Small urban garden special

Small urban garden special

Author: BBC Radio Ulster March 27, 2021 Duration: 56:44

How can you transform a small urban outside space? A special edition of Gardeners’ Corner explores how to create privacy, add drama with big containers and make a small garden feel bigger. Presenter David Maxwell is joined by experts Ann Fitzsimmons and Claire Woods to discuss the gardens of 4 listeners, including one described as a ‘concrete box’ and a family garden which has to work for both children and adults. Also on the programme, Amy Kelly on growing your own in containers, Johnny Knox on design tricks for small spaces and Arthur Parkinson on creating drama with flamboyant planting in, among other things, old dustbins. Contact the programme with your gardening questions on 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
Season by Season with Gardeners’ Corner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:15
As one year gives way to the next, join David Maxwell on a journey through the seasons with highlights from the last 12 months of Gardeners’ Corner. From clearing up after Storm Éowyn to pristine show gardens, from celeb…
Kilmacurragh and the Plant Hunters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:13
In this episode of Gardeners' Corner, David Maxwell visits what some call 'Ireland's secret garden' - Kilmacurragh in County Wicklow. The site became part of the National Botanic Gardens in 1996 and since then a restorat…
Gardeners’ Corner Christmas Special 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:50
Join David Maxwell and the gardening gang for a very festive Gardeners’ Corner Christmas special from the National Trust’s Rowallane Gardens in Saintfield, County Down. The team leave behind their dirty denims and don th…
Merry Mistletoe, must have Mahonia and a winter walk at Montalto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:18
With the festive season in full swing, David heads to Montalto Estate in County Down for a winter walk with head gardener Lesley Heron. While Storm Bram has created some extra work, there’s still plenty to enjoy, includi…
Mary Keen, children who are keen and everything in between [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:23
This week, David visits Rosie Maye’s garden near Slane and hears about her love of Inter-planting and underplanting. Prolific Irish garden designer Mary Keen chats about new autobiography, Diary of a Keen Gardener, and w…