Gardeners' Corner

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 Pilcher is in her greenhouse sowing some of her first herbs of the season and Colin Agnew is knee deep in mud, excavating his back garden as he tries to recreate a Victorian fernery. Joining David for this week’s programme are experts Cherry Townsend and Maurice Parkinson. They will be answering listeners’ questions live. If you have a questions email gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

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 in your garden this summer and Conrad McCormick is creating a mossy pole for climbing houseplants. All that and David will be joined by Claire Woods and Neil Porteous to take your questions. You can contact the programme on the usual numbers or gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

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 describes some of her favourite lilies and Juliet Giles from Gardens Illustrated on the rise of online gardening courses – who are they for and can they replace getting your hands dirty? David and the team will also be tackling listeners’ questions which can be emailed to gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

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 her top picks on long cropping plants including wild strawberries, perpetual spinach and hanging baskets of cherry tomatoes. David and his expert guests Cherry Townsend and Averil Milligan will also take on listeners questions including how to save an old apple tree and repair another damaged by wind. You can email the programme with questions at anytime on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk or call live on the usual numbers.

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 with a Wisteria in Omagh? David and his expert guests Ann Fitzsimons and Maurice Parkinson get to the root of the problem. You can email the programme with questions at anytime on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk or call live on the usual numbers.

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 the climber noticing? You can email the programme with questions at anytime on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk or call live on the usual numbers.

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’s the evidence that gardening is really good for us? Psychiatrist Sue Stuart Smith chats to David about the relationship between our minds and the garden. Also on the programme, Cherry Townsend and Maurice Parkinson will be on hand to answer questions via the usual numbers or gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

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 to start when you buy an established garden.

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 listeners on growing Oca, moving Nerines and what to fill a whiskey barrel with. (apart from the obvious!) You can email the programme with questions at anytime on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk or call live on the usual numbers.

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 house, preparing for festive meals or looking for some last minute present inspiration, Gardeners’ Corner has it covered.

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.

David Maxwell brings you more gardening inspiration for autumn. This week he’s joined by Averil Milligan who is planting some fruit trees and bushes, Ann Fitzsimons is considering a tree for winter interest and Bunny Guinness has tips on bottomless pots and blight-free box. Also on the programme, Amy Kelly on growing your own saffron and Phil Carson chats to David about what gardeners can do for birds this autumn and winter.

This week, presenter David Maxwell speaks to Monty Don about his life and garden. He also finds out why seeds from the survivor trees of Hiroshima are being brought to Northern Ireland 75 years after the atomic bomb. David will also be joined by expert guests Cherry Townsend and Brendan Little who will have plenty of autumn gardening inspiration and will answer listeners questions live. The team will also be talking about options for wind proof hedging and how to get worms in your compost heap.

In the first gardening programme of November, presenter David Maxwell talks to his guests about planting tulips and he interviews to the queen of cut flowers Sarah Raven. With plenty still to do in the garden before winter, David gets some lawn care tips from Neil Porteous at Mount Stewart. Also on the programme, Conrad McCormack profiles air plants or Tillandsia – just how do you grow plants that don’t require any soil? And David’s expert guests Ann Fitzsimons and Reg Maxwell will be answering listeners’ questions on everything from pineapple lilies to snakeskin maples.

Helen Mark, sitting in for David Maxwell this week, is joined by experts Brendan Little and Jim Bradley. Not only are they fielding calls on everything from yellowing holly to making the best mulch they'll also be offering advice and tips on how to get the best of your garden on these darkening days. Helen chats to Stephen McKenna, an A&E nurse, who has found his garden to be a haven after stressful shifts on the front line while Mary Doris gives a masterclass in potting Winter plants from her garden in Ardboe. Neil Porteous digs deep in Mount Stewart to tackle bamboo seedlings and Frank 'Spooky' McCooke has a tall tale about bees for Halloween.

David Maxwell looks back at some wonderful Autumn Garden Visits over the years. David takes in the splendour of Kew Garden, talks trees in Rathfriland, tries his hand at composting and Helen Mark goes potty with gardening expert Brendan Little.

David Maxwell will be discovering how to create a restful part of the garden that will give you plenty of pleasure but zero bother. David’s experts will be taking all your calls as well as helping one listener who wants to know the best hedge to plant for maximum shelter and growth. And ever thought about green manures? Well it’s time to wake up and smell the potential this Saturday morning with David Maxwell and the Gardeners’ Corner team.