Making It Grow Minutes

During World War II, the stabilimenta of writing spiders was observed getting smaller, possibly supporting a theory of the zigzag's purpose.

While joining a friend to watch writing spiders weave their webs, Amanda McNulty ponders the purpose of the stabilimentum.

Host Amanda McNulty takes a closer look at the web weaving of writing spiders.

One of the common spiders that weave webs with a distinctive zigzag pattern is the yellow garden spider.

Instead of having to keep up with cleaning spiderwebs from the front of her house, Amanda McNulty decides to recruit some members of the wildlife community.

Although some consider it invasive, the Trumpet Creeper has inspired naturalists and writers, such as hummingbird enthusiast William Hilton.

The native Campsis radicans, or Trumpet Creeper, is often called invasive, but it supports a variety of wildlife.

Amanda McNulty can't find the rice in her pantry, but guess who can.

Amanda McNulty reflects on the variety of animals that have visited her home throughout her lifetime.

From fire ants to sugar ants, there are effective methods for controlling a variety of Formicidae.

Rice isn't just delicious, it's functional.

Has South Carolina's humidity clumped up your salt dispenser? Add some rice. Amanda McNulty explains why this household hack works.

Have you ever used a salt cellar? Host Amanda McNulty explains how to place them on the dining table and gives some helpful information on storing salt.

Monarch butterflies love swamp milkweed for egg-laying and feeding caterpillars, but find competition for food with the native swamp milkweed beetle.

'The Great Outdoors' sometimes comes indoors to the McNulty house.

California grows more peaches than South Carolina and Georgia, but South Carolina's peaches are juicier and sweeter.

No matter which grower produced peaches near you, all of South Carolina's are delicious, and different varieties come available about every ten days.

Bacillus thuringiensis, variety israelensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that only acts on mosquito larvae.

Since 1970, we've lost three billion North American birds and experienced declines in native bees, other beneficial insects, and our recycling decomposers in large part due to the use of pesticides.

Mosquitos can be a pain, but Amanda McNulty shares alternatives to fogging and pesticides to help keep mosquitos from pestering you.

A lot goes into getting watermelons from seed to a tasty treat in your refrigerator.

Gracen Vaughn hands out watermelon slices at school field days, farmers markets, grocery stores, festivals, and other gatherings to tell people about the health benefits of watermelons.

Gilbert Miller of Clemson's Edisto Research and Education Center is not only a Doctor of Plant and Environmental Sciences, but also president of the South Carolina Watermelon Association.

Watermelon breeders are developing new varieties each year, with over 1,200 different kinds currently grown around the world.

Amanda McNulty explains the trick to picking the perfect melon when giving it the "thump" test.

Oak trees serve as the larval food source for almost a thousand different caterpillars.

Amanda McNulty explains how making space for native plants in your yard can help restore North America's declining nesting bird population.

Caterpillars can only eat the leaves of certain native plants. Amanda McNulty offers ways to help build back North America's rapidly declining nesting bird population.

Boxwoods, azaleas, and crepe myrtles are lovely to look at, but are dead zones for caterpillars.

Host Amanda McNulty shares a shocking statistic regarding North America's bird population.

For those grieving the loss of a loved one, Amanda McNulty shares song lyrics that offer comfort and hope.

Host Amanda McNulty explores the significance of literary character Atticus Finch saying, 'It's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'

Amanda McNulty shares some U.S. history, as well as some family history, about the northern mockingbird.

Mocking birds get their name honestly – they can repeat all sorts of sounds, from creaking gates opening to dogs and sirens.

Mockingbirds are especially protective of their nests and remember the faces of those who agitate them.

Amanda McNulty shares tips on where to spot anoles, and how to coax one into performing an amusing parlor trick.

The male green anole is very territorial and puts on a showy display to attract his mates.

Host Amanda McNulty of "Making It Grow" explains how minding "tail autotomy" is key in catching an anole.

As spring arrives in South Carolina, our state's native lizard emerges in search of warm spots, which include the inside of Amanda McNulty's house.

Amanda McNulty's 19th-century home draws a variety of uninvited visitors, who are sometimes discovered in the most unusual places.

From the 'Pride of Augusta' to the swamp, there's a species of Yellow Jessamine for every occasion.

If you have a sunny area that needs a screen, look no further than our state flower, Carolina or yellow jessamine.

The flowers of yellow jessamine are powerfully sweet in fragrance, but deadly poisonous to many animals, including humans, and not a favorite of invertebrates.

Spring has sprung, and so has South Carolina's state flower.