Gardening on earth can be challenging sometimes, so what about gardening on the moon? David chats to Professor Simon Barak from Ben Gurion University of the Negev about trying to germinate seeds on the lunar surface. Back on planet earth Brendan Little hasn’t mown his grass since May and it’s time to take the meadow into hand.  He’s planting plugs of Ragged Robin and Foxgloves and sowing Yellow Rattle seed which will keep the grass in check. Jekka McVicar chooses Lavender as her herb for August and Cherry Townsend is live in studio to answer questions. Email: gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Gardening on the moon, magical meadows and Herb of the Month

Mount Stewart

The weather is always unpredictable but with a warm and dry June and damp July, it’s making life challenging for gardeners. This week, David Maxwell will be joined by Cecilia Daly to chat about the reasons for the recent weather patterns and her predictions for the rest of summer. Also on the programme, the National Trust’s Mount Stewart teams up with Bristol University to predict the future for the garden with climate change modelling and ahead of National Allotment Week David visits a hidden allotment in Bangor and Helen Mark catches up with some of those involved in Derry’s Acorn Farm project which supports families to grow their own. Claire McNally will join David in studio to take questions.  Email gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Soggy summers, preparing Mount Stewart for climate change and National Allotment Week

After nearly a century and a half, the Dickson family have decided to bring their rose breeding business to an end.  Presenter David Maxwell visits Colin Dickson in his rose field near Newtownards to find out why he’s calling it a day, and to see his very last rose ‘A Fond Farewell’.  Also on the programme, how to keep the summer colour coming with Cherry Townsend, top Dahlia choices from Marryn Mathis at the Farm House Flower Farm in Washington state (USA) and Jekka McVicar with her ‘Herb of the Month’.  In studio David will be joined by Mary Doris who will be tackling questions from listeners. Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Cottage garden colour, a fond farewell to rose breeding and dreamy Dahlias with Marryn Mathis

Nothing beats visiting other gardens for inspiration and learning, and in this week’s Gardeners’ Corner, presenter David Maxwell asks three of his regular experts to choose one of their favourite gardens. Those featured include RHS Bridgewater near Manchester which opened in 2021.  It’s not only one of the newest public gardens, but it is also one of the biggest garden projects undertaken in the UK in the last century.  For Maurice Parkinson, it offers multiple layers of interest.  David and Maurice meet curator Marcus Chilton-Jones and Garden Manager Tracey Snell as they tour the walled garden and the Chinese streamside garden. Birr is County Offaly can get the coldest and the warmest temperatures in Ireland, and it’s also where you will find an impressive collection of trees at Birr Castle Demesne.  For Ann Fitzsimmons it will always be a special place as she spent many happy months working there after deciding to change career.  Up in County Donegal, Brendan Little only has to go a stone’s throw from his home to find some of the gardens on the Donegal Garden Trail.  He chooses Greenfort as his favourite which enjoys stunning views of Lough Swilly and uses shrubs to create year round interest and a low maintenance garden. Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.uk

RHS Bridgewater, Birr Castle Demesne and  Greenfort

Summer is in full swing and this week David Maxwell and his expert guests are focusing on edibles. Brendan Little provides a masterclass on growing basil, proving you can grow enough to produce pesto in Donegal! Amy Kelly loves growing beans at her allotment in Newtownards where they not only produce an edible harvest but also provide beauty. In studio, David is joined by Ann Fitzsimmons who answers questions on growing asparagus, plums and what you can expect if you grow an apple tree from a pip. Also on the programme Cherry Townsend is taking softwood cuttings, proving how a few snips at this time of year can save money by producing new plants for free. Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Bountiful basil, beautiful beans and cost-saving cuttings

It’s the flower of summer and of romance and it never looses it’s appeal according to Mary Keenan who David Maxwell visits in this week’s programme.  At her County Laois gardens he has roses that can find a place in any garden and offer both colour and scent. In County Offaly David visits Paul Smyth at Bellefield garden recently left by architect and gardener Angela Jupe as a bequest to the RHSI.  The charity is currently bringing the garden back into management and hopes it will be a place to teach gardeners of the future. And in Bangor Dylan Freeburn explains why the council are replacing annual bedding with longer term planting that’s better for biodiversity.  Reg Maxwell will also join David in studio live.  Contact the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

RHSI Bellefield, no more bedding in Bangor and top rated roses

This week on Gardeners’ Corner with David Maxwell; why are there so many caterpillars this year and do the spooky webs some are creating spell doom for the plants they cover? At Helen’s Bay Organic Farm John McCormick has some tips on growing courgettes and how to get better veg without wasting water. Helen Mark travels to Stranocum for a masterclass on early summer pruning with Don Kerr and Jekka McVicar reveals her herb of the month. Also on the programme, Katie Bell from Ulster Wildlife and Claire McNally, head gardener at The National Trust’s Rowallane join David in studio to answer questions sent in by listeners. Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Countless caterpillars, water wise veg growing and herb of the month

With the heat wave continuing Gardeners’ Corner is live at Garden Show Ireland in Antrim Castle Gardens. David Maxwell is joined by Diarmuid Gavin, Cherry Townsend and Mary Doris who will take questions from an invited audience.  Also on the programme, with house plants one of the big themes at this year's show, Conrad McCormick will pick some of his favourites and away from the show David heads to nearby Ballyrobert Cottage Garden where Maurice Parkinson believes that summer can be perhaps the best time to get new plants established in the garden. Email the programme - gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Gardeners’ Corner at Garden Show Ireland

As summer begins in the garden, David Maxwell finds inspiration at Ireland’s biggest gardening show. In its 17th year, Bord Bia Bloom attracted over 100,000 visitors.  In the programme, David catches up with Oliver Shurmann from Mount Venus nurseries who designed an imaginative woodland garden for under 5s which won best large garden and with house plants more popular than ever, Pat Keville from Plantstore.ie shows David his exhibit which took the best in show nursery award. Other highlights from the show include; Belfast designer Linda McKeown’s garden for Tusla Fostering, “The Next Step” garden designed by student, Joseph Eustace as part of Bord Bia’s new Cultivating Talent initiative and Jane McCorkell’s “A Breathing Space for Fingal”.  Also on the programme, Ann Fitzsimmons will be live in studio with plenty of plants and primed to answer any tricky gardening questions.  Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

As summer begins in the garden, David Maxwell finds inspiration at Ireland’s biggest gardening show. In its 17th year, Bord Bia Bloom attracted over 100,000 visitors. In the programme, David catches up with Oliver Shurmann from Mount Venus nurseries who designed an imaginative woodland garden for under 5s which won best large garden and with house plants more popular than ever, Pat Keville from <a href="http://Plantstore.ie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plantstore.ie</a> shows David his exhibit which took the best in show nursery award. Other highlights from the show include; Belfast designer Linda McKeown’s garden for Tusla Fostering, “The Next Step” garden designed by student, Joseph Eustace as part of Bord Bia’s new Cultivating Talent initiative and Jane McCorkell’s “A Breathing Space for Fingal”. Also on the programme, Ann Fitzsimmons will be live in studio with plenty of plants and primed to answer any tricky gardening questions. Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Hang’em up house plants, gardens for under 5s and Bord Bia Bloom

Do you have native plants in your garden? A visit to True Harvest Seeds in Kilclief in Co Down showcases some of the native origin plants growing in the wild and how Debbie Gillies and the team of volunteers are preserving the seeds for the future.From the homegrown to the exotic - David heads to Cluain na dTor in Donegal to see Seamus O' Donnell's collection of stunning plants from across the world that are suitable for seaside gardens and coastal regions.Renowned artist Derek Hill's last home , Glebe Gallery, is open to the public and embracing his wild style of planting. David heads down to find out about their plans for the future.Expert Mary Doris joins David in studio to answer listeners' questions and chat about drought tolerant plants.Author and broadcaster Matthew Biggs also drops by to talk about his new children's book 'A home for every plant' .Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Do you have native plants in your garden? A visit to True Harvest Seeds in Kilclief in Co Down showcases some of the native origin plants growing in the wild and how Debbie Gillies and the team of volunteers are preserving the seeds for the future. From the homegrown to the exotic - David heads to Cluain na dTor in Donegal to see Seamus O' Donnell's collection of stunning plants from across the world that are suitable for seaside gardens and coastal regions. Renowned artist Derek Hill's last home , Glebe Gallery, is open to the public and embracing his wild style of planting. David heads down to find out about their plans for the future. Expert Mary Doris joins David in studio to answer listeners' questions and chat about drought tolerant plants. Author and broadcaster Matthew Biggs also drops by to talk about his new children's book 'A home for every plant' . Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Native seeds, an artist's haven and exotic seaside plants

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.

David visits the gardening event of the year – the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023.  With 36 show gardens and a pavilion full of plant experts, Gardeners’ Corner looks at the show from the perspective of the ordinary gardener.  What elements can we all put into practice and with several gardens featuring ‘weeds’, should we all be growing more of them or is that a step too far?  Of course, the celebrities are never far away and David finds out from Strictly’s Bruno Tonioli that he has green fingers as well as dancing feet.  Email the programme - gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023

In this late spring edition of the programme, presenter David Maxwell visits the new community garden in the County Down village of Saintfield. In County Donegal, Joanne and Milo Butler run OURganic in the hills above Gortahork. The gardens are used to teach others about organically growing food and the principles of permaculture. Jekka McVicar chooses basil as her ‘Herb of the Month’ and gives some tips on how to succeed with this tasty tender herb. In studio, David is joined by Neil Porteous to take questions live from the audience.  Text 81771 Email gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Community gardening in Saintfield, County Donegal’s OURganic gardens and Jekka’s herb of the month

Gardeners Corner takes questions from Gardeners’ at the Balmoral Show 2023.  David Maxwell is joined by experts Claire McNally and Ann Fitzsimmons.  Questions from the audience include plants for a shady exposed back garden and when to fertilise daffodils. Also on the programme, David visits a flower farm in Magherafelt, a guide to fertilisers and why alliums should steal the show in your garden in May. Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk.

Gardeners’ Corner from Balmoral Show 2023

In this Gardeners’ Corner special to mark the coronation, presenter David Maxwell travels to the private garden of King Charles III in Gloucestershire. He’s shown around by Derry man, Brian Corr who learnt his gardening trade in Northern Ireland before becoming Head of Gardens at the King's Highgrove Estate. David explores the different areas of this organic garden which the King has been hands on in developing since he bought the property as Prince of Wales in 1980. Now under the stewardship of the Prince’s Foundation charity, David finds out how the estate is being opened up to the public and used as a showcase for traditional skills and crafts. And he chats to Royal florist Shane Connolly who shares the King’s passion for sustainability and is providing the floral backdrop for the coronation.

The King’s Garden: A Gardeners’ Corner special

Liza Tarbuck

How much do you think about your garden after dark?  In this programme presenter David Maxwell meets Jo Mulholland who’s mad about moths.  He finds out about their decline and what gardeners can do to help these often underrated pollinators. Mary Doris has tips on how to look after spring flowering bulbs to make sure they perform next year and John Gault gives a masterclass in rhododendron care from his 9 decades of experience.  Also on the programme, BBC Radio 2’s Liza Tarbuck on her love of gardening and Ciaran Mulholland will join David in studio to answer questions. Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Gardening for moths, bulbs care after blooming and Liza Tarbuck

Diarmuid Gavin

With two weeks until the coronation, David visits a garden under construction to mark the event.  Diarmuid Gavin’s bold design for The King’s Coronation garden will soon be an eye catching attraction at Hazelbank Park on the shores of Belfast Lough. Among those helping to get the garden finished on time are some students from CAFRE’s Greenmount campus.  Also on the programme, Helen Mark visits the National Trust’s Florence Court where Ian Marshall and his volunteers are busy planting broad beans and potatoes in the kitchen garden.  Jekka McVicar reveals her favourite herb for April and Reg Maxwell joins David in studio to answer questions and provide some seasonal inspiration for the gardener at home.  Contact the programme – gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk.  Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

With two weeks until the coronation, David visits a garden under construction to mark the event. Diarmuid Gavin’s bold design for The King’s Coronation garden will soon be an eye catching attraction at Hazelbank Park on the shores of Belfast Lough. Among those helping to get the garden finished on time are some students from CAFRE’s Greenmount campus. Also on the programme, Helen Mark visits the National Trust’s Florence Court where Ian Marshall and his volunteers are busy planting broad beans and potatoes in the kitchen garden. Jekka McVicar reveals her favourite herb for April and Reg Maxwell joins David in studio to answer questions and provide some seasonal inspiration for the gardener at home. Contact the programme – gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk . Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Growing a feast at Florence Court, top tomatoes and Diarmuid Gavin

David visits Jekka’s herb farm near Bristol on its first open day of the season where Jekka McVicar shows him around the new herb garden. In Hillsborough, as the spring spectacular gets underway, Claire Woods reveals how even the professionals have nature to contend with sometimes and Montalto Estate near Ballynahinch launches its Lost Garden. In studio, Ann Fitzsimmons will join David with some Easter gardening inspiration and take questions live. Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

A visit to Jekka’s, bulbs in bloom and a lost garden rediscovered

In this Gardeners’ Corner special, live from Fairview Primary School, David Maxwell joins the children, parents and teachers at Fairview Primary School in Ballyclare. In collaboration with the Education team at BBC Northern Ireland, the programme showcases some of the great gardening taking place in schools across Northern Ireland. Experts Claire McNally and Brendan Little will be on hand to offer some guidance on planting for pollinators, looking after a wildlife pond and woodland planting. The Education team will also launch their school gardening wall planner which schools can get free by emailing LittleGreenFingers@bbc.co.uk   Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Gardeners’ Corner from Fairview Primary School

How do you garden for gorillas?  David meets the man who was in charge of planting at Dublin Zoo for four decades.  Stephen Butler explains how the plants enhance the environment for the animals and give a sense of their natural habitat.  At Ballywalter, Anna Hudson is building walls out of logs – an attractive feature in any garden and great for wild life.  In Greyabbey, on the Ards Peninsula, there is a secret garden called Greba – David meets up with owners Richard and Beverley to find out how they have transformed a disused quarry into a place of beauty. In studio Claire McNally and Mary Doris answer questions and have some gardening related ideas for Mothers’ day.  Email the programme on gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

Gardening for gorillas, the beauty and benefit of log walls and Greba Garden

David Maxwell heads to Rosie Maye’s garden in Slane, County Meath where she has an enviable collection of hellebores. From named varieties to self-sown seedlings, they are the stars of the show in March.  In Ballywalter, Anna Hudson is preparing veg beds in the glasshouses using homemade compost and digestate, a by-product of anaerobic digestion. Jekka McVicar reveals her herb of the month and Cherry Townsend joins David live in studio to answer questions.

Handsome hellebores, using digestate and herb of the month

Always looking forward to the next episode. Thank you for such wonderful gardening hints.

A weekly treat

Great host, great content, all delivered via the Emerald Isle :)

1st class gardening advice from the mother-land

Gardeners' Corner

It's the Gardeners' Corner phone-in this Saturday morning with Helen Mark. Joining Helen in the studio are gardening experts Neil Porteous and Brendan Little answering your calls and texts. The number to call is 03030 80 55 55 and to text its 81771 (Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply) and also in the programme lots of gardening tips for the week ahead. That's Gardeners' Corner this Saturday morning just after the 9 o'clock news on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds.

Gardeners' Corner phone-in

Join David Maxwell as the Gardeners' Corner roadshow team head to Banbridge where members of Banbridge Horticultural Society put their questions to gardening experts Averil Milligan and Ann Fitzsimons. Blueberrries, blackcurrants and azaleas are just some of plants under discussion as well as timely tips for the gardening week ahead. That's Gardeners' Corner this Saturday morning just after the nine o'clock news on BBC Radio Ulster.

Gardeners' Corner roadshow with Banbridge and District Horticultural Society

This week  Gardeners’ Corner goes to Antrim Castle Gardens for this year’s Garden Show Ireland.

Garden Show Ireland

In this week's Gardeners' Corner Helen Mark and the roadshow team head to the village of Glenavy in Co. Down to the former birthplace of John Ballance, 14th premier of New Zealand. In the beautifully restored Cottage room of the house, Ann Fitzsimons and Neil Porteous answer questions from the audience made up of members and friends of the Ulster New Zealand Trust. Also in the programme tips for the gardening week ahead. That's Gardeners' Corner this Saturday morning just after the 9 o'clock news on BBC Radio Ulster.

Gardeners' Corner roadshow at Ballance House

David Maxwell meets Gordon Finch from east Belfast who has spent years turning his suburban garden hedge into a Titanic topiary tribute. He catches up with Colin Agnew in Belfast's Botanic Gardens to find out about no fuss houseplants. Also in the programme, Cherry Townsend is sowing seeds for summer blooms and David heads to Springhill to see the February snowdrop display.

Titanic topiary, no fuss houseplants and early sowing for summer

Inner city allotments, cottage garden favourites and Trinity Nursery School David Maxwell visits an inner city allotment packed with veg. He meets up with Maurice Parkinson to find some cottage garden favourites for early summer including Lupins, Irises and hardy geraniums. Also in the programme, how many small hands make light work in the garden at Trinity Nursery School in Bangor and how social media and the Connswater Greenway combined to promote growing wildflowers.

Inner city allotments, cottage garden favourites and Trinity Nursery School David Maxwell visits an inner city allotment packed with veg. He meets up with Maurice Parkinson to find some cottage garden favourites for early summer including Lupins, Irises and hardy geraniums. Also in the programme, how many small hands make light work in the garden at Trinity Nursery School in Bangor and how social media and the Connswater Greenway combined to promote growing wildflowers.

Inner city allotments, Cottage garden favourites, Trinity Nursery School

In a packed Gardeners' Corner programme, David Maxwell starts his new herb garden with advice from Barbara Pilcher. He catches up with Averil Milligan at Rowallane where work is going on to tidy up the walled garden and give some plants a winter rest. Also in the programme, Helen Marks finds out from Brendan Little how to make a paradise patio and Claire Barnett from the RSPB joins David in studio with all the information about the 40th annual Big Garden Birdwatch.

Sowing herbs, watching birds and winter at Rowallane

In Gardeners' Corner this week David Maxwell gets up close and personal with snowdrops and hellebores. He also goes looking for plants with wonderful scent and soft colours and finds out that shady areas can be the perfect spot for a wide variety of plants. Also in the programme Helen Mark and Brendan Little talk about reinventing the patio area and why it should blend in with the style of your house and garden.

The January Garden

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