Gardeners' Corner

In Gardeners' Corner this week David Maxwell visits Rowallane where Head Gardener Averil Milligan explains to him why the magnificent rhododendrons and camellias do so well there. Averil also has plenty of advice on how to grow them and what problems to look out for. Also in the programme David is joined by Barbara Pilcher at Glenveagh School where teacher Maire McCaughey and her pupils are very excited about three new raised beds and a soon to be built polytunnel have been created for growing vegetables for the kitchen. Brendan Little and Helen Mark are also in the veg garden planting up garlic and shallots.

Gardeners’ Corner phone-in with experts Brendan Little and Averil Milligan.

A secret garden, a magical woodland and spring in the cottage garden.

Gardeners’ Corner is filled with inspiring ideas for the Easter garden.

David Maxwell hosts the latest Gardeners' Corner roadshow which comes from Hillsborough where the local horticultural society is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2018. David is joined by experts Cherry Townsend and Brendan Little. Forsythia problems, whitefly, no dig gardening and climate change are just some of the topics covered. The panel also offer some tips for week as spring gets going in the garden.

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. Reg Maxwell joins him in the studio with tips on growing potatoes. Also in the programme David gets a preview of what's coming up in this years Garden Show Ireland.

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 ahead.

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 tomatoes. Also in the programme help with pruning wisteria and roses for a good summer show and Ann Fitzsimons is on hand with advice on planting up David's new pond. That's Gardeners' Corner with David Maxwell this Saturday morning just after the nine o'clock news on BBC Radio Ulster.

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 favourite plants for February and giving their gardening tips for the week ahead.

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. Also in the programme how to sow chilli seeds successfully, Ann Fitzsimons joins David Maxwell in the studio to talk about sowing sweet pea, and Jim Bradley talks about his favourite winter plants and how to look after them through the winter months.

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 theory on no-dig gardening and Helen Mark finds out what plans are in place in the small village of Ballyvoy by sowing a wildflower area and planting low-maintenance shrubs. Also in the programme a visit to Castle Espie as part of the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend.

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 garden at Helen's Bay, the RSPB visits David's garden to talk about the birdlife there and how we can all get involved in the Big Garden Birdwatch and Keith Crawford is in the studio to talk about the effect of the cold weather on plants and what we can do to brighten up the January garden.

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 problems dealt with by the panel are how to manage box blight, mare's tail and sooty mould on rhododendrons along with lots of other tips including when is the best time to sow sweet pea. Lots of good gardening advice to start the new year.

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 Townsend gives advice on getting ahead when it comes to raising home grown cut flowers. Also in the programme, Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin on why it's the perfect place to visit in the winter. And he's joined by Maeve Bell of the Irish Garden Plant Society on why the new year is the perfect time to consider joining a group for those interested in all things gardening.

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 Little, Barbara Pilcher and Reg Maxwell give their own insights on the varied flora and fauna as well as some seasonal gardening tips.

David Maxwell is joined by Ann Fitzsimons and Brendan Little in the studio. Over festive fare they chat about Christmas plants, presents and plans for the garden in the new year. With Christmas music, mince pies and mulled wine the team are getting in the mood for Christmas day. Also in the programme, a masterclass from Bonsai expert Bjorn Bjorholm.

In Gardeners' Corner this week join David Maxwell for a festive programme filled with ideas for gifts for gardeners, how to look after your Christmas tree whether cut or in a pot, why robins are our favourite bird especially at this time of year, unusual veg and herbs from the garden for the Christmas table, ideas on how to decorate your house with foliage and a book review with Wendy Austin from Lisburn Road Library.

It's the Gardeners' Corner phone-in this Saturday morning with David Maxwell. Answering your gardening problems are Barbara Pilcher and Brendan Little. Lots of good gardening advice from the experts and a chance to hear about some seasonal plants that are looking good even in mid-winter and what jobs need to be done over the next week or so.

In this week's programme David Maxwell visits the arboretum at Castlewellan Forest Park where the famous Castlewellan Gold was born. He's joined by Averil Milligan from the National Trust's Rowallane Garden and by John Watson from the NI Forest Service. David explores the unique flora and also encounters some rather special fauna as the gardens are home to a thriving population of Red Squirrels. Also in the programme, Helen Mark is in Donegal where Gareth Austin is taking hardwood cuttings and growing pea shoots as a winter salad.

In Gardeners' Corner this week, David Maxwell visits the orchard at Glenarm Castle with Reg Maxwell and hears how to grow medlars, trees which give spring flowers, fruit and autumn colour. Also in the programme Helen Mark pays a return visit to Wendy Austin's garden in Donegal with Brendan Little who helped Wendy create her orchard last year. Neil Porteous and gardener Alan Ryder show David how the restoration of the old rose garden is coming along, tucked away in a hidden area behind Mountstewart and Cherry Townsend is this week's studio guest with lots of ideas on plants and flowers to brighten up the house in the lead up to Christmas.

Ann Fitzsimons clears out her pond and Keith Crawford suggests various types of hedging.

It's the Gardeners' Corner phone-in this Saturday morning with David Maxwell. Answering your gardening problems are Reg Maxwell and Averil Milligan. Lots of good gardening advice from the experts and a chance to hear about the plants they have growing in their gardens and what jobs need to be done over the next week or so.

David Maxwell visits gardens in Islandmagee, Holywood, Killinchy and County Fermanagh at one of the busiest times for gardeners before the cold months set in. Cherry Townsend explains the best way to plant bulbs in a wildflower meadow. Creating a seaside garden from scratch with Barbara Pilcher and some advice on propagating oriental poppies from Ann Fitzsimons. Also in the programme, Helen Mark makes a return visit to the wildlife friendly garden of Bob and Rosemary Salisbury and the programme also visits the two-acre kitchen garden at the National Trust's Florence Court where David Corscadden explains the benefits of green manure.

In Gardeners' Corner this weekend, pumpkins, apples and nuts, produce of the season and associated with Halloween - how to grow them well. Also in the programme, how to protect tender plants from the wet, wind and cold, and a step-by-step guide to growing your own apple trees.

This week the Gardeners' Corner roadshow heads to the west of the province where experts Brendan Little and Jim Bradley answer questions from members of the Fermanagh Gardening Society. Also in the programme there will be seasonal tips for the week ahead, and garden writer and designer Stephen Lacey shares his thoughts about the importance of using scented plants in the garden.

In Gardeners' Corner this week, David Maxwell visits Helen Dillon's new garden by the sea and finds out why the plants are looking so happy and thriving within her walled garden. Also in the programme Helen Mark visits Sir Bob and Rosemary Salisbury's wildlife friendly garden in Co. Tyrone and enjoys an autumn walk through the many shrubs and trees providing a blaze of colour. Jimi Blake at Huntingbrooke Gardens in Co. Wicklow shows David his collection of salvias and dahlias and talks about jobs for the autumn garden.

This Saturday David Maxwell is joined in the Gardeners' Corner phone-in studio by experts Brendan Little and Neil Porteous and you can phone 03030 805555, text 81771 or email [email protected] to have your gardening queries answered. Also in the programme Brendan and Neil will be talking about seasonal plants and what to look forward to in late autumn and they will have gardening tips for the week ahead. That's Gardeners' Corner this Saturday morning just after the nine o'clock news on BBC Radio Ulster.

This week David Maxwell visits Barbara Pilcher at her seaside home to talk about what to do with herbs during autumn and winter. Jim Bradley offers advice on choosing statement plants for the patio. David talks downsizing with internationally renowned garden designer and writer Mary Keen and gets top tips on what to do now in the garden from Gardeners' Question Time panellist Matthew Biggs.

This week David Maxwell and the Gardeners' Corner roadshow head to Ballymena, where members of the local Macmillan Cancer Support Group put their gardening questions to experts Ann Fitzsimons and Brendan Little. Among the gardening topics up for discussion are how and when to prune clematis and wisteria, advice for gardeners who want to create a garden on a new site and the thinking behind no-dig gardening.

In Gardeners' Corner this week with David Maxwell: a visit to Mount Stewart, where head gardener Neil Porteous is keeping the colour going with Autumn Asters. Cherry Townsend is harvesting and planting seed at Kilcoan Gardens in Islandmagee. David Love Cameron gathers in a big crop of onions at the walled garden in Helen's Bay and offers advice on how to store them as well as how to avoid the dreaded white rot. Also in the programme, Anne Fitzsimons joins David Maxwell in the studio for tips on naturalising bulbs.

David Maxwell presents the weekly programme for keen gardeners with the latest advice, news and visits to gardens large and small around the province.

Helen Mark takes the Gardeners' Corner Roadshow to Mount Stewart where Neil Porteous and Sarah Cook answer a variety of gardening questions.

This Saturday morning it's the Gardeners' Corner summer phone-in with Ann Fitzsimons and Neil Porteous, they will also be talking about seasonal planting and tips for the week.

This Saturday morning it's the Gardeners' Corner summer phone-in with Averil Milligan and Jim Bradley, they will also be talking about seasonal planting and tips for the week.

In Gardeners' Corner this week with Helen Mark, a visit to Ann Fitzsimons country pond reveals an abundance of water loving plants, we find out how to grow a scented camomile lawn, and Barbara Pilcher and David Love Cameron share their love of summer herbs and vegetables in the walled garden at Helen's Bay. Also in the programme, why we should be pruning shrubs and ground cover plants at this time of year and great advice on propagation from one of the head gardeners at Glyndbourne.

This Saturday morning it's the Gardeners' Corner summer phone-in with Helen Mark. Joining Helen to answer your calls are Barbara Pilcher and Brendan Little who will also be talking about seasonal planting and gardening tips for the week.

Join Helen Mark and the Gardeners' Corner phone-in team on Saturday morning after the 9.00 o'clock news. Ann Fitzsimons and Brendan Little are in the studio to take 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). Lots of good gardening advice throughout the programme and a chance to hear Ann and Brendan telling Helen about the plants they have brought into the studio and how to grow them well.

This week in Gardeners’ Corner Helen Mark is joined in the phone in studio by Averil Milligan and Maurice Parkinson.

In this week's Gardeners' Corner, Helen Mark talks to botanical artist Diana Oxlade and her husband Eddie about their new book, Fifty Weeds, a visit to Botanic Gardens Palm House is a colour packed sensory experience and Conrad McCormick plants out his dahlias and canna lilies. Also in the programme Mark Patterson takes timely advice from Gareth Austin in his Derry allotment and Ann Fitzsimons joins Helen in the studio with armfuls of plants to talk about how to fill the June gap with colour for the herbaceous border. That's Gardeners' Corner on Saturday morning just after the 9 o'clock news on BBC Radio Ulster.

Join Helen Mark and Reg Maxwell for lots of good gardening advice and enjoy two very different garden visits in this week’s Gardeners’ Corner.

Gardeners’ Corner roadshow visits Cookstown as guests of 'Victim Support NI'.

Neil Porteous and Barbara Pilcher join Helen to answer your gardening queries.

In Gardeners' Corner this week David Maxwell visits the Chelsea Flower Show to find out more about the gardening passions and know-how of designers, growers and celebrities. Dame Judi Dench launches a beautiful apricot rose named after her, Radio 2's Jo Wiley talks about the Radio 2 sensory garden and local designer Ian Price shows David around his Mindtrap garden for which he was delighted to be awarded gold. Glorious gardening from Chelsea this week and also in the programme Helen Mark visits a suburban garden back in Belfast to hear how to pack the plants in for brilliant effect.

David Maxwell visits a beautiful garden in Omagh, best described as heaven for wildlife. He is guided by owners Sir Bob and Lady Salisbury around the woodland areas, formal gardens, and ponds, all of which have encouraged native wildlife from birds to rabbits, otters and hedgehogs, just to name a few. Also in the programme, Helen Mark discovers a secret woodland garden in the hills of Cairncastle and enjoys the company of Moira Concannon and Lesley Simpson, who garden together at Balloo, Killinchy, where their plant-packed garden is open under the National Trust's Ulster Gardens Scheme.

In Gardeners' Corner this week with David Maxwell, gardening writer and broadcaster Joe Swift reveals what he loves about his back garden in London. Also in the programme Cherry Townsend explains how to grow cut flowers successfully, Jim Bradley on the beauty of ground cover geraniums and Conrad McCormick talks us through preparing Canna Lilies for late summer.

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

Helen Mark takes the Gardeners’ Corner Roadshow to Holywood Library.

Averil Milligan and Reg Maxwell sort out listeners' queries, from mossy lawns to wandering cats

In this week's Gardeners' Corner, David Maxwell visits Rowallane to enjoy the beauty of rhododendrons and azaleas happily growing there. He also finds out from local designer Ian Price the thinking behind his garden for this year's Chelsea Flower Show. Also in the programme, David Love Cameron and Barbara Pilcher share their love of seasonal herbs and veg, and Ann Fitzsimons reveals her favourite plants associated with Easter.

Helen Mark and Brendan Little visit a plant packed garden in Omagh and Helen finds out about growing succulents from Conrad McCormick