Showing results by narrator "Mike McGrath" in All Categories

Water is a big issue for community gardens. They often don't have access to this valuable resource. Organic Gardening Editor Scott Meyer joins us to discuss the magazine's program that helps to keep community gardens well hydrated. And, do you struggle with sandy soil that just won't hold any water or nutrients? Or are you cursed with clay that holds water slightly better than a bathtub, and is drowning your poor plants?

You may call them pill bugs, sow bugs, or roly-polies, but the most correct name for either of these two land-locked cousins to crabs and crayfish is the "woodlouse". Mike McGrath will discuss these interesting isopods and tell you what, if anything, you need to do when they show up in your compost pile or plants.

Is your garden inundated with ladybug look-alikes? This week on You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath discusses how to control the Mexican Bean Beetle - an unwanted cousin of one of our favorite insects. Chemical free answers to all your garden questions, plus your fabulous phone calls!

Spring is coming, and that means soon it will be time to get your garden going. Mike McGrath will help new gardeners avoid rookie mistakes with details on how to create a super-productive, easy-care raised bed.

Have you got lots of grass clippings that you'd like to turn into compost? This week on You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will explain why you should back away from that pile and use those clips for something much better!

Would you like to have a pest-free garden without using any sprays? Beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings are the answer. Beneficials are insects that eat only pests and don't bother good bugs or your plants. Mike McGrath will reveal which beneficial insects you can buy to release in your garden, and how you can attract many more with our list of plants that lure the good bugs in!

The stuck-tight scale pest can be a persistent problem on plants indoors and out, and their highly effective waxy coating completely protects them from natural and chemical pesticides. Mike McGrath will explain how to tell if your problem really is scale and go over the treatments that do work against this well-protected pest.

It doesn't often happen, but we have a listener struggling to keep her ivy alive, along with the usual numerous emails from listeners who can't get rid of their ivy. Mike McGrath will reveal the best ways to keep ivy happy, and he'll explain how to best get rid of it. Mike will also discuss why the plant that you're calling ivy may not be ivy at all!

Can bats control the population of pesky summertime mosquitoes? Mike McGrath will deliver an authoritative answer that will change everything you thought you knew about bats. He'll also explain how to attract these beneficial creatures to your landscape. Plus, the real story behind plants and global warming, and chemical-free answers to all your gardening questions.

The terrible taste of store-bought tomatoes is enough to get even non-gardeners to put a few plants in the ground. Luckily, growing tomatoes is fun and easy, if you give them a few things they crave and require at planting time. Mike McGrath will help you achieve love apple success with his Top Ten Tips for Terrific Tomatoes!

Want to save some money-and help save the world? On the next episode of You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will reveal how to save your own seeds from season to season and protect our genetic diversity.

It's time to start thinking about Spring bulbs! On this week's You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will review how to get the best show for your buck and identify the most naturally pest-resistant varieties. He'll also discuss how to protect the ones that are pest magnets, like oh-so-tasty tulips and crocuses. And of course, chemical free answers to all your garden questions.

There's very serious, late breaking bad news for tomato and potato growers sweeping the country. This week will be a special edition of You Bet Your Garden, where host Mike McGrath will discuss the recent outbreak of "late blight"; perhaps the most devastating of all plant diseases. Plus: Your protection options; and of course, chemical free answers to all your garden questions.

The terrible taste of store-bought tomatoes is enough to get even non-gardeners to put a few plants in the ground. Luckily, growing tomatoes is fun and easy, if you give them a few things they crave and require at planting time. Mike McGrath will help you achieve "love apple success" with his Top Ten Tips for Terrific Tomatoes!

The terrible taste of store-bought tomatoes is enough to get even non-gardeners to put a few plants in the ground. Luckily, growing tomatoes is fun and easy if you give them a few things they crave and require at planting time. Mike McGrath will help you achieve "love apple" success with his Top Ten Tips for Terrific Tomatoes!

It's finally Spring bulb planting time! Mike McGrath will talk about all the planting basics, and he'll discuss how to protect those beauties-to-be from squirrels, voles and other vermin. We'll also suggest some Spring bulbs that like growing in wet soil. Already planted your bulbs? Go out and buy more; they're a real deal this time of year!