Archived Shows
May 2008

05/03/08
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Roses are the most popular garden flower, and Mike McGrath strongly believes that their reputation for being difficult to grow is completely unwarranted. Poor planning at planting time often results in plants that never really had a chance at a happy, disease-free life. Mike will reveal the Ten Secrets of Rose Planting Success in the Question of the Week.

05/10/08
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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 an ivy at all!

05/17/08
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A lot of gardeners get a bit confused when looking for the right soil or soil amendments at the garden store. What do terms like mulch, compost, humus, topsoil and biosolids really mean? Mike McGrath will help you buy the right stuff with a loquacious lexicon of the language you may encounter on your Quest For Compost! He will also advise on where to use which type of "dirt." Plus: Local activists have put North Carolina on the leading edge of safe farming and gardening practices - but why does their organization have a brand new name? We'll hear from Fawn Pattison of Toxic Free North Carolina.

05/24/08
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Morning glories are beautiful, and while they tend to spread quickly, they are easy to control. But they have an invasive, weedy perennial cousin, which can really get out of hand. Mike McGrath will explain the difference between morning glory and bindweed, and give detailed information on how to handle both.

05/31/08
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Stuck-tight scale 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.