Iowa PBS's Gardening With Steil grows

Iowans dreaming of spring and a return to their gardens can discover current trends and tips for a successful season with Iowa PBS’s latest gardening special. The third installment of Gardening With Steil premieres Saturday, February 19 at 4 p.m. during Festival 2022 on statewide Iowa PBS. Viewers can enjoy the program again Sunday, February 20 at 1 p.m. on Iowa PBS .1 and at 7:30 p.m. on Iowa PBS Create .4.

Host Aaron Steil travels across the state in this 90-minute special for a field trip filled with gardening goodness. Simultaneous with its statewide broadcast premiere, Gardening With Steil will premiere live on Facebook, allowing viewers to ask questions of experts using the live chat. Following the premiere, the program will be available for free on-demand viewing for a limited time on iowapbs.org, YouTube and the PBS Video App.

“We’re excited to continue the work we began with the previous specials and limited series,” said Iowa PBS Senior Producer and Director Andrea Coyle. “Our goal is to highlight gardening trends that are accessible and fun. From the novice to the most experienced gardeners, viewers will find the inspiration they need to dig into their own projects!”

First, Gardening With Steil brings viewers to Seed Savers in northern Iowa to learn about unique heirloom tomato varieties. Steil then provides suggestions for growing your own tasty tomatoes.

Steil will then explore a home garden perfectly designed and beautifully executed using mostly perennials. Volunteers from the Master Gardener program explain how garden enthusiasts can get involved.

Finally, the Gardening With Steil crew visits a houseplant specialty store in Cedar Rapids for a lesson on plant parenting. Steil demonstrates how to make a quick and easy terrarium with some students from Crocker Elementary in Ankeny.

Gardening With Steil is presented by Iowa PBS as a part of Festival 2022, Iowa PBS’s only extended pledge drive of the year. With programming airing on Iowa PBS .1, Iowa PBS WORLD .3 and Iowa PBS Create .4, Festival 2022 takes place February 19-20 and February 25-March 13.

In addition to its statewide broadcast, Iowa PBS .1 is available to livestream on iowapbs.org/watch, pbs.org/livestream, the PBS Video App and YouTube TV. Iowa PBS programs, behind-the-scenes extras and more can be enjoyed on iowapbs.org, Facebook and YouTube. Viewers can also stream their favorite shows on demand using the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android and many streaming devices.