Sensory gardens, spring tidy-ups, and opening the gates to the public

The episode of *Gardener's Corner* delivers a vibrant, seasonally grounded guide to spring gardening, blending practical advice with deeply personal stories. At its heart is a powerful counterintuitive message: being 'too tidy' can rob you of the joy of gardening. Helen Mark and guest Anne Fitzsimons reveal that letting nature take its course—allowing seedlings to emerge, embracing the chaos of a slightly untidy garden—can lead to unexpected beauty and resilience. This philosophy is embodied in the story of Alwyn Sheridan, who transformed a windswept hilltop garden into a National Garden Scheme showcase, not just for its beauty but as a tribute to her mother’s passion. Meanwhile, Gary Hegarty shares his profound journey from newspaper design to creating sensory gardens for neurodivergent individuals, proving that garden design can be a form of emotional and therapeutic healing. The episode champions accessibility, showing that even small spaces—indoor or outdoor—can become transformative sensory sanctuaries through simple, intentional design. The practical wisdom is equally compelling: how to harden off sweet peas, when to divide primroses, how to manage couch grass without despair, and why nematodes should wait for warmer soil. Anne Fitzsimons’ advice on heather planting—testing soil pH and using organic matter—offers a science-backed yet accessible path for gardeners.