August 29, 2013
Green Side Up Host talks about the merits of composting in home landscape. As with real estate, location is important. Composting areas should be in semi shade if possible. Nearly all homeowners will be "cold composting", meaning the materials will take longer to decompose. There is no official recipe of how to compost, but mixture of green and brown materials along with some garden soil sprinkled in along the way will get the pile or bin started. The more the material chopped up or the finer the material, the sooner it becomes useable compost.
August 22, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel discusses the merits of planting trees, shrubs and evergreens in the fall of the year. Richard also covers how to best plant balled and burlapped and potted plants, pointing out the subtle differences and what will need to be done as the plants are added to the landscape.
August 15, 2013
Green Side Up Host Richard Hentschel provides information on taking a soil test for your vegetable garden, lawn and other beds in the home landscape. Besides the typical Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium levels, a good soil test should include the soil pH and percent organic matter. Fall is a good time as the soil has had time to react with any amendments and fertilizers you applied in the spring.
August 8, 2013
Host Richard Hentschel discusses dividing perennials in the garden. Richard covers digging and dividing, what to save and replant, what should go to the compost bin. Weed control is also discussed along with proper spacing and planting.
August 1, 2013
Richard Hentschel, host of Green Side Up, interviews Russ Higgins from the Northern Illinois Agriculture Research Center about insects and diseases for the farmer. Insects and diseases impact the farmer and the homeowner alike. Western Corn Rootworm for example can damage both the roots and then the silks on the ear. Once the corn is done silking the bug moves into home gardeners and loves to eat the cucurbits. One invasive species is the soybean aphids which so far is not very predictable as to when it will show up. The aphid has a favorite predator, the multi colored Asian Lady Beetle. Another troublesome insect is the Potato leafhopper in alfalfa. This lowers the quality of the crop at harvest.
Russ quickly noted Fungicides have been applied this season to corn and other crops to prevent diseases that can lessen the yield.
