Pruning and Potatoes for St Patrick’s

Pruning and Potatoes for St Patrick’s

Author: BBC Radio Ulster March 13, 2021 Duration: 56:24

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


Tune into Gardeners' Corner from BBC Radio Ulster for a weekly dose of practical wisdom and quiet inspiration rooted in the soil of the province. Host David Maxwell guides each episode with the ease of a knowledgeable friend, sharing the latest horticultural advice and seasonal news you can actually use. This isn't just theory; the podcast actively explores, taking you on audio visits to thriving plots and personal havens, from expansive estates to modest backyards, revealing the unique stories they grow. You'll hear firsthand from those who tend them, gathering tips that work in real gardens. It’s a consistent resource for anyone with a trowel and a bit of earth, whether you're nurturing a windowsill herb box or planning a perennial border. The conversation is always grounded, focused on the tangible joys and challenges of growing things. Listen for a genuine connection to the gardening community and a deeper understanding of your own patch, all delivered with the trusted quality of BBC Radio Ulster. Each episode feels like a welcome break, a moment to think about what's possible just outside your door.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 685

Gardeners' Corner
Podcast Episodes
National Botanic Gardens Dublin, plant hunting and potatoes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:38
On this week's Gardeners' Corner David Maxwell heads to the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin for a tour with Brendan Sayers. He finds out about a plant hunting expedition from Mount Stewart in County Down to Tasmania.…
March Phone-in [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:06
It's the March phone-in and David Maxwell is joined in the studio by gardening experts Ann Fitzsimons and Neil Porteous. Neil and Ann also talk about their favourite plants for March and give gardening tips for the week…
Seed sowing, pruning wisteria and roses, plants for ponds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:35
In this week's Gardeners' Corner there's lots of work to be done in the garden at the beginning of March. Time to sow seeds, Brendan Little is sowing lettuce, beans and peas and Barbara Pilcher is sowing her favourite to…
Gardeners' Phone-In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:25
It's the Gardeners' Corner phone-in this Saturday morning with David Maxwell and joining him in the studio are gardening experts, Barbara Pilcher and Jim Bradley. Jim and Barbara will also be talking about their favourit…
03/02/2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:29
In this week's Gardeners' Corner snowdrops are lighting up gardens around the province and we visit Springhill and Ballyrobert Cottage Gardens to see them growing under trees and shrubs and find out how to propagate them…
27/01/2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:40
This week in Gardeners' Corner, David Maxwell has a masterclass with Averil Milligan on pruning a pear tree, Barbara Pilcher is busy in her greenhouse sowing seeds for spring and summer, Charles Dowding explains his theo…
Winter Gardening [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:44
In this week's Gardeners' Corner David Maxwell joins Reg Maxwell in his garden to find out which gardening jobs need done before the end of January. David Love Cameron gets baby leeks off to a good start in the walled ga…
13/01/2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:23
This week in Gardeners' Corner in the first roadshow of 2018 David Maxwell is joined by experts Averil Milligan and Reg Maxwell as they answer gardening questions from members of Drumbeg Gardening Club. Amongst the probl…
06/01/2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:45
In the first programme of 2018, David Maxwell looks ahead to a new gardening year and he also looks back at some highlights from last year. David visits Maurice Parkinson to talk about shrubs with winter scent. Cherry To…
30/12/2017 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:19
As the new year approaches Gardeners' Corner goes out winter walking. David Maxwell visits Castle Ward and Belfast Castle while Helen Mark heads to Brackfield wood. Gardeners' Corner experts, Neil Porteous, Brendan Littl…