A warm, rain-soaked week and a thoughtful listener email sparked a timely deep dive into a familiar garden tension: how do you build a biodiversity-rich space that everyone agrees looks beautiful? We take you step by step through turning a former lawn into a living ecosystem, balancing what pollinators need with what people want to see. If you’ve ever faced the “it looks messy” critique, this guide offers design moves that flip the script without sacrificing wildlife value.

We start by resetting expectations around wildflower meadows, especially those sown over ex-lawn. Without an existing seed bank, grass dominates and colour can lag. The fixes are practical and patient: keep removing cuttings to lower fertility, use yellow rattle to weaken grass, and scarify pockets for targeted sowing. Then, make the space legible. Mown paths and a small seating or yoga circle instantly signal intent, invite people into the habitat, and create daily contact with bees, birds and seed heads.

For early-season colour that truly helps wildlife, we champion a smart mix of native stalwarts and pollinator-friendly non-natives. Plant bluebells, crocus, muscari, snowdrops and daffodils in generous drifts where they’ll be seen. Add camassias for height and impact in grass, wood anemone in shade, and native primrose for soft, spreading bloom. To elevate the whole garden, bring in structure: crab apples like Malus ‘Evereste’ for blossom and fruit, willows for vital spring catkins, and sorbus for autumn berries. A wildlife pond multiplies life further, and herb-rich borders with rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon balm and borage keep nectar flowing while feeding your kitchen.

Layer in small habitat features—dead hedges, sand banks for solitary bees, bug hotels, bird feeders—and you’ll shift from “wildflower patch” to a functioning ecosystem. Along the way, we share how to tell the garden’s story so sceptical partners and neighbours can see the purpose behind the look. Subscribe for more practical, seasonal tips, share this with a friend planning a meadow, and leave a review with your favourite early pollinator plant—we’ll feature the best picks on a future show.

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If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

A single pepper from a Ukrainian market changed everything. That first bite—thick flesh, layered sweetness, a whisper of heat—sent us and our guest, Adam Alexander (the Seed Detective), down a path that connects flavour, resilience and the quiet power of gardeners who save seed. This is a celebration of living varieties that learn your soil and light, improve with each season, and taste far better than supermarket sameness.

We dig into the craft of selection: saving seed from the earliest, most delicious fruit; nudging a greenhouse pepper into a hardy outdoor staple; balancing the vigour of certain F1s with the adaptability of open-pollinated landraces. Adam shares why buying from local seed growers accelerates success, how heterogeneous populations handle rough seasons, and when hybrids still earn a place—think months of calabrese side shoots without the cauliflower glut.

The stories travel far. Ethiopia’s agroforestry and deep crop heritage overturn clichés about scarcity. Albania’s astonishing flora and vegetable landraces showcase Europe’s hidden diversity. A Danish enthusiast breeds an outdoor aubergine over a dozen years; a Catalan pea becomes a towering, sweet staple; an Albanian oxheart tomato yields kilos of passata and a reminder that taste can drive conservation. Threaded through it all is a simple truth: gardeners are part of the solution. Each saved seed reinforces genetic diversity, strengthens local food security, and preserves culture—one swap, one season, one delicious meal at a time.

If you care about flavour, climate resilience, and independence from fragile seed supply chains, this conversation offers practical steps and inspiring examples to start now. Subscribe, share with a grower friend, and leave a review to help more gardeners become seed heroes. What variety will you save this year?

Adam's latest book "The Accidental Seed Heroes" is out now you can visit Adams website here

https://theseeddetective.co.uk/my-book/

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If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

What if your garden boundary could feed you, shelter wildlife, and still keep a clean line against the field next door? We dive into the art of building an edible hedge that does real work: a thorny native backbone for structure and stock-proofing, layered with fruiting shrubs, nuts, and small trees that lift harvests through the seasons. Starting with hawthorn and blackthorn as the core, we show how holly adds winter presence and bird food, while hazel punctuates the run with future nut crops. Then we take the hedge vertical, spacing crab apple, damson, and standard apples on vigorous rootstocks to rise above the canopy for blossom, colour, and reliable fruit.

From there, it’s all about diversity and placement. We weave in dog rose for hips and habitat, aronia for hardy berries, and elder for flowers and fruit that thrive in hedgerow conditions. Classic soft fruits like raspberries, currants, and blackberries fit in as generous pockets, joined by quince and hardy hybrids such as jostaberry and loganberry. The key is management: avoid boxy clipping, prune after fruiting, and let the hedge breathe so flowering wood stays intact. Expect early nibbles by year two and a full, productive screen by years three to five.

We also share practical sourcing tips for bare-root season, from native hedging bundles to fruit tree choices that handle late frosts. Throughout, the focus stays on function meeting beauty: a boundary that’s tough enough for cattle on the other side, yet alive with blossom, birds, and harvests on yours. If you’re ready to turn a fence line into a food line and a biodiversity corridor, this guide will get you planting with confidence.

Enjoyed the show? Follow, share with a gardener friend, and leave a review to help more growers find us. Got a question or a plant you swear by for hedges? Tell us—we might feature it next time.

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If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

The garden might look like it’s winding down, but this is where the smart gains happen. We dig into why autumn gives trees and shrubs a head start: soil stays warm, air cools, energy shifts below ground, and roots quietly get to work while you do less. If you’ve ever been told to wait for spring, you’ll hear exactly how that advice costs time, water, and success.

I walk through the plant physiology that makes September to November a sweet spot for establishment, then compare it with the realities of spring planting when leaves are pushing, transpiration spikes, and the hose becomes a constant chore. You’ll learn when container-grown plants excel, how root-balled evergreens fit into late autumn, and why the bare-root season is unbeatable value for hedging, fruit, and deciduous trees. We cover simple, low-effort steps: site prep, planting depth, firming soil, one good water-in, staking properly, and adding a light mulch to stabilise moisture.

For newer gardeners planning a first hedge or feature tree, this is your green light to act before winter. I also share quick grow-along updates, from uneven germination to sneaky slugs under trays, plus what to do next without panicking about slow seeds. Looking ahead, we’ve got seed saving, a deep dive on bare-root planting, and our annual Christmas gifts for gardeners special, where I’m inviting one female and one male listener to come on and share their lists.

If this helped you rethink your garden calendar, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s itching to plant, and leave a quick review so more gardeners find us. Got gift ideas or want to be on the gifts episode? Message me on Instagram or email info@mastermygarden.com.

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

A windswept island garden, a storm‑proof polycrub, and a no‑dig mindset that turns soil into a living engine—this conversation with Lovely Greens’ Tanya Anderson is a masterclass in practical, organic resilience. We head to the Isle of Man to unpack how climate shapes design, why keeping crops low beats the wind, and how a Shetland‑born polycrub unlocks peppers and aubergines where summer heat rarely arrives. Along the way, we explore wood chip paths that become compost, perennial borders that anchor slopes and shelter life, and the subtle art of knowing when to trust predators and when to step in.

Tanya’s story begins with a simple blog that grew into a thriving platform for organic gardening, DIY garden projects, and creative plant use. We talk about soil health in plain terms—compost as structure and nutrition, comfrey and nettle teas as slow power, and fungi as partners rather than mysteries. No‑dig gets an honest appraisal: fewer weeds if your margins are tight, more seedlings if you embrace wildflowers, and a real conversation about the cost and sourcing of compost. It’s not dogma; it’s a flexible system you adapt to your site, your back, and your goals.

We also dive into the hard bit: New Zealand flatworm. If you garden in wet, cool climates, this pest can erase your earthworms and tip the food web off balance. Tanya shares how she traps during breeding windows, protects undisturbed, mulched zones for worms, and keeps an eye on alternatives like biochar barriers—all while building an ecosystem that can recover. The joy returns with perennials like Taunton Deane kale, Welsh onions, artichokes, and yacón, plus the creativity of turning calendula and chamomile into gentle soap and skincare. That loop—grow, use, and give back—runs through her book A Woman’s Garden and her soap‑making courses.

If you’re curious about resilient organic gardening, storm‑smart structures, and making more from what you grow, you’ll feel right at home here. Subscribe, share this episode with a gardener who loves a challenge, and leave a review to tell us how you’re adapting your space this season.

You can visit Tanya's website Lovely Greens here:

https://lovelygreens.com

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Your home can feel calmer in minutes—no renovation, no paint—just smarter, kinder plant choices. We sat down with Louise Ryan, plant lover and founder of Sunfleck in Dungarvan, to unpack how indoor greenery genuinely lowers stress, shapes better rooms, and becomes a deeply personal part of daily life. Louise brings the science and the soul: from the psychology of green and texture to practical steps that stop plant funerals.

We dig into the essentials: how to judge your light properly, why distance from the window matters more than you think, and the simple truth that most of us overwater. You’ll hear resilient picks for awkward spaces—snake plants for cold lofts, Chinese evergreens and dracaena for restful bedrooms, pothos for soft movement near the bed—and the best “bulletproof” gifts when you don’t know where the plant will live. Louise shares her watering rule (every two weeks or more, with real drying between), the case for gentle seaweed foliar feeding, and why refreshing soil often beats fertiliser. Orchids get a reality check too: bark over compost, bright but gentle light, and patience between blooms. Prefer colour without the drama? Try anthuriums for long‑lasting flowers and lush leaves.

Sunfleck isn’t just a shop; it’s a sensory space built to help people feel better—full‑spectrum lighting, natural scents, water sounds, and calm advice without judgment. We talk classes for beginners, corporate wellness talks, and the beloved “plant hospital,” where plants and treasured gifts get a second life. If you’ve ever said you don’t have green fingers, this conversation will change your mind—skills beat superstition, and the right plant in the right place does the rest.

If this episode helps you rethink your rooms, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a quick review so more plant‑curious listeners can find us.

You can find Louise here: https://sunfleck.ie

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email:  info@mastermygarden.com   

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John  

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Ever wondered how to create a garden that works with nature rather than against it? In this captivating conversation, filmmaker and permaculture practitioner Shane Hatton shares the remarkable evolution of Bosco's Garden in County Kilkenny – a living laboratory where permaculture principles have created a thriving ecosystem.

Shane's journey began simply with a polytunnel and a raised bed in 2012, experiencing the typical failures and successes of a beginning gardener. The watershed moment came in 2020 when he dug his first wildlife pond, setting off a chain reaction that transformed both his garden and his approach to growing. What started as conventional growing with potato drills shifted dramatically when Shane discovered no-dig gardening methods, layering cardboard, compost, and woodchip to create beds that required less water while yielding better harvests.

The heart of this episode explores how permaculture's core ethics – earth care, people care, and fair share – guide every decision in the garden. Shane explains the zone system (organizing plants based on how frequently they need attention) and the principle that every element should serve multiple functions. The results speak for themselves: hedgehogs now naturally control slugs, birds manage caterpillars on brassicas, and the garden has achieved a remarkable ecological balance without chemical interventions.

Particularly fascinating is Shane's shift away from commercial market gardening toward a more perennial food forest approach. His experiences highlight an essential truth: sometimes the best gardening action is patience and trust in natural systems. When caterpillars recently decimated his Brussels sprouts, resisting the urge to intervene allowed blue tits to discover and eliminate the problem completely within days.

Beyond his own garden, Shane now documents other remarkable permaculture and regenerative projects across Ireland through his YouTube channel. These videos offer viewers unprecedented access to some of the country's most innovative growing spaces and the passionate people behind them.

Whether you're curious about permaculture, interested in no-dig gardening, or simply want to create a more harmonious growing space, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who has walked the path from conventional growing to regenerative abundance. Subscribe to the Master My Garden podcast for more conversations that will transform your relationship with your garden.

You can check out Shane's channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@BoscosGarden

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Autumn's fiery display has arrived slightly earlier this year in Irish gardens, with drought-stressed trees and shrubs responding to recent winds and rain by transforming their foliage into spectacular shades of red, orange, and gold. This timing creates the perfect opportunity to witness these botanical performers at their peak and introduce them to your own garden landscape.

This episode reveals my carefully curated list of ten exceptional plants for autumn color, divided between shrubs and trees, each selected for reliability, visual impact, and often, multiple seasons of interest. Among the shrubby standouts, discover why Cornus kousa 'China Girl' was this year's Bloom festival sensation, how Euonymus alatus delivers weeks of vivid red display, and which varieties of Berberis offer tough, reliable autumn color even in challenging conditions. For larger spaces, learn about classic performers like Liquidambar (now available in compact forms for smaller gardens), the shelter-loving Japanese maples with their quintessential deep reds, and my personal favorite, Quercus rubra (Red Oak), which develops increasingly magnificent displays as it matures.

Beyond leaf color, we explore plants offering autumn berry interest, from spectacular Pyracantha walls to reliable Cotoneaster displays. You'll discover which plants combine multiple seasons of appeal—spring flowers, summer structure, autumn color, and winter interest—to maximize your garden's year-round visual impact.

The message is clear: don't just admire these autumn stars in other gardens or nurseries. Now is the ideal planting time to secure these performers for your own landscape. Garden centers are currently showcasing these seasonal beauties, including exciting new varieties perfect for smaller spaces. By investing in autumn-interest plants today, you're ensuring your garden will celebrate rather than surrender to autumn's arrival for years to come.

For those following our perennial grow-along, send your questions about germination, growing conditions and next steps to info@mastermygarden.com, and join our YouTube live session on Monday at 8pm for comprehensive answers as we nurture the next generation of garden stars together.

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Imagine transforming your garden with a beautiful perennial border—all grown from seed at a fraction of the cost of buying established plants. This episode kicks off our exciting Perennial Grow Along project, guiding you through the entire journey from seed to spectacular flowering plants.

Growing perennials from seed isn't just economical; it fills gardeners with immense pride. There's something truly special about nurturing a tiny seed into a magnificent flowering plant that will grace your garden for years to come. Whether you're planning to expand your borders, add color to new areas, or simply experience the joy of growing, this project offers something for everyone.

We break down exactly what you'll need to get started: perennial seeds of your choice, suitable growing media, seed trays (or improvised containers), and labels. You'll learn about selecting the right varieties for your conditions, including both cultivated flowers and native wildflowers. Featured plants include English lavender, Verbena bonariensis, Salvia 'Blue Queen', Rudbeckia, Lupins, and more—each offering unique colors and characteristics for your garden.

The grow along follows a simple structure. Starting with a comprehensive sowing demonstration on YouTube (September 15th), we'll progress through germination, pricking out seedlings, growing on through winter, and finally planting out next summer. Live Q&A sessions will address your specific challenges, ensuring everyone succeeds regardless of experience level.

Don't miss this opportunity to create something beautiful and lasting for your garden while developing valuable skills. Subscribe to Master My Garden on YouTube to catch all the videos, and send your questions to info@mastermygarden.com for our live sessions. Join us as we grow together and transform our gardens one seed at a time!

The perennial seed I will grow in this challenge are:

• Achillea millefolium 'F2 Summer Berries' 
• Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' 
• Salvia x superba 'Blue Queen' 
• Lupinus x russellii ‘The Pages’  
• Verbena bonariensis  
• Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow' 
• Gaura lindheimeri ‘Emmeline Pink Bouquet' 
• Erigeron karvinskianus 'Profusion' 
• Echinacea hybrida 'Paradiso Tall Mix' 
• Lavandula angustifolia 'Lavender Vera'
• Native Oc Eye Daisy
• Native St.John's Worth
• Native Marjoram
• Native Birds Foot Trefoil
• Native Greater Knapweed
• Native Campion

Subscribe to Master My Garden on YouTube for updates 

https://www.youtube.com/@mastermygarden9542/featured

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Gardening isn't static—it evolves as we learn, as plants grow, and as our vision for our outdoor spaces changes. Today's episode tackles the art and science of moving plants within your garden, a skill that frees you to redesign without starting over or breaking the bank.

We begin by exploring the foundational principle of "right plant, right place" that should guide your initial planting decisions. Understanding your garden's conditions and matching them to plant requirements can prevent the need for transplanting altogether. But gardens change, and sometimes plants need to find new homes within our spaces.

The timing of transplanting proves crucial for success. The dormant season—November through February—offers the ideal window when plants are less susceptible to shock. Perennials like lupins, verbena, and geraniums can be easily moved during this period, while larger woody plants require more careful consideration and technique.

Mycorrhizal fungi emerges as the secret weapon for successful transplanting. This natural ally forms a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, increasing their ability to absorb water and nutrients. Applied at planting time, it significantly improves establishment rates and helps mitigate transplant shock.

For larger specimens like trees and shrubs, we delve into specific techniques to preserve as much of the root system as possible, reduce top growth to decrease demands on the compromised roots, and provide proper aftercare. Container plants present their own challenges, particularly when root-bound, and we cover how to correct circular root patterns before planting.

Whether you're making minor adjustments to perennial placement or undertaking the significant challenge of moving a mature magnolia, understanding these principles and techniques will transform your approach to garden design. Your plants deserve this second chance, and with our guidance, they'll thrive in their new locations.

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Wondering what to plant as summer wanes? Don't put away those seed packets just yet! September offers the perfect conditions for establishing winter-hardy crops that will provide fresh harvests throughout the coldest months.

This episode explores the often-overlooked opportunities of September sowing, focusing on crops that thrive when planted now. While the list may be shorter than spring and summer guides, these strategic plantings deliver exceptional value. Discover which lettuce varieties withstand winter conditions, why you can sow more generously now than in summer months, and how oriental greens establish beautifully in cooling temperatures. We cover specific varieties like Arctic King, Winter Density, and Marvel of Four Seasons lettuce that are particularly suited to this transitional time.

Beyond salads, we explore herbs that establish quickly before winter's darkness slows growth, winter-hardy spring onions that provide continuous harvests, and how chard becomes a garden superstar during the colder months. For polytunnel and greenhouse growers, we reveal additional possibilities including early brassicas for spring harvests and autumn onion sets that will deliver your earliest allium crop next year.

The episode also addresses crucial seasonal maintenance as autumn rains return after summer drought. Learn why trees may be dropping leaves earlier than expected, how to prevent fruit rot in increasing humidity, and the importance of greenhouse cleanliness as insects seek winter shelter. We also emphasize the value of maintaining soil biology even in unused growing spaces to ensure a healthy start next spring.

As this marks our final sowing guide of the season, we're transitioning to a community perennial grow-along project in upcoming episodes. Join us as we demonstrate how easily you can grow beautiful perennial flowers from seed for next year's garden. Subscribe now, share your gardening journey with us on social media, and discover how September planting extends your growing season well into winter!

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Spring flowering bulbs are gardening's ultimate return on investment. Planted from September through November, these botanical powerhouses burst forth from winter's grip with waves of colour that evolve from the first snowdrops after Christmas through magnificent tulips and alliums in late May.

What sets bulbs apart from other garden plants is their remarkable ability to naturalize—multiplying year after year with zero additional effort. Plant a single daffodil bulb this autumn, and next spring you'll have your first golden trumpet. By the following year, you might have two or three flowers, and within a few seasons, a magnificent clump that can be divided to spread beauty throughout your garden.

The sheer versatility of spring bulbs makes them indispensable for gardeners of all experience levels. They thrive in sun or shade, containers or borders, under trees or naturalized in lawns. Their only nemesis is waterlogged soil, making proper drainage their sole critical requirement. Planting couldn't be simpler—just dig a hole roughly three times the bulb's depth, place it pointy-side up, and let nature handle the rest.

For container gardeners, "lasagna planting" offers extraordinary value, creating months of continuous blooms from a single pot. By layering different varieties at varying depths—typically with late-flowering alliums or tulips at the bottom, mid-season daffodils in the middle, and early crocuses near the surface—you create a self-sustaining display that evolves from February through May.

From dramatic alliums with their perfect spherical blooms to vibrant tulips, cheerful daffodils, delicate muscari, and unusual fritillaria, the diversity of spring bulbs offers something for every garden aesthetic. Whether you're seeking high-impact displays with colour-coordinated combinations or rare collector varieties with fascinating histories, autumn is the time to plan and plant.

Don't miss this opportunity to create a self-perpetuating display that delivers maximum joy when gardens need it most. The bulbs you plant today truly represent gardening's highest impact for lowest input—they're the gift that keeps on giving for years to come. Ready to transform your spring garden? Start planting now!

Listen back to EP199 with Dave & Jules from Esker Farm Daffodils 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/857398/episodes/13849995

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Water might be the most overlooked factor in garden success. As temperatures soar and rainfall becomes scarce across the UK and Ireland, understanding proper watering techniques has never been more crucial for garden survival.

This episode tackles the surprisingly complex art of effective watering. While not the most glamorous gardening topic, it addresses the root cause of numerous garden problems listeners have been experiencing recently. From struggling roses to disease-prone hedges and undersized fruits, water stress weakens plants' natural defenses and opens the door to numerous secondary issues.

We dive into optimal watering timing (early morning wins, midday loses), proper techniques (target the root zone, not the foliage), and essential strategies for container plants (regular, consistent moisture prevents compost from drying out and shrinking). Discover why grouping containers creates beneficial microclimates and how mulching dramatically improves moisture retention during drought conditions.

The episode also explores how this year's abundant fruit set is being compromised by insufficient ground moisture, particularly for apples which require significant water to size properly. Learn why Portuguese laurel hedges are increasingly susceptible to fungal issues during drought stress, and why liquid seaweed extract is your secret weapon for rejuvenating stressed plants.

Whether you're facing hosepipe bans or simply want to maximize water efficiency, these practical watering insights will help your garden thrive through challenging conditions. Apply these techniques to keep your plants vigorous and resistant to pests and diseases through the remainder of summer and into autumn.

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email:  info@mastermygarden.com   

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/  
 
Until next week  
Happy gardening  
John  

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Soil health emerges as the unlikely hero in our quest to feed a growing population, reverse climate change, and restore human health in this eye-opening conversation with documentary filmmaker Josh Tickell. As the creative force behind the acclaimed "Kiss the Ground" and "Common Ground" documentaries, Josh brings decades of environmental advocacy experience and firsthand observations from regenerative farms across the globe.

The conversation challenges fundamental assumptions about our food system. Josh reveals how 75% of global calories are actually produced by smallholder farmers working less than an acre, dispelling the myth that industrial agriculture is necessary to "feed the world." He exposes the true cost of our current system—where we burn 4-5 calories of fossil fuel to produce just one calorie of food in developed nations—and connects this inefficiency to broader health and environmental crises.

Perhaps most compelling is Josh's evidence of rapid change already underway. In just five years, regeneratively managed land in the US has increased from 5 million to over 50 million acres. This growth comes as consumers and companies alike recognize that the current system isn't just unsustainable—it's fundamentally broken. Through vivid examples from diverse global regions, Josh demonstrates how regenerative practices rebuild soil, produce abundant food, and create resilience against climate instability.

The conversation turns when Josh explains how our individual food choices represent powerful actions that reverberate through the marketplace. Every regenerative product purchased sends signals to boardrooms worldwide, accelerating the transition toward healthier systems. As Tickell puts it, "We're just edging up to the tipping point," suggesting we're witnessing the early stages of a profound transformation in how we grow food and relate to the land beneath our feet.

Watch "Kiss the Ground" and "Common Ground" now on Amazon Prime, and look for the trilogy's conclusion, "Groundswell," in 2026. Your garden, your shopping choices, and even your bare feet connecting with soil are all part of this revolution.

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Welcome to your essential guide for August gardening success! As summer peaks and the first harvests fill our kitchens, smart gardeners are already planning their next moves. This episode unpacks exactly what you should be sowing now to maintain productivity through autumn and beyond.

The transition from July to August brings significant changes in the garden. I've just returned from holiday to find dramatic growth (and sadly, some losses in the heatwave), reminding me how crucial proper planning becomes this time of year. While summer crops like tomatoes, potatoes, and onions reach their prime, the spaces they'll soon vacate offer perfect opportunities for late-season plantings.

August represents a strategic shift in our sowing calendar. Though the list of suitable crops has shortened since spring, this month offers unique advantages for establishing winter-hardy varieties. Cooling temperatures and decreasing daylight actually benefit many plants, extending their productive periods before bolting. I walk through comprehensive recommendations for successional crops (spring onions, spinach, loose-leaf lettuce), winter salads (mustard, tatsoi, rocket, claytonia), herbs (coriander, chervil, dill), and substantial vegetables (Florence fennel, kale, spring cabbage). For polytunnel gardeners, I share my experimental approach to pushing traditional sowing calendars with protected crops of carrots and beetroot.

Beyond sowing, August demands vigilance with existing crops. From proper tomato maintenance and blight prevention to protecting ripening fruit from birds, I cover the essential maintenance tasks that ensure continued harvest success. Remember—the secret to year-round productivity isn't just what you plant, but when and how you plan. By thinking six weeks ahead and continuously filling gaps, you'll create a garden that provides fresh harvests in every season. What will you sow this month?

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If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Dive deep into the fascinating world of wildlife ponds with expert Ashley Dowling, who reveals that creating a thriving aquatic ecosystem involves far more than simply digging a hole and filling it with water. This episode uncovers the secrets to designing pond environments that genuinely support biodiversity through thoughtful construction and planting.

Ashley shares her expertise on creating multi-layered pond structures that provide diverse habitats for different creatures. From deep areas that maintain stable temperatures to carefully crafted marginal zones that allow safe access for frogs and other wildlife, every aspect of the design plays a crucial ecological role. The conversation explores how different materials—stones, logs, and various substrates—create microhabitats that support a wealth of specialized insects and amphibians.

The plant selection discussion is equally illuminating, highlighting native species like marsh marigold, water dock, and yellow flag iris that form the backbone of a healthy pond ecosystem. Ashley explains how these plants should be arranged to mimic natural patterns rather than conventional block planting, enabling them to form symbiotic relationships that enhance biodiversity.

Beyond the pond itself, this episode examines how complementary habitats like beetle banks, stone piles, and simple DIY features can transform your entire garden into a wildlife haven. Ashley also demystifies pond maintenance, advocating for working with natural processes rather than fighting them with chemicals, and touches on sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) that can be incorporated into home gardens.

Whether you have space for a barrel pond or are planning something more ambitious, this conversation will inspire you to think like a wildlife gardener and create connected ecosystems that welcome creatures of all kinds. Subscribe now to hear more garden wisdom that balances beauty with biodiversity.

You Can Contact Ashley through instagram see here : 

https://www.instagram.com/pond_girl_ashley?igsh=MTh6b2M1OXI0ejJ6NQ==

Or by email:

Ashleyjd_99@yahoo.com

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If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Garden enthusiasts, mark your calendars! The Carlow Garden Festival returns for its annual celebration of horticultural excellence, running from July 26th to August 3rd, 2024. This year's lineup features an extraordinary collection of gardening luminaries, innovative formats, and breathtaking garden settings across Carlow.

The festival opens with a fascinating pairing as BBC Gardener's World presenter Adam Frost sits down with Irish rugby star Peter O'Mahony to explore how gardening provides essential mental balance alongside a high-pressure sporting career. Watch as Frost suggests potential changes to O'Mahony's beloved garden – a moment sure to reveal the rugby player's passionate attachment to his immaculate lawn and treasured box hedges!

Throughout nine spectacular days, attendees can learn from horticultural heavyweights including June Blake on natural gardening techniques, Matthew Wilson on transforming challenging garden sites, and Fionnuala Fallon sharing sustainable cut flower garden wisdom. Chelsea gold medal winner Sarah Eberle reveals insights from her remarkable 19 medals, while Nick Bailey breaks down garden design into ten accessible steps.

The festival thoughtfully addresses practical elements with a new shuttle bus service connecting all venues, making it easier than ever to experience multiple talks. Each location – from historic Huntington Castle and Ducats Grove to the spectacular Altamont Plant Sales – provides a unique and inspiring backdrop for the presentations.

For those passionate about sustainability, GIY's Mick Kelly discusses food empathy and growing your own vegetables, while Mary Keenan from Gash Gardens provides guidance on designing fragrant gardens. The international perspective comes through Seamus O'Brien's botanical expedition to Yunnan, China, where he encountered rare blue poppies and Himalayan lilies in their natural habitat.

Join Irish Garden Magazine columnist Rosie Maye, also known as The Insomniac Gardener, for a special Walk and Talk through the award-winning Barrow Experience Gardens at BEAM Services, Bagenalstown, County Carlow

From forest ecology walks with Eanna Ní Leona to Robin Lane Fox's gardening shortcuts, the festival offers something for every gardening interest and skill level. Many events include refreshments, guided garden tours, and opportunities for book signings with your favorite gardening authors.

Book your tickets early at carlowgardentrail.com – several events are already selling out! Whether you attend for a single talk, a day, or make it a full gardening holiday, the Carlo Garden Festival promises to inspire, educate, and celebrate the joy of gardens in every possible way.

You can buy tickets here: 

https://carlowgardentrail.com/festival-programme/

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Transform your garden with powerful homemade fertilisers hiding in plain sight! This episode dives into the world of natural plant nutrition, answering listener Cian's question about nettle and comfrey teas.

Discover why these humble "weeds" might be your garden's greatest untapped resource. Nettle tea, packed with nitrogen, creates remarkably resilient leafy growth with glossier, darker foliage that naturally resists pests and disease. Meanwhile, comfrey provides the potassium boost flowering and fruiting plants crave. Together, they form a complete natural feeding system that nurtures both plants and the vital soil ecosystem beneath them.

You'll learn the simple process for creating these potent brews, when to apply each for maximum benefit, and how to recognise the subtle but significant differences between plants fed with natural fertilisers versus synthetic options. Beyond nettles and comfrey, we explore other free fertiliser sources you might be overlooking – from banana peels to grass clippings – and how the "chop and drop" method can build remarkable soil health with minimal effort.

The underlying philosophy throughout is clear: feed the soil, not just the plant. When you nourish the complex web of life beneath your feet, it rewards you with stronger, healthier plants that require fewer interventions. Whether you're growing vegetables, flowers, or maintaining borders, these sustainable approaches deliver results while keeping your garden in harmony with nature. Have a gardening question you'd like answered? Reach out and your topic might feature in an upcoming episode!

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Welcome to your essential July seed sowing guide for continuous harvests! While many gardeners think the main growing season has passed, strategic planting now ensures your garden remains productive through autumn, winter, and into early spring.

Though July's planting possibilities are fewer than May's abundant options, this focused approach actually gives you the most benefit in extending your harvest calendar. Continue your monthly successional sowings of quick-growing crops like spring onions, spinach, radishes, and lettuces to maintain fresh harvests. This is also the perfect time to introduce autumn and winter salad varieties that will bridge the gap when temperatures drop later in the year.

Don't believe everything you read on seed packets! While conventional wisdom suggests it's too late for many brassicas, experienced gardeners know July sowings of calabrese, cabbage, and purple sprouting broccoli will still produce harvests around March next year. Kale is particularly well-suited to July sowing, while beetroot, pak choi, chard, and even French beans can still be productive when planted now. The key is understanding how these plants develop through seasonality rather than strictly following calendar rules.

Garden management becomes crucial as summer progresses. The combination of warmth and moisture brings potential pest challenges, but encouraging biodiversity through wildflower areas and nesting boxes brings natural predators that help maintain balance. This is also the time to learn the subtle harvest indicators—potatoes are ready when foliage naturally dies back and onions signal harvest time when their tops flop over. Looking ahead to bed rotation becomes essential as early crops finish, creating space for autumn and winter vegetables that maintain productivity throughout the year.

Want more gardening insights? Next week's episode explores homemade fertilizers based on listener questions. Share the podcast with fellow gardeners, subscribe on YouTube, and send your own gardening questions to info@mastermygarden.com to help shape future content!

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Horticultural journeys often begin in unexpected ways. For Colin Jones, head gardener at Salterbridge Gardens, it started with his grandfather's fruit patch and eventually led to prestigious gardens across Ireland and Scotland. Now managing a magnificent private estate in Waterford, Colin brings passion, expertise and global perspective to garden creation.

The transformation of Salterbridge under Colin's stewardship has been remarkable. Over just three years, he's planted 1,600 trees and shrubs, developed stunning herbaceous borders, and created a breathtaking cutting garden that became the focal point for a family wedding. His approach combines practical wisdom with artistic vision – focusing on infrastructure before planting, limiting varieties while increasing quantities of signature plants like Verbena 'Bampton', and selecting hero plants including 28 varieties of dahlias.

What sets Colin's work apart is his deep understanding of plants in their natural context. His plant-finding expeditions to Yunnan in Southwest China have profoundly influenced his design philosophy. Witnessing Thalictrum delavayi growing alongside Hypericum forrestii in the wild inspired combinations he's recreated at Salterbridge. As he explains, "If you can go to where a plant originates and see how it's growing, you have a better understanding straight away of what conditions it needs."

Colin's insights extend beyond professional gardens to practical advice for home gardeners. From navigating challenges with deer to balancing gardening with family life, his experiences resonate with anyone trying to create beauty within constraints. His philosophy that "the best way to keep a plant is to give it away" speaks to the deeper connections gardening creates between people and places.

Experience Salterbridge Gardens for yourself by arranging a group visit, or catch Colin's upcoming talks about his horticultural adventures. Whether you're planning your own cutting garden or simply appreciate the art of thoughtful garden design, Colin's journey from apprentice to master offers inspiration for gardeners at every level. 

You can contact Colin Here: salterbridge.gardens@gmail.com

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Perennial borders may be all the rage in contemporary garden design, but have we forgotten the humble flowering shrub? In this eye-opening episode, we explore how these garden stalwarts are being overlooked despite offering year-round structure, extended seasons of interest, and spectacular flowers when perennials lie dormant.

From the architectural presence of Cornus kousa to the intoxicating fragrance of Philadelphus, we'll guide you through ten magnificent flowering shrubs that deserve a place in your garden. Discover why "old-fashioned" plants like Fuchsia, Forsythia and Mahonia shouldn't be dismissed, and learn how integrating these woody wonders among your perennials creates a more dynamic, interesting garden throughout the year.

We delve into early-season performers that bring life to winter gardens – Hamamelis with its spidery blooms, Daphne with its heavenly scent, and Mahonia with its architectural form. For summer drama, we explore statement plants like Hydrangea paniculata and butterfly-magnet Buddleja. Each recommendation comes with practical advice on size, growing conditions, and optimal placement.

The message is clear: the best gardens thoughtfully combine perennials with flowering shrubs to create interest across all seasons. Whether you're designing a new border or enhancing an existing one, these ten flowering shrubs offer structure, colour, fragrance and wildlife value that perennials alone cannot provide. Ready to rediscover these forgotten garden gems?

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Ever wondered what to plant in June when your garden beds already seem packed to capacity? This episode answers that crucial question, revealing why continuous sowing through early summer is the secret to garden abundance all year round.

The truth is, June represents a pivotal transition in the vegetable garden. While your growing spaces might appear fully occupied now, within weeks early crops will be harvested, creating valuable real estate for new plantings. The gardeners who stop sowing in June create unnecessary gaps in their harvest calendar later in the year.

We explore the complete June sowing guide, from quick-maturing succession crops like spinach, radish and lettuce, to the longer-term investments of purple sprouting broccoli and winter cabbages. Learn why certain vegetables justify their extended growing period by providing rare flavors during the hunger gap. I share specific variety recommendations for root vegetables, brassicas, and warm-weather crops that need sowing this month for autumn and winter harvests.

Beyond sowing, we address critical June garden tasks like earthing up potatoes, managing increasing weed pressure, and protecting tomatoes from blight risk. I explain how dramatic temperature fluctuations (sometimes swinging from 3°C to 38°C in a single day) can temporarily stunt plant growth, helping you diagnose unexplained growth plateaus.

The episode opens with reflections from the Buds and Blossoms Festival, where I had the pleasure of meeting many podcast listeners in person. I also share a fascinating discovery about William Robinson's true origins near my home in County Laois, settling a long-standing debate from our previous episode.

Ready to maximize your growing season? This episode provides the roadmap for turning June plantings into winter feasts. Your future self will thank you for the planning!

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Tom Coward is headline speaker at Laois Garden Festival on Sunday 8th June 2025 celebrating the work of legendary Laois native and garden revolutionary William Robinson. 

What if the current trend for wild-looking, naturalistic gardens isn't just aesthetic preference, but actually a profound reaction to our technology-saturated lives? Tom Coward, head gardener at the world-renowned Gravetye Manor, draws fascinating parallels between William Robinson's revolutionary "wild garden" concept from the 1870s and today's gardening renaissance.

With 15 years restoring Robinson's only surviving garden, Coward offers rare insights into balancing historic significance with contemporary needs. "It's been a love affair," he reflects, describing the challenge of reviving neglected infrastructure while honoring Robinson's principles. His approach to the garden's famous flower borders reveals thoughtful compromise—while Robinson insisted on never repeating plant groups, Coward occasionally introduces repetition to guide one-time visitors through the 30-acre landscape.

The conversation travels through Gravetye's diverse spaces, from woodland gardens punctuated with 70,000 naturalized daffodils to intensively managed productive areas supplying the hotel's restaurant. Particularly fascinating are Coward's techniques for maximizing seasonal interest, like coppicing flowering cherries after bloom to provide textural contrast, autumn color, and winter structure from a single plant.

Having worked at Great Dixter under Fergus Garrett, Coward brings exceptional knowledge to debates around native versus non-native plantings, emphasizing that diversity often supports more wildlife than purist approaches. His observations on climate extremes—longer droughts, heavier downpours, and increasingly powerful winds—highlight practical challenges facing modern gardeners.

Discover why Robinson's legacy deserves greater recognition and how his revolutionary ideas continue shaping gardens worldwide. Whether you're creating your own wild garden oasis or simply appreciate horticultural innovation, Coward's expertise offers valuable inspiration for balancing beauty, biodiversity, and practicality in any growing space.

Tom's talk at Laois Garden festival is one not to be missed. Other great talks on the day from Colin Jones Salterbridge gardens on growing your own cut flowers and Garden to Fork with your truly John Jones Master My Garden. 

You can get your tickets here:

https://laoisgardenfestival.com

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Deep in the heart of West Cork lies a garden unlike any other in Ireland – an immersive 11-acre botanical wonderland where rainforest meets meadow, bamboo forests neighbor natural swimming ponds, and plants from distant corners of the world create a magical landscape that challenges everything you thought you knew about Irish gardens.

When Americans Paul and Daniel acquired Ardea Garden in late 2021, they inherited not just a property but a botanical treasure trove – thousands of exotic plants from New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Japan, and beyond, many having grown undisturbed for 20 years to reach spectacular sizes rarely seen elsewhere in Ireland. As they began clearing years of bramble and bracken overgrowth, extraordinary discoveries emerged: 27-foot hedge plants, explosions of rhododendrons in unexpected colors from blazing orange to purple, and hidden stone pathways leading to serene garden rooms.

What makes Ardea truly special isn't just its plants but its sense of adventure. Standing at the summit offers panoramic views across the Iveragh Mountains and Wild Atlantic before descending through what feels like thirteen distinct gardens within one property. One moment you're wandering through a bamboo forest, the next discovering an ornamental pond surrounded by blooming azaleas, then entering a Chinese-inspired garden complete with waterfall. The garden shifts dramatically with the seasons – December bringing spectacular camellia displays, while spring erupts with thousands of bluebells carpeting the ground beneath towering exotic trees.

Wildlife thrives throughout, with night cameras capturing badgers, pine martens, and deer enjoying this unique habitat. The garden serves as both a wildlife sanctuary and increasingly popular wedding venue, offering couples unforgettable backdrops from druid ceremonies at the stone summit to intimate gatherings by the river's edge. The lovingly restored stone cottage provides five-star accommodation for those wanting to immerse themselves fully in this extraordinary place.

Visit Ardea Garden by appointment through Instagram (@ardea_gardens) and experience what happens when botanical passion meets Irish landscape – a garden that will capture your imagination and change how you see what's possible in Ireland's climate. This is gardening without boundaries, where plants tell stories of distant lands while creating something uniquely, magically Irish.

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

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Until next week
Happy gardening
John

Ready to break free from the cycle of planting, maintaining, and replacing summer bedding? This episode explores thoughtful alternatives to traditional bedding plants that offer beauty, functionality, and sustainability for your containers and pots.

We dive into fruit-bearing options that deliver multiple seasons of interest—from the compact Coronet apple tree that thrives in large containers to strawberries and raspberries that cascade beautifully over pot edges. These plants don't just look good; they reward your efforts with harvests you can enjoy straight from your patio or balcony.

For those seeking low-maintenance solutions, discover the world of alpine and rock garden plants that create evolving, textural displays while demanding minimal care. Learn how properly planted container roses can rival any bedding display with months of flowers and fragrance, and how architectural foliage plants like hostas, astelia, and ornamental grasses provide striking structure throughout the growing season.

The episode also explores beautiful herb combinations that serve double duty as ornamental features and culinary resources, modern cordylines that bring color and form to contemporary gardens, and strategic ways to use container plants for privacy screening.

Whether you're gardening on a balcony, patio, or simply want to reduce maintenance while still enjoying beautiful planters, these alternatives offer longevity and sustainability without sacrificing visual impact. Plus, many can transition to your garden beds when they outgrow their containers, making them truly investment plants for years of enjoyment.

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: info@mastermygarden.com

Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John