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Tips for growing heavy potatoes in a bucket? How can I get rid of slugs without killing them? Is using coir in compost recommended? Peter Gibbs and the panel have the answers.

Any tips on how I can successfully grow heavy potatoes in a bucket? Is there any way to get rid of slugs without killing them? Do you recommend the use of Coir in compost and how would you use it?

Peter Gibbs and his team of horticultural experts are at Trinity College in Oxford for this week's episode of Gardeners' Question Time.

Joining Peter to resolve the audience's horticultural dilemmas are passionate plantswoman Christine Walkden, garden designer Chris Beardshaw, and Head of Oxford Botanical Gardens Dr Chris Thorogood.

Later in the programme, Chris Beardshaw speaks with head gardener of Trinity College Kate Burtonwood to discuss the potential trials and errors of redesigning their north lawn border.

Producer: Dan Cocker

Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Plant List

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

Q – Any tips on how I can successfully grow heavy potatoes in a bucket? (2’51”)

Q – What fast growing plants could I have in my garden that will replace my moth-eaten box hedge? (6’14”)

Chris Thorogood –

Hibiscussyriacus, rose of Sharon

Chris Beardshaw –

Ilexcrenata, japanese holly

Myrtusapiculata, temu

Christine Walkden –

Leucospermum

Teucrium, germander

Rhododendron 'Cunningham's White', rhododendron 'Cunningham's White'

Q – Is there any way to get rid of slugs without killing them? (09’33”)

Q – What tomato varieties are the panel’s favourite and least favourite? (13’43”)

Chris Beardshaw –

Solanumlycopersicum 'Moneymaker', tomato 'Moneymaker'

Solanumlycopersicum 'Brandywine', tomato 'Brandywine'

Lycopersiconesculentum 'Gardener's Delight', tomato (cherry”) 'Gardener's Delight'

Christine Walkden –

Solanumlycopersicum 'Sungold', tomato 'Sungold'

Feature – Chris Beardshaw re-joins head gardener of Trinity College, Kate Burtonwood

to discuss the challenges of redesigning their north lawn border (17’22”)

Q – My peach tree has died, what could I replace it with that will withstand harsh growing conditions? (23’05”)

Chris Thorogood –

Genistaaetnensis, mount etna broom

Christine Walkden –

Argyrocytisusbattandieri, Moroccan broom

Chris Beardshaw –

Malustoringo, toringo crab

Magnolia 'Felix', magnolia [Felix Jury]

Crataeguspersimilis 'Prunifolia', broad-leaved cockspur thorn 'Prunifolia'

Pyruscalleryana 'Chanticleer', callery pear 'Chanticleer'

Q – Do you recommend the use of coir and how would you use it? (27’46”)

Q – What “Hero Plants”/weeds would the panel recommend we start eating? (32’13”)

Chris Beardshaw –

Chenopodiumalbum, fat hen

Myrrhisodorata, sweet cicely

Allium ursinum, wild garlic

Taraxacum officinale agg, dandelion

Chris Thorogood –

Tropaeolummajus, garden nasturtium

Trigonellafoenum-graecum, fenugreek

Clovers

Cyperusesculentus, tiger nut

Q – How can I control my raspberry plant that’s taking over my garden? (35’49”)

Chris Beardshaw –

Ailanthusaltissima f. erythrocarpa, tree of heaven

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