Master My Garden Podcast

• EP298- Autumn Planting: Why Planting Trees And Shrubs Now Sets You Up For Spring Success

  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 [email protected] 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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• EP297- Tanya Anderson Lovely Greens, chats winter gardening tips, her book and more: From Lovely Greens to Lasting Soil Health: Organic Gardening, Windproof Growing, and Creative Uses for Plants.

  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.comSupport 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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• 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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