Master My Garden Podcast

Want to grow your own cut flower garden ? Then this episode is for you.

 We’re joined by Fionnuala Fallon, Irish Times garden writer and a flower farmer growing on brilliant soil in County Laois, to unpack what it actually takes to produce beautiful, seasonal wedding flowers without leaning on synthetic chemicals.

We chat through the real foundations of sustainable flower farming: protecting soil health, keeping structure intact, and building fertility with local manures, straw mulches, and simple feeds like nettle tea. Fanula shares the practical decisions that helped her get beds established on a budget, including weed suppression and “little dig” cultivation when ground hasn’t been worked for decades. If you love cut flowers and want stronger stems with better vase life, the soil section alone is worth a rewind.

Then we get into propagation and seasonality for the Irish climate. You don’t need a polytunnel to raise great seedlings, but you do need light, frost protection, and reliable peat-free seed compost. We also talk about the tight harvesting window for local flowers, how late frosts can hit, and why many growers balance homegrown stems with carefully chosen imports. Along the way we share favourite plants for a home cut flower garden, including hardy shrubs and perennials that are often overlooked, plus practical dahlias advice for wet winters.

If you enjoy the chat, subscribe, share it with a fellow gardener, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s the one plant you’d grow first for cutting?

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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  

March can feel like four seasons in a week, and that’s exactly why an April seed sowing guide is so useful. We sit down with the reality of spring weather swings and turn them into a practical plan: what to sow now under cover, what to hold back until soils warm, and how to stay flexible so you don’t waste seed or stall your garden momentum.

We run through a packed “what to sow in April” list for the vegetable garden, starting with reliable salads like lettuce, spring onions, spinach, radish and rocket, then moving into brassicas, peas and beans, and the root crops that start to make sense as beds dry out. We also share timing notes for onions and leeks, the value of multi-sowing, and why fresh parsnip seed matters more than people realise. For warm-season crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes and squash, we talk about the late-but-still-possible window and the importance of steady warmth.

Seedlings don’t love extremes, and we unpack a common spring problem: huge temperature variance in a greenhouse or polytunnel that can leave young plants looking sorry for themselves. You’ll also hear a simple way to keep harvests coming with microgreens, even when outside is still stop-start.

On the ornamental side, April is where annual flowers really kick off, with options like cosmos, sunflowers, nasturtiums, cornflowers and nigella, plus a great case for growing dahlias from seed and planting bulbs and tubers for summer colour. 

Grow Your Own Herbs Workshop: 

We finish with a look at upcoming workshops, including a herb-focused day with Laura Darcy of Yarrow lane Herbs that connects growing with real-world uses like teas and home remedies.

https://subscribepage.io/growyourownherbalgarden

Subscribe, share this with a gardening friend, and leave a review if the monthly sowing lists help you stay on track.

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  

Shade can be one of the most beautiful parts of a garden, but only if you stop treating it like a sunny border. We take a listener’s question and turn it into a clear, usable planting plan for dappled light and deeper shade, starting with the real foundation: soil. If you want shade plants to thrive, we explain how to recreate a woodland feel with humus rich ground using leaf mould and compost, and how that helps whether you’re dealing with dry shade or damp, heavy shade.

From there we share ten dependable choices you can actually build a bed around. On the perennial side we talk through astilbe for summer flower and foliage, hostas for bold leaves (with a honest warning about slugs), hellebores for winter and early spring colour and pollinator value, heuchera for vibrant foliage in low light (plus vine weevil watch-outs), and epimedium for early flowers when the garden still feels gloomy. Then we add shrubs for structure and year-round presence: acers that love shelter from wind, mahonia for winter yellow blooms, sarcococca for that unforgettable Christmas fragrance, viburnum for evergreen reliability, and skimmia for glossy colour in shade with a preference for slightly acidic soil.

We also name extra shade-friendly plants to widen your options, point you towards a previous shade specialist chat, and share news about an upcoming medicinal plant workshop, plus a teaser on AI and gardening content. If you’ve got a tricky dark corner, you’ll leave with a shortlist, a soil plan, and the confidence to apply “right plant, right place” properly. Subscribe, share the episode with a gardening friend, and leave a review. What’s the one shaded spot you most want to transform?

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  

A single tree can feel like a drop in the ocean, but stack that effort across hundreds of communities and you get something powerful: a greener Ireland built from the ground up. We’re marking National Tree Week by talking through what it is, why it exists, and how local groups can turn overlooked corners of land into long-term canopy with real environmental value.

We dig into the benefits that actually matter on the ground: carbon drawdown over time, better habitat for wildlife, and stronger biodiversity where native woodland has been lost. I also keep coming back to the one rule that saves years of hassle in gardens and public spaces alike: right tree right place. A great tree in the wrong spot becomes a problem; the same tree in the right spot becomes a legacy.

From alder and willow for wet ground to hawthorn, hazel, holly, rowan, crabapple, and the mighty oak, we run through native Irish trees and what they offer pollinators, birds, and the wider ecosystem. We also look at familiar non-native staples like sycamore and lime, especially their value for bees, and why size and site conditions matter more than hype.

To finish, we chat about the stubborn spring weather and the way big temperature swings in a polytunnel can throw off seed sowing and germination, plus a quick update on the next grow-your-own food workshop. If you enjoy practical gardening advice with a bigger environmental lens, subscribe, share this with a fellow gardener, and leave a review so more people can find it.

March 21st Grow Your Own Food In Person Workshop last few places here: 

https://subscribepage.io/growyourownfoodworkshop

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  

Thinking about a greenhouse but unsure where to start? We take you through a clear, practical roadmap for choosing a structure that won’t buckle in the first storm and will pay you back with tomatoes, peppers, and salads long after the summer fades. Drawing on listener questions from recent workshops and a lively grow-your-own webinar, we unpack siting, materials, and the small decisions that make a big difference to yield and ease of use.

We start with the real gains: longer seasons on both ends of the year, reliable warm conditions for tender crops in the Irish climate, and a daily rhythm that makes fresh herbs an arm’s-length habit. Then we get into the site plan. Keep it close to the kitchen for quick harvests. Prioritise overall sun capture rather than obsessing over a north–south ridge. If your garden is exposed, put shelter first and sun second; a greenhouse that stays put produces more than one that sails away. Clean glazing matters more than you think, and rainwater harvesting is best designed in from day one.

Next, we compare greenhouse types without brand hype. Glasshouses win on looks and heat retention, with options for toughened safety glass and long-term durability. Polytunnels deliver the most space per euro and can last many years when frames are strong and covers are tight, but they need proper ventilation. Modern polycarbonate houses—especially twin-wall and storm-ready builds—have proven themselves recently, offering warmth and resilience if assembled with quality fixings. Across all types, the rule holds: buy the best you can afford, secure every panel, and size up because you will fill it.

Inside, layout is simple and effective: ground beds on soil for better rooting and easier care, raised beds only if you’re on hardstanding or need extra height for access. Create airflow, plan clear paths, and leave room for a chair. We also share how to manage spring’s wild temperature swings—vent when sunny, protect before cold nights, and ease seedlings into change. By the end, you’ll know where to put your greenhouse, which build suits your site, and which features to lock in from the start.

If this guide helped, follow the show, share it with a gardening friend, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Got a greenhouse question we didn’t cover? Send it our way and we’ll tackle it next.

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  

Ready to sow with confidence instead of crossing your fingers? March brings longer days and real momentum, but cold, wet ground can still undo good plans. We break down exactly what to start now under cover, what needs heat, and what should wait a week or two, so you save seed, time, and energy while setting up a strong season.

We begin with the crops that make March feel productive fast: salads like spring onions, spinach, radish, and a range of lettuces that thrive in plug trays and tunnels. Then we map out the cool-season backbone of a kitchen garden with brassicas and alliums, from cabbage and cauliflower to onions, shallots, and leeks. Root crops get nuanced advice: early carrots under cover, beetroot for a head start, and a realistic plan for parsnips when soil finally dries. For heat lovers—tomatoes, peppers, and chillies—we explain why steady night temperatures and a basic propagator make the difference between sturdy transplants and setbacks.

Herbs bring flexibility, with parsley and coriander on a little-and-often schedule and practical reasons to buy thyme, sage, and rosemary as small plants. We also time peas and broad beans for tidy module-grown transplants that beat slugs and claggy beds. Flowers round out the plan: sweet peas, cosmos, marigolds, lobelia, nasturtiums, and sunflowers for cheerful summer displays, plus summer bulbs and tubers like dahlias and lilies to anchor borders with bold colour. Throughout, we keep one principle front and centre: sow by conditions, not by the month on the packet. Protect tender seedlings, harden off with care, and wait for the soil to say yes.

If this guide helps you plan your March, share it with a gardening friend, subscribe for monthly sowing plans, and leave a review to help others find the show. What will you start first under cover this week?

Last Chance To Join Tonights Free webinar Friday 27th February 2026 sign up here: 

http://subscribepage.io/growyourownfoodwebinar

Last 4 Places On Grow Your Own Food Workshop Saturday March 21st

https://subscribepage.io/growyourownfoodworkshop

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  

Cold soil, heavy rain, and an eager itch to plant—this is the moment gardeners choose between rushing the season or stacking the odds for a great harvest. We dive into a clear, practical guide to picking potato varieties that fit both your garden and your plate, from fast-maturing salad types to flavour-packed second earlies and reliable main crops for storage. Along the way, we ground every tip in real conditions: soil temperature as your green light, earthing up to beat late frosts, and smart timing to dodge blight season.

We start with confidence builders. Charlotte tops the salad list for clean skins, high yields, and a waxy bite that loves vinaigrettes, while Pink Fir Apple and International Kidney add character if you crave variety. First earlies like Duke of York, Red Duke of York, and Sharpe’s Express earn their space by finishing early, freeing beds for summer crops. Vitabella brings a safety net with extra blight resistance, and Alouette offers rare early flouriness if you manage slugs by earthing up.

If taste is king, we champion British Queens. Get them into warm soil early and they deliver that floury, comforting texture that makes a simple plate sing. For the long game, we compare main crops: Records for a rich, slightly yellow flesh; King Edward and Maris Piper for classic roast quality; Rooster and Kerr’s Pink for trusted staples. If blight has caught you before, Sarpo Mira and Sarpo Axona are your calm in the storm—vigorous growth, clean foliage, and solid harvests that improve with patient maturity.

Threaded through are the small habits that decide big outcomes: planting depth at 10 cm, earthing up in stages, steady moisture during tuber set, and choosing containers when space or soil is against you. We also pause to honour the late Dr Elaine Ingham, whose soil food web work reshaped how many of us see life underfoot. Listen to a great episode of the podcast with Elaine here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/857398/episodes/10640939

 We discuss upcoming workshop dates plus a free Grow Your Own Food webinar for those who can’t travel. Sign up to the webinar here

http://subscribepage.io/growyourownfoodwebinar

Ready to pick a winning trio? Try Charlotte for a fast win, British Queens for flavour, and a Sarpo main crop for stress-free storage. If this guide helped, follow, share with a fellow grower, and leave a review to help more gardeners find us.

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  

Peat built our seed-starting habits because it made life easy: even moisture, airy structure, predictable results. But when carbon-rich bogs and vanishing habitats enter the frame, “easy” stops feeling right. We take a clear-eyed look at what peat-free really means for gardeners in Ireland, the UK, and the US—beyond labels, beyond trends—and ask how to balance strong germination with true environmental sense.

We start by mapping the policy shifts and market realities: Ireland still sells mostly peat-based compost; the UK’s retail ban has pushed rapid innovation; the US market offers a mature spread of growing media, from coir and wood fibre to biochar, vermicast, and tailored blends. Then we dig into performance. Peat-free mixes can be excellent but inconsistent, changing with feedstocks and age. Two bags from the same pallet may give different germination and salt levels. We explain why that happens, how peat-free holds water differently, and how to adjust watering and timing to avoid stalled seedlings or damping-off.

From there, we get practical. We’re trialling three seed-starting paths this season: a local vermicast blend opened with perlite and a touch of biochar for moisture balance; a highly regarded coir-forward seed mix known for uniform germination; and a very small reserve of peat-based compost used only for sowing. We also share DIY routes: hot-composting followed by a long cure to stabilise the material, blending with sharp sand or perlite, and using inert media like grit plus vermiculite for germination before an early prick-out into a proven mix. Along the way, we question coir’s “green” halo by tracing its journey across oceans and factories—great performance can still carry a heavy footprint if it travels farther than your holidays.

If you want reliable seedlings without greenwash, this conversation gives you a framework: use imports sparingly where they truly shine, switch to local bulk mixes for planters and potting on, learn the moisture cues of peat-free, and record what works in your climate. We’d love to hear your winning recipes and failures too. Subscribe, share this with a gardening friend, and leave a review with your go-to seed-starting mix so we can test it next.

Join my free Grow Your Own Food Webinar: 

http://subscribepage.io/growyourownfoodwebinar

Last Few Places In Feb Workshop: 

https://subscribepage.io/growyourownfoodworkshop

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 your garden could slow a storm, clean a river, and lift your mood in one sweep? We dive into the GLDA’s “The Interconnection of All Things,” a bold, practical look at how plants act as living infrastructure—supporting biodiversity, soaking up floodwater, buffering noise, and restoring our connection to place.

We explore how language and myth can sharpen ecological awareness, then shift into concrete strategies designers can use right now. From award‑winning rewilding by Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt to Biomatrix Water’s floating gardens that transform hard-edged docks into thriving habitats, the common thread is nature doing the heavy lifting. We unpack urban projects that blend SUDS, habitat corridors, and human access, showing how rain gardens, engineered tree pits, and permeable surfaces turn runoff into a resource. Heritage expert Neil Porteous brings the long view from estates and historic gardens, while the legacy of the late Séamus O’Brien reminds us how deep plant knowledge shapes resilient landscapes. Designer Margie Ruddick connects ecology to culture and community, with case studies from New York to China and Mexico that fuse stormwater design, microclimate, and everyday public life.

Expect clear takeaways for small city plots and large sites alike: mix native and adapted plants for function and beauty, design for water first, collaborate with gardeners for long-term care, and treat every garden as part of a wider network from mountain to sea. If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond hard landscaping trends toward spaces that actually heal, this conversation delivers inspiration and tools you can apply this season.

You can buy tickets here: 

https://glda.ie/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a gardener or designer who’s ready to make their patch part of the solution.

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  

Ready to jumpstart a season of colour without babysitting trays for months? We map out a realistic February plan for ornamental flowers, focusing on what to sow now, when to wait, and how to keep seedlings strong with steady heat, bright light, and measured watering. If you’ve ever lost begonias to cold media or watched cosmos turn leggy on a dim windowsill, this guide shows the simple fixes that change the outcome.

We break down the crucial differences between edibles and flowers after germination, then list reliable annuals to start toward the end of the month: pansies, violas, begonias, busy Lizzies, calendula, cosmos, nigella, and bellflowers. You’ll learn why begonias and impatiens crave about 20°C, how to pinch cosmos to prevent stretch, and the best way to sow sweet peas using deep root trainers to protect their taproots. Watering strategy gets a clear, practical treatment too: keep compost slightly dry, use bottom watering, and avoid cold, wet mixes that invite damping‑off.

Seeds aren’t your only route to blooms. We outline smart alternatives available now, from bare root roses and peonies to agapanthus crowns, plus summer‑flowering bulbs like dahlias, gladioli, lilies, and tuberous begonias. You’ll hear when a potted rose may be worth the extra cost, how long agapanthus can take to flower, and why starting dahlias under cover offers an easy early win. For growers following along since autumn, we also note the timing to pot on perennial seedlings so they hit spring with strong roots.

If your space runs cool, we explain why waiting until March or April can actually simplify care and still deliver abundant blooms. The theme is consistent: heat, patience, and timing beat rushing. Subscribe for more practical, no‑nonsense gardening guidance, share this with a friend who’s sowing too early, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What are you starting first this month?

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