You Bet Your Garden

A Fresh Look at our First Lehigh Valley Hour of Horticultural Hijinks

In this week's episode, we travel back in time with Mike to revisit the first episode of horticultural hijinks at the PBS39 Studios in Bethlehem, PA. We also mark the 20th year of continuous episodes of You Bet Your Garden on public broadcasting. Episode topics include poison ivy removal, why chemical fertilizers make flea beetles fat and happy, and of course, Mike takes your phone calls.

Got ivy growing up your trees? And Adrian Higgins talks Bradford Pear trees.

On this episode of You Bet Your Garden, Mike McGrath tells us why ivy growing up a tree may or may not be a reason insurance companies could cancel a policy. Plus, Adrian Higgins from the Washington Post talks with us about why Bradford Pear trees might be the worst tree of all time and, as always, an extra heaping helping of your phone calls. 

Whats to blame when you awaken to a ripped up lawn? And a heaping helping of your phone calls!

On this episode of You Bet Your Garden, Mike tells us a list of 5 suspects to blame when your turf is suddenly tattered. Plus, we get an extra heaping handful of your viewer questions, including one about an uncommon citrus tree.

Why are some trees' branches cut back to a stump? Plus, how the 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show is going back to the 1960s.

On this episode of You Bet Your Garden, Mike tells us why a "technique" called pollarding was a great idea in 1 AD, but a terrible idea for the present. Plus, we learn how the fabulous 2019 Philadelphia Flower Show is planning a tribute to Flower Power on the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. As always, Mike takes your questions. 

What are the secrets to a fireproof Christmas tree & needle-free floor?

It's almost the holidays! On this episode of You Bet Your Garden, Mike McGrath gives you some essential tips and tricks to cutting the perfect Christmas tree for a needle-free floor and making sure it's fireproof. We sit down with Director of Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden, Ethan Kaufman, who discusses how he helped to turn a private estate into a beautiful public garden. AS always we take your phone calls and answer your questions.

Can ants really kill a tree? Plus, a heaping helping of your questions!

In this episode of You Bet Your Garden, Mike McGrath reveals what is really going on when carpenter ants are found in your tree or terrace & why you should say 'thanks' for the heads up. Mike also takes an extra heaping helping of your phone call questions. 

What can you do with a tree stump? And, why 'volcano mulching' can hurt you in the long run.

Mike McGrath hosts a tree filled episode this week! Mike outlines your options when it comes to taking down trees and how to make those stumps come in handy. Plus, we sit down with Joe Bayer from Bartlett Tree Experts to talk about the lost art of mulching & how volcano mulching could cost you. As always, we take your phone calls. 

Should I use my compost pile now? And, what is the relationship between people and plants?

In this episode, Mike discusses whether you should use your compost piles now, or wait until the spring. We're joined by special guest Holly Shimizu, former Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden, to talk about the relationship between people and plants. And, as always, Mike takes your phone calls.

Why were my tomato plant so bad this summer? Plus, tips and tricks on how to make chickens feel like part of the family.

On this episode of You Bet Your Garden, Mike answers why your tomato plants didn't do so well this summer. Plus, we chat with Lisa Steele, author of '101 Chicken Keeping Hacks,' to get some ideas on how to make the feathered friends feel more like family. As always, Mike takes your phone calls. 

Looking to pick up your pruners for landscaping? And, why is your fig tree still not producing figs?

In this episode, Mike McGrath talks about what to do if the spirit of Martha Stewart is haunting you to pick up your pruners and landscape & why your fig tree is still not producing figs. Plus, we sit down with Rachel Falcove, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network, to talk about the 20th year of the Empty Bowl Dinner. And, as always, Mike takes your phone calls.