Showing results by narrator "Mike McGrath" in All Categories

Need to grow your own greens in the middle of the summer? Host Mike McGrath will tell you everything you need to know about New Zealand spinach and other greens that like it hot.

What should you say if someone offers you a load of sawdust for your landscape? Host Mike McGrath reveals just what you can and can't do for your lawn and garden with dust of wood.

Many gardeners spend a lot of time fighting weeds, like chickweed and purslane, in their landscaping. Mike McGrath offers a surprising solution for dealing with these foes: serve them for dinner! Many plants we view as weeds are tastier and healthier than some of the vegetables we grow in our gardens. He'll discuss which varieties to look for, what their nutritional value is, and how to prepare them.

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.

Blossom end rot is the cruelest problem that can strike tomatoes, turning the fruits black just as they ripen up. Mike McGrath will reveal how eggshells can save your love apples AND crisp up your cucumbers! We'll also discuss some other tomato problems that won't be cured by eggshells, and offer solutions for those, too.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Sometimes moss is the right plant in the right place-and sometimes it's just in the way. This week on You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will explain how to keep shady sidewalks and such moss-free. And of course, chemical free answers to all your garden questions.

Do you want to grow tomatoes, but have no actual land to do that growing in? This week on You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath reveals the secrets of getting those home-grown favorites to flourish in containers. Plus: chemical-free answers to all your garden questions.

Are you ready to plant peas on St. Patrick's Day? In the next thrilling episode of You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will tell you how to make sure June brings a bounty of good eating. Plus: chemical-free answers to all your gardening questions.

Honeybees are vitally important to our food supply - and they're gravely endangered! This week on You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath will talk to the author of a new book about honeybees and their decline. Plus: How to grow a garden that will help save those bees; and chemical free answers to all your garden questions.

Ever wonder if you have those insanely expensive truffles growing under your soil? This week on You Bet Your Garden with host Mike McGrath, mushroom expert Paul Stamets will reveal the delicious answer!

Did you receive comeuppance from cowardly cucumber beetles this summer? On this week's episode of You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath offers some help with this vile pickle-preventing foe!

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.