The surprising secret to naturalistic planting…get the kids to do it and building community with big containers

The surprising secret to naturalistic planting…get the kids to do it and building community with big containers

Author: BBC Radio Ulster April 12, 2025 Duration: 56:47

With the sunny spring continuing, Gardeners’ Corner visits a 19th century walled garden in Maghera. Once connected to the local rectory, it is now run by the council, and it features several distinct spaces including a large glasshouse and a wildflower meadow. Roy Clark, who knows the garden well, says their secret to planting spring bulbs in a naturalistic way is to get children to do it! The good weather has also lead to increased demand for compost and this week presenter David Maxwell is on the factory floor of one of the biggest suppliers in the country. Also on the programme, a charity in Ballymoney that is building good community relations through growing and Ann FitzSimons will join David in studio to answer questions. Email the programme at 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: 100

Gardeners' Corner
Podcast Episodes
Gardeners' Corner at Bord Bia Bloom 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:12
Gardeners' Corner attends Ireland's biggest gardening show, Bord Bia Bloom, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Presenter David Maxwell tours the show gardens and plant stands in search of takeaways for the ordinary g…
Gardeners' Corner at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:20
Highlights from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 with David Maxwell, featuring the gold medal-winning Trussell’s Together Garden — the first Chelsea garden to be relocated to Northern Ireland. David meets women from the…
Sensory gardens, spring tidy-ups, and opening the gates to the public [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:59
Helen Mark is invited to Lisbane County Down where she discovers the work that goes into preparing a garden for public visitors through the National Garden Scheme, and the challenges of gardening on a hill with Olwen She…
The Road to Chelsea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:37
Presenter David Maxwell finds out what it takes to create a world class exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Alongside fern expert Billy Alexander, David helps to create the Kells Bay Garden in the Great Pavillion. He…