Midwest Radio Gardening Show

Hedging was the spotlight feature on this weeks programme with advice on planting methods, pruning and feeding a varity of different hedges including privet and red robin, Other topics included a discussion on shade loving plants focusing on varieties such as Spotted Laurel, Castor Oil Plant, Ferns and Begonias for flower colour. The treatment and feeding of everlasting swee pea, tackling scab on fruit trees and sowing cabbage from seed and plant also featured while listeners questions covered pruning roses, changing hydrangea colours and sowing lupins.

The first programme in the 2016 season featured a discussion on beekeeping, pollination and honey production in the west of Ireland. Suggestions for Mother's Day gift ideas included Camelias, Dianthus, Azaleas and Double Flowering Begonias. The topic of moss was discussed in depth with solutions suggested for both lawns and hard surfaces and Paraic advised on how the new legislation regarding weedkillers has impacted on non-commercial gardeners. Listeners questions included slug and blight resistant potatoe varieities, evergreen climbers and pruning in general from fruit trees to hedging.

This weeks programme focused on treatments for moss on grass and hard surfaces in addition to exploring solutions to curtail briars, nettles and mare's tail. Plants featured this week included the Chinese Lantern Plant and Autumn Dwarf Anenome. Paraic addressed listerners queries on trimming Leylandii hedges, cross pollinating Skimmia, cabbage root fly, over wintering geraniums and getting rid of ragworth. Cyclamen, capiscums, primulas and winter pansies were suggested for winter colour bedding and the programme also highlighted the correct soil for growing blueberries and shrubs suitable for a south facing border.

On the first programme of the autumn season Paraic looked back at how plants performed during the summer months and with soil conditions now perfect suggested a variety of vegetable options for planting right now including onion sets, garlic, spinach, spring cabbage and lettuce. Questions this week featured re-seeding a back garden, trimming back red robin, poor performing apples, slipping verbena, boron deficient cauliflower, tips to store carrots, parsnips and onions. Paraic also advised on the best way to remove thistles and docks in lawns, black slugs attaching potatoes, cleaning ponds of reeds, flowering plants for schools and the best way to store begonias over the winter months.

With the bank holiday weekend upon us Paraic looked at things to do in the garden over the next few days. It is a perfect time to plant up strawberries and other summer fruits and now that weather conditions are accelerating the growth of Mare's tail Paraic advised on ways of curtailing this most stubborn of weeds. It is also a good time to prevent soil borne pests, planting hanging baskets and seeding new lawns. Listeners questions this week featured the trimming back of spring flowering bulbs, the prevalence of slugs in composters and the importance of not overplanting trees when planting on from pots. Other plants discussed included lemon scented geranium, wysteria, grapevines and cowparsley.

Weather conditions over the past few weeks have made early potatoe plants susceptible to blight so this week's programme started with a blight warning with Paraic advising on how best to protect young shoots. Key tasks for the coming week featured tackling algal bloom in ponds and water features, feeding of plants in general and the planting of roses with advice on soil, feeding and pest prevention. Paraic also discussed putting out hanging baskets, preventing woodlice from damaging seedlings, trimming bay trees and planting out rosemary and lavendar. Listeners questions included sowing everlasting sweet pea on banks, vegetable plants suitable for shady areas, treatement of flea beetle on rhubarb and flowering plants for december colour.

Padraic and Viv Brennan

Planting up baskets and window boxes and frost hardy bedding plants featured on this weeks programme. Paraic advised on the importance of feeding and watering to ensure successful hanging baskets and cautioned against planting out the softer bedding plants just yet. Soil temperatures are now ideal to apply feed to hedging, shrubs and trees while it is also an optimum time to apply treatemnts to ward off pests and disease. Listeners questions this week included poor performing potatoes and hydrangeas, perennial plants for summer colour, trees eating apple blossom and sowing Poached Egg plant from seeds. Paraic also advsied on the importance of not planting trees too deeply and how and when to trim heathers.

The programme focused on fruit trees this week with ideal planting conditions for planting fruit. Paraic advised on selection and soil types for apple trees and in particular looked at the coronet family as a good variety for flavour and ease of management. Paraic also discussed blueberries, damson fruit and strawberries and advsied on soil types for the different fruit. Listeners questions included feed for shrubs and trees, problems with poor performing bare root hedgeing, frost damage on cameilas, tackling gooseberry sawfly, suitable hedging for north wind locations, treatment of cabbage root fly and pruning back wallflowers. Plants featured this week included Alstroemeria and Eau de Cologne Mint.

Weather conditions are ideal this week for sowing seeds and Paraic kicked off this edition with advice on how to maximise the combination of moisture and heat. Topics featured included week killers for gravel and bind weed, pruning, feeding and planting hydrangeas and suitable climbers for exposed areas. Listeners questions included how to grow apple trees in pots, sowing carpet roses in seaside locations, timming and feeding cordaline and curtailing rootstock growth on weeping cherry. Paraic also discussed the suitability of boggy soil for growing vegetables and advised on the best approach for constructing a rockery.

With the spring sunshine making an impact a discussion on herbaceous plants kicked off the programme this week. Paraic discussed a range of plants including everlasting sweet pea, perennial wallflowers, phlox, dianthus, campanula, lupins and delphiniums. Listeners questions included tips for feeding rhubarb, how to increase the rate of organic decomposition, potting up dahlias, correct compost for spwing basil seed and growing tomatoes in a greenhouse. Other topics covered on this week's programme included treating mare's tail on graves, earthing up potatoes to avoid frost damage, suitable climbing plants for wall coverage and when to choose between liquid and pellet feeds.

This week's programme kicked off with a discussion on the upcoming design weekend and advice on how listeners could get involved. Topics featured different varieties of cherry tomatoes, peppers and chillies that grow in pots, using herbs as a method of deterring insects and the return in popularity of cottage garden plants. Listeners' questions included grafting apple trees from rootstock, suitable plants to grow on a sloping back, the application of rose clear and how to solve the problem of poor flowering daffodils. Paraic also discussed the growing of wheatgrass and horseradish, and outlined methods of curtailing caterpillars which included growing nasturtiums and creating an acidic solution from rhubarb leaves.

This week's gardening programme got underway with a discussion on the GroMor initiative which aims to encourage younger adults to take up gardening. Paraic also highlighted new EU legislation due to come into effect later in the year in relation to the use and purchase of herbicides. Listeners questions featured how to plant up and maximise growth on trailing petunias, the benefits of double layering seed potatoes, pruning and feeding fruit bushes & trees, the use of nematodes for controlling soil borne pests and tips for planting up strawberries for summer fruit.

The dry weather over the past week means conditions are perfect for planting right now and this weeks programme focused on final preparations before the growing season commences in earnest. Paraic advised about pruning, the application of winter wash and the importance of getting vegetables into the ground as soon as possible. Listeners questions featured beech hedging, creating a rose garden with full show for summer and sowing camelias and forest flame out from pots. Paraic discussed the suitability of slowing alpines on a sloping bank, caring for indoor orchids, the application of PAC and Osmo in the treatment of moss and listed options for varieties of tomatoe and cabbage.

With Mother's Day just around the corner this weeks programme kicked off with a look at some annual flowering options for this time of year such as hyndrangeas, camelias, orchids and peace lillies. Paraic also advised on gardening tasks for the coming week: lawn care, vegetable planting and spring colour options. Listeners questions featured potting hydrangeas, cutting back leylandii, removing moss from flower beds, getting rid of briars and early varieties of carrots.

This week's programme featured advice on hedging with many bare root options now available for planting. Paraic also discussed plants for Mother's Day such as camelias and hydrangeas and herb pots for the cooks. Listeners questions featured the pruning and feeding of roses, growing green manure plants, splitting and sowing dahlias, removing algae from pots and planting ferns, daisies and slug resistant potatoes. Paraic also advised on the treatment of box blight, sowing morning glory and curtailing wild rhubarb.

The final programme of this year's series focused on putting the garden to bed for Winter. Bare root hedging, feeding the lawn for the winter season, fruit planting, cutttings and taking control of weeds all featured this week. Listeners questions included Berberis hedging, pruning Hydrangeas, problems with splitting carrots, how to store beetroot and carrots, boron deficiency in turnips, flowering anturiums, testing soil for deficiency, splitting dahlias and the treatment of pampas grasses over the winter period.

This week's programme focused on planting garden trees with options for a variety of different soil types and locations. Pete advised on soil preparation, planting from bare root and looked at the merits of a variety of trees offering bark, flower and leaf colour at different times of the year. The planting of climbers also featured from evergreens to those offering flowering and leaf colour. Soil preparation and aftercare was also described in depth. Listeners questions featured trees for a windy and wet location, pruning hydrangeas, sowing apple trees from pots and flowering camillias.

The programme this week focused on pruning - from shrubs and hedges to ornamental and fruit trees. Pete & Mick advised on pruning in general and looked a best practice after care. The use of winter wash and grease bands was highlighted together with the overwintering of trees. For those looking to maintain colour thorugout the upcoming season a variety of options were discussed including winter violas, cyclamen and autumn foliage plants. Listeners questions included non-flowering Amaryllis, trees for a medium sized garden, introduciing worms to the garden and using manure as compost.

Honey production is now in full swing and Paraic brought some local varieties to studio this week and outlined the benefits from this natural food source. Topics included hedge trimming at this time of year, options for spring cabbage and planting for ponds. Listeners questions featured holly trees and berries, green and copper beech hedging, maintianing wormers and care of indoor plants such as Bromeliad Guzmania, Yucca and Amaryllis. Paraic also reminded schools of the ongoing Wild Bird Competition which has a closing date of 20th of October.