Midwest Radio Gardening Show

As new Level 5 restrictions come into effect this week's programme looks at the impact of those restrictions on garden centres and Paraic outlines the measures being taken to maintain safety over the coming weeks. While official wintertime commences now there are still lots of opportunities for planting up in advance of Spring. Elephant garlic, a perennial variety of this flavourful bulb, and herbs can all be sown now for Christmas harvest. For those looking to introduce some colour to pots and containers Paraic recommends mixing winter heathers with ornamental cabbage and cyclamen for instant impact, and he gives a timely reminder about feeding wild birds. There's advice on pruning back fruit trees, planting compact pampas grass, growing silver broom and trimming back hostas and lupins. Listeners questions feature overwintering rhubarb, strawberries, gladioli and begonias, moving hydrangea, using wood ash on plants, replanting alstromeria, the care of amaryllis and planting veg in polytunnels.

Autumn colour is really vibrant this year and in this programme Paraic explains the science on how the drop in temperatures affects plant sugars creating this annual visual display. There is a reminder of key garden tasks that can be done right now, and a look at some alium vegetables including onions, garlic and shallots that can all be planted during October. There's winter colour on offer from winter heathers and hellebores which can be underplanted with spring bulbs. Viburnum also provides colour during the darker winter months, and wallflowers and tulips provide great companion planting options for spring. Paraic advised on the practicalities of pruning and looked at evergreen as well as deciduous plants for those wishing to cut back and tidy up shrubs and trees both big and small. Listeners questions include planting blackcurrants from pots, ground covering perrenials for seaside locations, planting lavedner, moving pyracantha, the advantages and benefits of raised beds and the care of bayleaf standard

Autumn planting is highly advisible for hedging and for those who are planning a hedge right now this week's programme highlights the importance of selecting the right type of plant to suit the particular location. Paraic gives some excellent tips on matching different hedges with different environments and he emphasises the benefit of putting hedging plants in now thereby allowing them to get established over the winter months. Tulip planting is another key task to focus on at the moment and Paraic discussed some of the different varieties avaialable. There's information on repotting houseplants, planting carrots in raised beds, growing potato vines, pruning back blackberries and sowing lilies. Listeners questions in this programme include saving geraniums for next year, splitting mother-in-laws tongue, building a walipini (sunken greenhouse) in Ireland, treatment of nostuck, pruing back mop head hydrangeas, moving a bed of carpet roses and overwintering angels wing plants.

Cooler temperatures mean gardens are slipping into autumn and revealing some super autumn colours. Paraic encouraged listeners to take advantage of the reasonably good weather over the weekend to get lawns trimmed and fed and to plant some bulbs for spring colour in pots, containers and lawn areas. He discussed cutting back, dividing and replanting hostas and sowing hardy annuals from seeds. There was information on planting herbs for Christmas, treating moss on hard surfaces, transplanting bottle brush and setting pixie cabbage out of doors. Listeners questions included problems with yellowing grass, briars growing through hedging, harvesting potatoes and carrots, sowing lupins for next year, treating apple scab and codley moth, overwintering saliva and how to grow tree ferns.

The programme this week opened with a reminder about bulb planting for spring, and featured some of the vegetables that can be sown from seed at the moment including broad beans. Conditions over the weekend are perfect for tidying up lawns. The recent night frosts have started to impact any remaining tender bedding plants so Paraic had lots of advice on what to do to get the garden winter ready. There was also a reminder about the benefits of green manure - Paraic highlighted red clover as both a great way to add nutrition to the soil while also being excellent for pollinators. There were features on miscanthus grass, echium plants and bromeliad guzmania. Other topics this week included saving and sowing seeds of marigolds over the winter period, native trees suitable for a small garden, lifting and storing carrots and potatoes, and protecting cabbage and broccoli in frosty weather. Questions from listeners featured gorwing poinsettias, problems with apple scab, taking cuttings from salvia, moving silver birc

Weather conditions have been perfect for planting vegetables recently and on this week's programme Paraic discussed sowing broccoli, cabbage, spinach and a variety of other seeds directly out of doors. It's also a super time to plant wildflower seed and lawn seed, particularly if there are areas for patching. Paraic's advice on bulb planting lasagne style generated lots of interest – this layering method results in super colour through winter and into mid spring. It's also a great time for planting climbers as plants have time to develop a strong root system and become established for next year. Questions this week included improving soil quality for forest flame, recommendations for grave planting in windy areas, tidying up and companion planting hostas, dwarf trees for courtyard areas and tips for preparing ground when sowing wildflower seed.

As autumn kicks into gear the programme this week looked at planting up bulbs for the coming year - Paraic highlighted japanese onion sets and garlic for vegetable lovers and for those looking for winter/spring colour there was information on winter achonites, crocus bulbs, frittalaria, aliums, and old favourites such as daffodils and tulips. Paraic also discussed the harvesting and planting of fruit at this time with blueberries, blackcurrants and the less common honeyberry and malus all featuring with recomendations on numbers and varieties of plants. There were tips on creatuing and protecting small bird feeders, how to take cuttings, dividing strawberry plants and the difference between polytunnels and polycarbon greenhouses. Listeners questions featured replanting roses, identifying old varieties of apple trees, root fly on lettuce, cracks in pear trees, what to sow in the veggie pod for winter and planting common lilac.

The autumn season returned with a look back at some of the gardening trends over the summer and a look ahead to what the garden offers for the months of September and October. Paraic discussed some projects for schools now that they are back in action. There was information on setting up wildlife stations, biodiversitiy areas and growing your five-a-day to interest younger gardeners. Hydrangeas were also centre stage this week with lots of questions on flowering trends, cutting back and propogating these much loved showstoppers. Frost hardy perennials, transplanting rhubarb, lawn damage from dogs and cutting back blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes all featured this week, while listener questions included treating blackspot on hedges, planting in polytunnels now, sowing tulips bulbs from last year, repotting orchids, and boron deficiency in swedes and turnips.

In our final programme for the Spring/Summer season Paraic reminded listeners about treating for blight on foot of a warning issued by Met Eireann. As growth continues during July and August it's important to keep plants fed, particulary those in full flower and to deadhead those coming to an end. Many lawns are yellow and hungry right now so feeding is recommended, and for those interetested in sowing seeds for next year conditions are currently ideal for germination. Paraic looked at climbers such as Clematis, Ivy and Virginia Creeper, discussed the management of broccoli and spinach going to seed and reminded about the efficacy of nematodes as a treatment for soil borne pests such as leatherjackets. Listeners questions included the care of orchids, pruning back blackcurrants, trees that grow in a columnar shape, rolling lawns, the use of Epsom Salts on roses, growing and transplanting peas and the management of outdoor geraniums for long lasting flowers.

On this week's programme Paraic looked at some plants currently available for summer planting. The peniculata varieties of hydranea such as Bobo, Little Lime and Wim's Red give super summer colour while Parahebee Avalanche is ideal for cover and very easy to propogate from cuttings. There was a reminder on treatment for blight on potatoes and tomatoes, information on sowing green manure and advice for planting new areas of waste ground, both large grassland plots and smaller garden spaces. Listeners questions included feed for cordalines and calla lilies, black spots on braod beans, propogating roses, honeysuckle and the curry plant, treatment for buttercups, mulch mowing in dry conditions and care of strawberries to promote strong fruiting.

While water conservation measures may have led to a hose ban for gardeners watering cans can still be used. Paraic reminded listeners that recycled dish water can be used on plants in addition to stored rainwater. He also gave tips on how to conserve available water to maximum effect by using plastic saucers, water butts and swell gels. Autumn vegetables such as kale can be planted from seed now and Paraic recommended sowing scarlet and black magic as well as the more traditional varieties. There was advice on propogating plants from cuttings and a reminder that weather conditions are favourable for blight over the coming days so now is the time to apply a spray treatment. Listeners questions included recommendations for a tree with foliage for a seaside location, plants for a border along a driveway, how to set weigelia and hosta, problems with pot bound roses, how to sow vegetables organically and treatment for cabbage root fly.

Sowing conditions are perfect right now and on this week's programe Paraic gave tips and advice on sowing news lawns and filling in bare patches. He also discussed planting wildflower areas and highlighted phacelia which has the added benefit of replenishing soil. It's also a great time to sow flower seeds for both this and next year – forget-me-knots, wallflowers, salvia, night scented stock and foxgloves can all be planted now. There was a reminder than nematodes have become available as a treatment for slugs, leatherjackets and caterpillars, and that it's not too late to plant vegetables from seed. Other topics included large and small vareites of rhodedendrons, planting up begonias, getting rid of russian vine and evergreen trees for smaller gardens. Listeners questions featured vine weavil on saxifraga, planting herb seedlings, care of variegeted sheffelaria, treatment of box blight and climbing plants for an archway in an exposed area.

Temperatures are still on the up and the dry hot weather means that it is necessary to water and feed plants at the moment. Paraic gave advice on how to water conservatively and what to focus on if supplies are limited. The recent wind damage is more evident in the past week so there was advice on what to do if plants have been affected and there was information on how listeners can take part in the Bloom At Home event which is taking place over the weekend. Topics covered included growing ivy to cover a wall, feeding, dead-heading and treating lupins for aphids, watering and feeding tomoatoes and setting alpines in a small rockery. Listeners questions included feeding and transplanting peony roses, treatment for cabbage and carrot root fly, feeding beetroot, lifting and storing tulips and sowing parsley and basil from seed.

The re-opening of garden centres has sparked a busy gardening week however the windy conditions of recent days have caused some damage to trees and younger plants. Paraic gave advice on how to treat plants that were impacted by the wind and noted that in the majority of cases plants will recover and respond favourably to this weather induced 'Chelsea Chop'. There was a reminder that seeds can still be sown - Paraic featured a range of vegetable seeds including the beetroot variety Rainbow Mix, cabbage varieties Greyhound and Sweetie and the carrot variety Ideal. There was information on pruning back and sealing Cherry Blossom, advice on planting Dahlias from tubers which can be done now and recommendations for hardy hedges in exposed areas. Listeners questions included growing artichoke from seed, leaf curl on tomatoes, the use of water retention gels and disease resistant Pyracantha.

Nightime frosts over the past week have had a severe impact on new growth and tender young plants so this week Paraic opened the programme with an advisory on what to do if plants have been affected. He discussed frost damage on vegetable plants, including potatoes, hedges in general and on summer bedding and bulbs that have been planted out early. With phase 1 of the government's COVID-19 roadmap coming into effect this Monday there was information on how garden centres are approaching re-opening and what customers can expect when they visit. Nemecia Vanilla, Campanella Porto and Lemon Scented Geranium were all featured this week while listeners questions included overwatering carrot seed, problems with woodlice, poor performing lawns, hostas and slug damage, lilacs and rhodedendrons not flowering and how to treat a mature jasmine cut down in error.

Drier conditions in the past couple of weeks are set to continue and this week Paraic gave a timely reminder about the importance of watering to ensure sufficient moisture for growing plants. He gave tips on the best approach to watering and warned against under or overwatering and the impact that can have. Hanging baskets can be started now and for those looking to start from scratch there are a range of garden kits available online while restrictions continue with a variety of options to choose from. There was information on lawn care, and as its tomato time Paraic reminded listeners that its time to pot up tomatos now. There was extensive advice on hedging and some of the more common problems appearing on hedges at the moment. Questions this week included protecting acers from frost, moving lupins, when to carry out the Chelsea chop, taking slips from shrubs, differences between old and new peony roses, training campanula and growing garlic.

This week's programme opened with a special feature on Norah Ralph, a young lady from Mayo who together with her family has been sharing her love of gardening, food and nature with a huge audience on social media worldwide. This week Norah took Paraic on a tour of the family's garden and shared her interest and knowledge with us on the programme. There was a feature on laurel hedges which are showing signs of struggle now from the very wet winter just past and some interesting information on how the latent presence of agricultural presticides in farmyard manure is causing potato stalk leaves to curl for some gardeners. Listeners questions included the care and feeding of mature heather beds, the challenges of gooseberry sawfly, feed for japanese acers, tips to promote pollination of apple trees, problems with cordoline, crinodendron and holly and summer bedding that will be long lasting in a raised bed.

The weather is up and that calls for watering of plants so this week Paraic gave timely reminder to continue to water plants in pots, any newly planted seeds and to give all plants a good liquid feed to kick them into growth. There was a special feature on getting your lawn looking its best with information on sowing and seeding new lawns, the different kinds of grasses available, tips on managing meadow grasses and of course staying on top of the dreaded moss. Other topics included pruning, feeding and treating roses for aphids, transforming a scrub area into a wildlife habitat and the trimming and feeding of laurel and other hedges in general. Listeners questions featured problems with Hyndrangea Seratifolia, Camelias, flowering Cherry in pots, scorched Liquid Amber, what to do with Hellebores post flowering, tripping Mahonia and the growing of Angels Wings plants.

Warmer temperatures and prolonged sunshine has resulted in excellent growth for this time of year. Paraic gave some recommendations to help new growth along and prevent pests which are very prolific at the moment. There was general advice for treating aphids and slugs and a reminder that patio pots and containers need to be watered in this drier weather. It's also time to feed daffodils, crocuses and tulips and to feed rhubarb for strong sweet stems in may. As many listeners are cocooned there was lots of questions this week including trimming laurel hedges, problems with cabbage root fly, tidying cordalines, planting containers in coastal areas, storing daffodil bulbs, planting wildflowers, encouraging geraniums to flower and splitting hostas.

Gardening is one activity that continues to be enjoyed by people during this time of social distancing and restriction. This week Paraic gave an update on measures being taken by garden centres and horticultural retailers in respect of government guidelines resulting in garden centres being closed to the public but online purcahes can be made with home delivery. There was a feature on the young gardening and food blogger Norah Ralph and tips on what can be done in the garden over the Easter weekend from splitting favourites such as hostas, astilbes and lillies to feeding all garden plants now new growth has started with warmer weather. Listeners questions included advice on scarifing laws, feeding and care of apple trees and training espaliers, caring for camelias to encourage flowering, problems with indoor plants such as bromiliads and cotinus, replanting in soil previously infested with carrot root fly and using shop bought potatoes in the absence of standard seed this year.