Gardeners' Corner

As wintry showers return, Gardeners’ Corner heads to the snow-dusted Sperrins where David Maxwell visits Andrew Shannon, whose country garden has a modern creative twist. Known on social media as The Artful Gardener, Andrew reveals how the plot once tended by his grandparents now inspires his seasonal animations.
At Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, David meets Colin Agnew as he reflects on 45 years of gardening there ahead of his retirement next week, including the remarkable cactus he grew from seed as a young apprentice which now almost reaches the glasshouse roof.
In Limavady, Gordon Toner explains his decades-long passion for alpine plants, a fascination that has earned him nearly 250 gold medals. And in studio, expert Anna Hudson brings seasonal inspiration from Ballywalter Estate and answers listeners’ questions on compost and tackling the invasive weed horsetail.
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This week, David Maxwell heads to Hillsborough Castle where thousands of daffodils are in bloom. Head gardener, Claire Woods explains how this versatile spring bulb can be grown in containers, borders and lawns. Nearby, enthusiast Richard McCaw has been growing and showing daffodils since 1989. He shows David where his new varieties begin life in a little plot of land behind his home. At Laurelbank Farm in County Down, Jo Facer is bringing in the harvest. It's something she does on her market garden 52 weeks of the year. Jo reveals two crops that are well worth the effort - beetroot and kale. Ann FitzSimons will join David in studio to answer questions and provide some seasonal inspiration. Contact the programme on [email protected]

David Maxwell visits the historic Annesley Walled Garden in Castlewellan Forest Park as it reopens to the public. The garden, which dates back to the mid-18th century, has been closed for two years while £1.3 million of improvement works were carried out. Head gardener Alwyn Sinnamon shows David the work done to the long borders and the gleaming glasshouses, restored to their former glory. David also explores the rediscovered Bog Garden and Rhododendron Wood. Adam Frost reveals his bulb for March, and there’s a visit to the Alpine House in Kew Gardens, which is celebrating its 20th birthday. In the studio, gardening expert Claire McNally joins David to answer questions, while wildlife expert Katy Bell uncovers the secret world of dragonflies. Contact the programme at [email protected]

With spring just around the corner David Maxwell heads to a community garden in Strabane, County Tyrone which will be getting quite the facelift this year. As it operates a Trussell foodbank, it has been selected as the permanent home for the charity's show garden at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. David meets some of those who use the garden space and he chats to designer Rob Hardy about his plans. Also on the programme, a visit to Ballyrobert Cottage Garden where spring flowers and bulbs are announcing a change of season and Rosie Maye joins David in studio to answer questions and provide some inspiration for the season. Contact the programme - [email protected]

As Chinese New Year begins, presenter David Maxwell encounters an orchid covered dragon at the 30th annual Orchid Festival in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He chats to Soléne Dequiret in the Princess of Wales Conservatory about what it takes to create this giant display with over 3000 orchids. Gardening writer Julianne Robertson reveals what it takes to keep moth orchids happy in our homes. Nicola Kenny visits a new community garden taking root in north Belfast thanks to funding from Kew and Amy Kelly explains how to kick-start early seed sowing with the help of propagators and heated mats. Anna Hudson joins David in studio to answer questions and bring some seasonal inspiration from the garden at Ballywalter. Contact the programme [email protected]