Bolton
Gardeners' Question Time
BBC
4.5 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 17 April 2026
⏱️ 42 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:07.4 | I'm Dilley Carter and I love organising. |
| 0:11.6 | In my brand new podcast, sort your life out, unpacked, celebrity guests join me to unbox three revealing items from their home. |
| 0:18.7 | Oh, wow. I wasn't expecting this. |
| 0:21.6 | Along the way, I'll be giving you practical hacks to help you declutter your life as well. |
| 0:26.2 | This is the tough love I need. |
| 0:27.4 | Don't hold back. |
| 0:28.5 | I'm definitely tucking you with me back to my house. |
| 0:31.6 | Sort your life out, unpacked. |
| 0:33.5 | Watch on EyePlayer, listen on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:37.4 | Hello and welcome to Gardner's Question Time with me, Cathy Clugston. |
| 0:41.5 | This week we're on the outskirts of Bolton in Lancashire, a town with a proactive community of gardeners. |
| 0:48.0 | Residents can join the Rooted in Bolton project, which encourages households to grow their own food, share gardening skills and |
| 0:55.5 | support local sustainability through initiatives like windowbox planting, regardless of age and ability. |
| 1:01.8 | There's also the Estate Rangers scheme that provides training and employment in horticulture |
| 1:06.4 | through maintaining communal green spaces across Bolton. One of the biggest community gardens near here is at RHS Bridgewater, |
| 1:14.2 | just a 20-minute drive from where we are today. |
| 1:17.1 | Its curator is one of our expert panel. |
| 1:19.8 | Marcus Chilton Jones is joined by Rutland-based garden designer Matthew Wilson |
| 1:24.0 | and making a glorious home county return, |
| 1:27.0 | Plantswoman Christine Walkton. |
| 1:28.7 | You're always proactive. |
... |
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