Midwest Radio Gardening Show

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Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 04/04/2020 Apr 04, 2020

Show notes

It's been a week where everyone has been in the garden and this edition of the programme continued the thread of how people can use their garden and gardening to occupy time while getting some exercise amid the Covid-19 restrictions. Paraic focused on some of the essential tasks which can be done at the moment such as pruning fruit trees, lawn care and general weed control. While retail outlets are closed to the public many garden centres are providing an on line offering so the sowing of flowers and vegetables from seeds was a popular point of discussion this week. Paraic discussed seed potatoes in addition to cabbage and carrotts from seed. There was information on pruning traditional mop head varities of hydangea and the different requirements when pruining penniculata varities such as Annabelle. Magnolia Solangeana, Alstromeria and Daffodils were all under the spolight and there was information on setting up a greenhouse. Listeners questions included planting in ericaceous compost and in poly tunnels, treating weeds growing through alpines, moving an oak, sowing ginger from root, leatherjackets in laws and what to do with crocuses post flowering.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 28/03/2020 Mar 28, 2020

Show notes

As the impact of Covid-19 took hold nationally this week's programme looked at how gardening can positively contribute to those who are home more than normal at this time. Paraic discussed the effect restrictive socialisation measures are having on the world of gardening and garden retailers, how on-line offerings are being used as a retail alternative and how that works in respect of getting product delivered to customers. There was lots of advice as to how extra time can be used in the garden, from pruning and splitting plants to growing from seed. There was information on lawn care as spring finally peeps through and Paraic looked at some vegetables suitable for planting now such as seed potatoes, cabbage, shallots and peas. Listeners questions featured hyndrageas and whitethorn as hedgerows, trimming ivy, pruning roses and planting cherry trees, sweet peas and hostas.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 21/03/2020 Mar 21, 2020

Show notes

This week's programme featured an in-depth discussion on Grow Your Own with huge interest in people growing their own fruits, vegetables, herbs and salads at home. Paraic gave an overview of Vegepods and Vegebags which make growing your own even easier, and looked at some of the plants and seeds that can be sown now, including Chard and Beetroot. There was a focus on planting potatoes with advice on wire worm and other potato related pests and suggestions for varieties of scented roses in time for Mother's Day. Other topics included poorly performing Daffodils, sowing hedging in general and treating lawns for moss. Listeners questions included growing pears from seeds, sowing strawberries for younger gardeners, options for early hanging baskets, yellow raspberries and problems with Jasmine plants outdoors.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 14/03/2020 Mar 14, 2020

Show notes

The Garden Programme returned for the 2020 season on the week that the Corona Virus took hold and Paraic started by looking at how this global challenge is impacting the gardening world. There was information in how gardening can serve to be advantageous at this time and how it can positively influence our physical and mental health. With Mother's Day just around the corner Paraic featured Daphne and Fujian Cherry for those looking to mark the occassion with a flowering plant. There was lots of advice on treating moss which has been agressive over the winter period and Paraic discussed pruning roses and hyndrangeas now. Listeners questions included slug resistant varieties of potatoes, feeding rhubarb, perennials for windy coastal gardens and pruning Cherry Blossoms.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 26/10/2019 Oct 26, 2019

Show notes

In the final programme of the current series Paraic suggested a list of things to do in the garden over the Halloween weekend and suggested some Autumnal projects for the garden. The programme looked at planting indoor Hyacinths and Amaryllis and for Christmas colour and storing bulbs over winter. There was information on how to keep Hyndrageas blue, moss treatments for hard and grass surfaces, sowing lillies for net year and planting with children over Halloween. Listeners questions included wire worm in potatoes, taking cuttings from geraniums, planting garlicand Japanese Onion sets, covering Camelias over winter and seeds for birds at this time of year.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 19/10/2019 Oct 19, 2019

Show notes

October is bulb planting season and this week Paraic looked at a variety of flowering bulbs that are easy to grow and perfect for adding colour to patios, pots and the garden in general. Tulips, Daffodils, Narcissus, Freesias, Camassia and Alliums were all featured with hints and tips on planting up. There was advice on cutting back apple trees and treating with winter wash and also tips on growing apple trees in containers. Listeners questions included dividing herbaceous plants, transplanting Daffodils, cutting back White Beam and Cherry Blossom, propogating roses and options for natural coloured Heathers.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 12/10/2019 Oct 12, 2019

Show notes

This week Paraic looked ahead to the Westport Honeybee Festival taking place on Saturday 18th October which includes speakers on a variety of honeybee and honey related topics including gardening and biodiversity. As this is the time of year to take cutting Paraic gave a step by step guide on how to take cuttings, the best environment for bringing them on successfully and how to care for them over the winter period. Cyclamen were featured in detail with information on both bulb and patio varieties and tips on how to sow from seeds. Listeners questions included spring flowering bulbs for shaded areas, storing Dahlias over the winter, splitting and replanting hostas, care of apple trees post fruiting, slug control, harvesting Sea Buckthorn berries and treatment for Nostock which appears on hard surfaces at this time of year.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 05/10/2019 Oct 05, 2019

Show notes

On the programme this week Paraic looked back at the recent Climate Fest event which featured various workshops and seminars on how can positively impact the issue of climate change at an individual level. One such way from the perspective of gardening is to plant more trees and the programme looked at a range of native Irish trees with that in mind such as Hazel, Willow, Poplar, Mallus and Lime. There was information on how to get Hazel trees to fruit, the different kinds of Mountain Ash, trees suitable for an elevated site and trees suitable for wet conditions. Listeners questions included varieties of blue roses, trimming back Dogwood, growing micro greens, cultivating kiwi fruit in tunnels, the planting and care of Helibores and the creation of green manure.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 28/09/2019 Sep 28, 2019

Show notes

As September bows out this week's programme looked at some of the beautiful autumn leaf colour available at the moment with trees such as Liquid Amber, Autumn Blaze and Parrotia Persica all in the spotlight. The honey harvest has arrived and Paraic noted the benefits of honey avaialable locally compared to that mass produced elsewhere. There was information on building and cleaning out nesting boxes in preparation for spring and tips on what to do in the greenhouse now while the Ice Plant, Sunflowers and Nerines were all featured this week. Listeners questions ranged from cutting back Poplars and Hazelnut Trees to food for house plants and using coffee cups to sow seeds indoors.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 14/09/2019 Sep 14, 2019

Show notes

On this week's programme Paraic looked at sowing for next year and tidying up the garden. There were tips for managing moss which is very prevalent after the moist conditions in August - Paraic advised on applying treatments before it takes hold. There was information on composting, sowing sweet peas and herbs for Christmas and a reminder to plant bulbs now for spring colour. Listeners questions featured moving deciduous trees, plants for a long slope, digging and dividing hostas, collecting and saving sunflower and other seeds, advice on the best apple trees to plant for cooking and eating and managing and feeding camelias.

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