of the Heritage Seed Library on it’s history, the fascinating processes of open pollination, seed capture, the work of the seed guardians and the workings of the library today in conserving and helping to protect varieties for the future.

Published:
15/01/2022

Season 1 - Episode 23 - February in the Garden

Peter and Chris look at some news stories of the moment. We delve into some of the plants and gardening tasks requiring attention this month and as the gardening season starts in earnest. Peter and Chris select some suggested events for you, including the Garden Centre’s Graft and Grow Day on Saturday 5th February.

Published:
02/02/2022

Season 1 - Episode 24 - Composting

In this podcast Peter and Chris chat with Rod Weston, a composting expert and pioneer in spreading the message of the value of composting techniques to amateur and professional gardeners. Rod explains the composting process from start to finish and the best approach to ensure great composting results. Rod discusses options for composting where space is limited, and we are guided on some of the best compost equipment on the market.

Published:
15/02/2022

Season 2 - Episode 1 - March in the Garden

As we celebrate our first year of Dig It, Peter Brown and Chris Day look at some of the topical news stories including changes in the garden centre world, a university led community gardening study and a new autumn plant fair. In the podcast we prepare the greenhouse for spring, start plants from seed indoors and out, share hints on spring bulbs and how to help our hedgehogs.

Published:
01/03/2022

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Swards of Grass

In this episode we talk to David Hedges-Gower, the UK's leading lawn expert. who has more than 36 years of lawn and turf experience. Dig It hosts Peter Brown and Chris Day learn how our lawns have evolved over the years, share practical advice on sowing and growing a new lawn from seed, the types of lawn seed available, the importance of feeding, aeration, scarification and irrigation, the process of overseeding, lawn troubleshooting, plus a look at those essential tasks to keep your lawn looking healthy throughout the year.

Published:
15/03/2022

Season 2 - Episode 3 - April in the Garden

April is a busy month in the garden and after a relatively mild and dry March there's plenty to be getting on with. Dig It hosts Peter Brown and Chris Day look at some of the topical news stories including the new listings of poisonous plants (potentially toxic to humans and our pets) from the HTA, the peat-free debate continues, the seaside town of Morecambe receives a 12-acre wildflower meadow as part of The Eden Project's National Wildflower Centre, plus events and those essential gardening tasks to be getting on with.

Published:
01/04/2022

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Perennials with Rosemary Hardy

From peeking over hedgerows to see flowers from a different viewpoint and scrumping apples on a horse, leading nursery expert Rosemary Hardy's love of plants and gardening blossomed from a very young age. Rosemary chats to Peter Brown and Chris Day about the development of the nursery from a walled garden just down the road to their current beautifully nurtured 13-acre Hampshire Nursery in Freefolk.

Published:
14/04/2022

Season 2 - Episode 5 - May in the Garden

May is a busy month in the garden and after a relatively mild and dry March there's plenty to be getting on with. Dig It hosts Peter Brown and Chris Day look at some of the topical news stories, plus there's plenty to be getting on with in the rest of the garden

Published:
01/05/2022

Season 2 - Episode 6 - How to be a Better Wildlife Gardener

In this podcast Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with gardening expert and nature lover Martin Fish. Topics covered include invaluable advice on developing a wildlife friendly garden, lawn meadows, managing wildlife and how best to achieve the right balance of potential pests and wildlife, his thoughts, and observations on the new trends in re-wilding and his take on ‘No Mow May’.

Published:
15/05/2022

Season 2 - Episode 7 - June in the Garden

As we garden into June, so the priorities of tasks change with maintenance, planting and sowing still important along with tasks to keep our gardens moving onwards and upwards, including wildlife ponds, pondwater coverage tips, tomato growing and some essential pruning. After a busy May with the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Dig It hosts Peter Brown and Chris Day look at some of the topical news stories, happenings at the garden centre and around the UK.

Published:
01/06/2022

Season 2 - Episode 8 - The Queen of Herbs - Jekka McVicar

Jekka McVicar talks with Dig It’s Peter Brown and Chris Day about the popularity in growing herbs, tips on growing them, plus a fascinating insight into her RHS show work Jekka shares her passion for growing and propagating herbs, organic growing, meeting the Queen and Jekka spills the beans on her exciting new herb garden project which opens next year.

Published:
15/06/2022

Season 2 - Episode 9 - July in the Garden

Make sure you're ready for July in the garden with Dig It's round-up of garden news, events as well as a look at those essential tasks to be getting on with, with top advice from Peter Brown and Chris Day.

Published:
01/07/2022

Season 2 - Episode 10 - A Cherry on Top

July is traditionally the start of the cherry season so in this edition of Dig It, Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Vikki Grainge from Horwood Cherries, to discover more about growing these delicious fruits famed for their wonderful flavour despite the short of season of cropping.

Published:
15/07/2022

Season 2 - Episode 11 - August in the Garden

Make sure you’re ready for August in the garden with Dig It’s round-up of garden news, events as well as a look at those essential tasks to be getting on with top advice from Buckingham Garden Centre’s Peter Brown and Chris Day.

Published:
01/08/2022