Two Good Gardeners

Ben Cross is a 4th-generation flower grower and the proprietor of Crosslands Flower Nursery. Specialising in the cultivation of alstroemerias for the cut-flower trade, Ben is one of a diminishing number of commercial growers in the UK. Dan and Julia find out why the big supermarkets aren't supporting British growers and where our cut flowers really come from - you might be surprised! Along the way, they learn how easy alstroemerias are to grow in your own garden or greenhouse, so why not have a go?Jobs for the fortnightMany seed and bulb merchants are releasing their new catalogues and plant lists now. Place orders early for any unusual varieties that might sell out quickly.Add a thick layer of nutritious compost to your vegetable beds. If you’re unlikely to be doing much gardening between now and spring, you might want to cover them with cardboard to stop weeds from germinating.Get your tulip bulbs in any time between now and Christmas, but don’t forget about them. If you need to keep them for a while, make sure they’re somewhere cool, dry, dark and well ventilated, so they don’t go mouldy.Protect and stake your brassicas - Brussels and broccoli are prone to leaning over or snapping in high winds. Support emerging broad beans sown outside and keep an eye out for peckish pigeons.Check apples stored last month for signs of rotting, and remove any blemished ones immediately. Don’t worry if you still have apples to pick.Tidy up strawberry plants and pot up any baby plants sent out on runnersBuild new compost bins to accommodate the massive volume of leaves, weeds and cleared vegetation that need somewhere to go at the end of the year Clean bird baths and top up bird feeders.It’s the final window to plant autumn onion and shallot sets, and get ready for garlic next month.Prune apple and pear trees from now until the end of February before new growth starts.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchCrosslands Flower NurseryTo order Ben's alstroemerias, drop him a line at crosslandsflowernursery@gmail.comExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

Dan & Julia talk to Niall McCauley, an Irish gardener, TV presenter and content creator, about how to plant a garden for year-round colour and interest, discovering in the process that Niall has more than one string to his bow! Later in the episode, Julia describes how to give a redundant Halloween pumpkin a new purpose, and Dan reveals what made his top 10 Christmas gifts for gardeners.Jobs to do in your garden this fortnightContinue to clear fallen leaves from lawns or paths.Plant tulip bulbs in pots, and make sure you put squirrel deterrents over the pots —use netting, rose clippings, or chilli powder, anything that works for you.Order and plant bare-rooted trees and shrubs.Clear dead flowers, foliage and spent annuals.Wrap tender plants and pots in bubble wrap or fleece to protect them from frost.Clean, dry and oil any garden tools you don’t expect to use over winter and put them away carefully. This is an excellent job for a rainy November afternoon.Continue to mow the lawn on a nice day, raising the blades higher than usual.Raise pots off the ground to prevent waterlogging and eventual freezing. If they’re really old or precious, bring them into a shed or porch for extra protection.If you live in a cold area, now is the time to lift dahlia tubers to store and dry over the winter. For help on this, here's a link to Dan's expert guide.Plant asparagus crowns and rhubarb plants.Pick holly with berries before the birds strip them, and store them in a cool place until Christmas.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchNiall Gardens websiteNiall Gardens YouTubeExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

Dan and Julia talk to Rose Armstrong of McBeans Orchids, one of Britain's oldest and most illustrious nurseries. Your hosts discover what makes orchids such a vast and successful plant family and what's needed to grow and propagate them successfully at home. Before you ask, rainwater IS required, so get collecting now! Later in the episode, Julia explains how to overwinter your favourite chilli plants, and Dan describes the difference between bypass and anvil secateurs. As always, there's a handy reminder of the jobs you can be doing in your garden over the next fortnight to round off.Jobs for the fortnightMulch around the base of plants and over empty beds and borders. Over winter, worms will busily pull the organic matter into the soil, improving its structure. Collect leaves and add them to your compost heap, or pack them into jute sacks. They’ll slowly decompose to make leaf mould—one of the most precious ingredients in good compost. Shredding them will make them break down faster.Brush paths with coarse sand or use a jet washer to remove moss and algae, which can become slippery when wet or icy.In exposed gardens, reduce the height of tall shrubs such as roses, buddleia, and lavatera to prevent them from rocking in high winds. For the same reason, newly planted trees should be staked low down.Turn off the water supply to outdoor taps and drain hosepipes before storing them. Install a water butt if you need a ready supply of water over winter.If you’ve experienced blight, black spot, rust, or mildew this season, it's essential to remove and destroy any infected plant matter. Cutting off this year’s hellebore leaves is a good idea, allowing an uncluttered view of the nodding blooms in spring.Take a walk around the garden and inspect the large shrubs and trees, noting any branches that appear as if they might fall. Remove them yourself using loppers or a pruning saw if you feel able. If in doubt, call an arborist for a second opinion and to carry out the work. Do the same exercise for fences, garden buildings and ornamental structures, such as pergolas. Give the lawn one last cut, avoiding emerging bulbs - some early-flowering varieties can appear above ground well before Christmas.Order and plant bare-rooted plants. This is one of the cheapest and most environmentally friendly ways to create a hedge, rose garden, orchard or woodland area. Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchMcBean's OrchidsExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

In this episode, your hosts quiz Acer expert and Vice Chair of The Maple Society of Britain & Ireland, Miles Hayward, on how to grow acers in your garden, creating unparalleled colour and form year-round. They find out how to pick a top-notch plant, learn the best way to plant it, and discover which other plants acers associate well with. Later in the show, Julia shares a clever way to use up excess chillies before ending with suggestions about what you can do in your garden over the next fortnight:Jobs to do in the garden over the next fortnight:Keep picking dahlias. Watch out for mildew as nights become colder.Take hardwood cuttings from flowering shrubs such as Cornus, Hydrangeas, and Philadelphus. These can be rooted directly in the ground - it's easy-peasy.Plant amaryllis bulbs for Christmas, keeping two-thirds of the bulb above the compost. Water sparingly until the leaves appear.Lift and store bananas, cannas, tender salvias & ginger plants BEFORE they get frosted.Do the same with dahlias once the first frosts have appeared. If you live in the southeast, you can leave them in the ground under a decent pile of mulch. Repair damaged lawns. Scarify and aerate with a garden fork. There's still just enough time to reseed if you're quick about it, but don't delay.Cut back the asparagus fern once it turns yellow.Sow broad beans either directly or under cover in deep pots to be planted out next month.Sow onion, garlic and shallot sets from now.Continue to pick up fallen fruits, store and leave a few for wildlife to help themselves.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchMiles Japanese Maples InstagramThe Maple Society of Britain & IrelandContact Miles by email: miles@milesjapanesemaples.co.ukContact Miles by phone: 01798 688123Expertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

Dan & Julia kick off the new series of their podcast with their reflections on the long, hot summer of 2025, comparing notes on how it's impacted their gardens and their plans for the future. Also in this episode, your hosts share simple recipes that helped turn a glut of courgettes into tasty and crowd-pleasing meals, plus a list of jobs you can do in your garden to keep it beautiful and bountiful through early autumn.Garden jobs for the fortnightWatch out for powdery mildew, which takes hold when a plant has dry roots and wet foliage. It’s prevalent in autumn. Spray the leaves of vulnerable plants with a solution of bicarb dissolved in water - a teaspoon should do. Or invest in a mildewcide such as SB Plant Invigorator.Keep deadheading dahlias and make sure they’re firmly staked.Watch out for Asian Hornets and report sightings to the UK Centre for Egology and Hydrology Start planting spring-flowering bulbs. Daffodils and snowdrops in particular will start producing roots as soon as the first autumn rain has fallen.Box moth caterpillars will be starting their last lifecycle before winter, so don’t stop whatever preventative treatments you’re using until October.Direct sow hardy annuals, including wildflower seeds, into prepared seed beds. Resist the urge to scatter seeds among grasses or established plants; the competition will be too much for your seedlings.Start making space in your greenhouse, conservatory or garage for tender plants that need winter protection.Continue sowing salads, such as lettuce, rocket, and mizuna.Find a good pair of gardening gloves that will help you work in wet weather. We’ve just discovered Niwaki’s fleece-lined rubber gloves and love them!Start to store fruit, namely apples and pears, slightly under-ripe, with no soft or damaged fruit. Store in a cool place in trays that allow air to circulate.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchReport an Asian Hornet SightingExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

In the last episode of this series, your hosts, Dan Cooper and Julia Parker, talk to Guy Watts and Jason Gilford of Architectural Plants about what makes the perfect sculptural specimen, the challenges of running a nursery during a heatwave, and how much risk to take when choosing borderline hardy plants. Julia shares her favourite architectural edibles, and Dan recommends mini shears for creating prize-winning Niwaki - all will be revealed when you listen!Two Good Gardeners will return in Autumn 2025 for a sixth series - subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts for updates and special bonus episodes.Website links:Architectural Plants WebsiteDan Cooper GardenDan's Calendar of EventsParker's PatchBook Tickets to listen to Julia in conversation with Marian Boswall on 22nd JulyExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

In this episode, Dan & Julia take a trip to Bolney in West Sussex, where small-scale flower growers and plant nurseries gather once a month to present their produce to florists and the general public. Julia talks to Laura Fisher at Wild Willow Flowers about the idea behind the Homegrown Market and chats with some of the visitors. Later in the episode, Dan reveals his favourite deadheading tools and Julia explains how to take cuttings from your favourite hydrangeas. Your hosts conclude with a list of jobs to do in your garden over the next fortnight.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchThe Homegrown Market - next date, July 4th 2025Holmbush Flowers - cut flower growersBranshill Plants - species pelargonium specialistsThe Hampshire Seed Company - cut flower seed suppliersExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local

In this episode, Dan & Julia chat to Lorraine Caley of Caley Brothers, gold medal-winning mushroom growers. Lorraine and her sister, Jodie, have built a thriving business by running mushroom-growing workshops and selling mushroom kits, gaining fame with their eye-catching, intriguing displays of edible fungi at the Chelsea Flower Show. If you don't know a lot about fungi, listening to this interview is a must! Later in the episode, Julia shares her experience of growing oyster mushrooms using a kit, and Dan suggests ten things you can do in your garden over the next fortnight. Here's a reminder:Jobs to do this fortnightPlan spring bulb displays for autumn planting, succession planting for late summer colour and cropping. Arrange for someone to water your garden if you’re planning a holiday in July or August.Sow annual flowers for an extended season of colour, salads for summer, vegetables for autumn cropping, all the autumn and winter-picking brassicas and biennial flowers to bloom next spring. Plant container-grown shrubs, roses, perennials and climbers. Summer bedding and dahlias. Plant up containers of all shapes and sizes.Prune early-spring-flowering shrubs, taking care not to disturb nesting birds.Harvest asparagus, broad beans, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, mint, parsley, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, spring cabbage, spring onions, strawberries, gooseberries, and elderflowers.Pick - peonies, roses, delphiniums, lupins, alstroemeria, sweet peas, lavender. Please give them a long drink in a bucket of cold water before arranging.Buy - plants that fill the ‘June gap’, young vegetable plants, bedding plants, peat-free compost for containers, tomato and lawn food, liquid seaweed and weeding tools. It might also be a good time to invest in a new hose or watering can.Enjoy the early mornings and long, light evenings, the increasing temperatures, and strawberries and gooseberries eaten straight from the plant.Visit - open gardens and nurseries across the country, but especially those specialising in roses. Website links:Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchCaley Brothers' websiteExpertly produced by Scott Kennett at Red Lighthouse Local