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:  Snowballs - One of the most striking shrubs of early summer can become a tree if allowed free rein. (aired 07/02/09) Water Gardens pt 3 - Stock your garden pond with critters, but watch out for uninvited guests! (aired 06/25/09) Water Gardens pt 2 - A look at some of the plants that thrive under, in and around water. (aired 06/18/09) Water Gardens pt 1 - Skip begins a 3-part series on ponds and pools in the yard and garden. (aired 06/11/09) Victory Gardens - "Growing Your Own" is back in style and Skip has the latest trends! (aired 06/04/09) Gift Horses - Sometimes there are hard lessons in "getting what you pay for" in the garden. (aired 5/28/09) Garlic 2 - Discover some tips for planting, growing and storing garlic. (aired 5/21/09) Garlic 1 - Skip traces the history and folklore of this pungent herb. (aired 5/14/09) Rain! - A holiday gift from the heavens proves up the adage that "April showers bring May flowers". (aired 5/07/09) Edible Flowers - Put on your bib and tuck it, then head to the flower garden to hunt for tonight's supper. (aired 4/30/09) Up From the Roots - A look at various methods of plant propagation. (aired 4/23/09) Planting Time - A list of what's needed to bring up a good garden of delights. (aired 4/16/09) Carrots - An ancient vegatable is still popular in gardens and on tables around the world (aired 4/9/09) Tulip Fever - A springtime favorite with a colorful past is the GHP topic of the day. (aired 4/2/09) Asparagus (Pt. 2)  - Part 2 in our series on creating your own asparagus bed. (aired 3/26/09) Asparagus (Pt. 1)  - Starting an asparagus bed will give you delicious paybacks for years to come. Did you know they are also a part of the Lily Family? (aired 3/19/09) Potatoes  - The 'eyes' have it this week as Skip discusses the history and planting of potatoes. (aired 3/12/09) Pussy Willow  - An early harbinger of spring can be the cat's meow in a High Plains garden. (aired 3/5/09) Great Gardens Series - A 'June in January' look at eight great gardens from across the High Plains that Skip visited during the summer of 2008. See the box to the right for a complete listing and links to all the episodes. (aired 1/1/09 thru 2/28/09) Cardinal Christmas Colors - A welcome holiday gift has made a rare appearance at the Mancini household this winter. (aired 12/18/08) Kochia Christmas Trees - An invasive weed has sometimes offered holiday cheer in past times. (aired 12/11/08) Leftovers - Skip offers a proposal dealing with the remains of holiday meals. (aired 12/4/08) Monarch - The royalty of the insect world visits our high plains area each fall, when the Monarch Butterfly briefly graces us with breathtaking beauty. (aired 11/20/08) Western Soapberry Tree - A search for Soapberry trees took host Skip Mancini far and wide, until she finally discovered them at her own backdoor! (aired 11/13/08) Mantis - Today we look at one of the 'good bugs' in the garden. (aired 11/6/08) Pumpkins - This autumn annual is a favorite, both on the dinner table and the front porch. (aired 10/30/08) Perennials II - Today we look at dividing a successful perennial bed. (aired 10/23/08) Harvest Time - Skip looks at the rewards that can result from hard work and how to store them for the year ahead. (aired 10/16/2008) Perennials - Get the lowdown on basic care and feeding of some long lasting perennials. (aired 10/9/2008) What Zone are you in? - Changes in the weather will result in a new USDA maps for next season. (aired 10/2/2008) Mystery Melons - Skip finds that things planted aren't always what was promised, but the results are pretty tasty all the same. (aired 09/25/08) Earth-Kind Roses - Roses are being put on trial in Texas, and the verdict in the Texas A&M Extension courtroom is a Knockout! (aired 09/18/08) Animals in the Garden - Skip attempts to turn family pets into horticultural helpers, with varying results.  (aired 09/11/08) Peaches - Today we'll get a taste of one of summer's favorite fruits. (aired 09/04/08) Hollyhocks - Skip discovers a surprize gift that has brightened her summer.  (aired 08/28/08) Amarillo Botanical Gardens - A visit to a magical place in Amarillo shows proof that lots of things are 'growing' in more ways than one.  (aired 08/21/08) Goldenrod - The truth about a much maligned plant that's really nothing to be sneezed at!  (aired 08/14/08) Dog Days - A look back to Roman times finds a key to why those hot, sticky days of summer are called 'dog days'.  (aired 08/07/08) Purple Coneflower, pt II - A look at the history of the purple coneflower shows it served as a medicine chest in years gone by.  (aired 07/31/08) Purple Coneflower, pt I - This prairie plant just may have a future on the futures market, if it becomes a viable cash crop for today's farmers. (aired 07/24/08) B-List Bees - We're all abuzz about some secondary bees who are invaluable in garden and orchard alike.  (aired 07/17/08) Tomato Days - Discover the glories of summer, wrapped up in a single plant.  (aired 07/10/08) Bee Balm - A mint named monarda has a long herbal history in our country.  (aired 07/03/08)