Dig It

Manos Kanellos is hoping to join us on the podcast in the Autumn to help us with our Orchids, after a very successful Orchid Day and Terrarium workshop at the Garden Centre.
Newbury Garden Show at the Newbury Showground, RG 18 9QZ on the 11th and 12 April.
The Rare Plant Fair at the Old Rectory Quenington. GL7 5BN on the 12th April
Kingswood Walton and Tadworth Horticultural Society spring show 11th April
Easton Lodge Open day 12th April at Easton Lodge, CM6 2BB.
6 different gardens are opening in Long Crendon, 12 April as part of the National Gardens Scheme.
Squires Garden Centre, Shepperton are hosting the Orchid Society of Great Britian Spring show
Beth Chatto’s Gardens are also part of the National Garden Scheme opened by her and Husband Andrew, a 7.5 acre garden in Essex, CO7 7DB on the 14th April
News
To mark World Water Day on 22 March 2026, GARDENA proudly announces the continuation of its global partnership with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for children and families around the world.
Hozelock also make great watering products that we stock at the Garden Centre.
Dobies upgrades its Food Halls with a 1.5 million pound investment in 48 stores across the UK.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music
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Events to go and see:
Bridgewater Plant Heritage Spring Fair at RHS Bridgewater, Salford, Manchester. M27 2 LJ
Alpine Garden Society Cleveland show on 4th April at HURWORTH GRANGE COMMUNITY CENTRE, 41 HURWORTH ROAD, HURWORTH PLACE, DARLINGTON, DL2 2BN
Dorothy Clive Gardens Spring plant Fair on 6th April at Willoughbridge, Market Drayton, Shropshire. TF9 4EU
Overstroud Cottage, Great Missenden, Bucks opens on the 5th April
In the News:
Some Garden Centre Groups have expanded and some have gone, but do they give us the best displays or any better pricing or is that still the draw of the larger independents.
Local Councils are now hopefully going to start taking clean, used, non-black plant pots in your recycling
Potatoes:
There is still time to get your first earlies in. Swift like it’s name is a great first early as are Pentland Crown and Rocket, best planted with some fertilizer like Q4 or Chicken Manure Pellets, and chitted in a cool, light place before you plant them. David’s favourites to grow are Charlotte and Nicola and he thinks Swift and Rocket are great too, Peter loves Desiree.
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In this episode David chats with the Treasurer Barbara about the joys of Allotments.
Barbara shares a little history of the area and the allotments, and the fact that the Roundheads and Cavaliers once fought in the area. We learn of the changes of that she has noticed through her times in Buckingham and the impact this has had on the allotments and its holders.
As a long-standing member of the community and management she shares some sage advice on the benefits of being part of a fun, engaging and helpful sector of Buckingham Society. Barbara also discusses her passion for growing both vegetables and flowers and how the pressures of modern day life has changed the ways the allotments work, the demand for plots and the way the allotments are used and how its rules evolve with the demands of society.
More information can be found on their website
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In this |Episode David and Peter Chat about the early spring flowers and which one signifies the start of Spring. Dr Johnathon Jones thinks its magnolias, what do you think?
The Greenfingers Charity is having its releaf days throughout the year. A Charity climb up Kilamanjaro has been organized to help raise funds as well as lots of other events scheduled for the year.
A petition for making the UK peat free is being given to the Government and with all the industry’s hard work to change the offer so far there is no confirmed date despite the Government’s pledges to ban peat in Horticulture.
Millbrook Garden Centres sell to the British Garden Centre Group making 77 centres in the group.
With the bedding season on the horizon we have a new range of early flowering drop ins for your hanging basket or all the plug plants are in now if you have a frost free area to grow them on for the next 6 to 8 weeks. Seed potatoes are selling well and there is still time to get some. David has had moderate success with growing basil with half of his crop germinating. Peter is going to try and germinate some tomatoes on his allotment this year.
Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music
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In This Episode...
Frost Protection: Peter shares an essential seasonal tip on laying fleece over your newly planted crops to shield them from late-season frost.
Microgreens & Salads: David discusses his progress with microgreens and his method for planting Basil as a microsalad crop.
Carrot Success: We explore the unique benefits of growing Carrots in pots for better pest control and root quality.
Broad Bean Tapenade: Peter reveals his favourite recipe for a broad bean tapenade—the perfect way to use your harvest.
Upcoming Events & Features
Kew Gardens Orchid Festival: Taking place from 7 February to 8 March 2026, this year's Kew Gardens Orchid Festival celebrates Chinese biodiversity with stunning displays in the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
Thriplow Daffodil Weekend: Don't miss this iconic event on 21st and 22nd March 2026. Tickets are available on the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend and often sell out early.
Marathon For a Cause: Our Head Chef, Josh, is running the London Marathon on Sunday, 26 April 2026, to raise vital funds for Cystic Fibrosis.
Special Guest: Manos Kanellos
Join us on Saturday morning, 21st March, for a special talk by orchid expert Manos and in the afternoon for a class on how to create a Terrarium (tickets needed)
Topics for discussion during the morning:
Bring Your Orchid: If you have an orchid at home, bring it along for expert advice!
Expertise: Manos works for Growth Technology, a specialist company that has spent years driving the orchid industry forward with high-quality products.
Must-Read Book: He is also the co-author of the highly acclaimed book, "
Growing Orchids at Home", published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.


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