Bolton

Bolton

From Gardeners' Question Time by BBC Radio 4

April 17, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

The panel discusses various gardening questions and offers expert advice on topics such as composting and plant selection.

Kathy Clugston and the Gardeners' Question Time panel visit the outskirts of Bolton in Lancashire. Kathy is joined by RHS Bridgewater Curator Marcus Chilton-Jones, Garden Designer Matthew Wilson and Plantswoman Christine Walkden. The panellists tackle what to do about an overwhelming stash of black plastic pots, advise on why a listener's new compost bin is lacking in worms, and suggest plants for shady clay areas beneath mature beech trees. Other questions cover planting for waterlogged borders, homemade foliar feeds for seedlings, and opening a wildlife-focused garden for the National Garden Scheme. Later in the programme, Bunny Guinness shares spring propagation tips, including softwood and basal cuttings and using an aeroponic propagator. Producer: Rahnee Prescod Assistant Producer: William Norton A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4 * If listening on BBC Sounds and you wish to view the plant list, please go to the Gardeners' Question Time website and open this week's episode page. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/guide

People in this episode

Host: Kathy Clugston

Guests: Marcus Chilton-Jones, Matthew Wilson, Christine Walkden, Bunny Guinness

Topics covered

  • black plastic pots
  • compost bin
  • shady clay areas
  • waterlogged borders
  • homemade foliar feeds
  • wildlife-focused garden
  • spring propagation
  • softwood cuttings
  • basal cuttings
  • aeroponic propagator

Keywords

  • gardening
  • advice
  • RHS Bridgewater
  • National Garden Scheme

Mentioned in this episode

Products: compost bin, aeroponic propagator

Places: Bolton, Lancashire

More episodes of Gardeners' Question Time

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Gardeners' Question Time podcast page.