In touch with the world ... at home on the High Plains

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

KZNA-FM 90.5 serving northwest Kansas will be off the air starting the afternoon of Monday, October 20 through Friday as we replace its aging and unreliable transmitter. While we're off-air, you can keep listening to our digital stream directly above this alert or on the HPPR mobile app. This planned project is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining free and convenient access to public radio service via FM radio to everyone in the listening area. For questions please contact station staff at (800) 678-7444 or by emailing hppr@hppr.org

HPPR Environment

Growing on the High Plains: Love Weed

High Plains Public Radio | By Skip Mancini

Published February 18, 2021 at 10:35 AM CST

On today's edition of Growing on the High Plains, I'd like to reminisce about my experience with a peculiar plant I've known since childhood. It's one of those plants that's considered a "noxious weed." Some called it "witch's shoelaces," others called it "dodder," but we always called it "love weed." This odd vampire has no roots, no leaves, and hardly any green chlorophyll. And while it's true that loveweed is not very nice to other plants, it has a loving folklore attached to it. I wish a Happy Valentine's Day to all of our HPPR listeners!

Tags

Skip Mancini

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. She 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.

See stories by Skip Mancini

HPPR Features

Growing On The High Plains: Much Ado And Adieu, Azalea

Skip Mancini

The High Plains region isn’t for everyone, especially azaleas, which adorn themselves in an array of reds and blues – when, that is, they're planted pretty much anywhere but here.On today’s Growing On The High Plains, I’ll talk about the trials and tribulations I've shared with azalea plants have faced together and about my final farewell to the finicky flower.
HPPR Features

Growing on the High Plains: Lovely Lavender

Skip Mancini

Today on Growing on the High Plains, we're going to keep it clean with a walk throught he wafting felds of an aromatic herb most associated with washing.…
HPPR Environment

Growing On The High Plains: House Plants For Health Care

Skip Mancini

We often choose to surround ourselves with living organisms because we can indeed feel their presence. After more than a year of lockdown, quarantine, and…
HPPR Environment

Growing On The High Plains: Lincoln Center—This Summer

Skip Mancini

As we march past a full year of pandemic anxiety, it’s refreshing to know that some improvements have been made to a return to community arts. As the…
HPPR Environment

Growing On The High Plains: Memory Of My Mother ... And Sun-dried Tomatoes

Skip Mancini

Today’s Growing on the High Plains features an anecdote about my late mother and her unfortunate encounter with a peculiar addition to her artisanal…