Lawn Care Archives

The Hidden Dangers of Artificial Turf

May 7, 2022May 8, 2022 Mike Nowak Bob Dolgan, dangers to student athletes, Dim the Lights for Birds at Night, environment, Go Real Go Grass, Monty and Rose, Peggy Malecki, PFAS in artificial turf, recycling artificial turf, The Mike Nowak Show, This Week in Birding, World Migratory Bird Day

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:01:36 — 58.8MB)

Thousands of artificial turf fields have popped up across the country in the past few decades. The argument is that they’re cheaper, easy to maintain and perfectly safe. Really? We talk to a group of concerned Lake Forest, IL citizens from Go Real Go Grass, who reveal the dark side of artificial turf. Meanwhile, Ryan Anderson explains how you can grow real turf without using pesticides. He also announces a new certification program for healthy turf. Bob Dolgan from This Week in Birding talks about the latest chapter in the Monty and Rose saga and reports on World Migratory Bird Day.

animal welfare Lawn Care Lifestyle

Protect Creatures Great and Small

February 12, 2022February 13, 2022 Mike Nowak animal welfare, Chicago Alliance for Animals, Hawk City K9, Hounds & Grounds, Illinois Humane Pet Store Bill, Jodie Wiederkehr, lawn chemicals, Midwest Grows Green, natural lawn care, Peggy Malecki, Ryan Anderson, The Mike Nowak Show, The Pet Fund

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:59:00 — 56.8MB)

We talk animal welfare on today’s show. Ryan Anderson from Midwest Grows Green previews “Hounds & Grounds,” an event that will feature agility training for dogs and advice about natural lawn care for their owners that will keep their pooches healthy. Jodie Wiederkehr of Chicago Alliance for Animals is fighting to stop animal sales in the Chicago area. She explains the new state law to stop so-called “puppy mill” sales that is a step in that direction.

Climate change Composting Environment Gardening Information from Past Shows Insects Lawn Care Local food Monarch butterflies Native plants Natural sciences Recycling soil health

How to Create The Healthy Garden

January 8, 2022January 11, 2022 Mike Nowak environment, gardening, Gathering of Gardeners, green living, healthy world, healthy you, Kathleen Norris Brenzel, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Sunset Magazine, sustainability, The Healthy Garden, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:03:32 — 58.8MB)

We start a brand new year with a brand new book. The Healthy Garden: Simple Steps for a Greener World is written by a couple of gardening pros–Kathleen Norris Brenzel and Mary-Kate Mackey. We’ll talk about how and especially why you should become a friend of the earth. Then Mike and Peggy talk about some of the environmental stories making headlines. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio has his first report of the year, following Chicago’s first snow of the year.

Clean energy Climate change Composting Environment Environmental justice Gardening Lawn Care Recycling soil health

Melinda Myers Reveals Fall Gardening Secrets

September 11, 2021September 14, 2021 Mike Nowak Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, climate change, environment, Faith in Place, fall gardening, gardening, gardening expert Melinda Myers, Guerrilla Recycling Project, Peggy Malecki, Rev. Brian Sauder, Rooted for Healing, sustainability, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:03:30 — 57.5MB)

Who could have known that autumn would follow summer? Gardening expert Melinda Myers, that’s who! She brings a wealth of fall gardening tips to the show. Katherine Tellock is launching the Guerrilla Recycling Project and she needs volunteers. Rev. Brian Sauder from Faith in Place previews their annual Green Team Summit.

Conservation Lawn Care Podcast

Feel Good About Caring for Your Lawn

April 24, 2021May 18, 2021 Mike Nowak Alec McClennan, Budburst, Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago City Nature Challenge 2021, Chicago Wilderness, Dan Dinelli, Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, iNaturalist, No Mow Until Mother's Day, North Shore Country Club Glenview, North Shore Plant Club, Peggy Malecki, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00:51 — 57.4MB)

Like it or not, many homeowners think that gardening means maintaining a lawn. Alec McClennan from Good Nature Organic Lawn Care and Dan Dinelli, superintendent of North Shore Country Club in Glenview, discuss non-toxic ways of keeping lawns healthy. Taran Lichtenberger from Budburst at the Chicago Botanic Garden wants you to grab your camera and participate in next week’s City Nature Challenge 2021. Leslie Graham and Chris Crone explain how the North Shore Plant Club can help folks save money on all kinds of plants.

Environment Gardening Lawn Care Lifestyle Native plants Natural sciences soil health

An Infestation of Horticulturists

August 11, 2018January 8, 2022 Mike Nowak Andrea Whitely, Australian gardening, C.L. Fornari, environment, garden myths, Garden Writers Association, gardening, Hall of Fame, indoor plants, James A. Baggett, Mary-Kate Mackey, sustainability, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:45:53 — 48.5MB)

This week, the Garden Writers are coming to town to party with the Independent Garden Centers at Navy Pier. Mike and Peggy welcome GWA members C. L. Fornari, Andrea Whitely and Mary-Kate Mackey in studio, who will be joined on the phone by James A. Baggett, who is being inducted into the GWA Hall of Fame.