In this itchy edition of the Good Growing podcast, horticulture educator Chris Enroth shares his annual run-in with one of summer’s most irritating pests—chiggers. Just in time for the Fourth of July, Chris dives into the myths, facts, and personal stories surrounding these nearly invisible arachnids. Learn what chiggers really are, how they bite, why nail polish won’t help, and what you can actually do to protect yourself. Whether you're gardening, hiking, or dodging fireworks, this Garden Bite...
Jul 04, 2025•12 min
In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, hosts Chris Enroth and Emily Swihart are joined by horticulture educator Ryan Pankau to unpack a 2024 study from the Illinois Natural History Survey. The topic? Chemical trespass—how herbicides and other pesticides are drifting into Illinois’ natural areas and impacting native ecosystems, impacting a keystone group of trees - oaks. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/44Ue4HbGS7Y Skip to what you want to know: 00:33:12 Hello Emily! 01:35:06 Welcome, ...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 254
Roses are grown in many gardens for their large, showy, often fragrant flowers. If you grow roses, you may have noticed something eating the leaves of your plants, causing them to become unsightly. While various insects will feed on roses, one of the most commonly encountered pests is rose roseslugs. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn more about these rose pests and how to manage them. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fo836_3pgl8 Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.e...
Jun 20, 2025•9 min•Ep. 253
In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive deep into the fascinating world of milkweed—also known by its genus name, Asclepias. Whether you're a native plant enthusiast, pollinator advocate, or just curious about why this "weed" is the National Garden Bureau’s Plant of the Year, this episode is packed with insights. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qw24JnUOitQ Skip to what you want to know: 00:46 Hey Ken! How do you say Asclepias? 0...
Jun 13, 2025•55 min•Ep. 252
Have you ever dreamed of harvesting your own grapes right from your backyard? Or maybe you have a grape plant or two and are unsure of how to care for them. Check out this week's Good Growing Podcast as we demystify the art and science of growing grapes at home with commercial agriculture specialist Dr. Elizabeth Wahle. From selecting disease-resistant cultivars to growing and training grape vines, managing pests, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AUxI1tupXNI Skip to what you want ...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 251
Tired of being a mosquito magnet? In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson bust common mosquito myths and dive into what really works to keep those pesky biters at bay. From citronella candles and bug zappers to the viral “Bucket of Doom,” learn which repellents are backed by science—and which ones are just buzz. Whether you're planning a backyard BBQ or just want to enjoy your garden in peace, this episode is your go-to guide for mosquito ...
May 30, 2025•57 min•Ep. 250
Peonies are a springtime showstopper, fragrant, full, and beloved in gardens across the world. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast and explore the history of peonies, their flower forms, and tips for growing, dividing, and relocating them. We also discuss why ants are drawn to their buds, what might be keeping your peonies from blooming, and how to make the most of their short but spectacular bloom season. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_CB0qzCxJ5Q Skip to what you want to know: 00...
May 23, 2025•52 min•Ep. 249
It’s late spring, which means buffalo gnats are back and biting. This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we take a look at buffalo gnats, where they live, their lifecycle, what you can do to avoid their bites, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i0Hq-hZ6fFU Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https:// go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https:// go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing...
May 16, 2025•8 min•Ep. 248
Join Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson, horticulture educators with University of Illinois Extension, as they dive into the most pressing spring gardening questions. From getting seedlings ready for the great outdoors to how to water those newly planted Arbor Day trees and more, we've got some timely tips for the spring garden. Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/ymjesr8Z24E Skip to what you want to know: 00:56 Hey Ken! 01:29 How do I prepare my seedlings for planting outside? What does it mean to h...
May 09, 2025•34 min•Ep. 247
The calendar has turned to May, which means it’s time for No Mow May. No Mow May was started to help pollinators, but does No Mow May work well in Illinois? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn more about what No Mow May is, whether or not it’s a good option for us in Illinois, other ways we can support pollinators, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3FWjduDGmGM Skip to what you want to know: 00:29 - Welcome, Ken. Where has spring gone? 03:06 - What is No Mow May? 06:...
May 02, 2025•37 min•Ep. 246
From getting exercise to growing your own food to a sense of accomplishment, there are many benefits to having a vegetable garden. However, sometimes, we run into space restrictions and give up hope of having our own vegetable garden. But does that have to be the case? Tune in to this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn about ways we can grow vegetables in small spaces, like cultivar selection, growing in pots, seasonal planting, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lVDite6vvGE Skip ...
Apr 25, 2025•45 min•Ep. 245
Join Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson on the Good Growing podcast as they dive into the world of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In this episode, they explore the foundational principles of IPM, including cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls. Learn how to identify and manage pests effectively while promoting a healthy and sustainable garden environment. Discover practical tips for scouting, diagnosing plant problems, and using pesticides responsibly. Plus, hear fascinating insig...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 244
Join us on the Good Growing podcast as we dive into the fascinating world of bees with horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson. In this episode, we explore the differences between honeybees and native bees, their roles in our ecosystems, and the ongoing debate surrounding their impact on agriculture and conservation. Our special guest, Illinois Extension horticulture educator Sreelakshmi Suresh, shares their extensive experience in bee research, including insights into honeybee forag...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 243
Spring has arrived, which means the gardening questions have started coming into Extension offices. Tune in to this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we answer some of the questions that have come into our offices. Learn about planting grass in the spring, managing invasive plants, fertilizing fruit trees, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2_8AUONLR44 Skip to what you want to know: 00:27 – Welcome, Ken. Have we gotten our garden seeds started, a Good Growing Grow Along seed update, an...
Apr 04, 2025•39 min•Ep. 242
Welcome to another episode of the Good Growing podcast! Join horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson as they dive into the fascinating world of spring ephemerals. These early bloomers emerge before trees leaf out, adding blooms to the landscape after winter's dormancy. In this episode, Ken and Chris discuss these unique plants and their lifecycles, give tips on growing spring ephemerals in your garden, and describe detailed insights into common Illinois spring ephemerals. Skip to wha...
Mar 28, 2025•56 min•Ep. 241
Welcome to the Good Growing Podcast! In this episode, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive deep into the world of soil testing. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, understand how to unlock the secrets of your soil and boost your garden's productivity. Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/vJKpTfJabKk Skip to what you want to know: 0:27 Hey Ken! Soil test reports have lots of numbers, what do they all mean? 01:13 How do you collect a soil sample for testing...
Mar 21, 2025•36 min•Ep. 240
Native grasses are often overlooked when it comes to pollinators, but they can play a crucial role in supporting many different types of pollinators. Tune in to this week’s Good Growing Podcast to discover how native grasses provide nesting and overwintering habitats, serve as larval food sources, offer pollen, and much more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TCE-wQyjn38 Skip to what you want to know: 00:30 – Welcome, Ken. How often do we discuss grasses in pollinator presentations? 02:20 – ...
Mar 14, 2025•41 min•Ep. 239
Welcome to another episode of the Good Growing Podcast! Join horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson as they delve into the fascinating world of garden peas, Pisum sativum. Explore the rich history of garden peas, from their origins in ancient agriculture to their role in the development of modern genetics. Get practical advice on planting, caring for, and harvesting garden peas, including tips on soil preparation, spacing, and dealing with common pests and diseases. From childhood m...
Mar 07, 2025•35 min•Ep. 238
Join horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson from the University of Illinois Extension as they delve into the fascinating world of chamomile, the 2025 Herb of the Year. In this episode, Chris and Ken discuss the different types of chamomile, including Roman and German chamomile, and their unique characteristics. Learn about the benefits of chamomile, from its use in herbal teas to its role in beauty products and even baby diapers. Discover the best practices for growing, harvesting, ...
Feb 28, 2025•33 min•Ep. 237
Have you joined the Monstera craze? With their unique leaves and forms, Monsteras have become popular houseplants. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn about Monstera plants, including their history, care, different species, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3xyQlbH-7ws Skip to what you want to know: 00:30 – Welcome, Ken. Have we spent lots of money on Monsteras? 01:15 – What are our experiences with Monstera? 04:00 – The history of Monstera and where do they come fr...
Feb 21, 2025•44 min•Ep. 236
In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, horticulture educator Chris Enroth with University of Illinois Extension takes us on a deep dive into the controversial practice of tree topping. Often referred to as stubbing or hat-racking, tree topping involves cutting the canopy of a tree back to a uniform height, which can have disastrous consequences for the tree's health and safety. Chris rants, er...explains why this outdated method is harmful, detailing the science behind tree growth and the ...
Feb 14, 2025•9 min
Looking to try something new in the garden this year? You’re in luck because, back by popular demand, the Good Growing Grow Along returns with a fresh lineup of unique and beautiful plants for 2025. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn about the plants we’ll be growing for this year's Grow Along, how you can participate, and more. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4pCC_Ndkkeg Skip to what you want to know: 00:30 – Welcome, Ken and Emily. What should we call this year’s Grow Al...
Feb 07, 2025•51 min•Ep. 235
This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we continue our look at the 2025 year of plants with calendula. Known for its vibrant orange and yellow flowers, calendula is not just a beautiful addition to your garden but also a versatile plant with numerous uses both in and out of the garden. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rkYzhbt-7kU Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https:// go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to th...
Jan 31, 2025•10 min•Ep. 234
Welcome to the Good Growing podcast! In this episode, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson from the University of Illinois Extension delve into the 2025 Perennial Plant of the Year: Clustered Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum). Join us as we explore the unique characteristics, growing tips, and ecological benefits of this native plant. Skip to what you want to know: 00:35 Hey Ken! It is very cold outside. 03:01 Does the cold affect Japanese beetle grubs? 05:22 The 2025 Perennial...
Jan 24, 2025•33 min•Ep. 233
In this episode, horticulture educators Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart dive deep into the fascinating world of dogwoods (genus Cornus ). Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you'll discover the diverse beauty and versatility of dogwoods, from majestic trees to charming shrubs and even groundcovers. Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/_eCVKqEyFm8 Skip to what you want to know: 00:35 Hey Ken! 01:02 Hey Emily! Dogwood Shrubs 02:45 Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) 08...
Jan 17, 2025•55 min•Ep. 232
This week on the Good Growing Podcast Ken and Chris reminisce about 2024. We look at you favorite episodes and share our favorite moments. From cicadas to using dynamite to blow up your landscape, you will enjoy this trip down memory lane. Skip to what you want to know: 00:39 Hey Ken! How was winter break? 02:01 How we assembled our year-in-review highlights. Top three YouTube podcast episodes 03:51 Third-most popular YouTube episode - More than monarchs YouTube https://youtu.be/cLvl96PpqOg Audi...
Jan 10, 2025•41 min•Ep. 231
Illinois Extension's core mission is to be a source of research-based knowledge that helps community members solve challenges and improve their lives. On this week’s Good Growing podcast, Chris and Emily are joined by horticulture educators Sarah Vogel and Ryan Pankau to discuss the upcoming Community Tree Care series. This only learning opportunity is open to anyone who cares about trees or does the work of caring for trees. Listen to the end for a fun lightning round of tree questions with our...
Jan 03, 2025•48 min•Ep. 230
Welcome to the Good Growing podcast! In this special gardenbite episode, horticulture educator Chris Enroth from the University of Illinois Extension revisits a fascinating 2021 webinar where the team delved into the world of tree nuts. This episode focuses on the beloved chestnut, featuring insights from horticulture educator Ken Johnson. Highlights: History and Significance: Discover the rich history of the American chestnut, once a keystone species in the eastern United States, and learn abou...
Dec 20, 2024•27 min
When most people think of poinsettias, they think of red, but they can be found in a variety of colors and forms. On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we discuss our trip to the N.G. Heimos Poinsettia Trial. Learn about the wide variety of colors and forms of poinsettias that were on display, some of our favorite varieties, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sPrESNYNOzk Skip to what you want to know: 00:30 – Welcome, Ken. What was the poinsettia trail like? 03:37 – Recap of last yea...
Dec 13, 2024•55 min•Ep. 229
This week on the Good Growing Podcast, Emily Swihart joins Ken and Chris to discuss our favorite gardening and landscaping books. We discuss reference books, fiction and nonfiction, and even children's books. Beyond our favorites, we also interviewed our fellow horticulture educators to get their recommendations. This is a longer episode, so be sure to use the timestamps in the episode description to jump to your favorite sections. Happy listening! Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/RskDlYC8TR...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 228
