Wimbledon’s head gardener answers your questions

What’s a typical day for you and your team?

Colin, South East

Of course, it depends on the time of year. But at the start of each day, some of the team go out on site to make sure that the gardens are looking tip-top, for the members of the public or the staff or whoever we’ve got coming in.

From my side, it’s slightly different. I’ve got lots of meetings and organising to do for the year to come. When I can, I like to get out and get my hands dirty, but that doesn’t happen as much as I’d like.

What’s one gardening decision that we wouldn’t notice that has a big impact?

Mark, London

Now that peat is being banned in the UK, lots of places are having to go peat free. We’ve been trialling peat free for use in our petunias, and in 2027, we’re looking to go completely peat free in all of our hanging baskets.

Peat-free soil is good because it stops the peat from being taken from the ground, but there are challenges; it doesn’t hold nutrients and water as well. So we’re looking at how we can incorporate different growing mediums and techniques to make sure the plants can take what they need.

How do you get rid of bindweed?

Anonymous

It’s difficult. Keep digging and putting mulch down. You can put some cardboard down to block out sunlight and starve the weed of energy. Try and keep it as organic as possible.

What are your top tips for getting rid of weeds?

Lisa, South East

Just mulching if you can and constantly getting out there with a fork, hoeing off weeds. Once they’ve been hoed off, the weeds can be compressed and left to die.

Which year has been the most challenging to keep the plants in good condition?

Helen, South West

There have been many. Whether it’s raining or there are two weeks of full sunshine, those are both challenges in a different way. We’ve had to learn how to react to whatever comes our way.

Have you ever been hit by a tennis ball while working?

Eleanor, South East

No! It has been close, though – one’s gone overhead.

What measures are you taking to improve sustainability?

Mal, East Midlands

As well as our work on peat free, we’re looking into more climate-resilient plants. We still want that English garden feel, but we’d like to use less water. We’ve got an irrigation system so we can control how much water we’re putting on and reduce waste. So, there’s plenty that goes on behind the scenes.

Have you ever had any problems with the players?

Brian, London

No, not the players. More often with the public sitting on the plants! The players are normally good.