February '25 in the Garden

Dig It - Discussions on Gardening Topics

After a chilly January in the UK, the days are starting to lengthen and there’s signs of life as bulbs are pushing through the soil. DIG IT’s Peter Brown and Chris Day discuss news, events and gardening tasks for the gardening month ahead.

What’s on

Saturday 1st February Buckingham Garden Centre’s Grow & Grow Day, 10am-4pm.

Saturday 1st February to Sunday 2nd March: Peruvian Orchid Spectacular at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London.

The Plant Fair Roadshows are back in full swing with the first event of the year on Sunday 2nd February at Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent, on Sunday 2nd February.

Running until 13th April: Soil - The World at Our Feet Exhibition at the Embankment Galleries, South Wing, Somerset House in London.

Saturday 15th February – Sunday 23rd February: Exhibited during Eco-Week at Hever Castle & Gardens, Earth Photo will be featuring work by some of the best photographers from around the world.

Thursday 20th February: Monty Don in conversation with Sophie Raworth online or in person at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington, London, SW7 2AR. 7pm.

20th - 22nd February: Shepton Snowdrop Festival, Somerset. Free event.

Discover snowdrops across the UK.

News

Britain's oldest RHS Garden is calling for compensation from the Government as it faces a ‘catastrophic' £11m loss - thanks to roadworks.

Home to 100-year-old specimens, the 60-acre Coton Orchard, the largest traditional orchard in Cambridgeshire and 8th largest in the country is at risk of becoming a new bus lane.

Two plant collections - Amelanchier and Witch hazel National collections have been accredited at National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Monty Don’s new British Gardens series airs on the BBC.

Sarah Dyke MP’s Horticultural Peat (Prohibition of Sale) Bill has been pushed back to a later date.

Kew Gardens and partner scientists have identified more than 170 new species in 2024

New Year’s Honours for garden industry figures including Gill Hodgson founder of Flowers From the Farm and Alan Titchmarsh, CBE

Scotland consults on its peat-free future.

Latest Thompson & Morgan survey suggests garden expenditure is set to increase in 2025.

More crystal ball gazing from the RHS with its gardening predictions.

Eden Project appoints 'horticultural showman’ Peter Jones.

Kew build two advanced glasshouses to help in major restoration projects.

David Domoney becomes new brand ambassador for Keder Greenhouses.

Guiness World Records searches for world’s oldest glasshouse.

Forest England biodiversity study reveals DNA secrets.

Butterflies heading north says NatureScot.

RSPB suspends sale of flat bird feeders.

Suttons given the Royal Warrant of Approval.

Plants mentioned: Broad bean The Sutton, New Fothergill’s Oh Sow Simple range, Seed Potatoes, Pea Meteor, Sweet Peas, Carnivorous plants (Venus flytraps), Carrot Amsterdam Forcing, Asparagus crowns, root-wrapped roses, celebration roses, strawberry runners and raspberry canes can be established now, Lilies, Dahlias, Begonia corms and Hosta. Hardwood cuttings Buddleja, Dogwoods, Forsythia, Philadelphus (Mock Orange), Roses and Salix (Willows).

Products mentioned: Westland New Horizon Compost, Melcourt SylvaGrow Composts, horticultural fleece, Haxnicks jackets, raised beds and water butts.

Dig It Top 5: Our Top selling Fothergills flower seeds of last year. No5 ‘RHS Flowers for Insects Mix’, No4 Sunflower ‘Giant Single’, No3 Sweet Pea ‘Old Spice Mixed’, 2nd place Poppy ‘Victoria Cross’ and at No1 ‘RHS Flowers for Wildlife Bright Mix’.

Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for supply the music.

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