GROWING A GREENER WORLD Season 10


#1001 "Don’t Feed the Landfills" (Denali National Park, Denali, AK)
Denali National Park & Preserve is the centerpiece of the Alaskan frontier. Each year, millions of visitors make the trek to enjoy its raw majesty. But with all of those visitors comes the challenge of what to do with the abundance of waste they bring with them… and leave behind. We’ll explore ways to leave a lighter footprint through composting, recycling, and sustainable alternatives. After all, when the U.S. Parks Service can keep six million acres of wilderness clean, our own backyards should be a snap. We’ll also visit a few local residents to see how these innovative gardeners are producing bounty in spite of unlikely conditions.

Local Angle: Local businesses are leading the way in setting the example of what companies large and small can do to set the example of reducing landfill waste coming into Denali National Park as well as the surrounding community.

#1002 "Mason Bee Revolution: How the Hardest Working Bee Can Save the World" (Seattle, WA)
Insect populations are on the decline, and their disappearance can impact our global ability to produce food. As these pollinator populations wane, the mason bee may be able to fill the gap until long-term solutions are discovered. Learn how easy it is to raise mason bees at home and increase the bounty of your garden.

Local Angle: See how this Seattle area business owner is changing the way gardeners and weekend warriors across America are using simple ways to attract more pollinators to their home yards and gardens.

#1003 "Oh Deer - Dealing with Four-legged Garden Pests" (Atlanta, GA)
Nature doesn’t always share our garden ideals, and when uninvited wildlife grazes on our gardens and landscape, it can cause frustration and expensive damage. In this episode we explore humane, low-cost and straightforward methods to deal with deer and divert other furry friends away from our plants for good.

Local Angle: The University of Georgia wildlife department and their ongoing research into controlling nuisance animals large and small and researching the most effective ways to keep them out of our gardens and landscapes, not only in and around Atlanta, but anywhere they are a problem.

#1004 "Gardening on the Cheap: Top Tips for Saving Money and Time in the Garden" (Atlanta, GA)
Gardeners are a frugal bunch. Much of what we do and grow in the garden saves us time and money there and beyond. Yet, for many, gardening is a passion and hobby that lures us into spending more than we should on the latest gadget, gimmick or new plant variety. Host Joe Lamp’l is well known for his money-saving ideas when it comes to gardening on the cheap. In this episode he shares some of his best tips for saving you time and money in and around the garden.

Local Angle: While this episode takes place entirely from host Joe Lamp’l’s North Atlanta area GardenFarm, these tips to saving money and time can be applied anywhere.

#1005 "Modern Homesteading - Transforming the Urban Experience One Garden at a Time" (Seattle, WA)
There’s a movement at hand - an increase in the number of families who have taken it upon themselves to produce the food for their table from their own backyards. These urban homesteaders are living off the land while living in the city, and they’re sharing this skillset with others.

Local Angle: Seattle’s urban landscape draws a wide range of innovators and pioneers, seeking solutions to small-scale farming and homesteading. This episode features two such ambitious female urban farmers who are making the most of their land and sharing accessible ways to replicate their success.

#1006 "Catching up with TV Garden Legend Paul James" (Atlanta, GA)
One of America’s favorite TV gardeners is Paul James - THE Garden Guy - creator and host of HGTV’s top-rated show, Gardening by the Yard. Yet after an astounding 13-year run, the show came to an end. Paul had a unique way of educating and entertaining his viewers with his light-hearted humor and approachable demeanor. He was the gardener next door that everyone wished was their neighbor. In the 10 years since the show ended, Paul has been out of the public spotlight, and his fans miss him. In this episode, host Joe Lamp’l catches up with Paul in his own home garden, and viewers are all invited to this long-overdue reunion.

Local Angle: Atlanta area viewers will marvel at the productivity and abundance of host, Joe Lamp’l’s thriving organic garden. Joe and Paul discuss steps for success as they tour the garden and grounds at Joe’s GardenFarm.

#1007 "Gardening with the Masters - King of Compost, Unusual Fruit and the Weedless Garden" (New Paltz, NY)
Noted author of Weedless Gardening, Dr. Lee Reich knows a thing or two about gardening. This soil scientist and avid gardener has perfected the art and science of making great compost, and he’s known for another specialty - growing unusual fruit. In this episode, we’re back to visit Lee once again. This time, we dig into some of the other fascinating pursuits of this ever-curious and sought-after garden authority.

Local Angle: New Paltz, NY resident and national authority on horticulture, Lee Reich shares tips for successfully growing fruit from his backyard farmden. This episode also features a segment from the iconic Mohonk Mountain House.

#1008 "Bringing Nature Home" (Newark, DE)
In too many places of our country, there is no place left for wildlife, but in the landscapes and gardens we ourselves create. Noted author Doug Tallamy illustrates how the choices we make as gardeners can profoundly impact the diversity of life in our yards, towns and on our planet.

Local Angle: Urban sprawl is rampant all over the country, but local resident and international hero, Dr. Doug Tallamy shares the key steps we can all apply to restoring important populations of insects and pollinators – critical to healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

#1009 "The Weekend Farmer" (Atlanta, GA)
For many, the longing for a more rural lifestyle comes calling sooner or later, with just a small plot of land out in the country for a weekend getaway. While experience is still the best teacher, we’ll show you some of the most important considerations you need to know – before taking the plunge.

Local Angle: Farming is challenging work no matter where you live. But these three Atlanta, GA area farmers know how to grow abundant gardens and crops while turning a weekend hobby into a thriving business.

#1010 "Creating a Bird-friendly Garden with Margaret Roach" (Copake Falls, NY)
Birds bring a dynamic element to our gardens, but more importantly, they play an important role in organic pest management, biodiversity and seed dispersal. This episode delves into the key elements we can incorporate to attract and protect the widest diversity of birds to your landscape.

Local Angle: Longtime resident and former NYC powerhouse business executive, Margaret Roach maintains a thriving 2-acre garden that is a wildlife habitat to many creatures, especially birds. Margaret shares some of her top tips for attracting and protecting backyard songbirds.

#1011 "Creating a Meadow Garden" (Burlington, VT)
For most people, the term meadow conjures visions of sweeping fields of grasses and multi-colored blooms. This episode explores how gardeners can enjoy the diversity, beauty, and low maintenance benefits of this pollination haven even from small space or balcony gardens.

Local Angle: As gardeners and weekend warriors look to reduce their lawn space while finding new ways to attract more pollinators and beneficial insects, installing mini-meadows in place of part of your lawn or problem growing area can offer a beautiful and low maintenance solution. Burlington, Vermont sets the stage for the how-to steps anyone can apply anywhere.

#1012 "From Seed to Fork: Growing an Abundant and Beautiful Cold-Climate Garden" (Minneapolis, MN)
We all like our gardens to be as productive as possible for the time and energy we invest. But when it comes to getting the most out of what a garden can provide, Meg Cowden never misses an opportunity to push the limits. Despite the short growing season and challenging conditions of her cold western Twin Cities climate, she’s obsessed with gardening and discovering new ways to grow more and do it better. You are sure to be impressed and inspired when you see the tips and techniques Meg puts into practice - all of which you can do too.

Local Angle: Prepare to be amazed at home much food production comes out of this Twin Cities backyard garden. Not only does local Master Gardener, Meg Cowden grow a lot of food from her bountiful beds, the tips she shares on how to make the most of your gardening space and season will be a treat for anyone trying to do the same, especially when dealing with the challenges of a short growing season.

#1013 "The Year-Round Gardener" (Nova Scotia)
When it comes to year-round vegetable gardening, Niki Jabbour wrote the book. She easily earned the Year-round Badge of Honor by living in one of the most unlikely places - Halifax, Nova Scotia. There, the first frost of the year shows up about mid-October and frigid temperatures persist typically until mid-May. Yet, Niki harvests fresh produce from her garden 365 days a year. Host, Joe Lamp’l visits Niki in her garden to uncover many tips we can each use to extend or get more out of our growing seasons.

Local Angle: Although this show features a Nova Scotia gardener and garden, the concept of cold-climate gardening applies to many northern cities in the United States. Guest host, Niki Jabbour’s time tested tips can be applied in many growing regions of the U.S to extend the seasons and maximize the bounty.