Talking to plants helps them grow

Some garden and greenhouse enthusiasts care about their plants so much they may sometimes talk to them – and this may not be a bad idea.

A recent study carried out at the Royal Horticultural Societys (RHS) Garden Wisley found reading to tomato plants can make them grow faster.

The experiment involved nine contestants and one control specimen and led to the conclusion that the sound of the human voice can encourage development.

Furthermore, the research found Sarah Darwin, the great-great granddaughter of RHS Scientific Committee co-founder Charles, to be the most successful at the technique.

She read from On the Origin of the Species, to her tomato plant, managing to make it grow 1.6 cm higher than the control specimen.

Garden superintendent Colin Crosbie explained: "We cant explain exactly what the magical property in Sarahs voice is, but it could have something to do with the pitch and tone."

Meanwhile, the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is set to take place in a few weeks, with growing your own food on the agenda.