Start with Something Simple and Beautiful

Garden writer and author Beth Botts returns to the show after a long absence to offer basic gardening advice. Colleen Smith, Deputy Director at the Illinois Environmental Council, weighs in on the chances of passing clean energy legislation for the state in the waning days of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session.

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Recycling Failures 101: It’s not Always Your Fault

Will County Recycling Program Specialist Marta Keane returns to talk recycling failures and successes. Dennis Warnecke from Tainio Biologicals Inc also returns to instruct us on the importance of soil biology in growing plants.

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Farmers Markets Stay Strong in 2021

When May starts, so does the farmers market season. Food aficionado Bob Benenson explains why he started his newsletter Local Food Forum. Farmers market manager Elsa Jacobson joins the conversation to talk about the state of 2021 farmers markets. Mike talks about his visit to see Monty & Rose at Montrose Beach in Chicago. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio reports on unusually cool and dry spring weather.

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Right to Garden Victory in Illinois

Nicole Virgil returns to the show with good news about her Right to Garden campaign in the Illinois General Assembly. She is joined by Ari Bargil from the Institute for Justice. Benjamim Krumstok from the Illinois Food Scrap Coalition (IFSC) and Mike Dimucci from Garden Prairie Organics talk composting and promote International Compost Awareness Week. May 2-8.

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Feel Good About Caring for Your Lawn

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.

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Practical and Reliable Talk from Melinda Myers

Garden expert Melinda Myers returns to offer advice about spring gardening, even as the potential for yet another April snow event looms. Mike and Peggy list some Earth Week events, including the One Earth Film Festival. Then, they report on the return of the CEGA 60-Second Video Challenge.

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Rescuing Species with Urban Sanctuaries

This week, we talk about efforts to protect butterflies and birds in Chicago, and what that means for the populations of monarchs, piping plovers and other species. Erika Hasle, Izabella Redlinski and Douglas Stotz from The Field Museum, and filmmaker Bob Dolgan join us.

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Food Co-ops in an Age of Uncertainty

How does a food co-op get off the ground? Representatives from Food Shed Co-op in McHenry County, Prairie Food Co-op in DuPage County, and Chicago Market: A Community Co-op in Chicago tell their stories. Architect Nate Kipnis returns to the show to talk about high design/low carbon sustainable buildings.

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Meet the Challenge of Spring

Certified arborist Evan Shorr from Bartlett Tree Experts returns to the show to talk about spring tree and shrub care. Mike and Peggy do a round up of environmental headlines. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio reports on the return of bald eagles and science to America.

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Trowels Out at Garden Rant

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.

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