Big Garden Little Garden

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this epsiode of BigGardenLittleGarden Geraldine and Claire visit The Witness Tree Project at Trinity College Botanical Garden. They meet with Biologist and Botanist Dr Leticia Figueiredo Candido, who gives insight into the research taking place that will eventually inform urban tree planting...

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this week's episode of BigGardenLIttleGarden, Geraldine and Claire discuss an amazing garden in the Burren, where the owner, Carl Wright, gardens in the wettest and most challenging of conditions. Claire also suggests preserving herbs in butter and Geraldine talks clearing out mildew-affecte...

With the arrival of October, Geraldine and Claire have plenty of tidying-up jobs to chat about in the latest episode of BigGardenLittleGarden. It's also time for Claire to talk about forcing Hyacinth and Paperwhite Narcissi bulbs in time for Christmas, one of her favourite subjects.. And Geraldine enthuses on her recent visit to the Trinity College Botanic Garden.

It's time to talk Spring Bulbs in this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden. Geraldine and Claire run through their favourite, showstopper Tulips bulbs and give some tips on how best to pot them up. Geraldine gives an update on her plan for Katie's garden and has some great news on the progress of the border. They also discuss the dainty cyclamen flower.

Its time for a change of rhythm in the new episode of BigGardenLittleGarden with the arrival of September and some much-needed cooler weather. Geraldine and Claire continue to observe the effects in their gardens of an exceptionally hot summer in Dublin. They embrace the September Reset with some plant shopping and pickling of the summer harvest. And Geraldine talks the listeners through the subje...

In this episode Geraldine and Claire share some of their most special moments in the garden and discuss what factors make for a memorable garden experience. There is also the usual catch-up on what's been growing well, and not so well, after an exceptionally hot and dry summer.

In this episode of BigGardenLIttleGarden Geraldine and Claire discuss the impact of the July heatwave on their gardens and consider what the changing climate might mean for the future of gardening in Ireland,

In this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden Geraldine and Claire visit Clondeglass: a walled garden in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom mountains, to meet Paul Brady, a plantsman with an impressive vision for this secluded idyll. The garden is well-known and has been the subject of an RTE series called "Dermot's Secret Garden", which chronicled the late Dermot O" Neill's original restoration of the...

Geraldine and Claire celebrate the first birthday of BigGardenLittleGarden and reminisce about how it all began. They also acknowledge and thank their listeners from around the world Then it’s down to business and Geraldine has plenty more advice on what to plant in shaded garden. See the plants mentioned in the podcast listed below: Fern dryopteris felix mas. Francoa sonchifolia Herbaceous gerani...

In this Episode of BigGardenLittleGarden Geraldine and Claire get an invitation to visit Susan Lynch of The Vintage Rose Company and see her beautiful roses in full bloom. Geraldine also gives advice on plants that are perfect for shaded gardens.

It’s time to chat about Favourite June Plants in the latest episode of BigGardenLittleGarden. Geraldine also highlights jobs that need to be done in a June Garden.

In this special episode of BigGardenLittleGarden Geraldine and Claire go behind the scenes at Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland’s largest garden festival, and chat to three garden designers about their award winning show gardens. Geraldine also reveals some good news of her own about a garden she designed with The Flower Farmers of Ireland collective.

It’s Peony Season in this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden but a colder than usual May, has held them back from full bloom by a couple of weeks. . Geraldine ponders this slight delay, as she profiles the Peony and its origins. While Claire turns her attention to jobs that need to be done in her little garden.

Geraldine and Claire welcome the arrival of May in this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden, as they discuss the beauty of tree blossoms and the nostalgic scent of lilac. Geraldine advises how to make nettle and comfrey feed to fertilise plants and Claire shares some tips on companion planting for the beginner growers out there. They also touch on their love/hate relationship with yellow in the garde...

Do you know the difference between a Spanish Bluebell and an English Bluebell? Well, Geraldine and Claire discuss how they differ in this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden. They also chat biodiversity and discuss the move towards native planting and sustainable planting practises.

Did you know that the Christmas Poinsettia is actually a Euphorbia? In the latest episode of BigGardenLittleGarden Geraldine profiles the Eurphorbia and its remarkably diverse genus. Claire gives an update on the allotment and shares how she dealt with a whitefly infestation in the polytunnel. They also catch-up on seed germination and all the goings-on in the spring garden. Euphorbias recommended...

A special treat for Rose Enthusiasts out there in this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden. Susan Lynch of The Vintage Rose Company joins Geraldine and Claire for a chat. Susan grows cut roses primarily for event florists and weddings and has lots of helpful advice on how to Grow and Nurture Beautiful Roses. You won't want to miss it.

Claire finally gets to share her big gardening news in this episode of BIgGardenLittleGarden. There's also more chat on seed sowing, with particular focus on seeds that are a little more challenging to germinate. Geraldine also shares three choice spring woodland plants that you should get to know and definitely consider for your garden.: 1. Erythronium Trillium Cardamine

It's Snowdrop Month at Altamont Gardens in Co Carlow and BigGardenLittleGarden went for a visit. Geraldine and Claire reflect on how much they enjoyed their Snowdrop Tour with Robert Miller of Altamont Plants, who recently added a huge portfolio of snowdrop bulbs from Avon Bulbs in Somerset to their own collection, making it the largest display on public view in Ireland. They also get sowing seeds...

In this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden Geraldine suggests some jobs to do this week in the garden, despite the rainy weather. She also delves into the captivating world of Ferns. Claire reveals a happy discovery in her front garden and gives an update on which of last year's forced bulbs have flowered successfully outdoors. It's also time to start ordering Summer Bulbs, so tune in for some inter...

Talk turns to the popularity of Hellebores and the creation of a Tea Garden in this episode of BigGardenLittleGarden. Geraldine and Claire also ponder the unpredictability of flowering times for forced bulbs and realise, just in time, that succulents still need to be watered in winter.

Geraldine and Claire are back after the Christmas break and celebrate the new year with a focus on upcoming plans for BigGardenLittleGarden in 2026. Claire also gives an update on her beloved trees while Geraldine talks Galanthophiles and reveals interesting facts about the humble snowdrop. She also shares some helpful tips on how to successfully grow these dainty beauties.

Episode 11 is the final instalment of BigGardenLittleGarden for 2025 and it's a very festive one. Geraldine and Claire. share lots of Inspiration for beautiful Wreath-Making, as well as practical advice and know-how to help you create the perfect Christmas Tablescape. They also delve into Irish Christmas Traditions and the symbolism behind them. Where to source Irish Foliage The Irish Green Guys G...

Episode 10 heralds the first ever BigGardenLittleGarden Christmas Gifting Guide . Lots of gift ideas for the gardener in your life, or even more importantly, some advice on what NOT to buy them this festive season. Mentions: Martha Swales Sue Stuart Smith Simon Barnes T.F. Maher -Pathana Garden Jimi Blake - Hunting brook Garden Naturally at the Wren's Nest Sobal Soap Bread & Weather Jennifer S...

Geraldine and Claire welcome their first guest on Episode 09 of Big Garden Little Garden, They are joined by Danielle Doody of Naturally at the Wren's Nest who shares her passion for Irish native plants and her journey in creating natural products. The conversation explores the importance of native plants, sustainable gardening practices, and the benefit of using natural remedies. Danielle also di...