Gardeners' Corner

Join David Maxwell for the first Gardeners’ Corner of meteorological summer. This week, David finds out all there is to know about growing lavender in a northern climate from Moira Hart, who has acres of the perfumed plant in Wexford. Barbara Pilcher is planting in the dry shade of a mature beech tree in her garden and David chats to Alan Gardner from Channel 4’s ‘The Autistic Gardener’ about his...

Join David Maxwell in his own garden this bank holiday weekend along with expert Ann Fitzsimons. The pair chat about must have plants including Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s mantle) and Alliums. Also in the programme, David visits Ards allotments where Amy Kelly is growing strawberries and raspberries as well as some more unusual edibles. Is Portaferry the new Darjeeling? David heads to Ireland’s firs...

For many it’s considered the greatest flower show on earth and while it’s normally held this week, Chelsea has been ‘chopped’ from its normal spring slot and moved to the autumn. It’s the first time this has happened in the show’s 108 history meaning this year’s RHS show will be completely unique. This week, David Maxwell chats to some local Chelsea Flower Show successes about what taking part in...

We all know gardening is good for us, but why is it now a recognised therapy? David Maxwell speaks to Larne based horticultural therapist, Liz Curtis. David explores the freshly planted herb garden at Glenarm Castle Gardens and Amy Kelly explains some plant jargon like ‘potting on’ and ‘pricking out. Also on the programme, David will be joined live by Ann Fitsimmons and Maurice Parkinson to take l...

After a cold first week of May, David and his experts guests take calls from listeners on encouraging more worms in the garden, growing great blueberries and a beginners guide to figs. Also on the programme, David chats to Gardeners’ World presenter, Frances Tophill about her allotment and he catches up with Jimi Blake about the year ahead for his celebrated garden in Wicklow. And after a listener...

Gardeners’ Corner heads to Glenarm Castle for the annual Tulip Festival. Presenter David Maxwell takes in the display with Reg Maxwell and speaks to gardener Jordan McWhirter, who planted some of the six thousand bulbs. David also catches up with celebrity gardener Sarah Raven and asks her what follows the tulips in her East Sussex garden. Also in the programme, organic vegetable grower Klaus Lait...

David Maxwell finds out all about slugs; the good, the bad and the well….Should gardeners’ get rid of them all and what are the best methods to limit their damage without harming the environment? There will be advice from many familiar Gardeners’ Corner voices on how they deal with this problem pest. Also on the programme, making raised beds; what materials are needed? How deep should they be? Wha...

Whether you are new to gardening or an old hand, weeding is part and parcel of the pastime. But maybe it’s time to give some of those weeds a second chance. This weekend on Gardeners’ Corner, David Maxwell hears from Amy Kelly on weeds she wouldn’t be without. He meets Lori Hartman who is planting ‘prairie style’ in her first garden in Broughshane to remind her of her native USA. Also on the progr...

This weeks Gardeners' Corner phone-in offers advice on bringing wildlife into the garden over the Easter period & what to plant now the sun has come out. Presented by Helen Mark.

How can you transform a small urban outside space? A special edition of Gardeners’ Corner explores how to create privacy, add drama with big containers and make a small garden feel bigger. Presenter David Maxwell is joined by experts Ann Fitzsimmons and Claire Woods to discuss the gardens of 4 listeners, including one described as a ‘concrete box’ and a family garden which has to work for both chi...

Join David Maxwell and his guests for some spring time gardening. This week, Averil Milligan and Reg Maxwell are the experts on hand to answer listeners’ questions including; how to grow perfect peaches, when to cut back Aubretia and why daffodils are not producing flowers for one listener. Also on the programme, David chats to organic vegetable grower Klaus Laitenberger on what we should be doing...

Join David Maxwell for another spring edition of Gardeners’ Corner. This week, with St Patrick’s day just around the corner, David explores the art of rose pruning which traditionally should be done by this date. It’s also the day to put potatoes into the ground, but what conditions do they need and what are the best varieties for the back garden? With seed sowing well and truly under way, Barbara...

Does the thought of cranking up the mower fill you with dread? Well this week on Gardeners’ Corner, presenter David Maxwell finds out why we should all be doing it a lot less. Dr Trevor Dines from the charity Plantlife, explains how you can have a beautiful garden that plays a part in supporting the natural world. Also on the programme, June Blake on dramatic Dahlias and why they deserve a place i...

High hedges might make good neighbours but what makes a good hedge? In this week’s programme, presenter David Maxwell, will be joined by experts Ann Fitzsimmons and Reg Maxwell to talk about the many benefits of a hedge, whether it’s for wildlife, sound proofing or even as a defence against flooding. Also on the programme, David speaks to Chris Cocks about clematis for every garden. Claire McNally...

How possible is it to grow your own wedding flowers? David Maxwell and his guests help a listener who’s due to tie the knot in August. Also on the programme, 250 families in Derry and Strabane embark on a journey toward self-sustainability – so just how easy is it to live the ‘Good’ life? Klaus Laitenberger is on hand with advice on what to start now when it comes to organic veg and Amy Kelly has...

How to fill your garden with costly plants for next to nothing, David Maxwell and his guests help a listener who wants to grow everything from seed. Also on the programme, David chats to Anthony McGuigan about the beauty of the Brantry brought to life in his book on south Tyrone wildflowers and he speaks to Robert Miller about one of Ireland's best snowdrop displays. And just who is having its way...

How can you transform your trash with succulents, get rid of that spongey lawn and fill your garden with sweet scent in winter? Join David Maxwell and his guests for plenty of gardening chat. This week, Claire Woods and Neil Porteous join him to take listeners’ questions including finding the perfect fruit tree to remember a much loved pet and how do you replace a shed supporting a climber without...

Join David Maxwell for another Gardeners’ Corner episode full of inspiration. This week - everyone loves a cuppa in the garden, but have you thought about growing your own teas? Whether your tipple is builders brew or fragrant herbs, Amy Kelly has some advice. One listener is pulling down an old garage and is wondering how he can bring soil buried under concrete for decades back to life. And what’...

In this week’s programme, presenter David Maxwell is joined by Averil Milligan and Reg Maxwell to answer listeners gardening questions including what to do with coffee grounds and ash in the garden, and the importance of knowing your soil’s pH. Also on the programme, as children are once again out of school due to lockdown, David finds something they can sow right now, and Matthew Wilson on where...

Presenter David Maxwell is joined by Jim Bradley and Ann Fitzsimons to answer listeners’ seasonal gardening questions. Klaus Laitenberger chats about winter in the vegetable garden and the wonder crop that is yacon! Also on the programme, squirrels behaving badly. What gardeners can do about the greys and how to help the reds and just how well can you grow oranges in Bangor?

David Maxwell and his guests deliver some winter gardening inspiration including; a trip to self-confessed galanthophile Maurice Parkinson’s garden to discover all shapes and sizes of snowdrop, why have greenfinches become a less frequent visitor to our gardens? And what got Pippa Greenwood of BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, into gardening. Also on the programme, David will take calls from...

Presenter David Maxwell is joined by Brendan Little and Cherry Townsend for some festive gardening fun. How to bring outdoors indoors this Christmas, gifts for gardeners and Christmas herbs will all be on the menu, and they catch up with some listeners who took part on the programme during 2020, including the lockdown gardener and some green-fingered young people. So whether you’re decorating the...

David Maxwell presents the weekly gardening programme. As Christmas approaches, David chats to Sean Grimes about Poinsettia – he grows 250 thousand of them in 8 acres of glasshouses outside Dublin. Also on the programme, Conrad McCormick on how to look after those houseplants. Maurice Parkinson and Ann Fitzsimons will also be joining David to answer live calls and texts.

David Maxwell brings a mix of seasonal gardening advice. He’s joined by Claire Woods and Reg Maxwell who will take on listeners winter gardening conundrums. Also on the programme, Barbara Pilcher on what she’s harvest through early winter. Some advice from David on pruning climbing roses from his own garden and Matt Biggs on why it’s important to make a garden for all the family.

David Maxwell gets into the festive spirit with Christmas trees as well as finding out how to brighten up the winter garden with some strategically placed lights. David will also find out why it’s not a good idea to ignore the winter harvest.