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You Bet Your Garden

WDIY 88.1 FM
Organic Gardening
Gardening
Composting
Garlic
Gardening Techniques
Poison Ivy
Compost
Potting Soil
Potatoes
Peas
Mushroom Soil
Lawn Care
Dandelions
Philadelphia Flower Show
Serviceberry
Seed Savers Exchange
Tiger Lilies
Backyard Chickens
Square Foot Gardening
Gardening Tips

Garden Guru and former Organic Gardening Editor-in-Chief Mike McGrath tackled listeners' toughest garden, lawn, and pest problems in this hour-long program that aired on WDIY between 2024 and 2026.Mike McGrath has since ended the radio version of the program. The episodes that aired on WDIY are archived here as well as major podcasting platforms, including:SpotifyApple PodcastsPodbeanNPR.org

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes20Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Home & GardenNutritionLeisureHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for You Bet Your Garden

Latest Episodes

Mike McGrath ends his 30 years on public radio in style with a blowout celebration full of phone calls, interviews, and live music!

Mike McGrath examines a garden pest that may have many people confused. Plus, a heaping helping of your fabulous phone calls!

Mike McGrath reveals what to do about your hydrangeas that were hurt by odd weather. Plus, a heaping helping of your fabulous phone calls!

Mike McGrath explains how to keep insect pests from eating your vegetables. Plus, a tool to save birds, and your fabulous phone calls!

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Recent Guests

Jeff Akopyan
Founder/inventor, Akopian Bird Savers
Akopian Bird Savers
Episode: Companion Planting for Cabbage Pests | You Bet Your Garden
Steve Kress
Visiting fellow of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and founder of Audubon's Project Puffin
Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Audubon
Episode: Do Bat Houses Really House Bats? | You Bet Your Garden
Sarah Stradie
Seed historian coordinating historical research for Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange
Episode: Zap that Bug Zapper | You Bet Your Garden
Jeff Akopian
Bird advocate and inventor of Bird Savers
Bird Savers
Episode: The Secret to a Weed-Free Lawn | You Bet Your Garden
Lawrence Zettler
Professor of biology at Illinois College and research associate at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Illinois College
Episode: The Best Interviews of 2025 | You Bet Your Garden
Thor Hansen
Conservation Biologist, Guggenheim Fellow and author of 'Buzz' and 'Close to Home'
Episode: The Best Interviews of 2025 | You Bet Your Garden
Rick Bickling
Advisor to the Board of Directors of the Square Foot Gardening Foundation
Square Foot Gardening Foundation
Episode: The Best Interviews of 2025 | You Bet Your Garden
Scott Russell Smith
Author of On Compost, A Year in the Life of a Suburban Garden
Christmas Lake Press
Episode: Are You Ready to Melt Your Ice and Handle Your Snow? | You Bet Your Garden
Linda Vader
Author of A Year of Garden-Inspired Living
Quattro
Episode: Not Too Last Minute Gifts for Gardeners | You Bet Your Garden

Host

Mike McGrath
Host of You Bet Your Garden, a long-running, chemistry-free gardening show offering practical pest, lawn, and soil guidance with a focus on non-toxic, sustainable methods.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 45 ratings
  • Mike McGrath is a treasure!

    I first started listening to Mike McGrath on You Bet Your Garden many moons ago on my local NPR. I’ve learned sooo much from about gardening and yard care that’s allowed me to face challenges without the dangerous use of chemicals that pose health risks to me and the wonderful creatures in my yard. From mowing to growing veggies to all sorts of questions I’d never had thought to ask but are tremendously helpful. Mike has a unique personality and delivers his wisdom with humor and generosity.

    I ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BreatheLike
    United States2 months ago
  • Would be better if concentrated on gardening

    This show gives you good gardening information in the first section and the end but wastes the bulk of the show on pushing an ideological message sadly. Gone the way of many formerly good pbs shows

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    wellgaveitatry
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback notes a perceived ideological slant at times, particularly around broader environmental messaging.
Listeners appreciate the practical, chemical-free gardening guidance, especially in pest and soil topics.
The show is friendly and accessible, with helpful call-in interactions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Companion Planting for Cabbage Pests | You Bet Your Garden
Q: Is there an annual flower or herb I can plant that will repel the cabbage moths off my kale and other crucifers?
There isn't a true repellent effect; instead, companion plants attract beneficial wasps that parasitize caterpillar pests, providing an indirect control mechanism. The approach relies on supporting wasps and birds as natural pest eaters, while BT remains the targeted option for caterpillars.
Spring Lawn Care Advice: Leave It Alone! | You Bet Your Garden
Q: What should I do to deal with persistent weeds in a former lawn area?
Use solarization by saturating the soil, covering with clear plastic for the season, and then transitioning to raised beds with compost and mulch to suppress future weeds while enriching the soil.
Of Mice and Mint and Mothballs | You Bet Your Garden
Q: What about mothballs as a home remedy for mice?
Mothballs are toxic and ineffective for deterring mice; the host cites a video experiment showing mice ignore mothballs even when exposed to concentrated fumes, and warns against using mothballs due to toxicity and legal issues.
Of Mice and Mint and Mothballs | You Bet Your Garden
Q: Mint vs mice: Is there any scientific basis to plant mint around your house to repel mice?
The host explains that there is no solid evidence that simply planting mint around the house prevents mice; however, using peppermint essential oil in dedicated repellent devices shown in a citizen-science video can deter mice in specific enclosed spaces.
Ticks Are a Tenacious Trouble! | You Bet Your Garden
Q: What can Maureen do to protect herself from deer ticks without harming her plants, pets, or herself?
Avoid spraying; instead use non-chemical prevention like permethrin-treated clothing, tick tubes, habitat modification (brush clearance), and targeted soil management; consult local extension services for pest identification when needed.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About You Bet Your Garden

What is You Bet Your Garden about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running, chemistry-free gardening show delivers practical pest control, lawn care, and soil health guidance, often via call-ins. Episodes blend step-by-step how-tos with live listener questions, demonstrations of organic controls, and tips for wildlife-friendly landscapes. A notable strength is the host's approachable, down-to-earth style and emphasis on sustainability, non-toxic methods, and local community events. The format frequently interweaves actionable advice with humor and recurring public-radio underwriting, making it useful for home gardeners seeking reliable, low-impact solutions and for brands looking to reach committed DIY enthusiasts.

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How many episodes of You Bet Your Garden are there?

You Bet Your Garden launched 2 years ago and published 20 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on You Bet Your Garden?

Recent guests on You Bet Your Garden include:

1. Jeff Akopyan
2. Steve Kress
3. Sarah Stradie
4. Jeff Akopian
5. Lawrence Zettler
6. Thor Hansen
7. Rick Bickling
8. Scott Russell Smith

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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