Growing lavender, success with agapanthus and healing through gardening
About this episode
David explores lavender cultivation and gardening as therapy while meeting various individuals involved in gardening.
David travels to County Fermanagh, where he meets Vera Cassidy at Lavender Manor near Enniskillen. The venue is true to its name, and it is the ideal place to find out how to grow this wonderfully scented shrubby perennial. A few miles away in Lisnaskea, victims' charity SEFF has been using gardening as a form of therapy. The organisation has 44 allotment plots, many of which are used by people living with trauma. David meets some of the members, including Malcolm, who has hopes of winning a medal for some of his vegetables at a show. After a seven-year absence, Neil Porteous has returned to the National Trust's Mount Stewart as head gardener. He reveals some of his plans for the garden and takes time to enjoy the South African plants, including agapanthus and protea, that are performing well in late summer. Anna Hudson also joins David live in the studio to answer listeners' questions. Contact the programme at gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk
People in this episode
Host: David
Guest: Vera Cassidy
Topics covered
- growing lavender
- gardening therapy
- agapanthus
- healing through gardening
- community gardening
- vegetable gardening
Keywords
- lavender
- agapanthus
- gardening therapy
- vegetable show
- community allotments
- Mount Stewart
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: SEFF, BBC Radio Ulster
Products: agapanthus, protea
Places: County Fermanagh, Enniskillen, Lisnaskea, Mount Stewart, South Africa
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