KEN Crowther is a man on a mission.
Seven years ago he founded World Radio Gardening and at 76 years old he is still unstoppable.
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At the age of 21 he started his own landscaping business in Chelmsford and went on to present BBC Essex’s gardening programme for 30 years.
He told Sun Gardening: “I had this idea that you could run a streamed radio station online, where you could gather information from different people, for example about jobs to do in the garden, visiting gardens at National Trust houses and RHS gardens, and giving tips and advice in general.
“Now I have a YouTube channel, a streaming system and a website.
“It’s most popular with English listeners, then Germany, then America. That’s just brilliant.
“We are actually the only one in the world that offers gardening content 24 hours a day, so you can access it at any time of the day or night, anywhere in the world.”
He added: “Probably the most asked question from all of our listeners this year is what they do with lawns that have grown too long because of the rain, meaning they haven’t been able to mow them at all.
“That’s the problem this year. Lawns grow too fast and then get damaged because people try to mow them in the wrong conditions.
“My advice is to be very careful with your lawn mower. Choose a dry day. Mow very high and keep it high until it is dry and then slowly go down.
“You have to be very careful with lawns these days.”
“My tip for the coming month is to make sure you feed your bedding plants and hanging baskets in containers. If we have a mild autumn they can last until October.”
For more information, please visit www.worldradiogardening.com/
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This week in Veronica’s Column…
Garden news, top tips, DIY and a competition to win a £200 YouGarden voucher
NEWS! The Gardeners World Autumn Fair ends tomorrow (Sunday 1 September) – and thousands of green-fingered people will already have flocked to Audley End House and Garden in Essex for inspiring autumn gardens and displays, expert advice and ideas to take home, talks, tours, workshops and the odd plant here and there.
New for 2024 is the Get Growing Stage, hosted by TV chef Marcus Bean, with a daily programme of sessions by expert fruit and vegetable growers. Session topics include mushroom growing, upcycling gardens, fermenting pickles, eco-friendly bird food recipes and growing dahlias.
NEWS! DOBBIES Garden Centre Grow How workshop in September is about how to grow your own fruit bowl. The free demonstrations in the shop are on the first Saturday of every month at 10.30am.
WIN! ONE lucky gardener could win a £200 YouGarden voucher. To enter, simply complete this FORM or visit www.thesun.co.uk/YouGarden for more information. Or write to Sun YouGarden competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Please include your name, age, email address or telephone number. Only for UK residents aged 18 and over. Ends 23.59GMT 14.09.24 Terms and conditions apply.
TO RESCUE! September is a good time to think about aerating your lawn. ProSpike’s Lawn Aerator Shoes for £21.99 from HSD online, or try B&Q’s version for £8.99.
THIS WEEK’S TASK! Divide Crocosmia and other herbaceous perennials with a sharp spade. Keep removing the dead flowers – and make sure your hanging baskets are fed and watered to keep them growing a little longer.
TOP TIP! As September approaches, you can raise the cutting height of your lawn mower. If you have bare spots, your lawn will look better!
