The Mike Nowak Show

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The Garden Boss Is in the Hoss…er, House Jun 16, 2018

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William Moss, aka The Garden Boss, and author of Any Size, Anywhere Edible Gardening stops by the WCGO studios to visit with Mike and Peggy and to offer advice that is also the name of his website: GetOutandGrow.org. Another author, Benjamin Vogt, who penned A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future, returns to the show to report on his battle with the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, which cited the designer of native plant gardens for having "weeds" in his yard.

Life After Sunrise with Steve and Johnnie (Full Show) Jun 12, 2018

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Mike and Peggy welcome Chicago radio greats Steve King and Johnnie Putman, also known as Steve and Johnnie, former overnight hosts at WGN Radio. They talk about their book, A Little More Les, Conversations photos and memories from a treasured friendship with the legendary Les Paul. whick leads into a conversation about constructing guitars sustainably. y Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA), explains how their What’s in Season app works. Mike rants about creeping privatization on Chicago's lakefront.

Life After Sunrise with Steve and Johnnie Jun 08, 2018

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Garden Questions, Answers and Stories Jun 02, 2018

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May 27, 2018 - In answer to a listener's question about a popular backyard herbicide, Mike does a mini-seminar about things to consider when choosing a pesticide. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio makes a studio appearance to talk about unusual late spring tropical storms across the planet. Rick Moskovitz from A-Plus Pest Control, Inc. has advice on keeping critters at bay with low toxicity products.

The Challenge of Biochar and Biosolids May 26, 2018

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May 20, 2018 - Juanita Irizarry, executive director of Friends of the Parks. , reports on the latestst developments surrounding the proposed Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. Liz Moran Stelk, executive director of Illinois Stewardship Alliance, and Andy Olsen from Environmental Law & Policy Center explain why the getting the 2018 Farm Bill right is so important. Tom Marrero of Wakefield Biochar, Dominic Brose from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), and Dan Dinelli from North Shore Country Club in Glenview take some of the mystery out of using biochar and biosolids as soil amendments.

The Genius and Gentility of Richard Tilley May 21, 2018

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Richard Tilley was a Wicker Park resident and a legendary gardener in that community. He died on May 19, 2018 at the age of 91. On February 3, 2013, he appeared on The Mike Nowak Show with fellow Wicker Park gardener Denise Browning and other guests to talk about his seed starting techniques and secrets. As always, he was delightful. This edited segment highlights his part of that show's conversation.

May 13, 2018 – Year of the Bird May 18, 2018

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Renee Costanzo and Lourdes Valenzuela preview the the annual Kilbourn Park Organic Plant Sale and talk about the challenges of growing thousands of seedlings for the event. Bird conservationists Judy Pollock and Jeff Skrentny talk about the International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) cekebration Saturday, May 19 at LaBagh Woods in Chicago.

May 6, 2018 – Chicago Grows Green Lawns and Rivers May 12, 2018

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Ruth Kerzee, executive director of the Midwest Pesticide Action Center (MPAC) talks about Chicago Grows Green Week, an event to educate the public about pesticides, their use and misuse. John Quail, Director of Watershed Planning for Friends of the Chicago River, previews Chicago River Day and lists the various successful campaigns to improve the quality of Chicago's major waterway.

April 29, 2018 – Coal Ash Ahead! May 05, 2018

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Pam & Lan Richart, co-directors of Eco-Justice Collaborative, and Andrew Rehn, water resources engineer with Prairie Rivers Network. talk about why the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River in east central Illinois was added to the list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018. Holly and Joey Baird, The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener, have gardening advice for what has been a cold spring in the Midwest.

Make Earth Day Count Apr 22, 2018

Show notes

Emily Murphy talks about her book Grow What You Love, Chicago Aldermen Michele Smith and Scott Waguespack explain why they want to create a 24-acre park in the North Branch Industrial Corridor, and Jennifer Walling from the IEC reports on a bill that would weaken the state's Endangered Species Protection Board.

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