Helen Mark presents this week's edition of Gardeners' corner.

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 unruly grapes in check.

‘Please note this material has been edited since transmission’

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 programme David meets up with organic grower Klaus Laitenberger at the Organic Centre in County Leitrim where he began the Irish chapter of his life. Klaus also tells David why Lemon Verbena is his favourite herb and the value of Florence Fennel. At Ballyrobert Maurice Parkinson still has plenty of Autumn colour and Amy Kelly picks her favourite seeds to sow in October.

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. Volunteer David Bolton explains his work in identifying varieties and the recent rediscovery of the Wine apple which it was thought has disappeared. In Lurgan, Taghnevan Community Allotments provides a hub for locals interested in growing their own and the programme returns to Rosie Maye’s garden in County Meath for some more early Autumn highlights. Cherry Townsend will join David in studio. Contact the programme on [email protected]

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 different types. Near Limavady, a garden has become a refuge for Fred McIlmoyle who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018. While his prognosis wasn’t good initially, advances in treatment options have allowed him to remain active and his garden has become even more precious through the ups and downs of his cancer journey. Also on the programme, Jekka McVicar chooses her herb of the month and David is joined in studio by Claire McNally. Email the programme on [email protected]

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 programme, presenter David Maxwell tours the gardens with head gardener Jennifer Taggart and finds out how the place has been shaped by it’s former owners including actor Sir John Hurt. He finds out how Jennifer is using sheep’s wool and clover to manage the 14 acre site. Also on the programme, a visit to Duneane Community Garden in Toome and autumn highlights with Claire McNally at the National Trust’s Rowallane. In studio, David is joined by garden expert Anna Hudson and wildlife expert Katie Bell. Email the programme on [email protected].

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 species. This week presenter David Maxwell tours the garden with Charlie Harpur and finds out how they manage this unique space which has already massively increased biodiversity. At Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Claire Woods is harvesting seed and enjoying some early autumn apples and at Mount Venus, Oliver Shurmann shares some of his favourite plants of the moment. Garden expert Ann Fitzsimmons will join David live in studio to answer questions. Contact the programme on [email protected]

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. With a major public transport scheme underway in Belfast, the programme finds out how horticulture was put front and centre during the Crossrail project in London and a visit to a former Abbey near Enniskillen where a secret garden full of usual plants has been nurtured by Noel Crane for the last 4 decades. Brendan Little will join David in studio for live questions. [email protected]

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 Brendan Little hasn’t mown his grass since May and it’s time to take the meadow into hand. He’s planting plugs of Ragged Robin and Foxgloves and sowing Yellow Rattle seed which will keep the grass in check. Jekka McVicar chooses Lavender as her herb for August and Cherry Townsend is live in studio to answer questions. Email: [email protected]

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 patterns and her predictions for the rest of summer. Also on the programme, the National Trust’s Mount Stewart teams up with Bristol University to predict the future for the garden with climate change modelling and ahead of National Allotment Week David visits a hidden allotment in Bangor and Helen Mark catches up with some of those involved in Derry’s Acorn Farm project which supports families to grow their own. Claire McNally will join David in studio to take questions. Email [email protected]