Its safe to say that many of our gardens are a little damp at the moment with a run of many wet months here in Ireland. When its like that the garden may not seem like an enticing place however there is still lots to be done and work done now will really set your garden up for success next spring and summer.   Ever wondered how to guard your bird feeders from predators or attract a variety of birds with diverse food? Stick with us as we spill the secrets and share the importance of a water...

What are the best hedges for your garden?  The answer to that is wide and in order for you to choose the best hedge you should ask a few questions first.  Do I want evergreen or deciduous ?Purpose of the hedge ? Shelter, Noise filter, support biodiversity, frame your garden, create a room or space within your garden etc. What height do I want it to grow to?What is my soil like? wet/dry etcSituation ? inland / costalHow many times per year does it need to be cut? can I manage this number of...

In this weeks super episode the topic is Daffodils and other bulbs with Dave & Jules from  Esker Farm Daffodils Gardening enthusiasts, prepare to be dazzled by the delightful world of daffodils as we walk you through the fields of Esker Farm Daffodils in Co Tyrone with guests  Dave & Jules Hardy. Dave & Jules  are dedicated growers and are set to divulge the fascinating details of nurturing over 800 unique varieties of daffodils. From a humble hobby to a flourishing business,...

What if you could transform your windswept hill into a serene shelter with just the right selection of trees? This intriguing possibility is the core of this weeks episode when're John answers a listeners question. Peggy from County Cavan asks what fast growing trees she can use to to create shelter in her garden which is situated on a windswept hill.  We venture into the realm of horticultural wisdom, explaining why conventional choices like poplars may not be the best fit for a windswept...

Ever wondered how to pick the perfect small trees for your small garden? Well, you're in for a treat! We help a listener, Susie, navigate the complexities of choosing the best plants for her cottage garden. Touching on two potential picks - the beautiful John Downey crab apple tree and the unique Cornus Controversa variagata (the wedding cake tree), we explore how to gauge their potential growth sizes and manage their development effectively. If you've ever been in Susie's shoes, struggling...

This weeks John chats with Jennifer Jewell gardener, garden writer & podcaster  all about her latest book. "What We Sow" It is an enlightening discussion with Jennifer which takes us through her book and in doing so touches on so many areas of gardening. Jennifer's latest book, 'What We Sow,' delves into the profound personal, ecological, and cultural significance of seeds. A journey through her book uncovers the wide-reaching implications of seed production and distribution on our...

In this weeks episode John looks at spring flowering bulbs and offers top tips to ensure you get the most from your bulbs. With bulbs it is very hard to fail so even novice Gardners can make great displays.  Are you ready to transform your garden into a spring wonderland? Guaranteeing to cover everything you need to know about autumn planting, spring flowering bulbs, this episode is a must-listen for both novice and seasoned gardeners. We will walk you through the process step by step,...

In this weeks episode John chats with Ciaran Fitzgerald head gardener of Johnstown Castle Estate all about the gardens and the restoration that is ongoing down there. Prepare to embark on a captivating journey through the breathtaking grounds of Johnstown Castle Estate with Ciaran Fitzgerald, the man tasked with preserving its grandeur. Ciaran, head gardener of this magnificent castle estate in County Wexford, Ireland, shares the triumphs, challenges, and painstaking efforts behind the...

After the poor weather through July and August summer planters, window boxes and hanging baskets are not looking their best. In fact they never really got a chance to shine this year and now as the days are getting shorter they are looking worst for wear. So now is a good time to freshen up those planters to brighten your patio or front door from now through to next spring.  Can you imagine your outdoor spaces filled with vibrant colours and striking foliage in the depths of winter? What if...

Ready to embark on a captivating journey into the world of mushroom cultivation and their medicinal properties? We've got you covered! Join us as we welcome the dynamic owners of Gaelic Fungi Farm, Michael and Eilís, who reveal the intricate process of growing medicinal mushrooms like Lion's Mane and Turkey Tail. Discover how these healthy fungi are gaining popularity and the beautiful culture behind starting a mushroom farm. Imagine balancing a unique lifestyle with the hands-on process of...

Prepare to be transported into the luscious world of gardening and food with our guest, Tom Doorley. Acclaimed journalist, broadcaster, food critic, and Sunday Times garden columnist.  Tom invites us to relish in his tales of soil, seeds, and serenity. He unfolds his journey from his roots, growing up with gardening parents, to his current position as a highly respected garden columnist. Along the way, he sprinkles illuminating insights into his love for plants, herbs, and the captivating...

In this weeks episode of Master My Garden podcast John looks at what to sow in the September vegetable garden.  We still hopefully have lots of great harvests coming from our vegetable gardens crops like onions, potatoes, garlic , cabbage, cauliflower coming out or do to be harvested soon. It is important to get these bare spaces filled back in with new crops for the Autumn and beyond.  September really is the last chance to sow this year and the list of what we can sow is reducing...

In this weeks episode John answers a listeners question. How to create a wildflower meadow / patch from scratch? We look at the distinctions between native Irish wildflowers and cultivated flowers used in floral meadows.  Listen to us as we map the path to your dream meadow. We tap into the wisdom of Sandra Cofola Irish Wildflower expert, sharing valuable insights from previous episodes, and discuss how wildflower meadows influence biodiversity. In this episode, we'll navigate through the...

What if you could transform your garden into a stunning display of color and fragrance, simply by sowing your own seeds? Join me as I revisit the perennials I sowed last autumn, revealing the secrets to their success and the benefits of creating your own perennial border from seed. From the importance of aeration when autumn sowing to the correct sowing techniques, we'll delve into the practical aspects of sowing your own flower seeds. While listing 10 flowers we can sow from seed this...

In this weeks episode a listener asks a question about how to safely save rainwater for use in her Potager garden. John Looks at all the pros and cons of harvesting rainwater and gives the tips to ensure you are are saving water safely.  Ever considered the benefits of rainwater for your garden? Prepare to discover how this natural resource can be a sustainable and effective alternative to mains water, offsetting dry periods and being much better for your plants. This episode also...

In this weeks episode of Master My Garden podcast John looks at what to sow in the August vegetable garden. August is generally is a month great harvests in our vegetable gardens. Great harvest means bare space when crops like onions, potatoes, garlic , cabbage, cauliflower etc come out. It is important to get these bare spaces filled back in with new crops for the Autumn and beyond. When it comes to what we can sow in August the variety of seeds that we can actually sow is reducing...

In this weeks episode John chats with Julie Anne Kelly The Soulful Gardener who has a fantastic garden in Ballinakill Co Laois which was featured on Irelands Garden Heros. John & Julie Anne, chat about wildflowers meadows, cut flowers gardens, drying flowers, therapeutic horticulture, sustainability, up-cycling and much more. Julie is opening her garden on Sunday 30th July with all money raised going to charity you can find the garden at Eircode R32D2H4 or to follow Julie-Anne The...

Is it too late to take softwood cuttings? That was a listener query from last week.   Technically mid-July is a little late if you follow textbook rules, however, I have always found that they will root perfect at this stage of the year.   What will I need to take softwood cuttings?   An airy growing media you can mix perlite through to add air to the rootzone.  A plastic zip lock bag to put cuttings in straight away to avoid transpiration.  Rooting powder is useful but not essential. Small...

In this weeks episode John is joined by Harry from Kilkenny Architectural salvage to chat about all the treasures they have for gardeners. There are some great topics covered including how we should reuse more and not be so quick to send our "stuff" to landfill after it is no longer useful to us. We also chat about the many treats Kilkenny Architectural salvage have for gardeners. The best sellers from that list and much more !! Your can find Kilkenny Architectural salvage...

In this weeks episode of Master My Garden podcast John looks at what to sow in July and other gardening jobs. July is a month when all our vegetable beds are heaving with produce and space for new crops can be at a premium. It is important to keep sowing so you will have plants to go in after you harvest your onions, potatoes and other crops. This will ensure you have supply right through to the autumn and winter. Sow what can we sow in July ? Direct sowing outside:   Carrots making...

Do you consider the environment when you buy garden equipment?   Having visited a garden trade show this week John chats about garden equipment, and how some equipment which we might perceive as environmentally friendly because, for example, the name says 100% recycled may not be environmentally friendly.   At the show John came across many companies talking about and highlighting products made from recycled material but are these products always environmentally friendly?  Is everything as it...

In this week's episode John chats with Gareth Austin.     Gareth is based in Donegal and is a superb gardener with many strings to his bow which we talk about. We centre the episode on growing food which Gareth does on a larger scale to feed family and friends all year round.    He also provides garden commentary with BBC Northern Ireland, is a Horticulture Instructor with Donegal ETB and has a master's in organic horticulture.    Gareth is a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture...

John is joined by Diarmuid Gavin show ambassador for Garden Show Ireland to chat about the show and the recently completed Coronation Garden Diarmuid completed.  Garden Show Ireland returns to Antrim Castle Gardens The three-day gardening extravaganza takes place from 16-18 June 2023 Now in its 19th year, the show runs from Friday 16 – Sunday 18 June and is expected to attract some 30,000 visitors across the weekend. Northern Ireland’s largest gardening festival, the horticulture showcase is...

In this week's episode John answers, a listener's question which comes from Imelda Morice. The question is as follows.     Imelda here from France, we spoke several months ago at the time of your 100th podcast!   We own a house and garden in Ireland, in Mayo on the coast, and we need to change the fence around the garden. I have never done this before and I am anxious to avoid mistakes that I might regret later. The present fence is made of timber, (I have photos if you wish to see them) it...

What seeds can I sow in June? That is the topic of this week's episode and John looks at what seeds you can sow in your vegetable garden in the month of June.   When we start the year the number of different seeds, we can sow increases month by month right up to May being the month where we can sow most seeds. When we get into June, however, our list starts to get smaller again. So, what can we sow in June?   Direct sowing outside:   Carrots Parsnip (early in June last...