Green Side Up

Richard Hentschel, host of Green Side Up, talks about common questions coming into the Extension office - including early spring care of shade trees, pruning, dormant oils in our home orchards and the timing for crabgrass preventer. We are still in the window for dormant pruning of our maples,...

U of I Extension's Richard Hentschel discusses many of the early yard clean-up projects that can be done while we wait for the real spring weather. Early lawn clean-up with a leaf rake can take a while if you have a large yard. Uncovering spring bulbs and tender perennials is another activity...

Host Richard Hentschel discusses late spring bird feeding for migrating and local birds. Homeowners should make sure there is some water available now that we have no snow, as it is really appreciated by our feathered friends. In addition, keeping the feeder clean and feeder openings clear of...

Did you know many of us likely use a "pesticide" almost every day, if not every day? The word pesticide, when broken down and back to its origin, means killing a pest. This could be in the garden or home, from fungicides and insecticides to kitchen sanitizers. Host Richard Hentschel breaks down...

Richard Hentschel, host of GSU, addresses what should be done in the home orchard, starting with dormant pruning. First spray of the season is usually a dormant oil and moving on to the early cover sprays to protect emerging foliage and flowers from our windborne diseases like Cedar Apple Rust...

Host Richard Hentschel talks about what is going on out in the home landscape right now. Things are pretty brown, except the colorful food and snack wrappers stuck among base of plants. Do a quick pick-up so you won't have to look at trash this spring. Rabbits may have caused some (or a lot...

University of Illinois Extension Educator Richard Hentschel discusses saved flower and vegetable seeds, and how to check them this time of year. He also reminds us that seed packets can give us lots of good information on the best conditions for seed germination.

U of I Extension's Richard Hentschel discusses the need to do dormant pruning for our trees and shrubs. He provides the benefits of this strategy, including the ease of pruning while the plants are without leaves.

Horticulture Educator and podcast host Richard Hentschel talks about how to keep your brambles from becoming the preverbal bramble patch. Did you know pruning is straight forward, and needs to be done just twice a year? Listen to learn how fruiting canes work, when they die and when they can...

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Are those seed, plant and tree catalogs filling your mailbox? If fruit trees are on your to-buy list, host Richard Hentschel talks apples, peaches, cherries, pears and more. He also explains the catalog description terminology, such as "self-...