Gardening by the sea, Adam Frost's bulb of the month and celebrating 20 years of a garden trail
Gardeners' CornerShow Notes
David Maxwell visits a unique, nature-friendly private garden in Falcarragh, created by gardener and author Seán Ó Gaoithín. Crammed full of native trees and plants, it has become a haven for insect and bird life, despite the sometimes harsh conditions on Donegal’s west coast. Further south, in Mountcharles, he visits Dorothy Jervis, whose cottage and garden overlook Donegal Bay. She is the fourth generation of her family to call this exposed hillside home. Despite heavy, wet soil and a plantation of Sitka spruce, she has created a relaxed, cottage-style garden that sits easily in the surrounding wild landscape. Also on the programme, Adam Frost chooses bluebells as his bulb for April, and Brendan Little joins David in the studio to answer questions. Contact the programme at [email protected]
More from Gardeners' Corner
With autumn colour all around, David visits the dazzling collection of rare and exotic trees in the arboretum at Castlewellan Forest Park. Head gardener Alwyn Sinnamon picks out some of his highlights, including a slow-growing tree that could become a family heirloom. Nearby, Marc Johansen is considering the future of the tree collection, propagating new plants from seeds and cuttings, while Aidan Murphy is putting autumn prunings to good use by creating a dead hedge. Despite the sunny summer, Mollie Cunningham's pears haven't ripened on the tree, but she knows how to turn them into a tasty treat in just minutes. David visits her at Ballytrim for sweet and savoury ideas to ensure the fruit doesn't go to waste. Also on the programme, Ann FitzSimons joins David in the studio to answer listeners' questions, including one from two Year 7 pupils puzzled by their strangely shaped carrots. Contact the programme on [email protected]
With autumn colour all around, David heads to an artist's garden in County Wicklow. TJ Maher has spent decades creating Patthana with his partner Simon. With an artist's eye, TJ paints with plants and particularly loves the rich, warm colours of autumn. As they explore the garden, David gets a masterclass in combining colours and discovers how they can influence the way we feel. Also on the programme, Barrie Quinn tells the story of Portnoo Market Garden, while Rosie Maye joins David in the studio to answer listeners' questions and explain why now is the perfect time to make leafmould and compost. Contact the programme on [email protected]
As autumn arrives, David heads to two very different gardens in County Donegal. His first stop is Cluain na dTor in Falcarragh, where expert plantsman Seamus O’Donnell has created an exotic garden full of hidden treasures, just a few hundred metres from the wild Atlantic Ocean. David discovers an Ethiopian banana plant and learns about the importance of slow gardening. Further north, herb expert Columbia Hillen tends Anamcara Healing Herb Garden, where native and exotic plants thrive on a hillside with dramatic views. The former journalist explains how her upbringing in Romania taught her to appreciate the healing properties of the plants growing beneath our feet. Also on the programme, Adam Frost chooses Crocus goulimyi as his bulb of the month, Katy Bell joins David in the studio with her autumn wildlife update, and gardener Claire McNally answers questions from listeners. Contact the programme at [email protected]
Join Helen Mark and Mary Doris as they dig into the archive and look back at past garden visits from the season of autumn. From the changing colours at Rowallane Gardens near Saintfield to ornamental grasses that thrive at this time of year. Amy Kelly offers tips on getting ahead of the game for some early crops next year. They also revisit a feature from the Brook Hall Estate on the banks of the Foyle near Derry. In studio, Mary Doris offers advice on protecting a Eucalyptus Gunnii plant over the colder months and growing Angel Wings. Email the programme anytime at [email protected].
Anna Hudson visits Rob Wilson, assistant head gardener at Mount Stewart to gather ideas and techniques that gardeners can put into practice at home. In Meath, David visits Ealma Purcell’s Poppy Garden, a flourishing haven that began with just one flower bed and is now bursting with colour and life. Amy Kelly offers advice on saving summer herbs to savour through the darker months. Back in the studio, Colin Agnew joins Anna to answer questions on Rhubarb Timperley Early, moving lavender and growing plants indoors. Email the programme anytime at [email protected].