David Maxwell (38) presents Gardeners' Corner on BBC Radio Ulster and lives with his family on the outskirts of Belfast
How do you unwind at the weekend?
Saturday morning is all biz. It's an early start for my gardening programme, finished by 10am, but I love it. I'm home at lunchtime for my Saturday treat: French toast, bacon and maple syrup. The priority is to take my three young children - seven, three and six months - somewhere. We like going to National Trust properties like Mount Stewart or Castlewellan. I grew up in the countryside and want them to experience the great outdoors. I try to sneak in some gardening, my obsession, but not let it override family life. Reporting from the Chelsea Flower Show this week, there was a great atmosphere - celebratory, but conscious of the world we live in. A couple of anonymous benefactors have given charities like the RNLI a leg up via Project Giving Back so it's not just bank-sponsored show gardens. Naturalistic planting was the trend, with native species like cow parsley and buttercups included, plus a lot of green and muted colours. Also sustainability. I met Joanna Lumley, who's a tonic, for the third time, and saw the Queen arrive and gave us a wave.
What do you recall most about weekends growing up?
I remember my working class granny from east Belfast, a great shopper, who would say, "Let's go to Newry market," not far from the manse where we lived between Newry and Rathfriland. Invariably I came back with a sword. The garden was quite large and I'd sit on my dad's knee on the ride-on mower. There were huge, unpruned rhododendron bushes you could go into and make a den.
Is there a must-listen weekend radio programme or podcast?
I listen to Paul Sinha's Perfect Pub Quiz on BBC Radio 4. There's also a brilliant podcast, 13 Minutes to the Moon.
Is there a must-watch TV programme or Netflix?
The Last Kingdom, about the Vikings, although it's a bit brutal and bloody. Also 30 Rock with Alec Baldwin and on BBC Storyville, the important Alexei Navalny story about the Russian dissident who tried to take on Putin.
Is Sunday still special?
Yes, myself and my wife are Christian and we enjoy going to Stranmillis Evangelical Presbyterian Church. It's a great church family. We've been married 12 not uneventful years, and they were supportive in 2014 when I had my heart operation, also when Angharad had multiple miscarriages. It's also a family day and we see my mum and dad. We also try to rest as much as possible.
Do you have a favourite eatery or is it a takeaway?
It's very expensive so we don't eat out much. Our takeaway would be a Chinese, although the kids enjoy burgers occasionally.
How do you feel on Sunday night about Monday morning?
Excited.
::David Maxwell presents a Gardeners' Corner special from the Chelsea Flower Show today at 9am on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds.
