Archived Shows
October 2004

10/2/04
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Think the growing season is coming to a close? Think again, as Mike reveals a beautiful and misnamed flower you can plant outdoors right now for immediate bloom that could well continue right through next July! And its highly edible flowers are the best natural cure for spider and varicose veins. We'll also hear from researcher Matthew Pasek at the University of Arizona who argues that meteors hitting the earth ultimately made flowering plants possible.

Learn more about the research of meteors

10/9/04
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Has your pet brought home some unwanted visitors that are biting your ankles? Fleas settle in yards and homes, and multiply fast. Mike McGrath will explain how to rid your home and yard of pesky fleas without chemicals, and he'll also talk about protecting your pet against this pest. We'll also discuss how to keep wild cats out of your garden beds with Becky Robinson, the director of Alley Cat Allies, an organization that offers solutions to feral cat problems.

10/16/04
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Do you love Spring bulbs but don't have any outdoor space to grow them in? Would you like to present your sweetie with home-grown flowers for Valentine's Day? Or take a shot a winning a flower show ribbon this Spring? You'll be able to do it all when Mike McGrath explains how to force Spring bulbs indoors this winter! Mike will also talk about his new book, Kitchen Garden A to Z, and will reveal the inside secrets that will allow you to grow and harvest all your favorite edibles.

10/23/04
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It's once again time for those Technicolor solar collectors to drop down! And if you think falling leaves are nothing but a pain in the rake, think again! They're the secret to a great organic landscape. Leaves are the essential ingredient in compost, and prevent weeds without destroying your house like wood mulches. Mike McGrath will explain how to harvest and horde these horticultural helpers. We'll also discuss how to prevent cankerworms from destroying your trees.

10/30/04
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Do vaccine shortages have you more scared of the flu than Frankenstein this Halloween? We've got great news from the world of plants; there's an herbal extract that's beaten the flu in two clinical studies! It's made from black elderberries, which contain several compounds that help fight the flu and other viral infections. Mike McGrath will also explain how to grow your own flu fighting berries and name an extremely ornamental variety of this easy-to-grow plant.