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 daffodils. Also on the programme, David visits a flower farm in Magherafelt, a guide to fertilisers and why alliums should steal the show in your garden in May. Email the programme on [email protected].

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 becoming Head of Gardens at the King's Highgrove Estate. David explores the different areas of this organic garden which the King has been hands on in developing since he bought the property as Prince of Wales in 1980. Now under the stewardship of the Prince’s Foundation charity, David finds out how the estate is being opened up to the public and used as a showcase for traditional skills and crafts. And he chats to Royal florist Shane Connolly who shares the King’s passion for sustainability and is providing the floral backdrop for the coronation.

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 underrated pollinators. Mary Doris has tips on how to look after spring flowering bulbs to make sure they perform next year and John Gault gives a masterclass in rhododendron care from his 9 decades of experience. Also on the programme, BBC Radio 2’s Liza Tarbuck on her love of gardening and Ciaran Mulholland will join David in studio to answer questions. Email the programme on [email protected]

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 Belfast Lough. Among those helping to get the garden finished on time are some students from CAFRE’s Greenmount campus. Also on the programme, Helen Mark visits the National Trust’s Florence Court where Ian Marshall and his volunteers are busy planting broad beans and potatoes in the kitchen garden. Jekka McVicar reveals her favourite herb for April and Reg Maxwell joins David in studio to answer questions and provide some seasonal inspiration for the gardener at home. Contact the programme – [email protected]

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 have nature to contend with sometimes and Montalto Estate near Ballynahinch launches its Lost Garden. In studio, Ann Fitzsimmons will join David with some Easter gardening inspiration and take questions live. Email the programme on [email protected]

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 great gardening taking place in schools across Northern Ireland. Experts Claire McNally and Brendan Little will be on hand to offer some guidance on planting for pollinators, looking after a wildlife pond and woodland planting. The Education team will also launch their school gardening wall planner which schools can get free by emailing [email protected] Email the programme on [email protected]

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 natural habitat. At Ballywalter, Anna Hudson is building walls out of logs – an attractive feature in any garden and great for wild life. In Greyabbey, on the Ards Peninsula, there is a secret garden called Greba – David meets up with owners Richard and Beverley to find out how they have transformed a disused quarry into a place of beauty. In studio Claire McNally and Mary Doris answer questions and have some gardening related ideas for Mothers’ day. Email the programme on [email protected]

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 veg beds in the glasshouses using homemade compost and digestate, a by-product of anaerobic digestion. Jekka McVicar reveals her herb of the month and Cherry Townsend joins David live in studio to answer questions.

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 tends to walled garden which blends seamlessly with the nursery full of both common and unusual plants. Mary Doris has tips on creating a garden that appeals to all the senses. In Belfast the council want to prepare the city for the changing climate by growing more and different kinds of trees. David meets up with Senior Woodland Officer Alan McHaffie who explains how those within the city limits can play a part. Contact the programme on [email protected]

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 on the north shore of Belfast Lough, Diarmuid Gavin is starting work on a garden to mark the coronation. Mary Doris has tips of creating garden for all the senses and award winning author Eoghan Daltun on the need to let nature in. Brendan Little joins David live in studio to take questions and to give tips for the week. [email protected]