Gardening

May 14, 2013

Spring has most certainly sprung, and for the many green thumbs that means getting in the garden once again. Baltimore Sun columnistSusan Reimer is back for another Midday gardening hour. She’ll share her tricks for getting the best results and why we’re in what she calls an “impatiens crisis.”  

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified 26 different species of gut bacteria that may be linked to obesity and diabetes.  Nathan Sterner talks with Dr. Claire Fraser, who led the study.

What if Baltimore's vacant lots were transformed into half-acre farms, producing greens, onions, herbs, berries, honey and other fresh produce for residents and for the city's restaurants and markets? Urban farms are becoming increasingly popular in Baltimore and other cities. What does it take to run one, and could this be an option for revitalizing some abandoned areas and for reducing the number of "food deserts" in the city?

Did you know those pesky weeds in your garden could actually be edible?  Tom Hall talks with our garden guru Anne Raver about how to use nettles, dock (often found among potatoes), and wild sorrel.

Baltimore is organized with what’s called a "strong-mayor" form of government, in which the powers of the mayor far outweigh the powers of the City Council.  Sheilah talks about this form of government and how it compares to other systems with Eric Zeemering, Assitant Professour of Public Policy at UMBC. She also talks with Julie Scharper, who reports on City Hall for the Baltimore Sun, about the current power tussle that's taking place.

City dwellers, are you ready to get your hands dirty?  Get your spades and potting soil ready: we talk with garden guru Anne Raver about how to garden when all you've got at your disposal is a windowsill or a fire escape.  She talks about how to deal with brutal sunlight that windowsills can receive, as well as how much water to give those plants if you're fleeing the city on weekends.

Spring has sprung early and for Marylanders that means it's time to start thinking about gardening. Garden enthusiast and Baltimore Sun columnist Susan Reimer joins us to talk about what it takes to start, restore or improve a garden. She answers your gardening questions and offer practical tips for planting vegetables and flowers and tending the smallest of gardens.