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What to sow in May?  

May is a busy month for sowing in the garden and while for the last few months we have been doing all our sowing inside in module trays or pots now we can start direct sowing into the ground.  

So, what seeds can you sow in May? 

In the ground directly sow beetroot, carrots, turnip, parsnip, swede, lettuce, spinach, spring onions, radish, chard and more. Some of these I will sow in small amounts on a successional basis other such as parsnip which does not run to seed easily, I will sow a larger amount and do further sowings in June.  

I will continue to sow my successional vegetables in small amounts in module trays in these I will sow Cabbage, Cauliflower, Calabrese, Brussell sprouts, Leeks etc.  

In the greenhouse I will also be sowing pumpkin, sweetcorn, runner bean, celery, French beans, cucumber, courgette and I will also be trying melon this year in my polytunnel.  

You can also sow most herbs this month. The herbs I will be sowing in May include coriander, basil, dill, parsley.  

Also, many annual flowers can also still be sown these include marigold, nasturtium, nigella, cornflower, and calendula. I will also sow some Dahlia and other perennials this month.  

It is important to continue to sow seed even when your beds look full so that you have some plants ready to fill your beds after your first harvest.   

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my 
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG 
or email [email protected] 
 
Until next week 
Happy gardening 
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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After such a poor spring weather wise many lawns are far from looking their best. The prolonged wet and cold spring has left many lawns looked tired, full of moss and weeds. In this episode John gives tips to get your lawns back in shape and looking great this spring.  

Have a look at a previous in-depth blog post and podcast I have done on lawns here. 
https://mastermygarden.com/how-to-have-the-perfect-lawn/

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my 
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 
 
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG 
or email [email protected] 
 
Until next week 
Happy gardening 
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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In this weeks episode of John chats with Carmen Cronin show director of Clare Garden Festival which is on Sunday 30th of April. Featuring expert speakers , plants nurseries, practical workshops and much more it is an event not to be missed. To find out more visit the website below or look for Clare garden festival on Facebook and Instagram.
http://claregardenfestival.com

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my 
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 
 
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG 
or email [email protected] 
 
Until next week 
Happy gardening 
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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How to look after young plants in spring is the topic on this week's episode of Master My Garden podcast.  

Yet again up to the 14th of April 2022 we have had a horrible start to the month weather wise with wind, lots of rain, chilly days, and night frosts these are far from ideal conditions for the seedlings we have sowed and minded for the last few weeks.  If you want to check out the weather in your local area of Ireland check out the below website and tap on the nearest weather station to you.
https://www.met.ie

So, John looks at how to mind all those seedlings you have been minding and growing on your windowsill or greenhouse. At this stage, your seedlings are really looking for more space and looking to get into the ground, but the weather and the different weather threats such as frost, hail, heavy showers, and wind can all severely damage and even kill your precious little seedlings. So, what can we do to ensure we can make sure they reach their full potential over the coming months?  

So here is what we can do to protect our seedlings: 

·      Bring them outside during any mild days to toughen them up. 

·      Use frost fleece and after a night's frost do not remove the following morning until noon. 

· Use bio netting/ environmesh this will protect from hail, heavy showers, and wind when you get your seedling out into your beds. This netting allows water and air through, so it is a healthy environment inside for plants. 

·      Feed them with seaweed fertilizer this will help them to harden up and will toughen the cells of the leaves and stems.  

·      Earth up potatoes as they start to peep out of the ground 

 There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my 
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 
 
 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG 
or email [email protected] 
 
Until next week 
Happy gardening 
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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What vegetables to sow in April? That's what we are talking about in this weeks episode.

 The list of seeds we can sow in April in the veg garden is long but it does vary from year to year. For example we have had here in Ireland one of the wettest March's on record with rain almost every day. This has meant that the ground is very wet and because of that very cold. In other years we could have a warm and dry March and sowing outside may be possible in certain areas in early April.

There are still so many seeds we can be sowing and it is a busy month in the garden.

Seed to sow in short successions 7 days in module trays for planting out later: 

• Spinach
• Lettuce (all types)
• Spring Onions
• Peas shoots

Seed to sow medium successions 10-14 days in module trays for planting out later: 

• Early Cabbage
• Cauliflower 
• Calabrese

Seed to sow once or in long successions 30 days in module trays for planting out later: 

• Leeks
• Onions (last sowing mid April) 
• Chard (I only sow once a year and harvest from small number of plants for 12 months) 
• Peas 
• Herbs Coriander, Dill, Parsley

Seed to with heat or late in April.

• Squash
• Pumpkin
• Sweetcorn
• Cucumber
• Courgette  

Seed to sow short successions in ground outside (if temperatures increase) or in greenhouse. 

• Early carrots 
• Parsnip
• Radish  
• Spinach
• Beetroot

I will also be sowing annual flowers like marigolds, calendulas, nasturtium, cornflower, cosmos and more. I will also sow some perennials like Dahlia, Verbena, Lupin  and some biennials like Foxglove. 

Its a busy month so keep sowing or in some cases start sowing and be sure to protect young seedlings from slugs and the harsh spring weather.

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on Master My Garden website. 
Website:https://mastermygarden.com/   

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/   
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/   
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG   
or email [email protected]   
 
Until next week    
Happy Gardening    
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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What plants grow in shaded areas? That is a question that listeners ask all the time.  

So, for this week's episode of the podcast John chats with Mike Keep from Shady Plants. Mike company specializes in plants for shaded areas and as we find out in the episode there are many types of shaded areas such as wet shade, shaded areas in housing estate which get almost no sun and the most difficult area dry shade.  

The good news here is if you have any of these areas there are plants for these areas that will grow and more importantly plants that will make these areas look great.  

During the episode Mike mentions many plants varieties too many to list here but if you have any shaded area which you want to plant up contact Mike and he will supply you with a planting guide for that area.  

Mike will be visiting many of the plants fairs this year you can find a list of plant fairs here  

https://www.irishspecialistnurseriesassociation.com 

Or visit Mike website here  

https://www.shadyplants.net  

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on Master My Garden website. 
Website:https://mastermygarden.com/   

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/   
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/   
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG   
or email [email protected]   
 
Until next week    
Happy Gardening    
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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Soil health is the cornerstone of successful gardening and particularly growing your own food. This is something I am sure on, if below the surface is healthy then above the surface (what you grow) will be excellent.

I wasn't always aware of this and when I studied horticulture it wasn't something that was of high importance. But through observation initially I came to realise that it is the number 1 most important aspect of growing food successfully.

How do I grow my own food ? Well the answer to this question has many elements from sowing to planting, planning etc etc but soil health if got right will make everything else easier and more successful.

The good news for us home gardeners is that improving soil health is quiet easy and generally starts with the addition of organic matter which feeds the soil life. The soil food web is complex and many scientists dedicate their lives to understanding it but for us the addition of quality organic matter will lead us to healthy soil and abundant crops. Fact!

Keep an eye out over the coming weeks for my online Grow Your own food course in the coming weeks and of course soil health is mentioned quiet a bit.

You can also check out these two episodes which include soil health and the benefits of no dig gardening.

Episode 083 Biochar with Karen O Hanlon Pro Bio Carbon

https://www.buzzsprout.com/857398/8998817
https://www.probiocarbon.ie

Episode 056 with No Dig Expert Charles Dowding

https://www.buzzsprout.com/857398/7751290



There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on Master My Garden website. 
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week   
Happy Gardening   
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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10th March 2023 Master My Garden Podcast  

What seeds to sow in March? In this week's episode John chats about what vegetable seeds to sow in March? What flower seed to sow in March? John also chats about other gardening Jobs for the month of March.  

Firstly, as many of you know I always talk about knowing your area in terms of seed sowing and planting out because all areas are different. Many of you will be lucky enough to be in an earlier area such as in west Cork, Kerry, or other areas along the south coast of Ireland. However, for the rest of us it is still too cold and will continue to be for much of the month of March.  

So, most of what we will sow now will be sown indoors in module trays for planting outside in early April. 

Seed I am sowing Indoor in Module trays for Planting out In April.  

Spinach, Lettuce, Scallions/Spring Onion, Early cabbage, Early Cauliflower, Calabrese, Onion, Broad Bean, Celery, Leeks  

Seed I am sowing Indoor in Module trays for Planting in tunnel.  

Parsley, Dill, Coriander & Celery 

Seed I am sowing Indoor on heat for Planting in tunnel. 

Aubergine, Tomato, Chili Pepper, Bell Pepper & Squash (late in month).  

I am direct sowing in my polytunnel. 

Beetroot, Radish, Carrot & Turnip 

I will also plant early potatoes (Red Duke of York) into my polytunnel late in the month and I am currently heating up the ground where they will be planted with black plastic, so the temperature is nice and warm at planting time.  

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on Master My Garden website. 
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/ 

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ 
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG  
or email [email protected]  
 
Until next week   
Happy Gardening   
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John

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Vine weevil, one of gardeners major and ongoing foe’s is the topic of this week's episode. A listener has asked for advice on how to deal with vine weevils in her pots and hanging baskets. So, John looks at ways to combat vine weevil and how you can control them using biological control nematodes. We also chat about ways to spot the problem early, the best potting mixes that may help and much more.  

There will be a blog post on this episode very soon on my website. This blog and previous blogs along with all podcast episodes are available on my 
Website :https://mastermygarden.com/

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. 
Please like and follow Master My Garden on the following channels 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/tweetsbyMMG 
or email [email protected] 
 
Until next week  
Happy Gardening  
John 

Support the show

If there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know.
Email: [email protected]

Master My Garden Courses:
https://mastermygarden.com/courses/


Check out Master My Garden on the following channels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/
Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/

Until next week
Happy gardening
John