Award-winning gardening programs provide timely resources for growers

When gardeners have questions — they can get answers — thanks to two popular gardening resources offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Public Radio.

“Garden Variety” is the name of a Public Radio podcast based on the Horticulture Day program that runs on Fridays, as part of Talk of Iowa. The program is featured every Friday during the growing season, and every other Friday in the fall and winter.

Each segment features a different gardening topic, with a conversation between host Charity Nebbe and a horticulture expert – mostly from ISU Extension and Outreach.

Gardeners can call in to the Horticulture Day show with their questions and get timely answers. The show is in its 38th year and the podcast is in its third year — with an average of more than 19,000 listeners per month.

“Both programs provide listeners a welcome break from the daily news cycle … a wholly positive, warm community” focused on home gardening, Nebbe said.

“People love to grow things and the experts we bring on the show are so incredibly knowledgeable that even if someone doesn’t have a question, they always learn something,” she said.

National recognition

The Garden Variety program and an accompanying Garden Variety Newsletter were recognized nationally in July, with a silver award from GardenComm — an organization of professional communicators in the green and garden industry.

The award recognizes individuals and companies who achieve the highest levels of talent and professionalism in garden communications.

Recipients of the Silver Medal represent the best in their category and will now compete for Gold Medals at the annual awards event, Aug. 28 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said the recognition shows the value of both programs to the public.

“I hear all of the time how much listeners enjoy these programs,” said Steil. “Some of them set their alarms to remember the air-time, and the feedback tells me they are learning and getting value from tuning in.”

Nebbe said the partnership with ISU Extension and Outreach continues to be a success, and that the horticulture experts who appear on the show are personable and engaging.

“The listeners appreciate the warmth and kindness the specialists bring to people who are asking questions,” Nebbe said. “The experts are excited to talk to people who have questions and educate the audience.

The newsletter is sent to nearly 10,000 subscribers and includes timely tips from horticulture specialists, plus photos and garden success stories from gardeners.

For more information, Steil can be reached at 515-294-8953 or ajsteil@iastate.edu.