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Peter Mills's bio
Peter has spent his life gardening, working in garden centres and advising in all aspects of gardening, wildlife, and bio-diversity in horticulture.
He managed Clandon Park Garden Centre in Surrey at the age of 23 and was a gardening radio presenter with the BBC. This continued for 15 years, running live broadcasts from Chelsea & Hampton Court Flower shows, South of England & Surrey County shows.
Now self-employed, Peter works on a wide variety of gardens from private to large estates and also concentrating on consultancy and advisory work to fellow gardeners. He works with the RHS Gardening Advice team at Chelsea, Hampton Court, Wisley Flower shows and is an RHS External Gardening Advisor -
Peter Mills's latest comments
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2nd Sep 2019Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening Tips for September 2019Hi Kobyhodge, I haven't lifted and separated my own leeks yet! So, yes you can. Trim the leaves back by a quarter roughly. Dig up and replant deeper than they were, spacing them out 15cms apart, covering up the stems with more soil. This will help blanche the stems. Water in thoroughly. Let me know how you get on. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Aug 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter’s Gardening tips for August 2017Hi Haigy, If your hibiscus is an indoor one it needs to be in full sun. If it dries out this will make the buds drop off too. A mature Cordyline australis - Cabbage Palm or Chamerops excelsa /Trachycarpus fortunei are both pretty tough or an Olive tree, unless you live in a very cold part of the country. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Aug 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter’s Gardening tips for August 2017Hi JunieSimpson, Here are some of my favourite smaller hydrangeas. H.serrata Preziosa, H. quercifolia Per Wee, H. serrata Tiara, They can all be pruned to keep them under control. H. Zorro gets big but is often sold as a house plant, with black stems and fabulous deep blue lace cap flowers. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Aug 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter’s Gardening tips for August 2017Hi Marley 444, I'm afraid it sounds like honey fungus which willows are very prone to. If you're a member of the RHS you can take a sample of the roots,leaves and stem to the advisory desk at Wisley. Check out the RHS Honey fungus resistant plants list to choose a replacement plant. Sorry it's not good news. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Aug 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter’s Gardening tips for August 2017Hi Kobyhodge, I'm afraid no pelargoniums/geraniums will survive those temperatures. The only way is in pots In a light position which is frost free and very little watering! Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Aug 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter’s Gardening tips for August 2017Hi JeanC5, It sounds like a fungal problem possibly bacterial leaf spot. It's not easy to control. It is recommended to throw away infected plants and start again. I would try fungus fighter plus. Water with Vitax liquid seaweed. Don't water onto the leaves. Handling the plants can spread the disease. Sorry it's not better news. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Aug 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter’s Gardening tips for August 2017Hi Margretrreeves, Yes it does sound like botrytis or grey mould. Cut back now by a third. Run your hands through the plant to loosen any dead leaves. Lavender needs full sunshine and an airy position. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Aug 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter’s Gardening tips for August 2017Hi supersarah, That's a comment I haven't had for a long time! Regards Peter.ViewDate:
4th Jun 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for May 2019Fabulous DebbyR5, I'm enjoying two moth orchids back in flower at home. Very rewarding. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
26th May 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for May 2019Hi NickyP2, If there's no sign of new growth coming from the agapanthus by now, i'm afraid they are dead. This last winter was pretty cruel with hard frosts. Start again and protect from severe frosts. Agapanthus Navy Blue works well for me. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
21st Apr 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening Tips for April 2017Hi Marley 444, Mangetout I would fleece just to protect from the hard frosts forecast early next week. Sweet peas and Kale should be fine if you allowed them to harden off. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
21st Apr 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening Tips for April 2017Thank you Lynn, We all love sharing gardening ideas, tips and advice. You never stop learning in horticulture... Kind regards PeterViewDate:
11th Apr 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening Tips for April 2017Hi Christine Watson, Your jasmine will need a sunny wall,trellis, pergola or wires to climb up. Dig a hole almost twice the size of the pot your jasmine is in. Fork the bottom of the hole, place the root ball in the hole with the soil level the same as the surrounding soil level. Back fill with the same soil you dug out to make the hole. Firm around the rootball with your boot/ heal. Don't plant too deep and no soil against the jasmine stems. Water in Q4 Soluble Rootmore micorrhizal fungi afterwards. Water once a week two pints of water and watch it grow. Don't expect flowers this year. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
26th Mar 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for March 2017Hi suey123, No problem planting any shrub at the moment, as long as it is kept moist and doesn't dry out. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
22nd Mar 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for March 2017Hi Dimeye, Don't Panic it's too early to plant seed potatoes unless you have a polytunnel. General rule of thumb is 1st early potatoes are planted at Easter. Please don't plant in wet, cold, frosty ground. Wait until the ground warms up. Garden Centres have a good selection of seed potatoes or try specialist potatoe suppliers like Pennard Plants. Be quick as many varieties will be sold out. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
22nd Mar 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for March 2017Hi Piggypat, No you haven't made a boo boo. Broad beans can be planted now, either started indoors in module seed trays or sown directly into the ground. Kings Seeds have a great selection of vegetable and flower seeds. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
20th Mar 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for March 2017Hi cjtoday, It's not possible for me to review photos i'm afraid but if you leave me a specific question I would be happy to try and answer it if i can. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
20th Mar 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for March 2017Hi Wellingtonpie, Thank you for your comments. Gardening is the best therapy for Mind, Body and Soul!! The children love the opportunity to learn about gardening from their Grandparents too. My French grandfather was a fabulous grower of vegetables... I'm still learning!ViewDate:
20th Mar 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for March 2017Hi Leonine, Acers can be pruned when completely dormant Jan/Feb with a sharp pruning saw or June/July. Magnolias I prune after flowering. Be prepared for strong regrowth or water shoots. Camellias also after flowering and you can cut back really hard into old stems with no leaves. They will regenerate! Feed all with Vitax Ericaeous liquid feed. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
9th Mar 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for March 2017Hi Marley, Ground Elder is one of the worst garden weeds and one of the most difficult to control! Digging it up thoroughly going down 6 inches and picking out any broken white roots is vital, as the smallest piece is able to make a new plant! Regular cutting back of ground elder does weaken it; you don't often find it growing in a lawn that is mown regularly. Weedol will only burn the foliage and set it back. What you need is a systemic weedkiller such as SBK weedkiller or Roundup weedkiller or Garden super strength weedkiller from Bayer. Do Not spray any of these weed killers on your plants. Read application rates carefully. I've even dug up entire beds of plants, washed the roots, separated plants and left the ground bare of plants to eradicate the ground elder for 6 months to a year!! I hope this helps. It's a battle. Good luck... Kind regards PeterViewDate:
3rd Mar 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for March 2017Thanks Wilf, You can rake out the moss 2-3 weeks after applying the moss killer with a spring tine rake or scarifer when it stops raining so much! Kind regards PeterViewDate:
3rd Feb 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening Tips for FebruaryHi Grey Lady 13, Quite a few wisterias sadly died after the wet winter of the year before. Root rot probably. I would plant another one six feet away from the original plant. Prepare the hole well 14-16 inches down and the same wide, add Root grow or Root Boost and plant a new one. Add horticultural grit to the hole and soil to improve drainage. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
9th Jan 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Winter Gardening Tips for January 2017Hi Mary, If you can wait, cut back after flowering. You can be really brutal cutting back into old stems with no leaves on with a hand saw. I've cut back Mahonias 8-10 foot tall and as wide back to 3 feet. It looks like a few sticks, but it will regrow this spring I promise! Easier to do than dig it up! Mulch after the chop and feed in the spring. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
5th Jan 2017Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Winter Gardening Tips for January 2017Hi Mamia, It sounds like you're orchids are the Moth orchid- Phalaenopsis. Don't worry about the aerial roots this is natural for the plants to do. They must be happy as flowering well. The worst thing is to over water them. Carry on as you are and Don't Panic! Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Nov 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Autumn Gardening tipsHi marydennis, Holes in chilli leaves are likely to be either caterpillars or slugs. Check at night with a torch to find the culprit! Good hunting. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
13th Nov 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Autumn Gardening tipsHi janevalv59, Depending where you are in the country, just protect from the worst frosts with fleece held on with clothes pegs. If possible move to a sheltered, sunny position. Next spring water in some tomato feed on a fortnightly basis. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
22nd Oct 2016ViewDate:
22nd Oct 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Autumn Gardening tipsHi Box, It's been a very dry season. Next spring apply slow release fertiliser and water in. You won't get any more growth this year. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
22nd Oct 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Autumn Gardening tipsHi Marley, You've got it right! I sometimes leave some good strong autumn canes to fruit in early summer and get two helpings! Mulch with compost. My favourite autumn fruiting raspberry is Joan J. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
22nd Oct 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Autumn Gardening tipsHi ApolloFly, I germinate sweet pea seeds with warmth to start them off. 15-18°C. Normally germinate in a few days to a week. Then move to the cold frame. Keep protected from mice and voles! Kind regards PeterViewDate:
19th Oct 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening Tips for SeptemberHi TJS, My apologies for not replying earlier to your question. Non evergreen trees and shrubs ( deciduous plants) can be moved when all the leaves have dropped off- November until March. Cut back by 25% and dig up with a good sized root ball, about 12" away from the stem. Replant the same day with root grow, firm back the soil in/around and water in. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
19th Oct 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening Tips for SeptemberHi roo163, My apologies for not replying sooner. Salads are your best bet for your greenhouse, winter salad leaves, radishes. Herbs will also benefit from winter protection except annual herbs like basil,coriander and dill. Buy spring bulbs and pot them up in pots for earlier flowering. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
20th Aug 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for late summerDear John, I think you are over watering. Allow to dry out between watering so the plant wilts a bit. Feed with tomato feed to encourage flowers and have the pot in the sunniest position possible. Let w know what happens! Kind regards PeterViewDate:
20th Aug 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for late summerHi Barbara, If your lavender has flowered and the flowers have faded, cut back your plants by 50%, into nice rounded clumps. Look at Downderry Lavender website. Holders of National Lavender Collection. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
30th May 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for May 2016Hi Felipo1, I'm afraid lavender hate too much water. Wet,cold weather is what they hate and kills more lavenders than anything else. Irises, might be too soon. Only just flowering here, or lack of bees because it's been so up and down weather wise. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
29th May 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for May 2016Hi Nannydot, I tend to feed every other watering when the flowers have set. Don't over water. This will swell the fruit. If there are too many fruitlets some will drop off, or thin them out to one per bunch to have larger fruit. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
29th May 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for May 2016Hi Birdy, This was my nickname at college! Allium control. Weaken by regular hoeing or weedkill carefully with Roundup Gel. Digging up as well. Good luck. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
29th May 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for May 2016Hi Olivemay, I have hedgehogs too. The pellets I use are from Neudorff Sluggo slug and snail killer. It is certified for organic use too. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
29th May 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for May 2016Hi AlienLondon, Biological control is the only answer. Nemasys Vine weevil control. By online or from Agralan. Kind regards PeterViewDate:
29th May 2016Peter Mills commented on:
Peter's Gardening tips for May 2016Hi Birminghamaussie, Sounds like yellow trefoil or creeping suckling clover. Use a selective weedkiller like Scott's weevil lawn weedkiller. Kind regards Peter -
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