Growing on the High Plains Airs Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. during High Plains Morning and Saturdays at 8:35 a.m. Years ago Skip Mancini left the rocky coast of Northern California to return to her roots in the heartland.  Her San Francisco friends, concerned over her decision to live in a desolate flatland best known for a Hollywood tornado, were afraid she would wither and die on the vine.  With pioneer spirit Skip planted a garden, and began to learn about growing not only flowers and vegetables, but hearts and minds.  If you agree that the prairie is a special place, we think you'll enjoy her weekly sojourns into Growing on the High Plains.  Contact Skip Mancini about the program. Sign up for an automatic download of each new episode of Growing on the High Plains through HPPR's Podcast service:  Podcast signup  Learn about HPPR Podcasts

Listen to recent Growing on the High Plains episodes:  African Violets - The favorite house plant of many, these little plants may surprise you with their toughness and tenacity. Given a little bit of attention, they can provide color and companionship for years to come (aired 02/11/10) Winter Gardening Chores - Skip looks at her cold weather "to do" list and finds that some things never change, including the annual cabin fever that all gardeners experience when the snow flies. (aired 02/04/10) Chia Plants - Anyone who watches television is familiar with the cha-cha-cha-chia plants that are a gift-giving rage. But what about the foliage that forms these representative pets or presidents? (aired 01/28/10) Gardening Books - A listener's request brings a show that opens literary doors to gardening.  Join us for a look at some brand new books and some old dog-eared favorites that are specifically written for our high and dry area of the country. (aired 01/21/10) Click here to see Skip's recommended book list Gardening Magazines - Winter is generally considered "downtime" for gardeners, but it's a perfect time for catching up on garden literature. (aired 01/14/10) Houseplant Name Games - Today we'll compare the botanical and common names of some familiar houseplants. (aired 01/07/10) Black-eyed Peas - This week Growing on the High Plains heads south to take a look at the lore of finding luck for the New Year. (aired 12/31/09) Gardening Gifts - A look at gifts and goodies both for and from the garden. (aired 12/26/09) Amaryllis part 2 - During a week when holiday blooms appear at every turn, we'll look at the history of the giant amaryllis bulb and pause from our shopping long enough to ask, "What's in a name?" (aired 12/17/09) Amaryllis part 1 - A giant bulb can bring blooms to brighten the holiday and they'll usually stay around long enough to banish the"after holiday blues".  This week, we'll look at Skip Mancini's introduction to the amaryllis and the start of a Christmas tradition in her household. (aired 12/10/09) Camaraderie of Canning - The saying "many hands make less work" can certainly be true in the kitchen, especially when an abundant harvest needs putting up for the cold times ahead.  Join Skip Mancini as she travels back to a time when neighbors shared the work and the rewards of a garden season. (aired 12/03/09) Thanksgiving 2009 - Skip reviews the past gardening season and finds much to be thankful for. (aired 11/26/09) Moon Tales - Today we'll study the moon as mystery, magic, gardener's lantern, and weather forecaster. (aired 11/19/09) Forcing Bulbs - Now is a perfect time to welcome some color and fragrance into your house with a bowl of bulbs all set to bloom on a windowsill, just when your spirits will need a lift from winter's gray days. (aired 11/12/09) Chrysanthemums part 2 - this reliable plant is perfect for growing on the High Plains because it stands tough against our notorious winds and just needs some occasional pruning and a sip of water now and then to produce outstanding colors when most of the flower garden has retired. (aired 11/05/09) Chrysanthemums part 1 - A look at  the background and history of falls favorite bloom that comes in all shapes, sizes and shades of autumn.  From the ancient Orient to today's haute horticulture, "mum's the word". (aired 10/29/09) Harvest Time - Skip looks at the rewards that can result from hard work and how to store them for the year ahead. (aired 10/22/09) Lessons Learned - Teach your children, and then teach others.  A visit to a neighbor during apple harvest brought a bounty of information and apple pie back home. (aired 10/15/09) Fall Color - A closer look at the High Plains in autumn brings out some colors that look like they belong on a fall foliage tour.  Join Skip Mancini as she finds a palette of color along the roadways and right in her own backyard. (aired 10/08/09) Starting From Scratch - This week's story borrows a phrase from the Little Red hen, as skip decides 'never mind, I'll do it myself' is the answer to a problem with the availability of store-bought seeds and plants.  In doing so, a childhood memory brings her back to the basics of starting a garden. (aired 10/01/09) Apples part 2 - An investigation of the ins and outs of growing apples on our treeless High Plains.  Growing an apple tree or two begins with a series of choices about everything from tree size to color of the fruit.  Today's Growing on the High Plains feature will give you some information to help you make decisions that can create a tree that will surely be 'the apple of your eye'. (aired 09/24/09) Apples part 1 - A look at apples old and new, and their multiple uses, both in and out of the kitchen.  From Adam and Eve to Johnny Appleseed, the apple has played a big part in literature, myth and history.  Join Skip Mancini as she slices and dices the background of this favorite fruit, and get to the core of the matter! (aired 09/17/09) Sweet Annie - A look at an herb that will tickle your olfactory senses.  The delicate foliage and sweet scent of this artemesia might make you think the plant is demur and refined, but watch out!  Sweet Annie comes from a family of wormwoods with a somewhat shady history, and she's a pretty tough cookie that survives quite nicely on our High Plains. (aired 09/10/09) Planting Bulbs - Now is the perfect time to make an investment in the future of your flower beds.  A little work today will pay off in the springtime for years to come.  Join Skip Mancini as she recounts her past efforts at establishing a bank of blooms featuring tulips, daffodils, and other bulbs that can give your garden a look that's priceless. (aired 09/03/09) Rose Rocks - Today we'll discover an Oklahoma rose that blooms year 'round. (aired 08/27/09) Hardy Hibiscus - These gorgeous hybrids have brought the tropics to the high and dry plains. (aired 08/20/09) Swallowtails - Skip nursemaids a bumper crop of colorful butterflies. (aired 08/13/09) Green Beans - Here is a loving look at one of the summertime's favorite vegetables. (aired 08/06/09) Lady Bugs - These tiny warriors serve as number one plant protectors. (aired 07/30/09) Clematis - A flowering vine that added spice to the Old West. (aired 07/23/09) Topiaries - Skip creates a plant sculpture that would make Edward Scissorhands proud. (aired 07/16/09) Mallow Plants - A look at a part of the plant world that offered something sweet in ancient times. (aired 07/09/09) Snowballs - One of the most striking shrubs of early summer can become a tree if allowed free rein. (aired 07/02/09)

For earlier episodes visit Growing on the High Plains archive: 2009 (Jan - Jun) 2008 (Jul - Dec)