Dean of Green

Time: Friday 8:49 AM, 4:49 PM
Host: Don Schmidt and Laura Kennedy

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. Check out a timeline of significant events as GLT celebrates 40 years on air.

 

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Recent Programs


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.

Big Box Plants Vs. Nursery Plants (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 9 May 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green discusses the differences between plants from the discount stores and plants from a local nursery.

Killing Grape Vines (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 2 May 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has advice for a listener in Albuquerque about how to deal with a tenacious vine.

Arbor Day (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green talks about his favorite holiday: Arbor Day!

Starting Cedar Seeds (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has some advice about how to start a cedar.

Hybrid Tomatoes (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green answers a question from Slovakia about hybrid tomatoes.

Produce and Nutrition (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green answers a question about the nutrition levels of modern plants. Could hybrids be a bad thing?

Things To Do For Spring (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has a list of things to do this spring.

How to Successful Screen a Blank Wall (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has some advice for a listener who wants to use vines to screen a concrete wall.

Butterfly Garden And Native Plants (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green helps a listener who wants both a butterfly garden and some easy-to-find native plants.

Early Spring Chores (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green has a few suggestions about some early work you can do in the garden this spring.

Of Grapes and Wrath (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green helps listeners find the right grapes to grow and how to deal with Creeping Charlie.

The Color of Pollen (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green takes a question from a 4th grader about the color of pollen.

Dealing with the Aftermath of Cicada Damage (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008
Run Time: 9:00
A listener is concerned about the damage the 17-year cicadas did to his trees. The Dean of Green has a surprising answer for him.

Smothering Snow? (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green answers questions about how snow may or may not damage plants.

Starting Seeds (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Get a jump start on spring by starting seeds with the advice of the Dean of Green.

Forcing Bulbs (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green helps you 'coax' your bulbs.

A Botany Lesson (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008
Run Time: 9:00
The Dean of Green explains botany basics.

The Return of the Elm Tree (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008
Run Time: 9:00
Deano amazes Laura with the news that the practically vanished American Elm may be staging a comeback.

Visiting the Bees of Mackinaw (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2007
Run Time: 9:00
Deano and Laura visit the Mackinaw Valley Apiary to learn about beekeeping in central Illinois.

Faking The Tropics (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007
Run Time: 9:00
Deano has advice for anyone who wants to get the look of the tropics in the midwest.

Dog Urine VS. Your Lawn (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007
Run Time: 9:00
Two out of state listeners want to know if dog pee can destroy a lawn.

Growing Wisteria (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007
Run Time: 9:00
Discover the inside secret to successfully growing wisteria in the midwest.

Winter Activities for Gardeners (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007
Run Time: 9:00
Just because it's December doesn't mean there aren't plant related activities available.

Dwarf Lilacs (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007
Run Time: 9:00
A Dean of Green listener says her "dwarf" lilac is way too big. Don and Laura have some tips on keeping the shrub in it's place.

Zoysia Grass (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007
Run Time: 9:00
Partrick of Bloomington wants to replace his Zoysia grass, and turns to the Dean of Green for advice

Mushrooms (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007
Run Time: 9:00
Don Schmidt gives us a primer on mushrooms.

Soft Water (mp3)
Air Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007
Run Time: 9:00
Don helps a listener concerned that softened well water is hurting his plants.

Dean of Green Photo Gallery

 

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