Lifestyle Archives

The Marvelous Melinda Myers - bloodroot and trillium

The Marvelous Melinda Myers Makes It Better

April 23, 2022April 25, 2022 Mike Nowak climate change, gardening expert Melinda Myers, Great Courses “How To Grow Anything, growing annuals and perennials, invasive jumping worms, Melinda's Garden Moment, Midwest Gardener's Handbook, native plants, Peggy Malecki, The Mike Nowak Show, USDA Hardiness Zones

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:01:52 — 58.1MB)

The Marvelous Melinda Myers returns to talk spring gardening. We learn about the changes in the latest version of her “Midwest Gardener’s Handbook,” As always, we’ll answer as many gardening questions as time allows. Mike and Peggy dip into the latest environmental stories during their “Green Dispatch” segment. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio returns to talk about inconsistent spring weather (what else is new?)

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.

Birding Conservation Environment Insects Lifestyle Native plants

Forest Preserves Unlock the Mysteries of Nature

January 29, 2022January 30, 2022 Mike Nowak coyotes, environment, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Lake County Forest Preserve District, native plants, Nina Baki, Peggy Malecki, Rebekah Snyder, The Mike Nowak Show, winter activities

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04:44 — 59.2MB)

Yes, it cold and there’s snow. But if you live in the Chicago region, those are two excellent reasons to get out to a nearby forest preserve. Nina Baki from the Cook County and Rebekah Snyder from Lake County talk about the activities they have to offer and why a visit to nature–even in winter–can be so rewarding.

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.