Gardeners' Corner

By BBC Radio Ulster

What's Gardeners' Corner about?

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.

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Gardeners’ Corner from Fair...

03.25.2023

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 the ...

Gardeners' Corner episodes:

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 the ...
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 of their ...
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 preparing ...
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 ...
02.25.2023 Powerscourt, propagating perennials and Diarmuid Gavin’s garden fit for a King David Maxwell heads to Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow where 3000 roses are being planted in the Italian garden. Head gardener, Alex Slazenger introduces David to some of the winter highlights in a garden for all seasons. In Hazelbank Park ...
02.11.2023 Celebrating Snowdrops at Altamont, early spring at Hunting Brook and herb of the month As the Snowdrops reach their peak David Maxwell heads to one of the biggest collections in the country at Altamont Gardens in County Carlow. The collection started by Corona North has been maintained and increased since she left Altamont to ...
02.04.2023 Taming a fig, the magic of moss and Glenmona reborn This week David Maxwell heads through the Glens of Antrim to Glenmona House in Cushendun. The 19th century house, owned by the National Trust, is getting a new lease of life. David meets gardener, Una Quinn, who wants to make ...
01.28.2023 Dramatic gardening, Derry’s award-winning allotments and Oakfield Park Gardener’s Corner focuses on the North West with visits to the walled garden at Oakfield Park in Raphoe. Estate manager David Fisher sets the scene and Head gardener Wendy Bridgett gives presenter David Maxwell a tour of the 18th century ...
01.21.2023 Foxgloves, Florence Court and forgiving house plants In this week’s programme David Maxwell heads to a frozen Florence Court and takes refuge in the brand new glass houses in the 1930s kitchen garden. Ian Marshall explains how they have recreated the original greenhouses and added a 21st ...
01.14.2023 Easy to grow peonies, the right way to dig and herb of the month This week David finds out more about the ultimate easy to grow plant – the peony. Grower Alec White explains why he gave up a career in law when he fell in love with their brilliant blooms and why they ...
01.07.2023 A bubble bath for broccoli? Montalto’s winter garden and a taste of South African sunshine In the first programme of 2023 David visits the Montalto Estate’s Winter garden where new head gardener Lesley Heron points out some of her favourite plants for winter interest. In Newcastle, David finds out about the work of the Ark ...
01.05.2023 The Best of Gardeners’ Corner 2022 As one year gives way to another, David Maxwell looks back at the gardening year of 2022 including; a visit to Gravetye Manor in Sussex - the home of the influential Victorian Irish gardener William Robinson, Bloom in Dublin and ...
01.05.2023 Christmas Eve with Gardeners’ Corner Ahead of the Christmas Day celebrations, David Maxwell and the gardening experts get together for a festive fireside chat. Ann Fitzsimmons plays host at her Killinchy garden set amidst the County Down drumlins. Also joining in, for hot chocolate and ...
12.17.2022 Santa Klaus, Poinsettias and herbs for Christmas With one week until Christmas Eve, join David Maxwell and experts for some seasonal gardening inspiration. Renowned herb expert Jekka McVicar reveals what she’ll be using from the garden and Christmas and homemade remedies for sore throats! Klaus Laitenberger has ...
12.12.2022 Gardening across the pond, ‘Old Man’s Beard’ and tree of the month As the chill of winter bites, David is joined in studio by Ann Fitzsimmons for some timely advice on protecting the garden when the mercury falls. One listener wants advice on ‘Old Man’s Beard’ but this one isn’t wearing a ...
12.03.2022 Caring for Christmas Trees and creating winter wonder With the festive season in sight David heads to a Christmas tree farm to see some of the most popular varieties and find out how to look after living trees during the festivities. In Killinchy, Ann Fitzsimmons is planting Christmas ...
11.26.2022 Drenagh Gardens and winter veg As winter approaches, Helen Mark heads to Drenagh Gardens near Limavady where Conelley McCausland has set about restoring the vast walled garden and extensive grounds which had almost disappeared under the invasion of bamboo. Also on the programme, a visit ...
11.19.2022 Late autumn highlights at Rowallane, heeling in and ‘Tree of the Month’. This week, David visits the gardens at Glenarm Castle where Neil Porteous is making the best of late autumn sunshine to prepare for next year. From heeling in rhododendrons, to starting perennials from seed, there is a long list to ...
11.05.2022 Gardening on the set of The Crown, a banquet for birds and it’s time to bury some tulip bulbs November is the perfect time to plant tulip bulbs and that’s what Claire Woods is doing when David Maxwell visits her at Hillsborough Castle. Then it’s off to the RSPB’s Belfast Wow where Tim McCann has lots of tips on ...
10.29.2022 Orchard county pumpkins, the lily wood and Tree of the Month As the Halloween half term begins, David Maxwell visits a pumpkin patch in the Orchard county. Brian Hutchinson has been growing the gourds for a decade and knows what they need to thrive. Also on the programme, a visit to ...
10.22.2022 The candyfloss tree, hope from Hiroshima and planting with Duneane Primary With Autumn colour all around, Gardeners’ Corner with David Maxwell celebrates the wonder of trees. At CAFRE’s Greenmount campus, the first of the Hiroshima survivor trees grown by staff and students is planted out. In County Laois, David is back ...
10.15.2022 Autumn at Gash Gardens, the quirky Quince and when gardening is a lifeline Some plants leave their best show until last and this week David heads to County Laois to find spectacular autumn colour at Gash Gardens. Mary Keenan describes how her family’s dairy farm has been transformed into beautiful gardens with standout ...
10.14.2022 Tree ferns, taming ramblers and why heritage fruit is good for your health David heads to the annual symposium at Kells Bay gardens in County Kerry which attracts top horticulturalists from across the country. John Anderson from Windsor Castle gardens is planning for the future with climate change in mind. Alasdair Moore from ...
10.01.2022 Golden grasses, hedges for hogs and rose hip syrup In this week’s programme David visits the Killyleagh garden that was never meant to be. Janie Metcalf wanted land around a house for horses, her late husband loved trees, but over the years she was bitten by the gardening bug ...
09.24.2022 Autumn flowering bulbs, harvesting seed and Charles Dowding We often think about planting bulbs at this time of year for a colourful spring display but what about the bulbs that are flowering right now? In this week’s Gardeners’ Corner, David Maxwell visits Ballyrobert Cottage Garden where there is ...
09.10.2022 A life of flowers Gardeners’ Corner looks at the life of Queen Elizabeth II through the lens of all things gardening. David Maxwell chats to those who met her at great gardening events, he visits Northern Ireland’s official royal residence at Hillsborough and explores ...
09.03.2022 Gardening up the walls, show time at Yew Cottage and the low maintenance border with just three plants. How can you garden if you only have a yard? The answer is to garden on the vertical! This week, presenter David Maxwell chats to Ann Fitzsimmons about her new living wall. She maintains it with a fork and spoon ...
08.27.2022 Airfield Estate, decadent Dahlias and wildlife gardener Kate Bradbury Just a few minutes walk from Ireland’s largest shopping centre, a garden provides a quiet place in the city. A haven for wildlife and place to learn about our food, Airfield Estate in Dundrum was left in trust to the ...
08.20.2022 The Old Mill House garden, what to do with a glut and tree of the month With late summer approaching David is joined in studio by Reg Maxwell to take questions on everything from sickly tomatoes to Oh la la clematis. He finds out about the Old Mill garden in Helen’s Bay which is being lovingly ...
08.13.2022 Celebrating National Allotments Week and Growing Your Own at Home Allotments across the country are burst with flowers and produce right now and in National Allotments Week, Gardeners’ Corner visits two. David Maxwell heads to Ards where Amy Kelly has her plot. He also meets some of her neighbours who ...
07.25.2022 Ravine, Neighbourly Gardening and an Outside Space to Remember At the end of a week of record temperatures, David Maxwell chats to Ann Fitzsimmons about making our gardens more resilient. David also visits the Ravine project at Knockbracken Healthcare Park which gives horticultural opportunities to young adults facing mental ...
07.08.2022 Keeping the garden going when you’re away, Botanic gardens summer highlights and Knockbreda Community Garden opens Just a few days after the summer solstice and it’s all go in the garden. From growing fig trees in pots, to spooky webs in shrubs; David Maxwell takes questions from listeners in this week’s gardening programme. Also on the ...
07.08.2022 Roses for everyone, a visit to L’Arche ‘village’ garden and tree of the month It’s June in the garden and that means the roses are blooming. In this week’s programm, David Maxwell meets up with Cherry Townsend to explore her collection of over 150 roses. She explains which roses suit different locations and why ...
07.02.2022 A Greek vegetable odyssey, cloud pruning and tree of the month Join David Maxwell and his guests for lots of summer gardening inspiration.
06.25.2022 Keeping the garden going when you’re away, Botanic gardens summer highlights and Knockbreda Community Garden David Maxwell presents the weekly gardening programme, including summer gardening care.
06.18.2022 Secret gardens of Loughgall, painting plants and giant water lilies Join David Maxwell and his guests for lots of summer gardening inspiration.
06.11.2022 Roses for everyone, a visit to L’Arche ‘village’ garden and tree of the month Rambling about roses, a visit to the new L’Arche garden and it's tree of the month time.
06.04.2022 Platinum planting and Bord Bia Bloom David Maxwell visits Ireland’s largest gardening festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. At Bord Bia Bloom he’ll meet designers, growers and tour some of the 19 show gardens. Also on the programme, David finds out what’s happening in the gardens at ...
05.28.2022 Gardeners’ Corner at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 David Maxwell brings highlights from the Show Gardens to the new All About Plants gardens
05.21.2022 The plants that give weeds a run for their money and taming a jungle in Limavady. Can weeds be useful? This week David Maxwell meets Becky Cole at Broughgammon Farm near Ballycastle. She considers some weeds free food and uses others for their useful herbal properties. Down in Slane, County Meath, Rosie Maye has a selection ...
05.14.2022 Gardeners' Corner The weekly gardening programme for keen gardeners with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province. Presented by Helen Mark.
05.07.2022 The Insomniac Gardener and transforming an urban wasteland. A childhood fantasy has become a reality for Rosie Maye who has spent 20 years transforming the three acres around her home near Slane in county Meath. Without any formal training Rosie aka The Insomniac Gardener on social media, has ...
04.30.2022 Garden Show Ireland and Randalstown Viaduct A special Gardeners’ Corner from Garden Show Ireland 2022 in the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens. David Maxwell will be joined by Diarmuid Gavin, Klaus Laitenberger, Cherry Townsend and Ann Fitzsimmons who will take questions from an invited audience. Also ...
04.23.2022 Gardeners’ Corner special: William Robinson’s wild gardening William Robinson started life as a garden boy in Ireland but went on the become one of the most famous gardeners of all time. His ‘wild gardening’ style is still widely referenced today and in this special programme presenter David ...
04.16.2022 BBC Radio Ulster Gardeners’ Corner team look at new life at Easter Tune into BBC Radio Ulster’s Gardeners’ Corner this Saturday morning when Helen Mark finds out what seasonal tasks are being done on some coastal allotments, Amy Kelly looks for to the transformation to come in her garden and a very ...
04.09.2022 Onions that walk, Easter foraging and Adam Frost Have you ever heard of onions that can walk? David Maxwell finds out all about them from organic grower Klaus Laitenberger. April showers bring plenty of growth in the garden including to plants often considered weeds, but wild garlic and ...
04.02.2022 A living museum, Stork’s bills and an award for dedication to daffs David meets Omagh man Brian Duncan who has been breeding daffodils since the 1960s and has been awarded one of horticulture’s greatest honours. He becomes one of only 63 people who can wear the Victoria Medal of Honour. Also on ...
03.26.2022 Home grown tomatoes and gardening like clockwork Have you ever heard of a mechanical garden? Well Antrim is getting Northern Ireland’s first, and this week David Maxwell chats to designer Diarmuid Gavin about his plans for the space. It’s being created to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee ...
03.19.2022 Planting potatoes ‘Leitrim style’, the value of heritage seeds and Little Green Fingers in Augher David Maxwell heads to Bundoran on St Patrick’s day where organic gardener Klaus Laitenberger is planting potatoes ‘Leitrim style’. He demonstrates his old Irish method of covering the seed potatoes with freshly dug turfs, showing how an area of lawn ...
03.12.2022 Pruning trees, platinum trees and a return to Kilmacurragh In this week’s programme, David Maxwell travels to the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh in county Wicklow. The country cousin of the gardens at Glasnevin in Dublin, Kilmacurragh covers over 100 acres and enjoys a mild maritime climate where rhododendrons and ...

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