検索キーワード： 著者 "Mike McGrath" すべてのカテゴリー

Has the economy got you thinking about growing for money instead of just for fun? On this week's You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will explain the important steps you need to take to insure a profit before you put a single plant in the ground!

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!

Frustrated trying to get grass to grow under a big ol' tree? This week on You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will explain what kind of sunlight and timing you need to achieve a carpet of turf under these towering titans. And of course, we'll have chemical-free answers to all your gardening questions.

Would you like dramatic, instant height in your garden? How about screening from nosy neighbors and busy streets? This week on You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will take you on a tour of the wonderful world of ornamental grasses. And of course, chemical free answers to all your garden questions.

Has your lawn carried a lot of extra weight over the years? Host Mike McGrath reveals how to ease the compaction this can cause with soil aeration and other weighty issues on this week's You Bet Your Garden. As always, fabulous phone calls and chemical free answers to garden questions.

Do your plants need a boyfriend or girlfriend nearby to produce fabulous flowers? This week, host Mike McGrath will delve into the wonderful world of plant pollination. Plus fabulous phone calls, tips and tricks - all chemical free, of course.

Are your edible gardening efforts hampered by a lack of sun? On this edition of You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will reveal the tasty treats that can survive - and maybe even thrive - with some shade!

Black pepper is one of our most popular seasonings - but it doesn't come from pepper plants! How is pepper grown, and what are the most popular varieties? Our guest is Cole Daily, vice-president of operations for Frontier Natural Foods Company. He sources "the peppercorns of the world" for this organic spice company. Later, the Question of the Week: Mike tackles a strange disease called cedar-apple rust.

It's time for Fall planting, and Mike McGrath will explain which plants do best in the cooler months. Plant garlic cloves now and harvest big fat bulbs next Spring; plant pansies now and get months of cool-season color, and edible flowers that fight varicose veins. It's also the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. You might find great deals at your local nursery!

Goats as gardeners? Sacramento Refuge Manager Kelly Moroney tells us about nature's furry weed whackers. Then, a lot of gardeners misunderstand peat moss. Host Mike McGrath will help you get a better idea of what this remarkable natural substance can do to help your plants.

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.

Looking for a lush, fragrant, fast-growing screening plant that supplies a highly valued cash crop and grows virtually anywhere? This week on You Bet Your Garden, we'll hop onto the idea of growing your own hops!

Many gardeners mulch badly; using the wrong materials in the wrong way. Bad mulch can harm or kill plants and even ruin the paint job on a house or car! Mike McGrath will discuss the downsides of wood and rubber mulches, and reveal the best options for preventing weeds and improving the look of your landscape. Plus: How Australians are turning toads into beer!

Do you want to replace your dying summer container plants with something beautiful that will survive the winter? Jeff Jabco, director of grounds and coordinator of horticulture for the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College in Philadelphia, has been teaching workshops on winter container gardening. He will suggest plants that can survive the winter from the frozen North to the milder South and give advice on what kind of soil mixture and containers to use.

Are you ready to start your seeds? Howard Shapiro from Seeds of Change joins us to discuss the all-organic offerings their new catalog. During the Question of the Week, Mike tackles a potentially stinky topic: Skunks can tear up lawns in their search for food, and they're very fond of sub-letting spaces underneath unsuspecting homeowners. Mike will explain how to safely evict them without unwanted incident; and how to erase that smell if you or your pets do get sprayed.

Spring is getting closer, and that means it time for seed starting! Mike McGrath will answer three common questions about this subject: how can you tell if old seeds are still viable? Exactly when should you start your seeds? And how can you time pumpkin plantings so they reach their peak by Halloween?

The single most important thing you can do to insure a healthy, productive garden is to make compost for your soil. But should you include things like weeds, wood ash, and droppings from small herbivores in that pile? Mike McGrath will reveal exactly what seemingly worthless waste you can safely turn into glorious garden gold!

Do you ever wonder which insect is providing the soundtrack in your backyard? Is it crickets, katydids, or cicadas? Our guest is Wil Hershberger, one of the authors of a new book called The Songs of Insects. We'll discuss the habits of singing insects and play some swinging six-legged tunes! In the Question of the Week, Mike McGrath will explain the best ways to handle suckers and water sprouts.

Plants like running bamboo, honeysuckle and trumpet vine, are so fast growing they can screen out unwanted views in a single season. Unfortunately, they continue to grow, take over entire landscapes, and can cause problems like buckled sidewalks and driveways. Mike McGrath will explain which fast-growing plants to avoid, and what the legal situation is when neighboring properties are affected. He will also highlight some safe options for screening plants.

All the leaves necessary to make great compost come down just as temperatures begin to fall as well - which stops or slows the composting process. Is it possible to keep your compost cooking during the winter? Mike McGrath will discuss winter composting, and explain how to get through the cold season without losing any composting opportunities.