Susan Orlean, staff writer for The New Yorker and author of The Orchid Thief, chronicles her journalistic exploration into the fascinating world of orchids. On tour, visit Monica Gaylord's orchid greenhouse retreat right at home. Daphne Richards identifies slime mold. Pick of the week: native winecup. Trisha Shirey shows how to put your weeds to use in a natural fertilizer.

Sign on to water wise plants for sustainable gardens with horticulturists and authors, Lauren Springer Ogden and Scott Ogden. On tour, see how Anne Bellomy dumped lawn in favor of wildlife plants. Daphne Richards answers: "Can I put soil or compost over exposed oak tree roots to plant groundcovers?" Her pick of the week: drought-tough native Mountain Laurel. Merrideth Jiles from The Great Outdoors shows off his home garden survivors that made it through 2011's hard freeze and drought.

Head into the heat with plants that stand up to drought and stand out in the garden with Michael Cain from Vivero Growers Nursery. On tour, see how Paul Lofton created an outstanding garden on a budget. Daphne Richards identifies crown gall on an oak tree. Her pick of the week is drought-tough thryallis. Merrideth Jiles from The Great Outdoors demonstrates how to propagate plants.

Get egg-citing tips to raise chickens of your own with Michelle Hernandez and Carla Jean Oldenkamp from the Austin Funky Chicken Coop tour. Take a tour of Carla's Zen Hen House and organic vegetable garden. Daphne Richards notes when to fertilize plants and lawn. Her pick of the week: Texas maroon bluebonnet. Trisha Shirey transitions winter crops to summer's harvests.