Master My Garden Podcast

• EP296 - Louise From Sunfleck Chats All Things Houseplants: From Décor to Wellbeing: Houseplants That Calm, Heal, and Thrive

  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.ieIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email:  [email protected]   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 showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email: [email protected] 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

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• EP295- Shane Hatton Chats About Bosco’s Garden, Permaculture, Food Forests & More. Permaculture in Practice: The Story of Bosco's Garden

  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/@BoscosGardenSupport the showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email: [email protected] 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

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• EP294- 10 Super Plants For Autumn Colour In An Irish Garden. Capturing The Magic Of Autumn Foliage In Your Garden.

  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 [email protected], 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 showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email: [email protected] 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

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• - EP293 Perennial Grow Along September 2025. What You Will Need To Grow Your Own Perennial Border. Seed to Border: The Perennial Grow Along Project

  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 [email protected] 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 DaisyNative St.John's WorthNative MarjoramNative Birds Foot TrefoilNative Greater KnapweedNative CampionSubscribe to Master My Garden on YouTube for updates https://www.youtube.com/@mastermygarden9542/featuredSupport the showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email: [email protected] 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

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• EP292- How To Move Plants Within The Garden: Moving Plants Without Trauma. Listener Question Answered.

  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 showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email: [email protected] 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

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