Dig It

In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Stuart Lowen, the Marketing Manager at Ball Colegrave, a leader in all areas of floriculture excellence. Stuart gives us the latest news from the seasonal plant industry, hanging basket advice, plus new bedding plants to look out for this summer. The Blue Flag winner in 2024 was Lantana Passion Fruit, a trailing spreading variety with a...

After one of the driest March’s in years, our gardens are certainly providing some amazing tree blossom, shrub and bulb colour. DIG IT’s Peter Brown and Chris Day delve into the latest news, events and gardening advice for the month ahead. 5th April: The Forde Abbey Spring Plant and Gardening Fair at Forde Abbey and Gardens in Somerset. 5th - 6th April: Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show a...

In this edition of DIG IT, Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Jonathon Jones OBE on all aspects of trees from the famous Tregothnan Estate in Cornwall. Jonathon discusses how a revolutionary new app – Tremap is changing the way we can record, map and share details of  trees worldwide using GPS on our smart phones. Plants mentioned: Araucaria Araucana (monkey puzzle tree), Camellia sinensis (...

March in the Garden 2025 SHORT NOTES Spring is in the air! DIG IT’s Peter Brown and Chris Day guide us through the month of March looking at events far and wide to visit, including the US and Australia, the latest news stories and the jobs to be getting on with in the garden. What’s on 1st March: The Alpine Society’s Early Spring Show at Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford, Essex. 1 - 9th March...

After a chilly January in the UK, the days are starting to lengthen and there’s signs of life as bulbs are pushing through the soil. DIG IT’s Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss news, events and gardening tasks for the gardening month ahead. What’s on Saturday 1st February Buckingham Garden Centre’s Grow & Grow Day, 10am-4pm. Saturday 1st February to Sunday 2nd March: Peruvian Orchid Spectacular...

In this edition of DIG IT, Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with seedsman and passionate foodie Paolo Arrigo about Seeds of Italy, an importer for the prestigious seed producer Franchi Seeds. Paolo discusses the importance of regionality in food growing, how heritage seeds are now more important than ever and how the bureaucracy of the EU has caused issues for the vegetable seed market. Plants menti...

Peter and Chris celebrate the start of the New Year in the garden with events, latest news stories and a look at those topical gardening tasks to get you out and about in the garden this January. What’s On Saturday 18th January: National Tulip Day, Meseumplein, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 1-5pm. Free entry. Sunday 19th January: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 2 – 3:30pm Discover the Botanic Gardens in...

In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with horticultural journalist, garden designer and broadcaster Naomi Slade. Naomi’s latest book, Chrysanthemum: Beautiful Varieties from Home and Garden, is a celebration of the ever so versatile Chrysanthemum. On the podcast we discover more about Naomi’s garden design journey, plus great advice on planting and her love of plants, including...

In this month’s DIG IT Peter Brown discusses the latest news in the world of gardening, what’s on’s and as the winter kicks in, Chris and Peter look at those gardening tasks to keep your garden looking its best this month and beyond. Places to visit : Winter Flowers Week at the Garden Museum, London National Memorial Arboretum mile long light trail Alnwick Castle lights show Cambridge University B...

In this edition of DIG IT we are delighted to welcome back Jekka McVicar, top organic herb grower, consultant, and Royal Horticultural Society Judge. Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Jekka on issues affecting herbs, best growing practices, composts, tea infusions, plus we delve into Jekka’s latest fabulous book, 100 Herbs To Grow. Plant mentions: Coriander , Basil, Bulbine frutescens (burn jell...

This month on DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss the latest news in the world of gardening, what’s on’s and as the winter kicks in, a look at those gardening tasks to keep your garden looking its best this month and beyond. Friday 8th November Final Gardeners’ World programme of the season. 15th November RHS Glow 2024 Rosemoor. 20th November RHS Glow 2024 Harlow Carr Garden 22nd November RHS...

In this episode of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Jonathon Jones, OBE and managing director of Tregothnan Estate in Cornwall, home of the amazing Garden, Camellias, magnificent trees and a Tea plantation stretching 29 miles long! People mentioned : Tea expert Chris Bond, authors Peter Blake and John Shepherd. The Ken Thomas Charitable Trust, a bursary opportunity set up for agriculturi...

October is a wonderful month in the garden - crisp blue skies and fantastic autumn colour to enjoy. DIG IT’s Peter Brown and Chris Day look at the month as far as places to visit, what’s in the world of gardening news and timely tasks to be getting on with - so not quite the month to take your foot off the pedal! What’s on 5th & 6th October, 10am-4pm: Buckingham Garden Centre’s Apple Weekend....

In this edition of DIG IT, Peter Brown turns the microphone around and chats with Chris Day about his life and times working with plants, garden centres, radio, people in horticulture, and even a few greenhouses! From a humble apprentice at Rochfords to plant publicity manager at Buckingham Garden Centre, Chris spills the beans on some of his gardening wisdom along the way.   Plant mentions:...

As autumn approaches DIG IT’s Peter Brown and Chris Day provide a monthly round-up to the latest horticultural events, the gardening stories making the headlines and a look at those garden tasks requiring our attention. What’s on 3 - 8th September RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show, Wisley, Woking, Surrey. 13 - 15th September The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, Newby Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire 27 - 29t...

Spreading the gardening word with Dave The Plantman DIG IT hosts Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with top all-round horticulturalist and internet sensation Dave The Plantman. Dave has been creating daily 90 second videos since April 2023 and has a huge 360k following, including a younger gardening audience on TikTok hungry for advice. Dave shares his knowledge in a unique style with his signature t...

Summer gardening reaches it’s peak this month as Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss the latest stories in the world of horticulture, must-visit events and a run-down of those essential tasks to keep your garden productive and colourful in the weeks to come.   What’s on   31st July - 4th August: RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show, Essex. 2 - 3rd August: Taunton Flower Show, Somerset. Until 4...

In this edition of DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with special guest Andrew Mikolajski. Andrew, a well-known horticulturalist, and prolific author of over 40 gardening books, including his latest, ‘Who Ate My Plants’. Andrew discusses the ongoing battle gardeners have with garden pests and diseases. Plant mentions: Grow as many varieties and species – native and non-native from the Northern...

This month on DIG IT Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss the latest gardening news, what’s on’s and as the peak gardening season is well underway, a look at those tasks to keep your garden looking its best this month and beyond. What’s on 2 – 7th July: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is held in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, Richmond. 12th July and 4th August: The Big Butterfly Count...

Flowers are big business in Britain over 50% of British households bought cut flowers in 2022. However, according to Defra, only 14% of cut flowers sold in the UK are grown in Britain. In this edition of Dig it Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Jessica Naish who runs a successful local flower farm in Buckingham. In the podcast we discover how Jess has developed her flower farm, plus the practica...

June is here and with it brings the sun and fun in the garden! In this month’s Dig It, Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss the latest gardening news stories, events, and those all-important gardening tasks, plus celebrating DIG IT’s inclusion into the Rephonic top 15 gardening podcasts! What’s On 3 - 9th June British Flowers Week celebrating the variety and skills of the nation’s flower growers. 8th...

In this episode of Dig It Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Huw Richards. Huw’s mission is simple - to help as many people as possible to grow their own food. He documents his productive garden through his hugely popular YouTube Channel . He’s just published a new book with Sam Cooper, The Self-Sufficiency Garden book, which focuses on the growing and cooking side of grow your own. Plants mentio...

May is the month our beds, allotments and containers explode with colour and energy. What’s on 3rd - 4th May Toby’s Garden Festival at Powderham Castle, Kenton. 3rd - 5th May BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. 9 – 12th May RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Three Counties Showground, Malvern. 12th May Borde Hill Specialist Spring Plant Fair, Haywards Heath. 17th - 2...

In this edition of Dig It, Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with Barry Smith, Head Gardener at the National Trust’s Stowe Landscape Gardens, near Buckingham. Barry has been at Stowe for over 40 years and head gardener for over 25 so he knows this garden with immense passion and understanding. Stowe, a world-famous 18th century garden was created by such luminaries as Charles Bridgeman, William Kent...

Many of our gardens are enjoying much earlier blooms this spring due to the mild and damp weather conditions. Peter Brown and Chris Day bring us the latest gardening news, what’s on’s and topical gardening advice for the busy month of April. What’s on 6th -7th April: Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show at Royal Cornwall Show Ground near Wadebridge, features a Grow Your Own space and Tipi Ta...