Growing a Greener World

- Season 1

(2010)

ECHO - Educational Concern for Hunger Organization - uses the power of agriculture on a global scale to reduce hunger and improve lives. ECHO helps those who are just one failed crop away from starvation. These garden heroes study difficult growing environments and develop some surprising solutions...

All across our planet, people are doing more than ever to create greener spaces. And that's especially true in Florida, where water runoff can create serious problems. From businesses and theme parks like Disney to hotels like Celebration, that's part of the Florida Green Lodging program, they're all doing more than ever to help the environment. And that's true for homeowners too. And while many homeowners understand the value of gardening in an eco-friendly manner, many of us need guidance on how to do it properly. Every day, we unwittingly make bad choices for the ...

Joe and Patti visit homeowners in central Florida to discuss the sustainability project in their yard, use of natives vs. non-natives, and smart irrigation. Patti visits U of Florida for some surprising findings on watering new plants.

Today we visit Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. Patti gets a tour of the edible landscape and Nathan creates a special dish with one of Patti's favorite finds in the garden.

Former pro basketball player Will Allen longed to return to farming. An opportunity sprung up when he saw a small, unused plot of land for sale in urban Milwaukee, and in that moment his life changed.

Healthy plants start with healthy soil, and the single best amendment you can add to any soil is compost. It's full of the primary nutrients your plants need, along with beneficial microorganisms no manufactured product can provide.

Backyard urban beekeeping is becoming more and more popular. With high demand for fresh, local honey, combined with the important role bees play in a healthy garden, people are discovering the joys and benefits of backyard hives.

This public middle school classroom uses a natural garden setting to teach a core curriculum as well as the garden cycle from planting to harvest. In the kitchen classroom, students learn to cook what they grow and dine together.

One winery has won numerous awards for its commitment to the environment. It not only produces wines with sustainable methods, but shares knowledge openly in the hopes of shifting the wine industry to greener practices.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Do you ever wonder what happens to all those plastic pots we put in the trash or enthusiastically send to the recycling center after installing the plants contained in them?

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

Joe and Patti journey to Philadelphia, home of Greensgrow Farms, fulfillment of the dream of visionary in urban farming, Mary Seton Corboy.

As populations increase, so does the demand for the finite amount of water. Watering lawns and landscapes makes up 25-40% of our daily use, and of that almost 50% is wasted, according to the EPA.

CSA's have become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from the farmer. It's like a fresh produce subscription, with a box of just-picked produce delivered directly from the farm each week.

Whether you just want to grow flowers or provide fresh food for your family, community gardens provide many more benefits than just the tangible ones.

City rooftop gardens help to replenish green space and gardens lost to urban sprawl. A proven cooling effect helps to offset the heat island effect of city living as well.

Joe and Patti travel to rural Pennsylvania to the Rodale Institute, the cradle of modern organic gardening in America.

Pesticides kill all insects, not only the 3% that are "bad" but also the 97% that are neutral or even beneficial for our plants, gardens, and lives. Today we explore natural pest solutions and biological controls.

Although everyone gardened 'organically' back in Thomas Jefferson's day, he was a pioneer in terms of using his garden as a laboratory.

Although widely popularized in WWII Victory Gardens had their roots in WWI. Dr. Rose Hayden-Smith, a historian and nationally recognized expert on Victory Gardens and wartime food policies discusses the subtle differences.