Thinking of starting your own plants from seed this season? Success begins with a soil-free mix! On the latest You Bet Your Garden, Mike McGrath reveals what to include in a seed-starting mix and what to leave out. Plus, your fabulous phone calls!
Question of the Week:
I’m really interested in starting my own vegetables from seed this year using soil blocks. But I’m finding quite a disparity in the basic “recipes” for soil block seed starting. They generally involve peat moss, soil from the existing garden, perlite, lime, compost and a fertilizer mix of bloodmeal, greensand and rock phosphate; but they vary. Some omit the garden soil, some omit the lime, and the amount of the fertilizer mix can vary greatly from recipe to recipe. I’ve also been told to find another source of potassium because greensand takes too long to break down to be effective for the young plant’s needs, but I am doubtful of this information. Can you give me any advice?
-Dave in Carlisle, PA
How to get your seeds sprouting »

The Right Mix for Starting Seeds

Mike McGrath hosts this call-in public radio program and offers light-hearted, organic gardening guidance.

Sports & Recreation

Professional

Amateur

Outdoor

College & High School

Mike McGrath loves radio, but he’s always down to show off in front of a crowd. This week’s You Bet Your Garden is a very special treat: excerpts from Mike’s talk at Meadowbrook Farm in Abington, PA earlier this summer. Subjects include tomato pollination, diversity of native bees, rosemary vs St. John’s wart, and so much more!

Live at Meadowbrook Farm

Your tomatoes and peppers are under attack; big chunks are missing! On the latest You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath identifies the most likely suspects and reveals if the leftovers are safe to eat. Plus, your fabulous phone calls!
Question of the Week:
I believe that my garden has recently been visited by these pests. The question is: do I throw away all the veggies they have taken a chunk of? Or try to salvage the parts that may still be consumable?
— Vicki in Madison, AL
Can Mike identify the culprit?

What’s Eating my Garden? And are the ‘Leftovers’ Safe?

Got lots of ripe tomatoes coming in? More than you can eat? On the latest You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath walks you through the cooking and processing of superior tomato sauce, with an emphasis on using the fewest garden fresh ingredients. Plus, your fabulous phone calls!
Question of the Week:
I’m in tomato heaven; and I just got a Vitamix high-powered blender. I am SO excited to be able to just toss whole tomatoes into that mixer! Now, when I make the sauce—adding spices, herbs, sweetener and a bit of balsamic vinegar—can I can them up without adding lemon juice? I worry that it would ruin the whole thang. (And yes, Stef did type ‘thang’.)
—Steffanie in Illinois
How to make tasty tomato sauce »

Tomato Sauce 101: From Vine to Jar

In fall, a young man’s fancy turns to…killing greasy grubs! On the latest You Bet Your Garden, Mike McGrath lays out your organic grub control options and explains why this is the time of year to strike. Plus, your fabulous phone calls!
Question of the Week:
When is the best time to apply milky spore to control Japanese beetle grubs in the lawn? And how often should it be applied?
—Stephen in Ellicott City, Maryland
How to get rid of grubs » 

September is THE Time for Lawn Care and Repair

If you’ve been to a home show, you’ve seen the rival franchises selling mosquito spray packages to homeowners. On the latest You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath responds to a listener concerned about her neighbor’s use of such a service, and does a bit of sleuthing to figure out exactly what’s in those sprays. Plus, your fabulous phone calls!

The Right Mix for Starting Seeds

Download our free app to listen on your phone