KCLR's The Garden Show S04E03: Orlaith Murphy on 'edimentals', tips for beginner vegetable gardens
Embrace the official start of summer with Paul Smyth on The Garden Show! This week, we explore the fascinating world of "edimentals" with guest Orlaith Murphy, discovering how to grow a garden that looks as good as it tastes. Learn why you should be pickling magnolia petals for a gingery treat and how to infuse fig leaves into your next batch of homemade ice cream.
Our Plant of the Week is the iconic Hawthorne (or "fairy tree"). Paul delves into its rich Irish folklore and its traditional use in supporting heart health. Plus, Ann Sinnott from the Arboretum joins us to share essential tips for beginner vegetable gardeners, emphasising the golden rule: "feed the soil, not the plants".
In our Expert Q&A, we tackle:
The right way to use coffee grounds and aged farmyard manure.
Top picks for evergreen hedges in the countryside, featuring Yew and Holly.
How nematodes provide a safe, biological solution for "gruesome" but effective slug control.
Brought to you by Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven, it’s time to get your green fingers ready!
28 Apr 2026
KCLR's The Garden Show S04E02: Cooking compost, moss control, tulips and more!
Get ready to transform your garden! Join Paul Smyth on The Garden Show for an episode dedicated to the foundations of a thriving landscape.
Special guest Richard Bradley dives into the science of "cooking" compost, revealing why you should actually water your heap and the importance of a 2:1 woody-to-green material ratio to keep the bacteria happy. Tony Breen from the Arboretum also provides a masterclass on lawns, covering everything from moss control with Moactor to the pros and cons of seeds versus rollout turf.
Our Plant of the Week is the Tulip. Paul explores their phototropic nature—how they move toward light even in a vase—and the wild history of 17th-century "Tulip Mania," when a single bulb could cost more than a house.
In the expert Q&A, we tackle:
The dangers of using fresh sawdust and how it can starve your plants of nitrogen.
The benefits of "No Mow May" for supporting local pollinators.
Why manure and seaweed are better long-term choices than "one-hit wonder" liquid feeds.
Brought to you by Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven, it’s time to get those green fingers ready!
21 Apr 2026
KCLR's The Garden Show S04E01: From daffodils to spring garden maintenance
Spring has finally arrived! Join Paul Smyth on The Garden Show for a sunshine-filled episode packed with seasonal wisdom. This week, we dive deep into the world of the daffodil, exploring its roots in Greek mythology and its surprising role in modern Alzheimer's treatment.
Special guest Dave Hardy from Esker Farm Daffodils reveals the "labour of love" behind breeding new varieties, a meticulous process that can take up to a decade to reach your garden. Ann Sinnott from Arboretum also joins the show to share essential tips for spring maintenance, from feeding your soil to planting summer-flowering bulbs like Dahlias and Lilies.
In our expert Q&A, Paul tackles your toughest gardening dilemmas:
The "brute force" method for removing brambles—and why you might need a goat!
Why you must never thin out bulb leaves if you want blooms next year.
Using vinegar and lavender to deter ants in polytunnels.
Why Hellebores are the one plant you should never attempt to split.
Brought to you by Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven, it’s time to get your green fingers ready!
Who has been a guest on KCLR's The Garden Show with Paul Smyth
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Sr Mary Carmody
John McHugh
Ann Synnott
James Connolly
Robert Miller
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
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