A year after Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc across Ireland David Maxwell visits the gardens at Mount Stewart on the Ards peninsula where thousands of trees were lost. He meets volunteers planting oak and pine trees which will form a new shelter belt for the garden in the decades to come. At the other end of the garden, the Winterwatch team have been broadcasting the programme from Northern Ireland for the first time. Chris Packham explains the vast range of habitats that exist around this historic garden. Also on the programme, a visit to the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin and questions on muddy lawns, growing olives outdoors and what to do with a stem of rose hips that has unexpectedly rooted. Contact the programme on [email protected]

A garden that has to look good in every season is the Horatio’s Garden at Musgrave Park Hospital in south Belfast. Two years after it was planted up, David Maxwell chats to head gardener Matthew Lee about how the garden continues to change, and about the great groundcover plants that help keep weeding to a minimum. Adam Frost begins his new ‘Bulb of the month’ series with the common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis. Ahead of the Big Garden Birdwatch, the RSPB’s Claire Barnett visits David’s garden to find out what’s coming to his feeders. In studio, gardener Anna Hudson, brings some seasonal highlights from the Ballywalter and answers questions live. Contact the programme on [email protected]

As the film Hamnet goes on general release, David Maxwell chats to herb expert Jekka McVicar about the role she played in advising the production on Elizabethan herbs. In Ratoath, County Meath, nursery owner John Lord is finding new opportunities in a garden he’s developed over 30 years. He explains how it’s become a playground for plants that serve to inspire both expert and novice gardeners alike. Listener Michael McLean gets a visit from Gardeners’ Corner – he invited the programme to see a garden he’s lovingly creating over a lifetime on a hillside above Newcastle. Also on the programme, a tribute to the late Seamus O’Brien who was head gardener at the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh in County Wicklow and widely regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest plantsmen. Ann FitzSimons joins David in studio. Email the programme at [email protected]

As one year gives way to the next, join David Maxwell on a journey through the seasons with highlights from the last 12 months of Gardeners’ Corner. From clearing up after Storm Éowyn to pristine show gardens, from celebrities to school children and with callers from Ballyclare to San Francisco, David sums up the joy of a programme that celebrated 40 years on the airwaves in 2025.

In this episode of Gardeners' Corner, David Maxwell visits what some call 'Ireland's secret garden' - Kilmacurragh in County Wicklow. The site became part of the National Botanic Gardens in 1996 and since then a restoration programme has been underway. Leading the tour of the gardens, which boast a vast plant collection, is head gardener Seamus O'Brien.

Seamus is also continuing the work of the Victorian plant hunters. He has gathered plants from Chile, China and Tasmania on his own plant hunting expeditions. Also joining the tour of the gardens is Neil Porteous from Mount Stewart. The two gardens cooperate in the work of creating a 'Noah's Ark' of endangered southern hemisphere plants in the temperate Irish climate.

Join David Maxwell and the gardening gang for a very festive Gardeners’ Corner Christmas special from the National Trust’s Rowallane Gardens in Saintfield, County Down. The team leave behind their dirty denims and don their festive finest for an outdoor gathering around a crackling fire. With mystery seeds in crackers, Secret Santa silliness, and festive food from the garden, all washed down with some seasonal gardening know-how – this is one Christmas Special you won’t want to miss. Email the programme at [email protected]

With the festive season in full swing, David heads to Montalto Estate in County Down for a winter walk with head gardener Lesley Heron. While Storm Bram has created some extra work, there’s still plenty to enjoy, including plants that bring colour and structure to the darkest months of the year. Also on the programme, David chats to Brendan Gilsenan at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin about mistletoe — the seasonal plant romantics seek out at this time of year — and Maeve Bell explains why every garden should make room for a mahonia. Back in the studio, David is joined by garden expert Brendan Little, along with Katy Bell for her winter wildlife update. Email the programme at [email protected]

Need help picking your Christmas tree? Gardeners’ Corner can help! Tony Johnston from Peartree Hill Christmas Tree Farm shares excellent advice on keeping yours looking its best.

In this week’s programme, David Maxwell travels to Kerrykeel in Donegal where Brendan Little is preparing his backyard garden for winter. In Spa, County Down, Thomas McCaw and Thomas Raju sing the praises of heather for late autumn and winter colour. At Ballyrobert Cottage Garden, Maurice Parkinson reveals some of the grasses that stand well over the colder months and dazzle in frost and low sun. A caller asks if tree stumps should be removed from the garden or if it’s okay to plant around them. John wants rid of his hairy bittercress weed – is the answer to eat it? And expert Claire McNally joins David in studio with seasonal inspiration on what we can be doing in the garden during the precious hours of daylight. Email the programme at [email protected]

This week, David visits Rosie Maye’s garden near Slane and hears about her love of Inter-planting and underplanting.

Prolific Irish garden designer Mary Keen chats about new autobiography, Diary of a Keen Gardener, and why even with her long career and expertise, she’s always learning and experimenting as a gardener.

Pupils from Hezlett Primary School and National Trust volunteers help plant ferns and unveil a new water bowl at Downhill Demesne, Castlerock.

Gardening expert Neil Porteous joins David in studio to help caller John, who’s worried about cutting his holly tree and Pearl, who’s wondering how best to overwinter potted gladioli.

Email the programme at [email protected]