On this week's Good Growing podcast we chat one last time with retiring horticulture educator Richard Hentschel. Richard dives into tips for spring lawn care and we get into environmentally friendly practices for our lawns and ask if they really work. Plus, Richard gives his parting tips to Katie, Ken, and Chris for their career with Illinois Extension. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6s6_WKlZTEo Jump to what you want to know: 03:50 Hello Richard! 04:38 How much of the US is covered in lawns? 06:35 What site conditions does it take to grow a lush lawn without inputs? 09:27 Reading the grass seed label and understanding annual rye use in Illinois 13:27 What are those key springtime lawn tasks for those in Illinois? 18:21 Is no-mow May a good idea? 22:40 Lots of people want to spray dandelions in the spring. Is this the best time for dandelion control? 24:48 Are there alternatives to conventional synthetic herbicides for lawns? 27:33 Changing gears to Richard's retirement: What's the best part of working at Illinois Extension? 29:43 For someone known for his knowledge of turfgrass, what does Richard really enjoy doing in his yard and garden? 32:06 Richard's favorite memory on the job at Illinois Extension 34:22 What is Richard's number one gardening resource on the job? Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.