Ep 1. Herefordshire

Herefordshire, the first episode of season 43 of Gardeners' World, takes us on a journey to one of England's most rural and picturesque counties. Presenter Monty Don visits a variety of gardens and gardening projects, meeting passionate gardeners along the way.

First up, we visit the Stockton Bury Gardens where the plantswoman Tamsin Westhorpe shows Monty around the stunning gardens she helps to manage. We learn about the garden's rich history, and how Tamsin has helped curate a garden with a focus on interesting edible produce that can be grown in even the smallest of spaces.

In the walled garden of Hellens Manor, we meet gardener Louise Midgley, who gives us a guided tour of the garden. From the vibrant dahlias to the luscious quinces, every plant has been carefully chosen and nurtured. Louise also demonstrates how to pot up some heritage peonies, ensuring that the beautiful flowers can be enjoyed for many years to come.

In another part of Herefordshire, we visit Mike Troughton's garden in the stunning Hay-on-Wye. Mike has created a colourful and productive garden that is perfect for growing vegetables and fruit. He shows Monty some of the unusual crops he has grown, including cucamelons and tomatillos.

We then visit Tidal Waters, a nature reserve that has been transformed into a beautiful, sustainable garden by owner and passionate gardener Jillian Williams. The garden is not only an oasis for wildlife, but also a fantastic example of how to garden sustainably, using only rainwater and compost to feed the plants.

Back at Longmeadow, Monty shows us how to deadhead and prune our plants to ensure they continue to flower throughout the summer months. He also shares his tips on how to brighten up a tired-looking border by planting some late-summer bloomers.

Finally, we pay a visit to the Garden Museum in London, where we learn about the life and work of one of the country's most renowned gardeners, Gertrude Jekyll. Monty speaks to the museum's curator about Jekyll's influence on garden design and how her philosophy of colour and form has stood the test of time.

Herefordshire is a celebration of gardening in one of England's most beautiful counties. From the stunning countryside to the unique and innovative gardens, this episode of Gardeners' World is full of inspiration and ideas for even the smallest of gardens.