May 16, 2013
Richard Hentschel talks more about the kinds of trees, shrubs and evergreens available to homeowners. Richard compares Potted Plants and Balled and Burlapped. He also discusses what a proper planting hole is, amending backfill material and watering during the whole transplant time frame. Planting depth is very important. Paying attention to the crown area on any tree, shrub or evergreen is critical. Planting too deep is one of the most common mistakes. Find out where the crown is and then we know how deep to dig the planting hole.
May 9, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel discusses considerations for selecting trees, shrubs and evergreens. Site variations include sun or shade, soil type and how to ammend are discussed. Plant selection should include mature size and other desireable traits.
May 2, 2013
Richard Hentschel, host of Green Side Up talks about lawn weeds in 2013. With our lawns that are thinned out, weeds can easily fill those open spots. Winter annuals can just get worse if not managed early in the season. Thin lawns will see annual grasses like foxtails, crabgrass and goose grass germinating. Perennial grassy weeds like Quackgrass or Tall fescue can really spread too. Management changes like mowing more frequently with a sharp mower blade and managing the fertilizer program more carefully to avoid flushes of grass growth will encourage a better, healthier looking lawn.
April 25, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel discusses our area "frost free date" and our typical annuals that do so well for our gardens. One plant family has caused concern for gardeners have been impatiens the last two years with a new disease called downy mildew. There are several alternatives available and a couple of impatiens show good disease resistance. Lots of perennials will be smaller than expected in 2013 too.
April 18, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel discusses what we can expect from our lawns that are recovering from the drought in 2012. Thin lawns will need help in filling in. Topdressing and overseediing is the typical method used. Use high quality disease resistant seed. In 2013 getting the lawn healthy is the goal and not focus on weeds this year. Be sure the seed stays moist throughout the germination process.
April 11, 2013
Richard Hentschel, host of Green side up talks about why don't fruit trees bear. In many cases, trees are too young or in a vigorous vegetative state. Fruiting can be delayed if proper scaffold training has not been done that will promote early flowering. Improper pruning can also delay flowering and fruiting. Of course there also needs to be cross pollentation for the apple trees. Making sure you have adequate pollenators blooming at the same time
April 4, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel talks about 2 important diseases on apple fruit trees and the ornamental flowering crabapples. Cedar Apple Rust has a decidious and evergreen hosts and travels between the two. Apple Scab only requires a decidous host. Both diseases impact the quality of fruit on the fruiting trees. Crabapples are also impacted, but we do not eat those fruits.
March 21, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel interviews Russ Higgins, Commercial Agriculture Educator about getting ready to grow crops from the commercial agriculture perspective. Farmers, just like gardeners are concerned about our late frosts and light freezes. Much of our seed corn is produced in South America during our winters and will be returned for our Spring planting. Just like gardeners, farmers are going plant crops based on hardiness and the ability sprout and grow in cold through warmer soil temperatures.
March 14, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel interviews Russ Higgins, Commercial Agriculture Educator about how our insects have been overwintering and some of those that have already appeared. Insects adults will be the first to show up. Insects show up based on warming weather. Box Elder, lady bugs and bean leaf beetles can be some the earliest. Richard and Russ also talk about the Japanese Beetles and where in the state they are really troublesome.
March 7, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel talks with Russ Higgins Commercial Agriculture Educator about the 2012 drought and expectations in 2013. Russ discusses soil moisture in 2012 throughout the state and Northern Illinois. Upper profile soil moisture is being replaced with a greater concern about the amount of water in the lower or deeper soil profile. Future forecasts are indicating the worse will be west of the Mississippi and gardeners and farmers alike will be watching how much water we get this spring
