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Dean of Green

Whether you've got a green thumb or are hopeless with a hoe, you can find a kindred spirit in the Dean of Green! Don Schmidt takes the mystery out of gardening and puts in fun instead. His down-to-earth advice covers topics ranging from analyzing soil to choosing healthy shrubs to utilizing watering techniques that won't drown your garden.

Joined by patient co-host, Laura Kennedy, Dean-o troubleshoots YOUR problems as he tackles listener questions with an equal mix of science and silliness. And if your question is used, you'll get a gift certificate to Green View Nursery. You can send in your question for the mighty Dean right now! You might get to join Laura and Don live on the air.

The Dean of Green debuted on GLT in 1993 has a half-hour show.

Recent Programs

Holiday Greenery (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green talks about his favorite holiday plants and how to care for them.

Weed and Feed Dilemma (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green gives a listener advice on using weed and feed.

Plants For a Shady Spot (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Naomi wants Deano to advise her on the best plants for a shady spot.

Pirate Bugs! (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008
Run Time: 9:00
A listener asks Deano for help from marauding pirate bugs.

Fall Color (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Hear the Dean of Green wax rhapsodic about his favorite fall colors.

Emerald Ash Borer is a bore! (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008
Run Time: 9:00
A listener asks the Dean of Green if he should cut down his ash trees to avoid the nasty bug.

Pumpkinmania (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano loves unusual pumpkins and thinks you should, too.

More Autumn Chores (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano lists those things you should do before the frost.

Illinois State University's Plants (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano helps Kay identify some plants she saw on the ISU campus in Normal, IL.

Wisteria Pruning Tips (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano has advice for Randall in Minnesota about how best to prune his wisteria.

Wood Lice Invasion (mp3)
Air Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green helps Katie from London, England get rid of the wood lice problem in her garden.

Climbing Vines (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano helps a listener chose the perfect climbing vine.

Early Autumn Tasks (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano has a list of early autumn tasks for the gardener.

Air Potato: Deadly or Delicious? (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano takes a question from Tampa, Florida from a listener curious about air potatoes.

Grafted Root Stock 101 (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano takes a listener question about grafted root stock.

Tropics North of the Border (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Want to recreate the tropics in your yard? Dean has advice!

Dean of Green Field Trip (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano and Laura visit a botanical print exhibit at the McLean County Museum of History.

Aggressive Weeds and Hungry Bunnies (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008
Run Time: 9:00
One listener has too many weeds; another has too many rabbits. And the Dean of Green has something to say.

Avoiding Poisons in the Yard (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has advice for two listeners concerned about poisons.

Dean of Green Locavore Field Trip (mp3)
Air Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green and his sidekick Laura visit a local farmer's market and a restaurant to discover the importance of locally grown food.

Evergreens in Pots (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has advice about growing evergreens in pots.

June chores (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has a list of garden chores for early summer.

The Sex Life of a Ginkgo (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green tells the tale of how trees get it on.

Bad Bulbs and Good Rhubarb (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has advice for a listener about a bag of old bulbs and rhubarb leaves.

Veggie Crop Rotation (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 30 May 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has advice about how to rotate crops.

Wild Onions? (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 23 May 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green helps a listener understand the strange growth he found in the forest.

Dean of Green Field Trip - Vintage Plant Prints Exhibit (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 16 May 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green and his intrepid sidekick Laura visit an exhibit that highlights the work of 19th century nurserymen.