The team of RHS experts solved myriad enquiries which ranged from problems associated with pests and diseases to plant identification. Many of the queries pertained to the unpredictable temperatures throughout the year.

Chief Horticultural Advisor, Guy Barter said, ‘Last year was a record year for RHS Advisory. We had lots of enquiries from members about how the unusual weather would affect the growth and development of their plants.’

Entitled ” Gardening in the Global Greenhouse, the impact of climate change on our gardens”, it clearly sets out  that our gardens are in trouble and face an uncertain future.It is an impressive document, covering the key issues that will concern anyone who gardens and is well worth the time to read through its impressive and very detailed 17 pages.

The introduction is by one of the UK’s most passionate gardeners , HRH Prince Charles, who poignantly expresses his concerns about the threat of climate change. I remember reading his powerful words for the first time and feeling very moved . Here are just a few lines that I am sure will make you want to read more:

“Almost all scientists now agree that the British climate is likely to  change significantly in years to come. The precise nature of these changes is still uncertain, but it is both an alarming and sobering thought that some of the nation’s best loved gardens might become unsustainable due to changing climatic conditions”. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-gardening_global_greenhouse_summary.pdf

The RHS is the leading gardening charity in the UK and is considered by many gardeners to be the fountain of knowledge on all horticultural matters. The organisation is helping gardeners to understand and adapt to the effects of climate change on their gardens.

They have an excellent web-site which explains the current situation in UK gardens, and what phenomena can gardeners expect to see as the changes in climate intensify. There is also an overview of the climate change debate, and what it will mean to garden in the global greenhouse.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/Gardening-in-a-changing-climate

Weather forecasters are warning that the UK may suffer from the coldest Winter in decades. Here are some suggestions from the RHS on how to prepare your garden for the next few dark and frosty months.:

http://press.rhs.org.uk/Press-releases/Beat-the-Cold.aspx?utm_campaign=Nov%20Monthly%20Non-members%20&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email

The RHS are also  running an online competition during next week to share your veggie delights. Post images of your veg on our Facebook page from Saturday, 15 October to Sunday, 23 October and  you might win a £50 seed voucher from Suttons Seeds

The veg in the challenge

• Beetroot ‘Boltardy’
• Chilli ‘Chenzo’
• Tomato ‘Alicante’
• Pumpkin ‘Hundredweight’

Each veg has three entry categories:

• Individual adult
• Child
• Group (gardening clubs, allotment groups etc)

If you prefer to exhibit the real thing just bring your veg to any of the RHS gardens ready for them to be judged at lunchtime on Sunday, 23 October.http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own/Great-RHS-Veg-Challenge

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-London-Flower-Shows/RHS-London-Autumn-Harvest-Show

I will be going along to listen to an interesting speaker from London who has caught my attention lately as she is encouraging a new breed of gardener in London.

Helen Babbs lives in Holloway, North London, in a first-floor flat with a small roof garden. Inspired by the launch of a Living Roofs for Wildlife campaign she decides to transform her rooftop into an organic, wildlife-friendly, edible garden. A complete gardening novice, she embarked upon a year of gardening and nature watching and has shared her experiences in an interesting book called My Garden, the City and Me Rooftop Adventures in the Wilds of London

Helen has received numerous positive reviews in national newspapers and publications and has recently started a blog for The Guardian on ‘a year in a window box’.http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/helen-babbs

Helen will  be reading excerpts from her book in the Harvest Hangout at the RHS Autumn Show and joins conversations in Lindley Wood’s Foraging Forum plus she will also be signing My Garden, the City and Me .

Great to see the RHS embracing roof top gardening and gardening in small spaces as  many people in London really do not have the space – or time – to engage in gardening on a big scale but would like to understand how to grow a few veggies or plants.

http://www.guardianbookshop.co.uk/BerteShopWeb/viewProduct.do?ISBN=9781604691672

The UK and the rest of Europe has been basking in unseasonly high temperatures for almost a week now with clear blue skies and a distinct lack of cloud usually associated with this time of year.

These unseasonal temperatures are confusing many plants which are are flowering again, as they believe that spring has arrived .The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said strawberries and rhododendrons were among the plants seen blooming at its flagship garden in Surrey when they were not expected to flower again until next spring.

Its official – your garden is helping to combat climate change  – particularly if it is in the city as gardens now account for almost half of the UK’s urban green space.

The RHS have outlined ways in which our gardens  help to keep the planet green and healthy. They have sent a strong  message to Britain’s gardeners that  the humble urban backyard plays a vital environmental and ecological role in our present and future lives.

It’s something that keen horticulturalists have always suspected, but for the first time, the RHS has brought together all the published evidence in a scientific review entitled Gardening Matters: Urban Gardens.

Collating the evidence reveals four key areas in which our gardens make a difference.

* They help control urban temperatures, mitigating the effects of extreme heat and cold.

* They help prevent flooding by absorbing rainwater that would otherwise overload drainage systems.

* They have effectively become some of Britain’s best nature reserves, supporting a range of wildlife including birds, mammals and invertebrates.

* They support human health by easing stress and providing physical exercise.

 http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/pdfs/RHS-urban-greening

Think they forgot to mention one other vital benefit:

* They are a precious legacy that we can give to future generations !

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/gardening/dig-for-victory-how-your-garden-can-help-beat-climate-change-2288156.html

The RHS is increasingly using technology to connect with gardeners.

They have an excellent facebook event this week with Alys Fowler, one of my favourite gardeners, answering your questions on their Grow Your Own Facebook page via drop-in Q&A sessions. This takes place on Friday 29 July from 3pm – 4pm and is definitely one to join in with.https://www.facebook.com/rhsgrowyourown

If you miss it, then the next best thing is to buy her amazing book The Edible Garden  which is a must for anyone who Grows their Own fruit and veg. Full of brilliant photos and packed with inspirational ideas for planting. Just love the way she makes growing your own veggies such a fun and artistic thing to do.Really hope we see Alys back on the TV very soon.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/7422221/Alys-Fowler-new-kid-on-the-block.html

RHS iPhone Grow Your Own app

If you have an iPhone then you will not want to miss the extra packages of fruit, veg or herbs at only £1.79 each available  for the RHS Grow Your Own iPhone app. The free app includes 20 fruit and veg, but now you can download extra profiles quickly and easily.

If you don’t want your front garden to look like this horror then watch the inspirational Alan Titchmarsh in this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h-dUWWtdAE