Gardening Archives

Tomatomania IV: Attack of the Nasty Shorts

August 14, 2021August 14, 2021 Mike Nowak "code red" from IPCC, Craig LeHoullier, Epic Tomatoes, gardening, KC Tomato, Keith Mueller, nasty shorts, Peggy Malecki, The Mike Nowak Show, tomato diseases, tomatoes in hot weather, U.S. wildfires

The tomato guys are back! Keith Mueller (aka KC Tomato) and Craig LeHoullier (author of “Epic Tomatoes”) return for Tomatomania IV: Attack of the Nasty Shorts. They talk about late season tomato issues and offer expert advice. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio also returns to report on wildfires, hurricanes and the “code red” about climate change from the IPCC.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04:25 — 59.4MB)

Where local food is concerned, it was a good spring session in the Illinois General Assembly in 2021. Molly Gleason from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance talks about the various local food and conservation programs that were passed by the Illinois General Assembly. Bob Benenson joins the conversation and promotes National Farmers Market Week. Edith Makra and Geneva, Illinois Mayor Kevin Burns from the Metropolitan Mayors Council discuss the roll out of the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region.

Birding Conservation Environment Gardening Monarch butterflies

Create Sanctuary for Wildlife in your Garden

June 26, 2021June 29, 2021 Mike Nowak Creating sanctuary for wildlife, fighting HOAs, invasive plants, Janet Crouch, lawns v gardens, Nancy Lawson, native plants in the garden, Peggy Malecki, pokeweed as garden plant, The Humane Gardener, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:02:15 — 57.3MB)

Nancy Lawson has written an exceptional book called The Humane Gardener. On today’s show, she talks about strategies for encouraging critters of all types, whether they are reviled or not, to become part of your local ecosystem. Her sister, Janet Crouch, then reports on how she took on her HOA to protect her native plant garden, and not only won the case, but got state law in Maryland changed.

Climate change Environment Gardening Tomatoes

Tomatomania III: The Looming Drought

June 19, 2021June 23, 2021 Mike Nowak Craig LeHoullier, KC Tomato, Keith Mueller, Meteorologist Rick DiMaio, Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, Organic Seed Alliance, Peggy Malecki, The Mike Nowak Show, Tomatomania, U.S. drought 2021, watering tomatoes

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:01:20 — 57.5MB)

Tomato experts Craig LeHoullier and Keith Mueller (KC Tomato) return to celebrate Tomatomania III: The Looming Drought. They talk about their work growing and breeding tomatoes and offer tips for backyard gardeners during dry conditions. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio then continues the conversation about the 2021 U.S. drought across most of the West and some of the Midwest.

Gardening Podcast Water conservation

Trowels Out at Garden Rant

March 20, 2021May 18, 2021 Mike Nowak COVID-19, Current Water, Garden Rant, gardening controversies, Marianne Willburn, Peggy Malecki, Scott Beuerlein, Susan Harris, The Mike Nowak Show, water quality, World Water Day 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00:25 — 57.3MB)

Garden Rant is celebrating its 15th year of poison pens and killer wit about all things gardening. Ranter Marianne Willburn and co-founder Susan Harris stop by to talk about their work…and fun. Alaina Harkness of Current Water returns to talk about World Water Day 2021 and protecting water quality in the age of climate change and coronavirus.

Gardening

Tomatomania IV: Attack of the Nasty Shorts

On the Road at The Growing Place

Local Food Is Getting Better In Illinois

Return of the Butterfly Whisperer

Create Sanctuary for Wildlife in your Garden

Tomatomania III: The Looming Drought

Start with Something Simple and Beautiful

Practical and Reliable Talk from Melinda Myers

Meet the Challenge of Spring

Trowels Out at Garden Rant