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As a highly lauded member of the Garden Writers of America, Tanem has made numerous appearances on radio and television as a gardening expert and even 14 years later his show remains one of the most popular Sunday programs in the Bay Area. The program airs every Sunday morning from 8am to 11am.

Since 2001, Bob has co-authored the release of four books with Don Williamson of Lone Pine Publishing in Edmonton, Alberta. Their titles are `Annuals for Northern California’, `Perennials for Northern California’, and `Tree and Shrub Gardening for Northern California, the fourth book is a garden diary for Northern California Gardeners. The first two books are now in their second printing. Sunset Magazine favorably reviewed all three books. The fourth book was released in 2004.

Bob’s earlier, self-published work, `Deer Resistant Planting’, is considered one of the best field guides for gardeners and landscapers who plant in areas where deer are a problem. Bob and his wife Bev are researching another book on the Historical Gardens of the California Missions. His quarterly newsletter, `Garden Previews’ has subscribers of up to 900. Bev edits and proofs while daughter Edie handles formatting and printing.

Bob owned and operated Tanem’s Garden Centers in Belvedere and San Rafael, California, retiring from commercial gardening and selling the Belvedere retail operation in 1998.

Since retirement, Bob has volunteered to supervise an organic vegetable garden at New Beginnings in Novato, a program to feed and house the homeless while training them for employment. It won the Mantis award for public gardens in 2001. Over 400 pounds of food each year has been donated to local food banks.

To hear Bob Tanem's podcast, click here.