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:  Poppies 2 - The care and feeding of poppies is amazingly simple in our part of the world, so why not put splashes of color from annuals and perennials in your garden? (aired 07/29/10) Poppies 1 - The background and history of a flower that has both positive and negative press in the plant world. (aired 07/22/10) Wheat Straw - The numerous uses for wheat straw as mulch material, wind breaks, or building blocks makes it a most resourceful item for those determined to garden on the High Plains. (aired 07/15/10) Changes - Skip finds that unplanned events can bring about new ways of doing things in the garden. (aired 07/08/10) Red, White, and Blue - Let old Glory wave from your lawn or garden, with the help of a favorite annual. (aired 07/01/10) Dried Flowers - A look at the history and how-to of preserving your preserved blooms beyond the summer growing season. (aired 06/24/10) Storing Herbs - Our final story in a series on herbs gives advice on keeping the harvest once it's grown. (aired 06/17/10) Aromatic Herbs - Skip continues her exploration of the herb garden and the sweet smelling plants within. (aired 06/10/10) Medicinal Herbs - We continue our special series on herbs in the garden by sharing some tips on growing the ingredients for a well-stocked medicine cabinet. (aired 06/03/10) Kitchen Herbs - The second part of our series on herbs provides a look at sone basic seasonings that look great in your garden and taste great on your plate.  (aired 05/27/10) Growing Herbs - Today we begin a series on the planting, harvesting and use of herbs. We'll start off with a look at the practical side of planning and planting an herb bed. (aired 05/20/10)  Flowering Trees - This spring was a banner year for enjoying the sight of flowering trees, as they seemed to try to outdo each other in color, size and length of bloom. A look at the best of the best for our part of the world is on tap on Growing on the High Plains.  (aired 05/13/10) Gourds - There's a world of gifts and gadgets just waiting to be gathered from your garden this summer. All it takes is some space, soil, sunshine, water and time to watch the gourds grow.  (aired 05/6/10) Food for a Family of Four - A vegetable plot doesn't have to take up the whole yard. This concise and concentrated garden plan, devised by an extension agent, can feed your family without requiring a huge investment in time and money. (aired 04/29/10) Earth Day - A look back to the turbulent '60s and the dawn of a new day for Mother Earth. (aired 04/22/10) The Zoo Will Take It Too - When an attack of the Killer Zucchinis is imminent, remember that there is no garden produce too large for an elephant. And if your garden has gone buggy that's okay too. What's bug to you might just be caviar for the animals. (aired 04/15/10) Feed the Hungry - Got too many garden goodies? Today we'll take a look at three programs that will gladly take extra produce from those who have too much and use it to set a table for those who have too little. To get involved yourself, contact one of these area organizations:     * High Plains Food Bank of Amarillo (Texas Panhandle); 815 Ross Street, Amarillo, TX; 806-374-8562; Janie Singleton, Executive Director.  There is a newsletter on their website with information about their community garden program.  Go to www.hpfb.org and click on programs.     * Emmaus House (Garden City/Finney County); 802 N. 5th Street, Garden City, KS; 620-275-2008 (M-F 8-5); Robin Marsh, Director.     * Community Assistance Center (Ellis County); 12th and Oak, Hays, KS; 785-625-9110; Lori Mortinger, Director. (aired 04/08/10) Community Gardens - A look at garden spaces for people who don't have space to garden. These programs are growing worldwide, providing access to fresh produce, a connection with nature, and new friends and neighbors who share a common passion for living with the land, no matter where it happens to be. To reserve a garden space in Garden City, or to receive additional information about how to set up a community gardens program in your community, contact: Sister Roserita Weber, 620-521-1365 or 620-276-2818. (aired 04/01/10) The Money Plant - This old fashioned plant from the cutting garden flowers with coins of the realm, and though they can't pass for legal currency they can often buy a smile for the grower. (aired 03/25/10) Front Yard Food - An investigation into edible landscapes yields several ideas for foliage and flowers that will put food on the table. And these productive plants will easily fit into an existing flowerbed (aired 03/18/10) Three Sisters - The success of companion planting has recently been questioned by those in the know. But here's an ancient gardening method that is still used today to provide good and helpful neighbors in the garden. (aired 03/11/10) Trugs and Hods - Traditional carriers of garden goods have long standing traditions, as well as some new designs, for today's gardeners. (aired 03/04/10) Xeriscaping - An abundance of wind and a lack of moisture can make gardening on the High Plains a challenge. A visit to botanical gardens in theHPPR broadcast area can open lots of doors for a look at the possibilities of growing plants in our sometimes inhospitable weather conditions. (aired 02/25/10) Container Gardening - You don't have to be a landowner to land a perfect garden. A bucket, basket or bowl can be all the real estate you need to bring flowers, vegetable, or even trees to your doorstep. (aired 02/18/10) 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)

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