Midwest Radio Gardening Show

With the good weather foreceast to hold for the rest of September Paraic advised on moving plants at this time of year, gave steps on planting Amaryllis for christmas flower and described the method for collective seeds for perennial plants. He also advocated the cleaning out of greenhouses and polytunnels now and the harevesting of fruit. Listeners questions included pruning beech hedging and the butterfly bus, rose bee damage to rose bushes, trees to plant for autumn colour and the harvesting and storing gladioli. Paraic also outlined how to establish a compost heap and described the "stale bed technique" to prevent weed growth in vegetable gardens.

This week's programme started off by focusing on new options for treating moss on hard surfaces. Topics included the fruiting and pruning of fig trees, repotting Camelias and how to plant ivy leafed cyclamen. Paraic gave tips on how to reseed areas of lawn that have been damaged, using grease bands as an organic way of prevent pests on fruit trees, how to add fertility to soil and the to treat boxwood for box blight. Listeners queries featured grease bands as an organic treatment for preventing pests on fruit trees and flowering bulbs for classroom enviornments.

On this weeks programme Paraic demonstrated how to grow geraniums and other plants from cuttings. He discussed harvesting apples and focused on heathers as an option for autumn winter colour. Methods for removing bindweed were highlighted as it is weakest at this time of year and Paraic outlined tips for growing fruiting plants in containers. Listeners questions focused on growing pear and apple trees on espaliers, the pruning of birch and mountain ash, overwintering swiss chard, creating a heat bed or "hot box" for propogation, moving blueberry trees, hedging for seaside locations and sowing a wildflower meadow at this time of year.

In advance of the start of the autumn season this special programme focused on wildlife in the garden. Paraic was joined by Eanna ní Lamhna and a lively discussion featured native plants to attract birds and willdlife into the garden together with how the natural eco system can be used to the gardener's benefit . The popularity of wildlife in schools was evident in questions on where to plant feeders and how to monitor activity. Other topics featured a variety of big and small birds including swallows, finches and magpies. The value of wasps, hedgehogs, wood lice and bees were also discussed by the panel.

Paraic kicked off the autumn series of the garden programme with a list of tips and tasks for gardeners during September - advice included lawn care, taking advantage of late flowering plants and planting bulbs and seeds for next spring. Mushrooms. maintenance and care of roses and pruning of hedges featured in listeners questions. Paraic also advised on how to strip and reseed a lawn at this time of year, how to prevent slug and wireworm damage in potatoes and discussed plants such as phacilia which are beneficial for attracting bees.

In the last programme before the summer break Paraic focused on tasks for the weeks ahead. Lawncare, deadheading flowers, roses, jobs in the vegetable garden and weed and pest control were all discussed in detail. Listeners questions included suitable plants to add to a fish pond, pale leaves on a Fastia Japonica, problems with strawberries not fruiting, cuckoos spit on Lady's Mantle and when to prune back and feed Wisteria. The sowing of seeds for Autumn growth, the propogation of plants from slips, deterrants for rabbits and house flies, varieties of calla lillies and how to grow Hibiscus were also featured this week.

With aphid activity very prevalent at the moment Paraic kicked off this week's programme with an adviosry on aphids and prevention measures. The importance of adequate watering and feeding in hot weather was also covered in detail and Paraic suggested ensuring hedges and apple trees got a light trimming at this time of year. Questions featured dahlias, camelias and birds of paradise, growing turnips and the treatment of brownheart, growing rhodedendrons from seed, slips and layering , and blanket weed in ponds.

Paraic issued a potatoe blight warning at the start of this weeks programme and advised the use of systemic treatments to help allieviate blight problems. With good weather forecast now is the time to get a head start in the garden and Paraic discusse a range of options to provide colour now and into the latter summer months - plants featured included geraniums, lupins, peoneys and see breeze. Listeners questions included treatment of carrott and cabbage root fly, the care and treatment of rhubarb now that growing is almost finished, sowing seeds now for spring, growing apple trees and tips on variety selection such as Coxes Orange Pippin, Elstar, Katie and James Greave.

Cottage garden planst and trees were featured extensively on this weeks programme. The importance of planning for colour throughout the summer months was emphasised and Pete & Mick advised on soil preparation and how to combine plants of different heights and varieties to create a spectacular show. Tree planting for all environments was discussed and top tips included how to stake new trees, maintaining grass at the tree base and pruning for the particular environment. Listeners questions featured rhubarb, the flowering and fruiting of pears, plums and cherries, treating for potatoe blight, choosing a glasshouse or ploytunnel and aphids on oak trees.

Hydrangeas and Lavander were featured in detail on this week's programme and Micheal reviewed the gardens at the Bloom festival focusing on current trends and novel planting ideas. Listeners questions featured pruning Forest Flame to promote a second flush of growth, tending to Peoney roses, moving Cameilias and Azaleas, black spot on roses and the correct way to roll a lawn. Lawn care for the bank holiday weekend was also discussed in detail in addition to advice on flowers for hanging baskets and window pots.

Feile na Tuaithe and Bloom were featured on this weeks programme together with ideas for planting summer bedding schemes. A variety of listeners questions included the sowing of aubergines, controlling weeds in potatoes and tackling mares tail. Paraic advised on optimum environments for growing olive plants, moss on hard surfaces,feeds for lupins, hydrangeas and rhodedendrons, tips for planting sweetcorn and best practice when moving spring flowering bulbs.

Hanging baskets were featured extensively on this weeks programme - Paraic advised on planting tips and suitable plants for different sized baskets. Fushia and Perennial Nastursiums were also discussed together with tops for planting slopes and banks. Listeners questions included hedging options for seaside locations, fungal infections on grass, summer bedding plants for September colour, pruning wisteria and the treatement of slugs, snails, vine weavils and caterpillars which are all so prevalent at the moment.

Paraic featured climbers on this weeks programme and looked at a range of varieties that can be planted at the moment. Paraic also featured the west coast series of lupins and sweet potatoe plants. With the wet weather the feeding of plants and lawns was advised. Listeners questions included the treatment of prolific weeds such as Mare's Tail, small to medium sized trees, options for sowing a wild flowering meadow and plants suitable for shaded locations.

This weeks programme started with a feature on Lilacs - varieties such as Royalty were discussed together with advice on pruning and maintenance for maximum colour. With soil temperatures at opitmum condition for germination Paraic talked about sowing vegetable plants from seed and discussed meausres to counteract aphids which are expected in abundance this year. Listeners questions included the treatemnt of algae in fish ponds, controlling weeds around copper beech hedging, how to stake and train weeping willows and the sowing petunias and lobelias in hanging baskets.

Flowers for colour in May was the key topic on this weeks programme. Paraic described a range of plants that provide good colour at this time of year including lavender, sonetti and early flowering dahlias. Listeners questions included best options for a sunny sloping bank of soil, replanting rhodedendrons, lavendar varieties and best practice for planting and maintaining throughout the summer months and tree varieties for wedding presents.

Featured plants on this weeks programme included lemon geranium, everlasting sweet pea and night scented stock. Paraic issued a last call for the pruning of roses and discussed the planting of hanging baskets including suitable plants, soil preparation, feeding, watering and gave tips on promoting longevity. He also advised on creating raised beds and suggested a range of flowers and plants. Listeners questions featured flat topped cherry trees, the care of mallus trees, tips for growing blueberries, the pruning of oleria hedges and the treatment of pot planted boxwood.

A range of listeners questions were featured on the programme this week. Paraic advised on lawn care, the eradication of weeds, including clickweed and liverworth, moss and the treatment of bare patches and wild grasses. Steps were given on how to plant cuttings in pots and then move outside, including hydrangeas, forest flame and varieties of plants for instant colour. Other topics covered included pond plants, marbling on potatoes, root flies, leatherjackets, sweet peas and planting climbers.

Grow Your Own was the main theme of this weeks programme. Paraic discussed growing mangetout and peas, strawberries and cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets and rhubard. Issues with potatoes including scab and wireworm were covered together with the growing of sweet potatoes. Listeners questions featured dahlias, begonias, red robin, galdiolai and camelias, and the perennial qaulities of wallflowers were considered.

On the gardening progamme this week Paraic Horkan advised on a range of herbs suitable for growing outside in Ireland including varietites of mint, lavander, thyme and oregano. Paraic also gave details on an upcoming advice clinic and listeners questions included planting colocasia and fritillaria, the care of peony roses, suitable compost for passion flowers and blooms to grow for cut flowers for summer. Astrantia, asparagus and plants for mothers day were also discussed.

Roses were featured on this weeks programme and a variety of listeners questions covered including the pruning of roses, care and planting of climbing and wild roses and sutiable red varieties. Other topics covered this week include the removal of ivry from trees, the post flowering treatment of Amaryllis, self fertilising apple treees and associated pruning tips, sweet william, globe artichokes and suitable trees for front gardens.