Environment

Science Friday examines the process of fall gardening — the crops that can be planted in autumn and the ways to prepare for next year. We also discuss the benefits of composting.

Science Friday examines the process of fall gardening — the crops that can be planted in autumn and the ways to prepare for next year. We also discuss the benefits of composting.

Although roses are among the most commonly planted flowers, many people don't know the basics about their care and keeping. Local gardener Lisa Caprioglio says the way roses are watered affects their tendency to get black spot.

Although roses are among the most commonly planted flowers, many people don't know the basics about their care and keeping. Local gardener Lisa Caprioglio says the way roses are watered affects their tendency to get black spot.

Tim Stark was a management consultant when he stumbled into heirloom tomato farming, as he describes in Heirloom: Notes from an Accidental Farmer. (Tip: The ugliest tend to be tastiest.) Now his tomatoes are served in the finest New York restaurants.

Tim Stark was a management consultant when he stumbled into heirloom tomato farming, as he describes in Heirloom: Notes from an Accidental Farmer. (Tip: The ugliest tend to be tastiest.) Now his tomatoes are served in the finest New York restaurants.

It's not easy to track down one of the fastest and rarest great cats in the world. But one biologist is working to attach radio collars to cheetahs living in remote areas of Iran. With fewer than 100 of the animals left, they are among the most imperiled great cats on Earth.

It's not easy to track down one of the fastest and rarest great cats in the world. But one biologist is working to attach radio collars to cheetahs living in remote areas of Iran. With fewer than 100 of the animals left, they are among the most imperiled great cats on Earth.

Snow leopards are among the world's most endangered big cats, with only several thousand left. In Mongolia's southern Gobi desert, the snow leopard is a sign of a healthy ecosytem. But poaching remains one of the area's more lucrative businesses.

Snow leopards are among the world's most endangered big cats, with only several thousand left. In Mongolia's southern Gobi desert, the snow leopard is a sign of a healthy ecosytem. But poaching remains one of the area's more lucrative businesses.