Keeping the garden going when you’re away, Botanic gardens summer highlights and Knockbreda Community Garden opens

07/08/22 • 56 min

Just a few days after the summer solstice and it’s all go in the garden. From growing fig trees in pots, to spooky webs in shrubs; David Maxwell takes questions from listeners in this week’s gardening programme. Also on the show, with summer holidays on the horizon, Amy Kelly has tips on keeping the garden going when you’re gone. David visits the Global Medicinal Garden and the sunken garden at Belfast’s Botanic gardens and as Knockbreda Community and Wildlife garden prepares to open, David meets some of the dedicated volunteers who have turned an unloved allotment site into a haven for people and wildlife.

Previous Episode

Secret gardens of Loughgall, painting plants and giant water lilies

It’s not every day you get permission to nosy around someone else’s garden, let alone 24 private gardens in a small village, but that’s what’s happening in Loughgall this weekend. It’s all part of the Secret Gardens weekend. David gets a preview of a view of the gardens opening for a good cause. Also on the programme, the art of painting plants. David meets botanical artist Ali Walker who explains her endless fascination with flora and a visit to Belfast’s Botanic Gardens where the team are getting ready for summer. David will also be joined live by Averil Milligan and Ciaran Mulholland who will answer listener questions. Email – [email protected]

Next Episode

A Greek vegetable odyssey, cloud pruning and tree of the month

This week David gets a masterclass in the art of cloud pruning. He finds out why it's time to abandon precision pruning and spirit level accuracy for something more freestyle, natural and altogether less stressful. Also on the programme, the listener who wants to turn bumpy apples into a bumper crop, Tony Kirkham selects his tree of the month at the Chelsea Physic Garden and why organic grower Klaus Laitenberger is on a Greek Odyssey to find forgotten veg. You can contact David and the team on [email protected]