Hertfordshire

Peter Gibbs· Host0:00

Hello, and welcome to Gardener's Question Time with me, Peter Gibbs. This week we're in North Hertfordshire, an area with a long-standing agricultural heritage, shaped by rolling chalk hills, fertile clay valleys, and open arable farmland producing fodder crops for livestock, as well as wheat, barley, oil seed rape, and beans which go into food chains across the country. While feeding the nation has always been a priority in North Hertfordshire, with its fertile soils, strong agricultural roots, allotments became increasingly important during the 19th century. Demand surged during both world wars when food shortages and rationing turned gardens and allotments into vital sources of fresh produce. Under the Dig for Victory campaign, land across Hitchin, Baldock, and Letchworth was brought into cultivation, growing staples such as potatoes, brassicas, and soft fruit. And many of today's allotment sites date from this period, leaving a lasting legacy of community food growing that continues to thrive in the area today. And it's very much in that same spirit that we're joined by a truly distinguished panel, gardeners who've each made their own lasting mark on British horticulture. From Sussex, plants woman and landscape designer, Juliet Sargeant. Summoned from his own plot, writer and organic gardening champion, Bob Flowerdew. And straight from another agricultural heartland in North Cambridgeshire, it's Bunny Guinness. Your well-grown Gardener's Question Time