The Mike Nowak Show

Latest Episodes:

June 4, 2017 – Well-Tended Gardens and Markets Jun 08, 2017

Show notes

Tracy DiSabato-Aust discusses the latest edition of her classic book, The Well-Tended Perennial Garden. Chris Roland, general manager of the Sugar Beet Food Co-op, talks about their mission to provide healthy, local and affordable food. Green Diva Meg promotes--what else?--The Green Divas blog, videos, podcasts and more. Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA) explains how the group is connecting farmers markets in the state.

June 3, 2017 – Parks As Democracy Jun 08, 2017

Show notes

Juanita Irizarry is Executive Director of Friends of the Parks (FTOTP). She talks about recent issues involving the watchdog organization, including the planned Barack Obama Presidential Libary in Jackson Park, a proposed PGA-calilbre golf course on the city's south side and the group's victory in keeping the proposed Lucas museum from claiming lakefront land. She promotes an upcoming conference called Rethinking the Role of Chicago’s Parks: Parks As Democracy?

May 28, 2017 – Veggies, Baby! May 30, 2017

Show notes

Joey and Holly Baird, The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener, offer advice about growing strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes, and talk about their new radio program in Milwaukee. Kristie Webber from the Chicago Botanic Garden previews their World Environment Day events on June 3. Rick Moskovitz from A-Plus Pest Control and A Plus Natural Enzymes sings a couple of diddies (really) and talks about non-toxic pest control of bed bugs, ticks, mosquitoes and more.

May 27, 2017 – Made in the Shade May 30, 2017

Show notes

Monica Buckley is the owner of Red Stem Native Landscapes. She visits the WCGO studios to talk to Mike and Peggy about native woodland plants, how to get them to thrive in your garden, and their importance to our insect populations She also had advice about certain non-native groundcovers to avoid.

May 21, 2017 – Name This! May 23, 2017

Show notes

Dr. Allan Armitage is a renowned speaker, researcher and author, whose latest book is called Of Naked Ladies and Forget-Me-Nots. He talks to Mike and Peggy about the origin of some common plant names. Noreen Edwards Metz reports on the victory of local activists, who have so far managed to preserve a small natural area just north of Chicago. Certified arborist Skeet from Bartlett Tree Experts explains how this spring's weather has affected the health of area trees.

May 20, 2017 – Saving the Monarch May 23, 2017

Show notes

Kylee Baumlee is the author of a book called The Monarch: Saving Our Most-Loved Butterfly. She talks to Mike and Peggy about the life cycle of this iconic insect, including its extraordinary annual migration; about the precipitous decline in population; and how just about anybody can participate in programs to help save the this fascinating creature.

May 14, 2017 – Bees, Conservation, Green Buildings and More May 17, 2017

Show notes

Mike and Peggy announce the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards. Heather Holm is a horticulturist and biologist by training who has just released a book called Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Brett Bloom explains what will happen at the upcoming Camp BreakDown Break Down Pachamanka, a retreat in Freeport, Illinois. Jim Kleinwachter from The Conservation Foundation and Val Kehoe from Illinois Extension talk about how Cook County residents can get involved with the Conservation at Home program. Brian Imus from the USGBC-IL previews their annual Limelight gala.

May 13, 2017 – Urban Nature May 17, 2017

Show notes

Dan Protess is the writer and producer of a new 16 part digital series on WTTW called Urban Nature. He talks to Mike and Peggy about how, in the video episodes, he and host Marcus Kronforst tour “overlooked ecosystems” in Chicago, New York and San Francisco.

May 7, 2017 – The Future of Natural Areas May 11, 2017

Show notes

Author Arthur Melville Pearson discusses his just released book, Force of Nature: George Fell, Founder of the Natural Areas Movement. South siders Tom Shepherd and Jerry Brown explain why it is so important to open up the shores of Chicago's Lake Calumet to the public. Layci Gragnani, Program Manager for Bushel and Berry™, talks about growing fruit producing shrubs in containers. Mike argues for the siting of a controversial composting operation in unincorporated Cook County.