Good Growing

In this episode of Good Growing, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the science and spectacle of fall foliage. From the pigments behind the seasonal color shift to their favorite underappreciated trees (sorry, maples), the duo explores what makes autumn leaves so dazzling—and why some years are better than others. Learn the difference between carotenoids and anthocyanins, discover native trees...

The arrival of fall means vibrant colors and a whole lot of leaves on the ground. So, what should we do with all those leaves? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we discuss whether or not we should remove leaves from our landscapes, and if we do, what can we do with them?    Watch us on YouTube   Skip to what you want to know:     00:38 - Are leaves starting to drop near us?   02:10 – F...

As temperatures drop and daylight shortens, many insects begin their annual migration—straight into our homes. In this episode, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson explore the biology and behavior of three common fall invaders: the brown marmorated stink bug, the multicolored Asian lady beetle, and the boxelder bug. Learn how these insects respond to seasonal changes, why they choo...

Have you heard about the spotted lanternfly and wondered where it is in Illinois? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we talk with Kelly Estes, State Agricultural Pest Survey Coordinator, about the arrival of this invasive insect. Learn about how spotted lanternfly got here and where it’s been found, what it looks like, where to look for it, how to report it, and more!    Watch us on You...

In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, hosts Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson are joined by Colleen Reuter, Environmental Compliance professional at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, to explore the world of green infrastructure and stormwater management. From rain gardens and rain barrels to depaving driveways and even the surprising role of beavers in flood control, this episode dive...

Even though it’s been dry, that hasn’t stopped the garden questions from coming in. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we answer some of your questions, as well as some of the most common gardening questions on the internet! From watering lawns and planting bulbs and perennials to dealing with ants, black spots on maple leaves, and more! Plus, we celebrate National Houseplant Week and p...

In this episode of Good Growing , horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the challenges of gardening during Central and Southern Illinois’ increasingly dry fall season. From flash droughts and cracked lawns to watering strategies for trees, shrubs, and cover crops, they share practical advice for managing your landscape in low-moisture conditions. Plus, a timely reminder abo...

If you’ve driven along any interstates or highways in Illinois, there’s a good chance you’ve seen tall plants with spiky flower heads. Teasels have become an increasingly common sight across Illinois. While they may appear attractive, especially for cut flower arrangements, these troublesome plants can form large colonies that outcompete and choke out native plants.   Watch us on YouTube: https://...

In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast , horticulture educator Chris Enroth from University of Illinois Extension explores the adversaries of the monarch butterfly, including the controversial practice of captive rearing. Although we do not recommend captive rearing, there may be times when it is wanted for educational purposes. Can it be done responsibly? Chris shares best practices for rais...

In this episode, Chris and Ken delve into the complex world of composting. From their passive piles that simply sit and rot (no judgment!) to active setups that require thermometers, turning, and possibly even a chipper shredder. Learn what compost actually is (hint: it’s not soil), how to build a pile that works, and why moisture matters. Don't feed the landfill. Feed your soil! Watch us on YouTu...

Thinking about building raised beds, but not sure where to start? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we discuss the benefits and challenges of raised bed gardening. From building materials to filling beds, get tips for construction, irrigation, and maintenance. Learn how raised beds can improve accessibility, reduce compaction, and what plants to grow in them.   Watch us on YouTube:  ht...

Ever wondered how to tell one tree from another—or why it even matters? Check out this week’s Good Growing podcast, where we dive into the magical world of tree identification with horticulture educator Sarah Vogel. From leaf shapes and bark textures to Latin names and mnemonic tricks, learn how recognizing trees can help you care for them better, diagnose problems, and deepen your connection with...

In this candid and photo-filled episode of the Good Growing Podcast , horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson take you on a tour of their own backyards. You will see the good, bad, and pretty. Learn about battling verticillium wilt and jumping worms to celebrating volunteer wildflowers and thriving pollinator beds. During the show, Chris tries a cucumber melon for the first time, and K...

Wasps often get a bad reputation for being aggressive and painful pests. However, they play important roles in our gardens. From pollination to pest control, wasps are more helpful than many people realize. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn more about the benefits of wasps and how to safely manage them in your landscape. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uw7BSf9kUQ0   Pollina...

Have you ever wondered if trees and crops can grow together and actually benefit each other? Or maybe you've heard the term "agroforestry" and aren't quite sure what it means. Check out this week's Good Growing Podcast as we dig into the world of agroforestry with MJ Oviatt from the Savanna Institute. From windbreaks and riparian buffers to growing nuts, berries, and more, learn how blending trees...

In this Gardenbite episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Chris Enroth kicks back over the Fourth of July weekend to flash back to a 2021 chat with Extension educator Elizabeth Wahle, who declares Spigelia her all-time favorite garden plant. Why? Picture a flower dressed for Mardi Gras with scarlet red petals, golden yellow tips, and a flair that hummingbirds can’t resist. Spigelia marilandica , als...

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 actua...

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:...

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...

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: ht...

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...

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 bac...

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 spectacul...

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....

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 k...