Making It Grow Minutes

A black bear's diet 03.10.2026 1:00 ↓

Host Amanda McNulty is amazed to discover the dietary habits of the average black bear.

Black bear hunting season 02.10.2026 1:00 ↓

Why do hunters value black bears? Host Amanda McNulty explains.

The two little pigs 01.10.2026 1:00 ↓

While staying near North Carolina's Bat Cave, host Amanda McNulty experiences a food theft.

Lindera benzoin 30.09.2026 1:00 ↓

Dried spice berries from the native plant Lindera benzoin can serve as a lovely hat garnish, or as a tasty snack for black bears.

White oak acorns vs. red oak acorns 28.09.2026 1:00 ↓

Host Amanda McNulty explains why white oak acorns are preferred by foragers over red oak acorns.

Yaupon holly 12.09.2026 1:00 ↓

Yaupon holly is a native plant that grows in the warmer parts of the eastern United States and is our only plant that contains caffeine.

When iced tea made its biggest splash 11.09.2026 1:00 ↓

Host Amanda McNulty explains how iced tea became a fast-growing sensation during the 20th century.

Camellia sinensis, the drinkable camellia 10.09.2026 1:00 ↓

Camellia sinensis is easily grown in South Carolina if you want to harvest tender young leaves and have your own home-grown tea.

Did coffee fuel the Boston Tea Party? 09.09.2026 1:00 ↓

Host Amanda McNulty does some research on the Boston Tea Party and discovers some interesting facts.

Substitutes for tea 07.09.2026 1:00 ↓

After colonists dumped tea into the Boston Harbor, they found caffeine-free alternatives to fill their cups.

The scientific names, they are a-changin' 22.08.2026 1:00 ↓

Host Amanda McNulty laments how sometimes the former scientific names for plants she had memorized long ago are updated or changed entirely.

Liquidambar styraciflua 21.08.2026 1:00 ↓

Liquidambar styraciflua is our sweetgum tree, which has a stunning fall color but does drop those prickly seed pods.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 20.08.2026 1:00 ↓

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, or Dawn Redwood, was considered long extinct from one hundred million years ago, until the 1940s.

Biogeographic disjunction 19.08.2026 1:00 ↓

Biogeographic disjunction is one reason we share so many plants, at least at the generic (or genus) level, with other places.

The advantage of knowing scientific names 17.08.2026 1:00 ↓

While on a trip to China, host Amanda McNulty realized the value of knowing the scientific names of plant life.

Setae vs pupal cases 08.08.2026 1:00 ↓

Not all projections on caterpillars are setae.

Fall webworms' setae 07.08.2026 1:00 ↓

Fall webworms are covered in harmless spines that serve as a warning to other organisms to think twice about these touching or eating these caterpillars.

The lifecycle of webworms 06.08.2026 1:00 ↓

The webworms we’re seeing in record numbers this year started as eggs laid by a female moth on the ends of branches.

South Carolina is experiencing a record level of fall webworms 05.08.2026 1:00 ↓

Host Amanda McNulty explains why residents should not be alarmed at the massive number of fall webworms our state is seeing. 

An abundance of fall webworms 03.08.2026 1:00 ↓

Host Amanda McNulty explains why there have been an unusual amount of fall webworms outside lately.

'Watermelon fuels athletes.' 25.07.2026 1:00 ↓

Watermelon is 92% percent water, packed with vitamins and amino acids, and naturally has carbohydrates that don’t come from sugar, unlike sports drinks.

Watermelon Queen requirement: superior seed-spitting skills 24.07.2026 1:00 ↓

Amanda McNulty shares special tips on how to be at the top of your watermelon seed-spitting game.

Varieties of Watermelons 23.07.2026 1:00 ↓

With new breeding techniques we have not only red flesh watermelons, but yellow, orange, and seedless.

The Origins of Watermelons 22.07.2026 1:00 ↓

Scientists like to find the origins of plants as they can use those genetics to alter modern varieties beset by disease and pest problems.

Watermelon Field Day 20.07.2026 1:00 ↓

Every July, visitors arrive at Clemson’s Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville for Watermelon Field Day.