Ever found yourself in the garden, glaring at a slimy trail that once was your favorite lettuce? Well, you're not alone in this snail saga gardeners have always had a continuous battle with slugs and snails. This spring is not going to be any different with all the wet weather over the last number of months coupled with a mild winter, slugs and snails will be out in force.  In this weeks episode, I share the gritty details of the war on slugs.  From clean gardening practices  which help. How to build up your natural garden ecosystem.  We navigate all the treatment methods ..read more

In this weeks episode John chats with Des Doyle, garden designer, course creator and now author all about his new book "Growing Beauty". The conversation goes in many directions as Des sharing his gardening knowledge with us, we delve into sustainability, garden design, great plant combinations, gardening for mental health and so much more. Discover the transformative power of gardening with the wisdom of Des Doyle, who returns to grace our show following his memorable insights from episode 53. With his new book "Growing Beauty" in hand, Des takes us on an intimate tour of his personal garden ..read more

In this weeks episode John looks at what we can sow in the April vegetable garden and other gardening jobs.  April is the month when seed sowing is at its peak with lots on the sowing list for this month.  We can begin sowing and planting outside once conditions allow. In some areas and especially in colder parts of Ireland frosts are still prevalent and will be until perhaps mid May so again proceed with caution.  If planting out veg later in the month if possible give it some form of protection from the elements using fleece or bio-netting. Some seeds drop off the sowing list ..read more

In this weeks episode John chats with TJ Maher Patthana garden about his new book. Join us as we chat with TJ , whose dual passions for art and gardening have culminated in his latest masterpiece of a book, "Grounded in the Garden." This episode is a kaleidoscope of insights into how TJ's painterly eye has transformed his own space, where his adept use of colour and form creates a living canvas that is the beautiful Patthana Garden. With the spellbinding imagery of Jason Ingram and Clive Nichols featured in his book, TJ guides us through the nuances of crafting a garden that is as aesthetical ..read more

In this weeks episode John is joined by Galway based garden designer Edel Feighery to chat about all things garden design. From How to start a garden? To planning and design Tips and everything in between. Have you ever gazed at your garden, wondering how to transform it into a personal refuge that mirrors your own story? Let's embark on that journey together with Edel  garden designer whose roots in a midlands farm have blossomed into a business crafting bespoke garden sanctuaries for her clients. In today's episode, Edel shares the evolution of her career from a tranquil pursuit durin ..read more

In this weeks episode John is joined by award winning garden designer Peter Donegan to hear the story of Peter's Gold medal at last years Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.  We also chat about Peter's exciting entry into Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show with his garden titled " A Moment In Time". Join the conversation with the incredible Peter Donegan, acclaimed Irish garden designer, as he makes his third appearance with us to share the triumphs and trials of his journey at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Peter's narratives are steeped ..read more

What vegetable seeds to sow in the month of March? That's the topic on this weeks episode.  The days are getting longer and the seed sowing list for March is also increasing. The big point to note is March is often described as "March of many weathers" and because of that we need to take care of our tender seedlings and young plants in the coming weeks.  Here is a list of some of what I will be sowing during the month ahead. Seed I am sowing Indoor in Module trays for Planting out In April.   Spinach, Lettuce, Scallions/Spring Onion, Early cabbage, Early Cauliflower, Calabrese ..read more

In this weeks episode John looks at summer flowering bulbs and bareroot perennial plants that you can plant now for an high colour garden this year.  Summer Flowering bulbs available now include:  Dahalias Lillium  Gladiolus Anemones Ranunculus Rudbeckias  Then when it comes to bareroot perennials the list is endless at the moment and includes: Salvias Verbena  Geum Lupin Geraniums  Dierama and many many more. Buying perennials bareroot will ensure strong plants that flower this year and will be much more cost effective than buying mature plants.  Imagi ..read more

Can I create my garden on an old stone drive? This is one part of a listener question from long time listener Stephen Daly. Like many of us in Ireland our houses are surrounded by driveways which in many cases are too big leaving the workable garden feeling separate to our homes. With a stone drive to be changed Stephen wonders does he need to start from scratch or can there be an easier, more cost affective method ? Listen in as John answers this in a way that might help many other who are considering changing the layout of their own garden or improving what is already there. For those of ..read more

In this weeks episode John chats with Paul Smyth Head Gardener of RHSI Bellefield. Paul was previously on the podcast almost a year ago in episode 160 which you can listen to here  https://www.buzzsprout.com/857398/12168966 In this episode one year on from the episode 160 we chat aboiut how Paul is putting his own stamp on Bellefield after beginning there in December 2022. There are as you would expect lots of developments including a no-dig veg and cut flower garden.  Paul along with the RHSI have lots events and open weekends and days planned for 2024 building on the success of the ..read more