College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences produces
'In the Garden with Bryce Lane'

When College of Agriculture and Life Sciences instructor Bryce Lane decided to take his introductory horticulture class on the road — or rather, on the air — gardeners throughout the state got the chance for some extra credit.

On Aug. 23 at noon, “In the Garden with Bryce Lane” began its 26-week run on UNC-TV. The series, sponsored jointly by the College’s Academic Programs and N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, delves into the science behind plants and plant growth. Lane discusses an array of gardening subjects, including plant identification and propagation, treatment for diseased plants, soil composition and home landscaping techniques. This year’s season is the first of three.

Mike Gray, head of the College’s Department of Communication Services and host of UNC-TV’s “Almanac Gardener,” introduced the series premiere. Lane then took viewers to his own garden and to the nationally acclaimed JC Raulston Arboretum. The premiere also highlighted some of the upcoming subjects on future episodes and presents the “Plant of the Week.”

Lane has been with N.C. State since 1981. He has received several teaching awards, including the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award, N.C. State’s highest teaching award. A veteran of television, Lane has appeared in several courses on video and on Raleigh’s cable channel 18.

Lane’s approach to his subject is far from dry lecture. His enthusiasm about plants and gardening radiates in each episode. Instead of spending hours on seemingly meaningless chemical formulas or confusing plant names, Lane applies each piece of science to something viewers can relate to. Whether he’s talking about the reasons for plant diseases or the importance of naming plants correctly when shopping for them, Lane makes each 30-minute episode fun and memorable.

“In the Garden” breaks ground in several ways for N.C. State and UNC-TV. Part of a new partnership between the university and public television station, the series marks the first time in 40 years that UNC-TV has broadcast a college-credit course for the university system.

To receive one college credit for “In the Garden,” viewers must register through DELTA, N.C. State’s Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications office. Viewers who choose to take all three seasons of courses will earn three credit hours in N.C. State’s Introduction to Horticulture. To register, go to www.distance.ncsu.edu or call 1.866.GO.STATE or 1.866.467.8283 for information. “In the Garden” is produced by the College’s Department of Communication Services.

— UNC-TV