On this week’s Good Growing podcast, horticulture educator Martha Smith joins to talk about spring-blooming bulbs. With so many to pick from where does a beginner start? Martha gives some good bulbs for beginners and her favorites she has growing in her landscape. Plus, tips on how to plant them and keep the critters away. Plus listener questions: What do we recommend for a homeowner to incorporate more flowering plants in their lawn that can be mowed? How do you overwinter canna lily and calla ...
Oct 01, 2020•49 min•Ep. 36
In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast horticulture educator Richard Hentschel returns to talk about rehabbing our garden tools after a long season of use and abuse. The group talks about their favorite garden tools, the one thing to avoid to keep tools working great, sharpening shovels and pruners, refreshing wooden handles, and winterizing the mower for winter. Plus we answer listener questions! What trees should I plant next to a wetland? Is it too late to plant cover crops? Are t...
Sep 25, 2020•45 min•Ep. 35
On this week’s Good Growing podcast our very own producer, Wendy Ferguson, shares her expertise in nature journaling. Wendy is also the horticulture program coordinator for Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties for the University of Illinois Extension. During the show, we learn that nature journaling is deeply engrained in both art and science because it’s all about observation and discovery. We discuss: Is nature journaling new? And famous scientists and explorers that used this techn...
Sep 17, 2020•45 min•Ep. 34
In this week's episode of the Good Growing Podcast, we chat with horticulture educator Brittnay Haag about gardening and outdoor activities with kids. Brittnay gives tips for extending today's e-learning from the screen to the outdoors and working with plants. Topics discussed are: What are age-appropriate outdoor chores for kids? What about indoor gardening activities as the weather get crummy? An elementary school has access to a small prairie plot. What activities can teachers employ and are ...
Sep 10, 2020•29 min•Ep. 33
In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast, the group chats with Illinois Extension horticulture educator Bruce Black. Bruce shares best practices for storing garden produce for consuming over the winter. Plus the team calls on nutrition and wellness educator Kristin Bogdonas to help answer questions about canning and pickling. Topics covered in today's episode: What do we need to store vegetables? What is Bruce's favorite vegetable to keep over winter? How long can we expect produce to ...
Sep 03, 2020•53 min•Ep. 32
During this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, we talk with Gemini Bhalsod about seed saving. Gemini is a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension in Cook County and a wealth of knowledge! Listen in as we discuss: • The Rose Garden Controversy • Can you save any kind of seed? • Processing heirloom tomato seeds • What’s the best way to store seeds over the winter? • How do we save seed potato and bareroot onion for planting next spring? • When is the best time to plant garlic...
Aug 27, 2020•29 min•Ep. 31
In another episode with our Good Growing hosts, we answering your gardening questions. This week we discuss: Dealing with cicada killers Can we plant strawberries and asparagus in August? Did bush honeysuckle kill my tree? What are these bee-like flies buzzing all over the place? When is watermelon ready to pick? Organic options when dealing with Colorado potato beetle Check out our webinars and YouTube channel Register for Getting Started with Compost https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2020-...
Aug 20, 2020•36 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of the Good Growing podcast Eliana Brown shares her knowledge of sustainable landscaping. Eliana is a water quality specialist with University of Illinois Extension. During the episode the team talks about: What is sustainable landscaping? Where would a homeowner start in making their landscape more sustainable? What about large scale projects? How big do you make a rain garden? Is there a sustainable way to control weeds? What about homeowner's associations wanting to become mor...
Aug 14, 2020•47 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, the crew is joined by University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Richard Hentschel. Richard dives into important and timely lawn care questions as summer days shorten and cooler nights begin to prevail. Topics covered include: What can I do to get lawns like my neighbors that hire companies to take care of theirs? What about lumpy yards? What should I do to rehab my lawn this fall? Should I be bagging my lawn clippings? What can be done to...
Aug 07, 2020•47 min•Ep. 28
It is a Good Growing podcast episode full of hostful goodness! Today’s show features our intrepid hosts Katie Parker, Ken Johnson, and Chris Enroth as the answer a slew of home gardening questions. On this episode we dive into: What’s going on in the hosts’ gardens right now Settling soil around foundations Getting started with blueberries Why aren’t zucchini and cucumbers producing fruit? Dealing with yellow nutsedge in the lawn Why aren’t tomatoes turning red? Dealing with clay washout in a fl...
Jul 30, 2020•48 min•Ep. 27
On this week's Good Growing podcast the group chats with Extension Forestry and Research Specialist Chris Evans. Chris updates the group about his work on controlled burns in woodland settings, herbicides for invasive species, and how they use drones in forestry work. Plus Chris helps answer questions on: Are invasive species increasing ticks populations? Maple syrup production in Southern Illinois What to do with woods completely overrun with bush honeysuckle Where do you start when creating a ...
Jul 25, 2020•54 min•Ep. 26
This week the Good Growing team welcomes local foods educator, Grant McCarty to the show. Grant enjoys trying new and unique vegetables and talks about what he has growing in his garden. Time to get a pen and paper out to start making that list of veggies to try for next year! Grant also gives tips for gardeners looking to the fall gardening season. Do you have your garlic ordered yet? We also answer your home gardening questions. This week’s questions include: What’s eaten all my cucumber leave...
Jul 15, 2020•39 min•Ep. 25
On this week's Good Growing podcast, the crew is delighted to welcome Peggy Doty, Energy and Environment educator with University of Illinois Extension. Peggy works closely teaching youth about natural resources and specializes in wildlife topics. Peggy and the Good Growing team chat about the Bruno the Bear and dealing with large predators in Illinois. Plus Peggy helps us answer these homeowner questions: What to do about rabbits eating everything in the garden Keeping raccoons out of the attic...
Jul 09, 2020•58 min•Ep. 24
This week on the Good Growing podcast the crew talks about the trouble with trees with University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, Ryan Pankau. Ryan brings his wealth of knowledge and experience on arboriculture (the study of trees). In this episode the group discusses: The common problems that occur at the base of the tree trunk Can you train a new redbud from seedlings? A young maple tree leafed out and then suddenly died. Could it be from the weird growth on the trunk? Why would a...
Jul 03, 2020•39 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, Andrew Holsinger joins the crew to talk about everything Japanese beetles. We discuss nearly every angle of dealing with this invasive and incredible nuisance. We dive into: If home gardeners can feel overwhelmed, what about farmers dealing with Japanese beetles? How do commercial orchards deal with these pests? What can you do to protect your large shade trees? What about backyard fruit trees? If you control the Japanese beetle grubs in the lawn will...
Jun 24, 2020•41 min•Ep. 22
In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast, Extension educator Duane Friend joins Ken and Katie to talk about compost and dealing with pond weeds. In this episode they cover topics on: Recommended composting methods How often should you stir compost? Can you compost weeds that have been sprayed with herbicide? Can you compost dog and rabbit waste? How do you get rid of algae on your pond? Why causes tiny pinholes in tomato leaves? How often should you water a tomato grown in a container?...
Jun 17, 2020•41 min•Ep. 21
On this week's Good Growing podcast the team talks with Travis Cleveland about tree diseases. Travis is an Extension Specialist in the field of plant pathology and woody plant material. On this episode the Good Growing team talks about: The difficulty in plant disease diagnosis and the importance of good photos. What's happening with Virginia creeper with spots on the leaves? An older silver maple is dropping leaves and it's spring. What's happening? Why do all the sycamores have emptying branch...
Jun 12, 2020•40 min•Ep. 20
Horticulture educator Bruce Black joins this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast to talk about micropropagation and starting a community garden. Plus your home garden and landscaping questions. In this episode we chat about: Micropropagation What are some tips for starting a community garden? Who/What are eating the cucumber seeds? Oaks dropping leaves Small holes in radish leaves Watch Bruce's recent gardening webinars: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRH8QA5Yn_PdZFinAjKJj3WcLqJg7...
Jun 02, 2020•39 min•Ep. 19
On this episode of the Good Growing podcast your host Chris, Katie, and Ken chat about what going on in their yards and gardens plus answers to listener questions. What to do with swarming honeybees Remedies for soils with excessively high phosphorous levels Dealing with carpenter bees nesting in decks and wood siding Can you grow industrial hemp in your garden? Dealing with weeds growing between patio pavers Contact the hosts: Chris Enroth cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson kjohnso@illinois.edu K...
May 29, 2020•30 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of the Good Growing podcast we chat with University of Illinois pesticide safety and weed specialist, Michelle Wiesbrook. During our conversation we dive into the following topics: Options for Illinois residents seeking pesticide applicator licenses Controlling weeds in a driveway What can we do about knotweed and black medic What herbicides can you spray when establishing a prairie What are the options for spraying herbicides around chickens and ducks How do you control creeping...
May 18, 2020•36 min•Ep. 17
This week Martha Smith joins the Good Growing team to talk all about landscape design. Martha is a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension and has previous experience as a landscape designer. During this episode the group talks about: What's blooming in their yards What does Martha recommend for new gardeners as they start designing their yard Where can homeowner look to get information on plants before going to the garden center What to do with a soggy part of the yard Addre...
May 08, 2020•41 min•Ep. 16
In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast, horticulture Andrew Holsinger joins the gang to talk all about tomatoes. Tomato topics discussed: Physiological leaf roll vs. herbicide injury Flower drop Cracking tomato skin Novelty tomatoes Staking tomatoes Growing tomatoes in containers Controlling tomato disease Blossom end rot Controlling stinkbugs on tomatoes Contact the hosts: Chris Enroth cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson kjohnso@illinois.edu Katie Parker keparkr2@illinois.edu Accessibl...
May 01, 2020•26 min•Ep. 15
In today's episode of the Good Growing Podcast Michelle Berg Vogel joins Ken, Katie, and Chris to talk about growing your very own mushrooms at home. Plus tips for hunting the elusive morel mushroom. All this plus your home gardening questions answered. On this episode we answer the following homeowner questions: 1. What to do about spider mite damage on Dwarf Alberta spruce 2. Can I still get seed online during the Coronavirus pandemic? 3. What can I do about voles in my yard? 4. What's the bes...
Apr 24, 2020•38 min•Ep. 14
Join the Good Growing crew as they answer your insect questions. Ken, Katie, and Chris welcome special guest Kelly Allsup, horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension. Kelly's passion is insects and shares her knowledge with the podcast to answer your insect questions. Following are the questions we discuss in this episode: 1. Brussels sprouts never get very big, what can they do get bigger sprouts. 2. A high school greenhouse is seeing aphids, whiteflies, and gnats. How do t...
Apr 20, 2020•41 min•Ep. 13
On this spring episode of the Good Growing podcast we answer questions we received from Illinois home gardeners. Ken Johnson, horticulture educator, and Katie Parker, local foods & small farms educator, join Chris to answer the following questions: 1. Dealing with squash bugs 2. What to do about landscape fabric and rock mulch 3. Can you garden where a house burned down? 4. Protecting apple trees from spring freezes. Check out our blog chocked full of articles on home gardening, landscaping,...
Apr 10, 2020•19 min•Ep. 12
Most people know few insects by name. One of the more popular, at least this time of year, is the woolly bear or woolly worm caterpillar. This caterpillar is the larval form of the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia Isabella). A white to orange to yellow moth that frequents lights at night in the midsummer. But is the woolly bear caterpillar able to predict how cold this winter will be? Or is this hogwash? Extension educator Chris Enroth lays to rest the myth of the woolly bear caterpillar. Good G...
Nov 07, 2019•6 min•Ep. 11
Will compost tea save the world? Not according to current science. Science and the compost tea industry disagree on the effects of compost tea. Listen in as horticulture educator Chris Enroth saves you time, money, and electricity by keeping compost in the landscape. Leave the tea in the kitchen.
Aug 26, 2019•7 min•Ep. 10
On this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Extension educator Duane Friends pops by to chat about cover crops. Duane explains the importance of using cover crops, how they are a great tool for soil management, choosing cover crops, and more! Got questions? Contact Duane friend@illinois.edu Contact Chris cenroth@illinois.edu Check out Chris' blog post on cover crops https://web.extension.illinois.edu/hkmw/eb382/entry_13816/
Feb 27, 2019•34 min•Ep. 9
On this episode of the Good Growing podcast, Chris shares his recent experience with a mouse in his house. He gives tips and tricks for dealing with these unwanted guests in the middle of winter. Check out Illinois Extension's website Living with Wildlife https://extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/
Jan 31, 2019•15 min•Ep. 8
In part two of this two-part episode, Chris chats with University of Illinois Extension horticulture educators Andrew Holsinger and Ryan Pankau about storm damaged trees. Ryan shares his experiences as an arborist cleaning up after storms, how to make your trees more resilient to storms, and his recommended trees to plant that can resist wind damage. Plus, Ryan answers several of Chris and Andrew's questions. Check out Part One of this episode where we dive into what to do when we emerge from ou...
Jan 09, 2019•31 min•Ep. 7
