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Hampton Court Palace: Postbag Edition

Peter Gibbs chairs this week's horticultural panel show.

Peter Gibbs chairs this week's horticultural panel show. Joining Peter at the beautiful Hampton Court Palace gardens to answer questions sent in via email and social media are Matt Biggs, Christine Walkden and Humaira Ikram.

Producer - Dan Cocker
Assistant producer - Rosie Merotra

A Somethin' Else production for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4

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42 minutes

Plant List

Q – I like the idea of a bulb lasagne where you layer different types of bulbs in a single container. Can I keep the filled pots in my garage and if so how much water would they need and when should I bring them out? (3 minutes 55)

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Matt – Narcissus

Narcissus ‘Tête-à-tête’

Chionodoxa

Muscari

Crocus

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Christine - Chionodoxa

Puschkinia

Anemone

Crocus

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Q – Can you grow hyacinth bulbs in jam jars? Or could you suggest an alternative? (7 minutes 25)

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Q – The number of birds in my garden are diminishing. If I prune in Spring will I take away places for them to nest – and if I do it in winter will I leave them in less shelter? (9 minutes 25)

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Peter – Cotoneaster

Pyracantha

Forsythia

Buddleia

Viburnum tinus

Apple trees

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Q – I purchased a contorted Willow tree which I have potted on to a larger container. I have noticed the roots have been poking up through the top of the soil. Will it be OK to leave over winter or will it succumb to frost? (12 minutes 35)

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Q – One of my new favourite plants is the Daphne. There are 2 plants – one has gone yellow and looks poorly, and the other plant looks OK. Is there anything I can do to help it? (13 minutes 50)

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Q – I had tomato blight. I have removed the plants, but I have read the soil can infect plants that go into the same beds next year. Is this just for tomato plants or will it affect other vegetable or herb plants? And is there a way to clear the soil in the beds? (16 minutes 10)

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Matt – Petunia

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Q – How do I grow my own sweet potatoes? (20 minutes 40)

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Q – We are lucky enough to live in France. Our neighbouring barn has no guttering and each time it rains a deluge of water comes down into our bed. It is North-facing, clay, very stony soil. Do you have any plant suggestions for intermittent drowning? (22 minutes 20)

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Humaira – Elders

Miscanthus

Geranium ‘Rozanne’

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Christine – Schizophragma integrifolium

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris

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Q – I was given some horseradish and this year it has taken over the veg patch. How do I stop its progress? (25 minutes 25)

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Q – I soak plants before planting but TV presenters’ water them once in soil. Who is doing it right?Ìý (31 minutes 15)

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Q – We have discovered a 700-year old well in our kitchen. My wife wants to turn it into a feature. What plants could I add to this? (34 minutes 50)

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Humaira – Asplenium

Aspelenium scoopendrium

Asplenium trichomanes

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Q – My Mother used to put all the houseplants in the rain once or twice a year. Does anyone else on the panel do this? (39 minutes 30)

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