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.

Midwest Radio Gardening Show

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 20/06/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 13/06/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 06/06/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 23/05/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 16/05/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 09/05/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 02/05/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 25/04/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 18/04/2020

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.

Midwest Radio - Weekly Gardening Advice Show 11/04/2020

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 04/04/2020

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 28/03/2020

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 21/03/2020

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 14/03/2020

Each week Padraic Horkan from Horkans Garden Centre joins Deirdre Kelly to look at every aspect of the world of gardening. From answering listeners' queries to explaining the ins and outs of every plant known to man,Padraic has all bases covered when it comes to gardening.

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Midwest Radio Gardening Show

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