Viewers who tuned in to an October episode of last year's In the Garden with Bryce Lane witnessed a unique demonstration of photosynthesis. In that episode, the NC State university horticulture instructor explained how plants use sunlight to photosynthesize by donning an apron and mixing the ingredients for blueberry muffins. The muffin example was only one of several that kept UNC-TV viewers coming back for each of the 26 episodes.

Beginning Saturday, August 21 at noon, Lane is back with another dynamic season of gardening techniques, this time concentrating on home landscaping. And as always, he'll use some creative examples to illustrate his points.

Besides the basics of home landscaping, this season of In the Garden will introduce viewers to the "D" word-landscape design. Lane covers all the elements of home landscape, from planting foundation plants and trees to the more intricate designs of arbors and espaliers. Lane also explains how to buy plants for the landscape and how to garden in challenging conditions such as limited space, water and sunlight. The series culminates with advice on creating special gardens, including wildlife, rock and water gardens and gives a glimpse of Lane's favorite gardens.

Last year's "Plant of the Week" segment delighted several viewers, who e-mailed their own favorite plant. This year, Lane is giving away an additional incentive to contribute a "Plant of the Week": viewers whose e-mailed suggestions appear on a show will receive a new In the Garden t-shirt. Suggestions for "Plant of the Week" can be entered in an online form on the "Your Plant page of the In the Garden Web site: www.unctv.org/inthegarden.

Unlike other gardening series, In the Garden comes with a college credit for people who register through North Carolina State University. This season UNC-TV and the university once again partner to offer the series as a spring 2005 telecourse. Viewers who want to register for the course can do so through DELTA at http://distance.ncsu.edu beginning November 19.

Last year's In the Garden course attracted students from around the state, from Harrisburg and Elkin in the west to Raleigh and Cary in the piedmont. Lane and the producers of In the Garden with Bryce Lane anticipate that this year's season and course will be just as successful.

UNC-TV is North Carolina's only statewide broadcasting system, made possible through a unique partnership of public investment and private support. UNC-TV's commitment to producing and broadcasting local and national programs about our state resources make it one of the state's most important sources of information. For more information about UNC-TV and its programs, please visit www.unctv.org.

-UNC-TV-