You've been with us through the highs and lows of 2023, and now it's time to send off the year and express a heartfelt thank you. Yes, you, our wonderful listeners who've journeyed with us, sharing the love of gardening and supporting the Master my Garden podcast - this episode is dedicated to you! Today, we're trading our gardening gloves for glasses of holiday cheer as we take a moment to appreciate your unwavering support.

Feeling the warmth of the festive season, we hope you're surrounded by the joy and peace of Christmas. Whether it's your first time here or you've been with us since episode one, your presence has made all the difference. As we leave behind a challenging year for our gardens, we're eager to usher in 2024 with renewed hope for healthier plants and shared gardening wisdom. We pause our weekly rendezvous until January 12th, but we promise to return with enriching content that will guide you in nurturing your garden. Here's to a blooming year ahead, filled with garden talks and shared successes. Till then, enjoy the holiday break and happy gardening!

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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

Ever wondered how a year of challenging weather can impact gardening? Join us in reflecting on the gardening year 2023 in Ireland, a year marked by the wettest March on record, a scorching May, and incessant downpours in July and August. Listen in as we unpack how these erratic weather patterns affected the growth of flowers and vegetables, while also challenging our motivation to continue nurturing our garden life. Despite the rocky ride, we assure you that nature's cycle is restorative, and we're excited for the promise of a fresh start in 2024!

Ready to get a peek into our most loved podcast episodes? As we embark on this retrospective journey, we countdown our top 10 podcast episodes based on listener downloads. We've had insightful chats with everyone from organic gardening virtuoso Klaus Leightenberger, seed-saving whiz Madeline McKever, to perennial vegetables expert Patrick Hunt. Our listeners particularly enjoyed our episode on growing a wildflower meadow with Sandra Cofola, which secured the second spot in our top 10 list. With each episode, we've aimed to disseminate knowledge, share experiences, and spread gardening joy. So join us, as we celebrate this year's highs and brace ourselves for the gardening triumphs 2024 is bound to bring!

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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 Niall Hatch from Birdwatch Ireland all about wild bird in our gardens. We chat about the best foods to attract in a wide range of birds and how to set up feeding stations and nesting boxes for maximum benefit.

Join us as we engage in an enlightening chat with the knowledgeable Niall Hatch from Birdwatch Ireland. Niall chats about the Birdwatch Ireland garden bird surgery which has been running for many years and chats about some of the recent finding including  the decline of the greenfinch. We also chat about the increase of the buzzard and the great spotted woodpecker across Ireland.

We also dive into captivating bird behaviourable facts including the crucial role of Dunnocks & Blue Tit  in insect control.

Additionally, we share some valuable tips on the positioning of bird feeders and the design of functional nest boxes to attract and protect the avian visitors to your backyard.

Learn how you can become part of the solution and contribute to the vital work of Birdwatch Ireland. We guarantee that by the end of this episode, you'll look at your garden's chirping visitors in a whole new light. So, put on your birdwatching hat and tune in to explore the joys and benefits of observing our winged friends.

If you would like to support Birdwatch Ireland and the great work they do please visit their website & become a member. 

https://birdwatchireland.ie

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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 I chat with two fellow gardeners Stela & Julie-Anne all about, The Best Christmas Gifts For Gardeners. 

Having covered this episode before on Master My Garden podcast John was delighted to be joined by the ladies and to hear the types of gifts on their lists suitable for gardeners. 

One of the overriding themes from all was to buy quality gifts that would stand the test of time and focus on sustainable gifts for the garden. 

Included on the lists were lots of really interesting gifts such as: 

• Felco secateurs 
• Gardening clothing such as beautiful and practical aprons. Hats to protect from sun and gloves designed for specific tasks. 
• A pass to every open garden in Ireland was Julie-Anne's "money no object gift" while Stela opted for a beautiful glasshouse. 
• Both would love plants or seed but only if they offered a special connection such as snowdrop's which remind Julie Anne of her grandmother and Stela who has a beautiful rose which was gift from a family member who visited after covid having not seen each other for some time. 
• Garden seeds were high on the lists but again should also only be gifted with a little insight into the person who will receive. Also supporting local seed companies was very important for us all. 
• Gardening courses both in person and online were something both would like and  many courses and providers were mentioned. John also mentioned his first online course to go live which is his "Grow Your Own Food Course" which teaches people to grow their own food from scratch. You can find out more here https://mastermygarden.com/courses-2/

These are just some of the superb gifts on the lists. Our special guests, Stela and Julie-Anne, are here to guide you through a wonderland of gardening delights - from practical tools to comfortable attire. It's time to ditch the gift cards and surprise your gardening-obsessed loved ones with something they'll really appreciate!

I hope wherever you are gardening that you find some of these super gifts under your Christmas tree this year.

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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

Looking for ways to beat the winter blues right from your home? In this weeks episode John takes you through a journey of transforming your garden with winter colour bringing vibrancy and cheer even on the darkest days. We share invaluable tips and strategies, delving into the selection of unique plants that not only thrive during winter but also bring in a splash of color and attract delightful birds. We also emphasize the importance of planting location - keep them close to have a cheerful view straight from your windows.

We  dive into an array of winter-friendly plants and trees. Such as Malus Evereste, and Pyracantha, trees that bring in beautiful flowers, fruit, and vibrant leaves. Or the Cotoneasters, Cornus Cornubia, and Holly  plants known for their gorgeous winter berries. For those  who enjoy the scents of nature, we discuss Mahonias, Daphne's, and Viburnum's that provide scented flowers and glossy evergreen leaves. Wrapping up, we'll introduce you to the unique beauty of Hamamelis Mollis (witch hazel), that blooms with yellow flowers in late winter and early spring to bring you right through to spring when everything starts to wake up again. 

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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 Anya Lautenbach all about her gardening story, her new book "The Money Saving Gardener" and how she inspires so many people online with her channels "Anya The Garden Fairy".

Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and drawn into the captivating world of gardening with Anya Lautenbach,  more lovingly known on Instagram as Anya the Garden Fairy. Not your typical gardener, Anya takes us on a unique journey through her childhood in Poland where gardening was not only a survival skill, but also the foundation of her passion. We delve into how this early exposure to nature cultivated not just plants, but her love for propagation.

Join us as Anya offers revolutionary insights into the therapeutic benefits of gardening and how gardening and propagation got her through a tough period in her own life.
 Get an exclusive sneak peek into her upcoming book, The Money-Saving Gardener which is available on pre-order here
https://geni.us/TheMoneySavingGardener

The Money-Saving Gardener simplifies gardening through clear instructions and season-specific projects. Listen in as Anya shares a relaxed approach to gardening designed for everyone, and how she has turned her ADHD  into a powerful tool for success. So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this episode is packed with surprises that will make you think differently about the green world around you!

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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

Its safe to say that many of our gardens are a little damp at the moment with a run of many wet months here in Ireland. When its like that the garden may not seem like an enticing place however there is still lots to be done and work done now will really set your garden up for success next spring and summer.  

Ever wondered how to guard your bird feeders from predators or attract a variety of birds with diverse food? Stick with us as we spill the secrets and share the importance of a water source for these feathered visitors. Other crucial November tasks we'll be covering include bulb planting, leaf mould creation and the art of taking hardwood cuttings. We'll also share how to prepare for the coming year with new beds and plantings. So, don't let the soggy season keep you away from your garden, join us and discover the joy of November gardening!

The main November gardening Jobs to outline are 

• Mulch & feed your soil. Mulching your beds and borders will feed the soil and ensure it is healthy and full of life for next spring. It protects the soil from leaching nutrients. It also locks in carbon, reduces compaction over the winter, prevents weeds and much more so it really is worth the effort. You can mulch with mature compost, well rotted farm yard manure, leaf mould etc. 
• Create No dig beds! from November to the end of February is the perfect time to create no dig beds. Simply cover the ground with brown cardboard (removing all tapes, plastic etc) and altering 15cm/6" of compost on top and leave. These beds will be fully workable straight away so a really fast and easy way to create new beds. 
• Take hardwood cutting. Late Autumn & Winter are perfect for taking hardwood cuttings many plants can be propagated this way including roses, hydrangeas, buddlejas, viburnum and many more. Take cuttings approx 9"to12" long cut below a leaf node and stick into a well drained soil or in a pot by late next spring rooted will have formed and you will have a new plant. 
• Plant Tulips November is the best month to plant Tulips whether in containers or open ground planting in November gives the best results from this spring favourites. 
• With all the leaves that are falling it is a perfect opportunity to make garden gold in the form of leaf mould. To make just gather leaves in a plastic bag fill seal and pierce some holes in it and leave it for 9-12 months then reveal some of the best growing media that you can use for your plants. 
• Plant bareroot and rootballed trees, hedging plants, fruit trees and fruit bushes. From November to March is bareroot season and it is the perfect time to get planting bareroots. 
• Plant over wintering onions and garlic for early harvest next spring. 
• Set up a wild bird feeding station and enjoy hours of pleasure from watching our feathered friends. Remember to set up in areas where the birds feel safe from predators, provide multiple sources of food to attract diverse species of bird and provide water in the area also. 

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

Support the show

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

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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 are the best hedges for your garden? 

The answer to that is wide and in order for you to choose the best hedge you should ask a few questions first. 

• Do I want evergreen or deciduous ?
• Purpose of the hedge ? Shelter, Noise filter, support biodiversity, frame your garden, create a room or space within your garden etc. 
• What height do I want it to grow to?
• What is my soil like? wet/dry etc
• Situation ? inland / costal
• How many times per year does it need to be cut? can I manage this number of cuts. 

Once you have answered these you are a long way to choosing the perfect hedge for your garden.

 Allow us to guide you through the labyrinth of hedges, shedding light on the perfect picks for your unique outdoor space. From the classic distinction between evergreen and deciduous hedges to the importance of considering your long-term hedge maintenance plan, we've got you covered.

We're particularly excited to introduce you to some evergreen hedges – think Laurel, Portuguese Laurel, Taxus & Privet. Discover their characteristics, how they can boost your garden's aesthetic appeal, and how you can care for them. Plus, we share tips on the optimal times to plant your hedges.

Lastly, we present a plethora of hedge options for diverse garden styles. Learn about the charm of flowering hedges and the often-overlooked low-growing varieties.  If you're ready to choose hedges that will not only flourish but also promote biodiversity, this episode is a must-listen. Join us for a deep dive into the world of hedges and let's get your garden transformation started!

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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 super episode the topic is Daffodils and other bulbs with Dave & Jules from  Esker Farm Daffodils

Gardening enthusiasts, prepare to be dazzled by the delightful world of daffodils as we walk you through the fields of Esker Farm Daffodils in Co Tyrone with guests  Dave & Jules Hardy.

Dave & Jules  are dedicated growers and are set to divulge the fascinating details of nurturing over 800 unique varieties of daffodils. From a humble hobby to a flourishing business, Dave & Jules  journey will inspire you to take on the challenge of growing these bright, beautiful flowers in your own garden.

Listen in as we explore the intricate process of Daffodil classification – from divisions to sizes and colours. What each division means and what it stands for and how these transfer into showing Daffodils at floral shows.

We look into what makes  Esker Farm Daffodils special a family enterprise involving all the family and results in bulbs of the finest quality and many rare and unusual varieties not found in mass market retailers.

Finally, we journey into the world of the customer with Esker Farm's diverse daffodil and tulip offerings. From bulb mixes to order quantities, David generously shares insights into the customer process, even revealing the complimentary bulbs they send out with orders.  Join us in this petal-powered episode to discover the joy and beauty of gardening!

To order your  Esker Farm Daffodils catalogue or for any more information visit their website here: https://www.eskerfarmdaffodils.com

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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 windswept hill into a serene shelter with just the right selection of trees? This intriguing possibility is the core of this weeks episode when're John answers a listeners question. Peggy from County Cavan asks what fast growing trees she can use to to create shelter in her garden which is situated on a windswept hill.

 We venture into the realm of horticultural wisdom, explaining why conventional choices like poplars may not be the best fit for a windswept hill and why a solid block of trees might not be the solution to her problem. Instead, we encourage Peggy to observe her local area keenly, learn what trees thrive there, and consider our recommendations on native trees that would make excellent windbreaks.

But we're not stopping there! Picture this – a mini forest, naturally filtering the wind and creating a microclimate that fosters the growth of trees that wouldn't usually withstand harsh conditions. Shaping this vision is our proposal to Peggy to plant native alder trees on the outer perimeter of her site and other fast-growing native trees like birch, aspen, and willow to create a 'mini forest' effect. We explore the benefits of this innovative approach, how it can result in a microclimate, and how it opens the door for other trees to flourish. This episode is a treasure trove of practical tips and inventive ideas for everyone passionate about gardening and horticulture. So, tune in and let's create some magic on that windy hill!

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/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
 
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]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


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