Gardeners' Corner

Gardeners' Corner episodes:

• 04.13.2024

  Gardeners’ Corner ‘Comes to Town’ roadshow from Ballymena

  Gardeners’ Corner heads to Ballymena as part of the BBC ‘Comes to Town’ roadshows marking 100 years of broadcasting in Northern Ireland. In front of a live audience at Ballymena Library, David Maxwell and experts Reg Maxwell and Mary...

  
• 03.30.2024

  Easy ways to transform your garden this Easter

  As the Easter break begins, Gardeners’ Corner has some easy ways to transform your garden space. David Maxwell is joined in studio by expert gardener Brendan Little who has suggestions on how an uninspiring front garden can be transformed into...

  
• 03.23.2024

  Why you should pre-sprout your courgettes, what to do if you can’t beat ground elder and the best-looking classroom you can find

  This week Gardeners’ Corner visits what must be one of most beautiful classrooms in the country – the walled garden at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Greenmount Campus in County Antrim. David Maxwell joins CAFRE’s...

  
• 03.16.2024

  Veg to sow now, celebrating Daffodils and Jekka’s 100 herbs

  While damp weather is making it tricky to get in to the garden there is still plenty to keep Dave and Jules Hardy busy at Esker Farm Daffodils. Since David’s last visit the county Tyrone couple have added a...

  
• 03.09.2024

  How to reduce the mowing and increase spring colour, the wonders of wild garlic and perennial of the month

  This week, David Maxwell visits Brendan Little in his garden on the shores of Mulroy Bay in county Donegal. What was once a formal lawn is now covered in naturalised spring flowering bulbs. Brendan explains how he hopes to extend...

  
• 03.02.2024

  Where to start in the garden this spring, Jimi Blake’s new borders and producing trees on an industrial scale

  As Spring officially begins, David Maxwell heads to Jimi Blake’s Hunting Brook Garden in the hills of County Wicklow where he has brand new borders in mind. At the National Trust’s Mount Stewart, work begins on a tree nursery that...

  
• 02.24.2024

  Gardening in a war zone and the Great Gardeners’ Corner Grow Along

  Two years to the day since the war in Ukraine began, presenter David Maxwell hears the powerful story of how a garden has helped one family close the front line survive. Alla Olkhovska has been harvesting and selling seeds...

  
• 02.17.2024

  Last-minute rose pruning made easy, Lissadell House, and perennial of the month

  In this week’s programme, David heads to the Green Spaces Community Growing Project near Warrenpoint where the volunteers are getting the garden ready for the season ahead. He finds out what attracts people to community gardening. In County Sligo, Lissadell...

  
• 02.03.2024

  How plants can help solve serious crimes, helping our hedgehogs and ‘Anya the garden fairy’

  How can plants help solve serious crimes? In this week’s Gardeners’ Corner David Maxwell meets the forensic experts that use plants to give them clues. National hedgehog day fell this week – apparently a Roman precursor to ‘Groundhog day’...

  
• 01.27.2024

  Clearing up after the storms, in search of the giant lobelia, and perennial of the month

  After a week of storms, David heads to the gardens at Hillsborough Castle where Claire Woods is surveying the trees for damage. Claire explains that their approach is to leave as much of the wood as possible in situ as...

  
• 01.20.2024

  What snow does for the garden, fixing rusty leeks and what to harvest in January

  What happens to our gardens when it snows? This week David Maxwell heads to Downhill Demesne on Antrim’s north coast to see how a blanket of white transforms how we experience the garden. He also chats to Una Quinn about...

  
• 01.13.2024

  How to prune roses, plants for winter interest and preparing the garden for 2024

  With another new year stretching out ahead, David Maxwell is joined in studio by Brendan Little for the first live programme of 2024. They’ll be chatting about preparing for the year ahead and what’s looking (or smelling) good in the...

  
• 12.24.2023

  Gardeners’ Corner: Season by Season

  In the garden we are often thinking of the seasons to come, but it can also be useful to look back and take stock at the start of a new year. This week, David Maxwell leads us through the...

  
• 12.23.2023

  Gardeners’ Corner at Christmas

  Join David Maxwell and the gardening gang for a festive fireside chat at Kilcoan Gardens in Islandmagee. With home grown and handmade seasonal treats, four experts brave the winter weather for a fun filled Christmas get together. Ann Fitzsimmons...

  
• 12.16.2023

  Why to grow willow, the life in our soil and the gardening fundraiser

  With the leaves gone it’s all about colourful stem colour on Gardeners’ Corner this week. David meets artist Heather McDermott who loves willow more than any other plant and works with it every day. She thinks more of us...

  
• 12.09.2023

  Winter wildlife, a garden for spinal injury patients and forcing daffodils

  With daylight at a premium the work goes on in two stand-out gardens visited by Gardeners’ Corner this week. At Musgrave Park Hospital in South Belfast, the charity Horatio’s Garden is creating a garden for spinal injury patients designed by...

  
• 12.02.2023

  How to treat your tree ferns, caring for Christmas Cactus and orange Poinsettia?

  With a wintry feel in the air, David Maxwell is joined in studio by experts Anna Hudson and Reg Maxwell to offer some gardening inspiration for colder days. The team will be taking questions on among other things the challenges...

  
• 11.25.2023

  How to care for Mahonia, protecting spring bulbs and herb of the month

  As Autumn gives way to Winter, David Maxwell visits the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park. Keeper of the Gardens, John Anderson shows David the national collection of Mahonia which are lighting up the garden with their bright yellow...

  
• 11.18.2023

  Autumn highlights at Rowallane, pruning blackcurrants and getting those garlic bulbs planted

  This week, David heads to Rowallane where Claire McNally picks some highlights including Mahonia and reveals her quest to find a ‘not so tart’ berry from the plant sometimes known as the Oregon Grape. David joins Klaus Laitenberger at the community...

  
• 11.11.2023

  Sarah Raven’s favourite tulips, how to take root cuttings and gardening for birds

  In this November highlights programme, David Maxwell is joined in studio by expert Brendan Little. Celebrating the season of golden colour, Brendan gives advice on planting with birds in mind and getting new saplings for free. November is the perfect time...

  
• 10.28.2023

  21/10/2023

  The weekly gardening programme for keen gardeners with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province. Presented by David Maxwell.

  
• 10.28.2023

  Gorgeous gourds, Herbaceous borders at Castlewellan arboretum and organic growing

  Helen Mark presents this week's edition of Gardeners' corner. She takes a trip to the Arboretum at Castlewellan Forest Park to oversee the work on the herbaceous borders. Frank and Linda McCooke give Mary Doris a masterclass in all things gourd...

  
• 10.14.2023

  Golden grasses for the autumn garden. Getting to grips with grapes, munching on mini melons & Jekka McVicar's herb of the month

  Helen Mark presents this week's edition of Gardeners' Corner. Maurice Parkinson selects some show-stopping grasses to enjoy in the Autumn sunlight from his nursery in Ballyrobert. Klaus Leitenberger introduces David Maxwell to some cute little Cucamelons and how to keep...

  
• 09.30.2023

  What you can sow in October? The value of Lemon Verbena and Florence Fennel and September highlights at Ballyrobert

  David Maxwell is joined for an episode with an early Autumn feel. With Sweet Chestnuts, Horse Chestnuts and apples in studio there is plenty to chat about and questions from listeners’ on Buddleia, Acers and Hydrangeas. Also on the...

  
• 09.23.2023

  How to prune your apple trees? Success with spuds and some Meath Magic

  As Autumn shades being to show, David Maxwell heads to Florence Court where they are still finishing summer pruning the apple trees. The National Trust garden has one of the best collections of Irish heritage varieties on the Island....

  
• 09.16.2023

  How to grow hydrangeas, the benefits of borage and Jekka’s herb of the month

  Hydrangeas are the stars of the show in early autumn and Rosie Maye has an enviable collection in her garden near Slane in County Meath. Presenter David Maxwell finds out what conditions they like and how to prune the...

  
• 09.09.2023

  What can sheep’s wool do for your garden? Wildlife to look out for in Autumn and September highlights at Rowallane

  It’s been the home of poets and actors and now it prides itself on putting an organic garden at the centre of a private events space; Ballintubbert is found near the village of Stradbally in County Laois. In this week’s...

  
• 09.02.2023

  Wild gardening at Knepp Estate, harvesting seed in Hillsborough and early autumn grasses

  The Knepp Estate in West Sussex is world famous for turning its back on intensive farming in favour of rewilding. Its latest project is to transform a former crochet lawn into an undulating sustainable garden packed with over 900 plant...

  
• 08.26.2023

  Supermarket flowers, Crossrail Place Roof Garden and Lisgoole Abbey

  In this week’s programme – do you ever wonder where all those bunches of flowers in the supermarket come from? David travels to a family business in Armagh which grows and imports flowers for retailers across Ireland and the UK....

  
• 08.12.2023

  Gardening on the moon, magical meadows and Herb of the Month

  Gardening on earth can be challenging sometimes, so what about gardening on the moon? David chats to Professor Simon Barak from Ben Gurion University of the Negev about trying to germinate seeds on the lunar surface. Back on planet earth...

  
• 08.05.2023

  Soggy summers, preparing Mount Stewart for climate change and National Allotment Week

  The weather is always unpredictable but with a warm and dry June and damp July, it’s making life challenging for gardeners. This week, David Maxwell will be joined by Cecilia Daly to chat about the reasons for the recent weather...

  
• 07.29.2023

  Cottage garden colour, a fond farewell to rose breeding and dreamy Dahlias with Marryn Mathis

  After nearly a century and a half, the Dickson family have decided to bring their rose breeding business to an end. Presenter David Maxwell visits Colin Dickson in his rose field near Newtownards to find out why he’s calling...

  
• 07.22.2023

  RHS Bridgewater, Birr Castle Demesne and Greenfort

  Nothing beats visiting other gardens for inspiration and learning, and in this week’s Gardeners’ Corner, presenter David Maxwell asks three of his regular experts to choose one of their favourite gardens. Those featured include RHS Bridgewater near Manchester which opened...

  
• 07.08.2023

  Bountiful basil, beautiful beans and cost-saving cuttings

  Summer is in full swing and this week David Maxwell and his expert guests are focusing on edibles. Brendan Little provides a masterclass on growing basil, proving you can grow enough to produce pesto in Donegal! Amy Kelly loves growing...

  
• 07.01.2023

  RHSI Bellefield, no more bedding in Bangor and top rated roses

  It’s the flower of summer and of romance and it never looses it’s appeal according to Mary Keenan who David Maxwell visits in this week’s programme. At her County Laois gardens he has roses that can find a place...

  
• 06.24.2023

  Countless caterpillars, water wise veg growing and herb of the month

  This week on Gardeners’ Corner with David Maxwell; why are there so many caterpillars this year and do the spooky webs some are creating spell doom for the plants they cover? At Helen’s Bay Organic Farm John McCormick has some...

  
• 06.17.2023

  Gardeners’ Corner at Garden Show Ireland

  With the heat wave continuing Gardeners’ Corner is live at Garden Show Ireland in Antrim Castle Gardens. David Maxwell is joined by Diarmuid Gavin, Cherry Townsend and Mary Doris who will take questions from an invited audience. Also on...

  
• 06.10.2023

  Hang’em up house plants, gardens for under 5s and Bord Bia Bloom

  As summer begins in the garden, David Maxwell finds inspiration at Ireland’s biggest gardening show. In its 17th year, Bord Bia Bloom attracted over 100,000 visitors. In the programme, David catches up with Oliver Shurmann from Mount Venus nurseries...

  
• 06.03.2023

  Native seeds, an artist's haven and exotic seaside plants

  Do you have native plants in your garden? A visit to True Harvest Seeds in Kilclief in Co Down showcases some of the native origin plants growing in the wild and how Debbie Gillies and the team of volunteers are...

  
• 05.27.2023

  RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023

  David visits the gardening event of the year – the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023. With 36 show gardens and a pavilion full of plant experts, Gardeners’ Corner looks at the show from the perspective of the ordinary gardener....

  
• 05.20.2023

  Community gardening in Saintfield, County Donegal’s OURganic gardens and Jekka’s herb of the month

  In this late spring edition of the programme, presenter David Maxwell visits the new community garden in the County Down village of Saintfield. In County Donegal, Joanne and Milo Butler run OURganic in the hills above Gortahork. The gardens are...

  
• 05.13.2023

  Gardeners’ Corner from Balmoral Show 2023

  Gardeners Corner takes questions from Gardeners’ at the Balmoral Show 2023. David Maxwell is joined by experts Claire McNally and Ann Fitzsimmons. Questions from the audience include plants for a shady exposed back garden and when to fertilise...

  
• 05.10.2023

  The King’s Garden: A Gardeners’ Corner special

  In this Gardeners’ Corner special to mark the coronation, presenter David Maxwell travels to the private garden of King Charles III in Gloucestershire. He’s shown around by Derry man, Brian Corr who learnt his gardening trade in Northern Ireland before...

  
• 04.29.2023

  Gardening for moths, bulbs care after blooming and Liza Tarbuck

  How much do you think about your garden after dark? In this programme presenter David Maxwell meets Jo Mulholland who’s mad about moths. He finds out about their decline and what gardeners can do to help these often...

  
• 04.22.2023

  Growing a feast at Florence Court, top tomatoes and Diarmuid Gavin

  With two weeks until the coronation, David visits a garden under construction to mark the event. Diarmuid Gavin’s bold design for The King’s Coronation garden will soon be an eye catching attraction at Hazelbank Park on the shores of...

  
• 04.08.2023

  A visit to Jekka’s, bulbs in bloom and a lost garden rediscovered

  David visits Jekka’s herb farm near Bristol on its first open day of the season where Jekka McVicar shows him around the new herb garden. In Hillsborough, as the spring spectacular gets underway, Claire Woods reveals how even the professionals...

  
• 03.25.2023

  Gardeners’ Corner from Fairview Primary School

  In this Gardeners’ Corner special, live from Fairview Primary School, David Maxwell joins the children, parents and teachers at Fairview Primary School in Ballyclare. In collaboration with the Education team at BBC Northern Ireland, the programme showcases some of...

  
• 03.18.2023

  Gardening for gorillas, the beauty and benefit of log walls and Greba Garden

  How do you garden for gorillas? David meets the man who was in charge of planting at Dublin Zoo for four decades. Stephen Butler explains how the plants enhance the environment for the animals and give a sense...

  
• 03.11.2023

  Handsome hellebores, using digestate and herb of the month

  David Maxwell heads to Rosie Maye’s garden in Slane, County Meath where she has an enviable collection of hellebores. From named varieties to self-sown seedlings, they are the stars of the show in March. In Ballywalter, Anna Hudson is...

  
• 03.04.2023

  Mount Venus Nursery, gardening for the senses and preparing for climate change with city trees

  At Mount Venus Nursery in the Dublin hills David Maxwell meets owner Oliver Schurmann whose enthusiasm for plants can be traced back to a local farmer giving him a handful of seeds. He still retains that childlike wonder as he...