Gardeners' Corner

BBC Radio Ulster
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  • HOME & GARDEN
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS
Gardeners' Corner

The weekly gardening programme for keen gardeners, with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province. Presented by David Maxwell.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    What to do in the garden when the temperature drops, Adam Frost’s Shrub of the Month and dealing with invasive Bamboo

    As temperatures drop, David Maxwell is joined in studio by Ann FitzSimons to consider how to deal with snow and ice in the garden. He also heads to the National Trust’s Mount Stewart where despite the freezing weather work is continuing to reclaim areas of the garden lost to invasive bamboo. At the Chelsea Physic Garden in London, Emily Hazell explains how they protect tender species which already benefit from the urban heat island effect. She also explains her very precise rules for what stays and what gets cut down in the borders so they are tidy through the winter months. Also on the programme, Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost begins his Shrub of the Month series with his must-have shrub for January. Email the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

    57 min

  2. 1 JAN

    Season by Season with Gardeners’ Corner

    At the turn of the year David Maxwell takes us on a journey through the four seasons with highlights from 12 months of Gardeners’ Corner. From snow covered Downhill Demesne to clearing up after the storms at Hillsborough Castle Gardens, from the Kew Gardens of Connemara to Sarah Raven’s world famous Perch Hill garden – David brings lessons from a year of gardening on the airwaves. Email the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

    57 min

  3. 21/12/2024

    Gardeners’ Corner at Christmas

    Get ready for a festive gardening get together as David Maxwell and the Gardeners’ Corner team head to Ballywalter Park on the Ards Peninsula. Gathered around a roaring fire outdoors, they’ll be celebrating the season with mince pies, mulled wine and plenty of practical gardening advice inspired by the contents of custom-made Christmas crackers and Secret Santa gifts. Also on the programme - Anna Hudson on the Christmas garden of the past, Lady Dunleath cooks up some alternative Christmas cuisine grown and reared on the Estate, and inspiration from Mary Doris on using the garden to decorate your home for free. With a healthy dollop of fun throughout, this seasonal special is not to be missed.

    56 min

  4. 14/12/2024

    Looking after your Christmas Tree, Perfect Pelargoniums at the Chelsea Physic Garden and Winter garden wildlife

    With Christmas just around the corner, David heads to a Christmas tree farm on the outskirts of Belfast where Tony Johnston is planning for the Christmas rush in 10 year’s time, as he plants trees for Christmas future. At the Chelsea Physic Garden, new head of plant collections Emily Hazell offers a look at the newly restored Pelargonium House. Oliver Schurmann chooses a grass as his final perennial of the month and gardener Claire Woods and wildlife expert Katie Bell join David in studio. Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

    57 min

  5. 30/11/2024

    The best winter veg for small containers, bulbs lasagnes and Mount Stewart looks to the future

    As autumn officially ends and winter begins David Maxwell heads to a frosty Mount Stewart on the Ards Peninsula where the Sunken Garden is getting a refresh. Rob Wilson explains why they are emptying and replanting beds originally laid out by Lady Edith with a little help from legendary Victorian plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll. Ann FitzSimons on creating a bulb lasagne and Amy Kelly on the winter veg she is growing in four small table top containers. Also on the programme Oliver Schurmann picks his perennial of the month and Rosie Maye joins David live in studio to answers questions. Email the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

    56 min

  6. 23/11/2024

    Gardeners’ Corner Autumn Highlights

    Autumn highlights from the Gardeners’ Corner archive with David Maxwell including, a visit to the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, Jekka McVicar with her herb of the month for November, Neil Porteous is ‘heeling in’ rhododendron at Glenarm Castle and Reg Maxwell is planting bulbs for an indoor winter display. Claire Woods takes questions in studio with David. Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

    57 min

  7. 16/11/2024

    Trees for small spaces, the magic of Medlars and the road to Chelsea begins

    What trees work well in small spaces? This week David Maxwell visits two experts who have the answer. Amy Kelly’s small suburban garden is full of fruit trees including the mysterious Medlar fruit. Once commonplace in Britain and Ireland, the fruit, which has to be left to over-ripen, has fallen out of favour. Amy thinks the tree still deserves a place because it provides several seasons of interest and fruit to boot! In Ann FitzSimons’ Killinchy garden, she is growing a variety of shrubs and trees in pots. It makes for a permanent display and offers those with limited space or those renting the chance to have an interesting garden space. Also on the programme, David visits Billy Alexander in Kells Bay where he is preparing for his biggest display of ferns yet at next year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In studio, Colin Agnew, takes questions and provides some Autumn inspiration. Email the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

    57 min

  8. 09/11/2024

    How to make leafmould? Tulip time and a visit to Trinity College Botanic Gardens

    As autumn leaves continue to fall, David Maxwell visits the Botanic Gardens of Trinity College Dublin. It’s moved a few times in its history but now can be found near Dartry in the south of the city. Dr Stephen Waldren takes David on a tour and shows him the seedbank preserving endangered Irish plants. Mick McCann, who has worked as a gardener at the College for 40 years, reveals how the beauty around him inspires his poetry. Also on the programme, Polly Nicholson on her new book ‘The Tulip Garden’ and a visit to Yew Cottage where Philip Stewart is planting a brand new border and gathering copious amounts of fallen leaves to produce leafmould. Mary Doris will join David live in studio to answer questions and provide some seasonal inspiration. Contact the programme on - gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

    57 min
See All (628)

About

The weekly gardening programme for keen gardeners, with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province. Presented by David Maxwell.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio Ulster
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2025
  • Episodes
    628
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Gardeners' Corner
  • Provider

    BBC Studios Distribution Limited has identified itself as a trader for this podcast and confirmed that this product or service complies with European Union law. Address 1 Television Centre 101 Wood Lane London London W12 7FA United Kingdom Phone Number +44 7590176301 Email bbcstudiosaudiodistribution@bbc.com

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