Green Side Up

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U of I Extension's Richard Hentschel discusses two different topics this week: Fireplace safety and Houseplants. The indoor fireplace means following some simple guidelines before enjoying the wood as it burns. Getting the fireplace and chimney...

Green Side Up's Richard Hentschel covers common storage of root crops right in the garden and places to store hard rind, or winter, squashes in the home until you can prepare them for the family. Carrots and other root crops do just fine if left in the garden and harvested as needed. Winter...

Host Richard Hentschel talks about getting those garden chores done with our recent heavy rains. Lawns have turned green again and mowing should continue. Planting spring flowering bulbs, building or using your compost pile and bins should be ongoing and if needed late season watering of our...

Host Richard Hentschel talks about birds, winter bird feeding and keeping the birds watered. He also explores good management when purchasing and storing firewood for the winter. Both activities benefit from a little planning. Bird feeding means dedicating time and resources, and starting soon...

Richard Hentschel, host of Green Side Up, talks about our very recent rains and the gardening and yard activities that will be easier now that our soils are moist again. Find out about lawn work, garden bed clean-up and the plant parts suitable for the compost pile.

Many home gardeners are beginning to clean up vegetable beds and others are preparing to deal with all those falling leaves. Host Richard Hentschel outlines what can be added to compost from the yard and garden, including what to avoid and how to maintain pH. In addition, he explains the green-...

In northern Illinois, we currently are in an extended droughty period. This means homeowners need to pay attention to those trees and plants that seem to take care of themselves. When the hose is out, water established trees, shrubs and perennials, as well as new additions and vegetables....

Richard Hentschel, host of Green Side Up, talks about watering seeded and sodded yards and what to do with summer bulbs from the yard. Watering seeded lawns is a lot different than watering sod. Summer bulbs are those bulbs that are not winter hardy and need to dug up and protected until...

Fall is a good time to test soils. Host Richard Hentschel discusses the importance of taking a soil test of your garden beds to improve plant growth and yields. Soil testing does not need to be done every year, but should be done periodically to be sure the soils are not holding back your...

Northern Illinois has experienced a cool weather pattern, but we haven't had the rain we'd expect. You may not miss it, but our lawns, gardens and plants do. This drought potential should be a concern for homeowners, as well as farmers or horticulturalists. Learn more about this dry fall effect...