I Know What You Did in the Garden this Year

Mike and Peggy welcome gardeners representing three gardens that were recognized by the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards’ 2021 60-Second Garden Video Challenge. They also update the #SaveBellBowlPrairie situation. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio previews a La Nina-influence winter.

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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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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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Smashing Pumpkins…Responsibly

Kay McKeen from SCARCE and Amy DeLorenzo from Illinois Extension explain the importance of rescuing Halloween pumpkins from landfills. Jerry Adelmann of Openlands reports on environmental issues affecting our region. Mike and Peggy welcome a couple of winners from the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards 60-Second Garden Video Challenge.

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Fluck Farms Chicago 2020

Justin Fluck was a winner in the 2019 Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards for the work at his Fluck Farms Chicago. He stops by to talk about his plans for 2020 and how the award affected him. Dr. Nicolaas Mink, CEO and founder of Sitka Salmon Shares, returns to talk about the future of sustainable fishing in our oceans.

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Excellent Gardens, Excellent Garden Advice

Gardening expert and show regular Melinda Myers returns to talk about the arrival of fall and perhaps a little bit about the horticultural industry. It’s also the day after the 2019 Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards ceremony and Mike and Peggy welcome two of the winning gardeners to the WCGO studios.

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We Are the Champions

Landscape architect Thomas Rainer offers some heretical advice on what makes plants happy. Peggy and Mike welcome some winning gardeners from the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards ceremony.

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October 8, 2017 – Start the Garden Revolution

Author and native plant landscaper Benjamin Vogt talks about his new book, A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future. Gale Community Academy Principal Augustine “Augie” Emuwa and A Just Harvest’s Rev. Marilyn Pagán-Banks and Tonia Andreina are teaching students about growing food.

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May 14, 2017 – Bees, Conservation, Green Buildings and More

Mike and Peggy start with a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT GARDENING IN CHICAGO. Then they welcome a slew of guests and talk about bees, a camp about reconnecting with the earth, a conservation program coming to Cook County, and the work of the Illinois Chapter of the US Green Building Council.

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