Prepare to be transported into the luscious world of gardening and food with our guest, Tom Doorley. Acclaimed journalist, broadcaster, food critic, and Sunday Times garden columnist.

 Tom invites us to relish in his tales of soil, seeds, and serenity. He unfolds his journey from his roots, growing up with gardening parents, to his current position as a highly respected garden columnist. Along the way, he sprinkles illuminating insights into his love for plants, herbs, and the captivating stories they tell.

In the second half, we delve into the more tactical aspects of gardening, as Tom shares his experiences growing various fruits and vegetables. Be it his encounters with challenging Jerusalem artichokes and onions, or his triumph with flyaway carrots, every anecdote is a lesson in persistence and reward.

Plus, Tom teases us with a glimpse of his culinary prowess as he reflects on his time with 'The Restaurant' and reveals his favorite courgette recipe. So, join us as we plant ourselves in the rich tapestry of Tom Doorley's garden, where every leaf and fruit has a tale to tell.

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my   
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

In this weeks episode of Master My Garden podcast John looks at what to sow in the September vegetable garden. 

We still hopefully have lots of great harvests coming from our vegetable gardens crops like onions, potatoes, garlic , cabbage, cauliflower coming out or do to be harvested soon. It is important to get these bare spaces filled back in with new crops for the Autumn and beyond. 

September really is the last chance to sow this year and the list of what we can sow is reducing dramatically now in September. It still can be a vital month for sowing ensuring we have some harvest well in autumn and winter. It is mostly a list of winter salads and leafy greens and all sowing should be done by the middle of the month. 
 

So what vegetables can we sow in September ? 

Sowing in modules for planting under cover:  

• Lettuce loose leaf types
• Chard 
• Kale
• Claytonia 
• Mizuna 
• Mustard 
• Spinach 
• Coriander 
• Rocket
• Chervil
• Spring onion 
• Beetroot ( a little late but I am making one more sowing in the poly tunnel)

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my   
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

In this weeks episode John answers a listeners question. How to create a wildflower meadow / patch from scratch?

We look at the distinctions between native Irish wildflowers and cultivated flowers used in floral meadows.  Listen to us as we map the path to your dream meadow. We tap into the wisdom of Sandra Cofola Irish Wildflower expert, sharing valuable insights from previous episodes, and discuss how wildflower meadows influence biodiversity.

In this episode, we'll navigate through the various methods of establishing a weed-free seed bed and the best times to sow your chosen seeds. We'll also debate the pros and cons of annual and perennial flower mixes. Going beyond just the establishment, we'll talk about the care a wildflower meadow needs post-sowing.

We look at how each meadow establishes and supports biodiversity. Wether you're a budding gardener or a seasoned gardener, this episode is sure to enrich your horticultural know-how and inspire you to create your very own wildflower haven. Tune in!

To Visit Sandro Cafolla's website visit

http://www.wildflowers.ie

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my   
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

What if you could transform your garden into a stunning display of color and fragrance, simply by sowing your own seeds?
Join me as I revisit the perennials I sowed last autumn, revealing the secrets to their success and the benefits of creating your own perennial border from seed. From the importance of aeration when autumn sowing to the correct sowing techniques, we'll delve into the practical aspects of sowing your own flower seeds. While listing 10 flowers we can sow from seed this autumn the list is

10 flower seeds to sow in September 

1. Penstemon there are many vibrant varieties available. 
2. Dierama Angels Fishing Rod (One for the patient gardener)  
3. Erigeron karvinskianus 'Profusion 
4. Sweet Pea all varieties once you are able to mind a little over winter 
5. Lavender Munstead or other varieties 
6. Echinops or 'Globe Thistle'
7. Nepeta Catmint A must for most gardens 
8. Aubrieta a rock plant easy to grow and ideal for rockeries or overhanging a wall
9. Papaver ornamental poppy 
10. Echinacea there are lots of varieties 

In this lively journey, I share the  delights of sowing this year's selection of plants while referencing back to last years list of super plants that you can sow in Autumn.  You'll also discover the patience required in growing a variety of plants, like Angles Fishing Rods. Join me as I guide you on how to sow these perennials and annual flowers for an extraordinary garden that will leave your neighbour's in awe.

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my   
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

In this weeks episode a listener asks a question about how to safely save rainwater for use in her Potager garden. John Looks at all the pros and cons of harvesting rainwater and gives the tips to ensure you are are saving water safely. 

Ever considered the benefits of rainwater for your garden? Prepare to discover how this natural resource can be a sustainable and effective alternative to mains water, offsetting dry periods and being much better for your plants. This episode also highlights the potential risks involved in rainwater harvesting, including the threat of pathogens like E. coli and others if the water is not properly managed. We'll guide you through the pros, cons, and safety measures of this eco-friendly practice, so you can make an informed decision for your garden's health.

 We're delving into the nitty-gritty of water butt maintenance, including optimal positioning to avoid direct sunlight, and techniques to keep the water moving, thus preventing pathogens from building up.

We'll also share our top tips on using storage tanks, and mention mechanical filters to collect rainwater runoff but not debris, and the essential practice of rotating your water supply. Tune in for a comprehensive guide on using harvested rainwater for gardening!

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my   
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/  
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

In this weeks episode of Master My Garden podcast John looks at what to sow in the August vegetable garden.

August is generally is a month great harvests in our vegetable gardens. Great harvest means bare space when crops like onions, potatoes, garlic , cabbage, cauliflower etc come out. It is important to get these bare spaces filled back in with new crops for the Autumn and beyond.

When it comes to what we can sow in August the variety of seeds that we can actually sow is reducing dramatically month to month from a peak in May to almost nothing past September.
 
So what vegetables can we sow in August?

Direct sowing outside: ( all last sowing early in the month)  

• Spinach 
• Radish 
• Spring onion 
• Milan Purple Top/Snowball

Sowing in modules for planting outside:  

• Lettuce 
• Chard 
• Spring Cabbage
• Kale
• Pak Choi (better under cover of cloche) 
• Claytona (better under cover of cloche) 
• Mizuna (better under cover of cloche) 
• Tatsoi (better under cover of cloche) 
• Mustard (better under cover of cloche) 

Sowing In modules for planting inside: 

• Spinach 
• Spring onion 
• Lettuce 
• Pak Choi
• Claytona 
• Mizuna  
• Tatsoi  
• Mustard  

Direct sowing inside: 

• Radish 
• Milan Purple Top/Snowball
• Spring onion 
• Rocket
• Spring Onion

If you do have bare ground and you don't plan on continuing to plant veg be sure to cover it with green manures to keep soil covered over winter.

Christmas potatoes can also be sown now this are generally first early varieties planted now to have new potatoes for Christmas dinner. I personally don't do this but if you want to you can get seed now in garden centres it must be seed harvested from the previous year which has gone through a period of dormancy.

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my   
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/  
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

In this weeks episode John chats with Julie Anne Kelly The Soulful Gardener who has a fantastic garden in Ballinakill Co Laois which was featured on Irelands Garden Heros. John & Julie Anne, chat about wildflowers meadows, cut flowers gardens, drying flowers, therapeutic horticulture, sustainability, up-cycling and much more.

Julie is opening her garden on Sunday 30th July with all money raised going to charity you can find the garden at Eircode R32D2H4 or to follow Julie-Anne The Soulful Gardener find her on instagram link below
https://instagram.com/thesoulfulgardenerlaois?igshid=MTIzZWMxMTBkOA==

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my   
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/  
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Is it too late to take softwood cuttings? That was a listener query from last week.  

Technically mid-July is a little late if you follow textbook rules, however, I have always found that they will root perfect at this stage of the year.  

What will I need to take softwood cuttings?  

• An airy growing media you can mix perlite through to add air to the rootzone.  
• A plastic zip lock bag to put cuttings in straight away to avoid transpiration.  
• Rooting powder is useful but not essential. 
• Small pots 9cm (about 3.54 in) to 12cm (about 4.72 in)  
• Plastic bag or propagator to cover cuttings after use.  

How do I take softwood cuttings?  

• Take new fresh growth 10cm (about 3.94 in) just below a leaf node ideally with a set of leaves on the leaf node another set of leaves above and a growing tip.  
• Remove the bottom set of leaves and dip in rooting powder.  
• Fill your small pot with compost and make a hole 50mm (about 1.97 in) deep with a pencil.  
• Insert the cutting into the hole firm in and water.  
• Cover with a poly bag or propagator and keep in dappled sun (avoid full sun if possible)  
• Keep a regular eye on them to ensure they do not dry out and watch for the new roots which will appear in 3-4 weeks.  
• Then they can then be potted on to create a new plant to be planted out next spring.  

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my   
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/  
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.   
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

In this weeks episode John is joined by Harry from Kilkenny Architectural salvage to chat about all the treasures they have for gardeners.

There are some great topics covered including how we should reuse more and not be so quick to send our "stuff" to landfill after it is no longer useful to us. We also chat about the many treats Kilkenny Architectural salvage have for gardeners. The best sellers from that list and much more !!

Your can find Kilkenny Architectural salvage  here: 

https://www.eurosalve.com

On the website you will also find links to their super social channels. 

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my     
Website:https://mastermygarden.com/    
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.  

 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels     
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/   
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/   
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG    
or email [email protected]    
 
Until next week    
Happy gardening    
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

In this weeks episode of Master My Garden podcast John looks at what to sow in July and other gardening jobs.

July is a month when all our vegetable beds are heaving with produce and space for new crops can be at a premium. It is important to keep sowing so you will have plants to go in after you harvest your onions, potatoes and other crops. This will ensure you have supply right through to the autumn and winter.

Sow what can we sow in July ?

Direct sowing outside:  

• Carrots making sure to keep ground moist
• Beetroot sow lots they will keep 
• Spinach 
• Radish 
• Spring onion 

Sowing in module for planting outside:  

• Lettuce 
• Chard 
• Winter cabbage savoy  
• Kale  
• Kohlrabi

Sowing Inside for planting inside or in less exposed gardens: 

• French beans 

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my 
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG 
or email [email protected] 
 
Until next week 
Happy gardening 
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John