Dan Pearson on the value of gardening slowly, lavender alternatives and getting peonies to flower
From Gardeners' Corner by BBC Radio Ulster
May 16, 2026 · 56 min
About this episode
David explores community gardening and interviews Dan Pearson about the value of gardening slowly.
David visits the GROW community garden at the Waterworks site in north Belfast where members of Anaka women's collective are gaining gardening knowledge and forming friendships at the same time. Gardener Craig teaches them how to split mint plants and sow carrots for a harvest later this year. Renowned garden and landscape designer Dan Pearson chats about his own garden and the value to taking things slowly. In County Antrim, David drops in on Creavery Primary School which was awarded best school garden by the local council last year. Also on the programme Colin Agnew joins David to answers questions on lavender alternatives and getting problem peonies to flower. Contact the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk
People in this episode
Host: David
Guest: Dan Pearson
Topics covered
- gardening
- community gardening
- landscape design
- lavender alternatives
- peonies
- school gardens
Keywords
- gardening slowly
- lavender alternatives
- peonies
- community garden
- school garden
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: GROW community garden, Anaka women's collective, Creavery Primary School, local council
Places: Waterworks site, north Belfast, County Antrim
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