Midwest Radio Gardening Show

On this weeks programme Paraic discussed garden design and easy ways to sow seeds. He gave top tips for the bank holiday weekend and answered a variety of listeners questions which included; how to take cuttings from Dahlias, mildew problems on strawberries, self fertilizing holly bushes, maple trees and first cuts for lawns.

The 2014 garden sesons kicked off with information on shamrock and options for growing and sending shamrock overseas. A variety of listener questions included the annual challenge of moss in lawns and on hard surfaces. The sowing of potatoes was covered with options for salad, floury, high yield and early varietes discussed. The programme also feautred the pruning of roses, laurel hedges and apple trees.

The 2014 garden sesons kicked off with information on shamrock and options for growing and sending shamrock overseas. A variety of listener questions included the annual challenge of moss in lawns and on hard surfaces. The sowing of potatoes was covered with options for salad, floury, high yield and early varietes discussed. The programme also feautred the pruning of roses, laurel hedges and apple trees.

On the final programme of the current series Peter Horkan discussed the planting of bulbs for Christmas and springtime. The planting of Amaryllis and Hyacinths in pots featured as did sowing daffodils and other bulbs for spring flowers. Peter also focused on bare root hedging for both deciduous and evergreen plants and advised on the importance of the preparation of the planting area. Listeners questions included scutch grass on lawns, how to take cuttings propogation of carnations, the storage of dahlias, pruning roses and over wintering geraniums.

This week's programme started with a discussion on beekeeping as a hobby and gave listeners tips on how to get started. The progrramme also focused on tidying up the garden over the bank holiday weekend including what do with lawns, flowerbeds, planting for spring, pruning and planting of fruit and ways to preserve herbs over the winter season. Listeners questions in cluded problems with Hydrangeas not flowering, the best way to prune raspberries, when to move lillies, propogating wild heather, how to stop birds eating berries on holly and daffodils not flowering.

The topic of gardening and horticulture courses was discussed in detail on this weeks programme which also featured advice on lifting begonia and dahlia bulbs, sowing hardwood cuttings, plants suitable for growing in school classrooms and trees for golf clubs. Paraic described the steps involved in composting and covered the options between bare root and potted plants for hedging. Listeners questions included the managment of Ladies Mantle, Horseradish, Melons and Willow Herb.

Paraic discussed maintence and growth of hedging this week. He advocated for the light cuttting back of hedges in advance of winter and for the planting of new or replacement hedges right now. Other Autumn taks included the pruning of autumn raspberries and the clearing out of summer bedding. Questions included advice on choosing the right site and soil for a polytunnel, transplanting pink ornamental acer, growin g Fig trees in the west of Ireland and the pruning of grape vines.

This weeks programme featured a variety of plants in studio, ideal for autumn/winter growth and color. Peter Horkan advised listeners on suitable plants for a selection of environments, both indoor and outdoor, and suggested some plants suitable for both berry and flowering colour. Listeners questions this week featured pampas grasses, hydrangeas, planting spring bulbs and sowing new lawns at this time of year. Other topics included maximising fruit yields from apple and plum trees and tips on how to get plants rooted and established as quickly as possible.

Planting for winter colour and tidying up flower beds in preparation for spring were the main topics covered on the programme this week. Paraic gave advice on the propogation of Brambley apples, how to grow roses from seed, the pruning of plum trees and other stone fruits and advised on the use of Mortone as a weedkiller. Listeners questions featured African Marigolds, Sweet Peas, the harvesting and storage of onions and transplanting Red Robin.

The topic of climbers was covered in depth on the programme this week. Paraic discussed growing techniques, the importance of soil and location preparation, vigorous and less vigorous varieties and how to choose the right plant for the right location. Wildlife and hegehogs in the garden also featured and Paraic answered listeners questions on the propogation of Dahlia tubers, growing contorted Hazel and Apple trees on espaliers and advised on suitable herbs to grow for use in Winter.

This weeks programme featured advice on how best to deal with Mare's Tail, boradleaf weeds in lawns and moss control at this time of year. Paraic discussed the harvesting of fruit and preparing fruit for planting for the next growing season, from choosing locations to soil reparation. Listeners questions included the planting of bulbs in woodland areas, planting shrub beds in a new lawn and planting a new lawn suitable for a household with children and dogs.

The second programme of the autumn series focused on key tasks that gardeners should be considering at this time of year. Paraic gave lots of advice on planting now for spring, particularly bulbs for new year colour. He also discussed planting options to maintain colour in the garden during the winter months including ornamental vegetables, heathers and cyclamen. Listeners questions included maintenance and pruning of apple trees and orchards and how to take cuttings from herbs such as rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme.

Roses were the main topic of discussion on the programme this week and Paraic was joined in studio by rose grower and expert Colin Hughes. Colin gave lots of advice on tips on rose growing, different varieties for different settings and how to get the best from roses in terms of colour, scent and longevity. Listeners questions included planting suggestions once lettuce had been harveseted, the propogation of cucumbers, the harvesting of rhubarb and when to move strawberries.

This weeks programme included a blight warning and advice on how to put measures in place to help prevent the spread of blight on potatoes and other susceptible plants. Other topics included how to pinch out tomatoe plants to maximize yield, suggestions for edible flowers and Paraic gave a step by step guideline on how to start off a new shrub bed from soil preparation to plant selection. Listeners questions featured queries on tree ferns, conifers, witch hazel, lavender, strawberries and broad beans.

Paraic gave a variety of top tips for gardening this week. Now that the fine weather has arrived topics covered included the control of weeds which are very prolific just now and the sowing of Spring flowering plants from seed for next year. Paraic also focused on the planting of Laburnum, Sweet William, Peas & Beans, and he also advised on how to grow chilli plants and how to get the best from flowering and fruit plants.

With the weather much improved this week's programme focused on a range of listeners questions. Topics included the feeding of hedging, growing climbers and the best way to prepare soil for optimum results. Paraic advised on how to deal with Froghoppers or Cuckoo Spit on tomatoe plants and informed listeners about how to deal with buttercups in lawns and when to cut back Red Robin, Broom and when to transplant Forest Flame. The growing of Bluebells, African Lillies and trees suitable for large gardens was also covered on the programme this week.

This week the programme looked forward to the annual Bloom event and answered listeners questions on feeding vegetables and ericaceous plants, the care of apple and plum trees to maximise fruit yields and the sowing of peppers from seeds. Paraic also discussed the benefits of ants in ploytunnels and outlined how to grow a lawn from scratch.

This week's programme featured questions on Cleaver's weed and Japanese Notweed with Paraic giving advice on how to get rid of both. Pests problems included the management of Gooseberry Sawfly and Vine Weavil and Paraic also gave tips on planting of Strawberries both in the ground and in pots. Suggestions for rhodedendons for small gardens and suitable climbers for tree trunks were aslo covered in addition to the planting and care of lambs lettuce, basil and grapevines.

On this week's programme Paraic Horkan gives tips on planting cabbage out of doors, how to treat slugs damaging lawns and discusses a range of varieties of climbing roses. Paraic also advises on the treatment and prevention of eelworm in potatoes, gives tips on optimising returns from lettuce and best practice on feeding a variety of weather damaged evergreen hedging.

Paraic Horkan joins James King on the programme this week with summer approching, answering listeners questions.