Gardeners' World Season 52 Episode 10 Episode 10
- May 22, 2020
In episode 10 of season 52 of Gardeners' World, host Monty Don takes viewers on a tour of his own garden, Longmeadow, sharing tips on how to prepare for winter and revealing the beauty that can still be found in the garden during the colder months.
First, Monty highlights the importance of autumn clean-up to prepare the garden for winter. He demonstrates how to carefully prune back dead and dying foliage and explains why it's important to remove any diseased plant material to prevent the spread of disease in the garden. He also shows how to clear the garden of fallen leaves, which can be used to make leaf mold or added to the compost pile.
Next, Monty takes a closer look at some of the plants that still add color and interest to the garden during the colder months. He highlights the beauty of winter-flowering shrubs like Viburnum x bodnantense and Camellia sasanqua, and shows how even deciduous trees like Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' can provide a vibrant burst of color in the autumn and early winter months.
Monty then turns his attention to the vegetable garden, discussing the benefits of using green manure to help enrich the soil over the winter months. He demonstrates how to sow a green manure crop, such as field beans or clover, and explains how the plants will help to fix nitrogen in the soil and improve soil structure. He also shows how to protect root crops like parsnips and carrots from frost damage by covering them with a layer of straw or bracken.
The episode also includes visits to other gardens across the UK, showcasing the work of passionate gardeners and sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses into the care and maintenance of some stunning garden spaces.
In one segment, Monty visits a garden that is home to over 135 different types of snowdrops, highlighting the beauty and diversity of this popular winter-flowering plant. He chats with the gardener responsible for creating the collection, who shares tips on how to care for and propagate snowdrops.
Another segment takes viewers to the National Collection of Cyclamen in Surrey, where Monty interviews the collection's founder and curator about the many different varieties of this winter-flowering plant. He learns about the history of the collection and the work that goes into growing and maintaining such a large and diverse collection.
Overall, episode 10 of Gardeners' World season 52 offers a deep dive into winter gardening, providing viewers with practical tips and inspirational garden tours that celebrate the beauty and potential of the garden even during the colder months.