Good Growing

Do you want to grow your own fruit but have limited space? Growing fruit in a container may be the solution for you! On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we welcome back Bruce Black to talk about how we can grow fruit in containers, what fruit works best in containers, and more. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Khh6gbA5-yM Skip to what you want to know: 00:32 – Welcome, Ken! Update on Cicada Watch 2024. 02:30 – Welcome, Bruce! Sauk Valley Community College partnership and Gardening in the Air 07:35 – What are some advantages of growing fruit in containers? 10:28 – Can we plant ‘normal’ sized fruit plants in pots? 13:27 – Ballerina (columnar) apple trees 15:45 – What other fruits can we grow in containers? 18:14 – Container fruit cultivars 18:25 – Apples 20:37 – Blueberries and brambles (raspberries and blackberries) 24:55 – Strawberries and pineberries 27:30 – What type of container should we use? What are chilling hours? 31:15 – Where should we place our container fruit? Winter protection. 35:36 – What should we fill our pots with? Fertilizing, watering, and lowering pH for blueberries. 41:30 – Pest management for container fruits 43:40 – Final recommendations, pollination, and resources 48:20 – Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Gardening in the Air: https://extension.illinois.edu/plants/gardening-air Container Gardening infosheet: https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/how_to_grow_fruits_vegetables_herbs_in_containers.pdf Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Bruce Black: brucejb@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week on the Good Growing Podcast Ken has to work hard to contain his excitement for the upcoming periodical cicada emergence. Meanwhile, Chris has been building defenses to protect his newly planted baby trees. What do you need to know about the upcoming emergence of periodical cicadas? While our established trees will be okay, Ken and Chris will talk about how to protect our smaller newly planted trees from cicada egg laying. Plus, everyone seems to highlight the potential damage to woody plants, but a periodical cicada emergence is truly a sight to behold. Ken tells us the benefits of having billions, if not trillions, of cicadas pop out of the ground. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RADnUB7GXXI Skip to what you want to know: 0:35 Hey Ken! How's the garden coming along this spring? 3:40 What's the difference between a periodical cicada and an annual cicada? 7:40 When will it be peak cicada? Will it be earlier than expected with our mild winter? 10:31 Does double brood emergence mean double the cicadas in one area? 12:04 Do periodical cicadas occur in other places in the world? 13:07 How many cicadas should we expect in a given area? 15:39 Do cicadas eat anything after they emerge as adults? Is there anything we need to protect from them? 17:09 Cicada egg-laying damages our trees. 26:28 Is there any benefit to periodical cicadas? 30:00 If all these animals can eat cicadas, can humans eat them too? 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

Do you enjoy spending your evenings outdoors? On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we talk about how you can create a garden to be enjoyed at night. Learn about night-blooming plants that can be incorporated into a ‘night/moon’ garden, landscape lighting, insects that come out at night, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xWbZlTZbgPI Skip to what you want to know: 00:28 – Welcome, Ken! Enjoying the unseasonably warm weather? 03:15 – Gardening by the moon, does it work? 06:55 – What are some plants can be grown for ‘night’ or ‘moon’ gardens? 07:52 – Flowering tobacco 08:40 – Dragon fruit and night-blooming cereus 09:36 – What is pollinating these flowers? 11:00 – More plants for the night 11:00 – Angel’s trumpet 14:35 – Evening-primrose (Oenothera ) 16:38 – Four o’clock 18:10 – Caladium 18:46 – Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ 19:26 – Dusty miller 20:05 – Moonflower 23:46 – Incorporating landscape lighting 26:56 – Some drawbacks of lights at night 31:00 – Insects at night 34:18 – Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Talking Bats in Illinois with Dr. Joy O'Keefe: https://youtu.be/9fLLNtNHkpI 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week on the Good Growing Podcast we rewind back to when we sat down in person with Duane Friend to discuss pond management. For this Gardenbite episode, we look specifically at aerators in ponds, duckweed, and having taller vegetation around ponds and in the drainage channels leading into the pond. You can find the entire episode at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt4E6uke72E Watch this on YouTube https://youtu.be/SFNec6M8J-w Skip to what you want to know: 1:20 Aerators in ponds. Do they work? What about aerating ponds during the winter? 4:18 Can you prevent duckweed from returning to your pond year after year? 7:27 What about using vegetation to improve water quality for ponds?

Have you had problems with bagworms in your landscape? Bagworms are troublesome insects that can make evergreens and other plants rather unsightly. Learn about the lifecycle of bagworms and how we can manage them, including how planting flowers can help. Want to see pictures? Check out the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/kZNKiu-x7rk USA National Phenological Network: https://www.usanpn.org/data/maps/forecasts/bagworm Conservation biological control in urban landscapes: Manipulating parasitoids of bagworm (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) with flowering forbs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1049964405000733 Photo Credits: Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisAdam KranzCC0 1.0Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisaskalotlCC0 1.0Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisDaniel EstabrooksCC0 1.0Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University, Bugwood.orgThyridopteryx ephemeraeformisChrissy McClarren and Andy ReagoCC0 1.0Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.orgThyridopteryx ephemeraeformisAdam KranzCC0 1.0Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week on the Good Growing Podcast Ken and Chris talk about perennial vegetables that we can grow here in Illinois. Many of the preparation and care instructions match with each crop and we describe those during our first crop, asparagus! We also chat about rhubarb, artichoke, chives, and horseradish. Are there others? What perennial veggies do you grow? Learn more about growing veggies at our website: https://extension.illinois.edu/gardening Previous episode on growing horseradish: https://youtu.be/PXKp-MLkHAk Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Q9PYXesCPXE Skip to what you want to know: 0:27 Hey Ken! 4:14 Diving into perennial vegetables 4:44 Asparagus - What do we like about asparagus? Smelly pee and astronauts. 6:19 What do you get when you order asparagus? Seed vs. living crowns 8:13 Preparing a site for planting asparagus. 12:51 How to plant asparagus. 14:04 When can you start harvesting asparagus? 17:15 Should you cut or break the asparagus spears when harvesting? 18:32 Weed control in asparagus (and pretty all other types of perennial vegetables) 21:21 Asparagus fall color. 21:57 Asparagus pests 23:04 Asparagus cultivars 24:57 Rhubarb 27:07 Rhubarb care 29:05 Should you remove the rhubarb flowers 31:55 Can you eat rhubarb after a frost? 34:07 Artichoke 39:27 Chives 40:56 Horseradish 45:48 What perennial veggies did we miss? Thank you's and coming up next week 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

Have you started your seeds yet? On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we talk about how you can start your own seeds. Learn about the benefits of starting your own seeds, where to start them, the equipment you’ll need, how we can reduce the amount of plastic we use to start seeds, troubleshooting, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lNCwDYkdS50 Skip to what you want to know: 00:28 – Welcome, Ken! Have we started our seeds? 01:50 – What are people searching for on social media when it comes to seed starting? 05:00 – Why would we want to start our own seed? 09:50 – Where should we start seeds? 14:55 – What materials will we need to start seeds? 15:10 – Containers 18:20 – Humidity domes? 19:55 – Fans? 21:30 – Heat mats? 24:00 – Lighting 31:00 – Growing media, peat, coconut coir, etc. 36:30 – Ways to reduce the amount of plastic in seed starting. Soil blockers, peat and paper pots, etc. 50:15 – Problems that arise with seed starting. Leggy plants, damping-off, fungus gnats, and algae 59:00 – Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! When should I start my seeds?: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-02-10-when-should-i-start-my-seeds 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week on the Good Growing podcast we chat with horticulture educator Emily Swihart about garden trends to be on the lookout for in 2024. We talk about the rise in popularity of incorporating native plants, trying to make our landscapes more biodiverse, and also just plain fun horticulture trends like colors and using our gardens at night. Skip to what you want to know: 17:06 The trend of eco-optimism. 18:44 The trend of native plants. 20:40 The trend of densely planted landscape beds. 24:41 Chris attempts to start a trend. 25:25 The trend of improving our urban forests and putting a stop to the maple trend. 29:17 The trend of environmental justice. 32:19 The trend of the color of the year – chartreuse. 37:19 The trend of the gothic garden (dark colors). 42:36 The trend of cemeteries as a park-like space for the public to gather. 45:52 The trend of nighttime gardens. Night-flowering plants and night lighting. 49:49 The trends we want to let go. 54:58 Thank yous and coming up next week. Cicada Article https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2024-02-22-cicadas-are-coming-periodical-cicadas-illinois-2024 Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

Has the warm weather got you thinking about gardening, perhaps gardening for pollinators? Learn about how you can create a habitat for pollinators in your own landscape, from the types of plants, habitat for nesting and egg-laying, pest management, and more! 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week we take a look at a clip from 2021 when the Good Growing team sat down with three horticulturists/landscape designers to learn about their favorite native plants. We asked each one to come up with their top three favorites. In this clip, retired Illinois Extension educator Martha Smith showcases her three favorite native plants that she has growing in her yard. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/58IDd070g-Q Skip to what you want to know: 1:22 American fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) a.k.a White fringetree 4:50 Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) a.k.a. Blackgum 8:17 Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) 11:57 Discussion on Martha's picks including: -Butterfly milkweeds performance in hellstrips -EAB on fringetree -How the container size and shape can influence the success of planting butterfly milkweed See this episode in its entirety which includes Layne's and Austin's favorite natives: https://youtu.be/UqvnZc_Y7rY Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

Do you like growing new things in the garden? Then come grow along with us! On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we roll out our newest project, the Good Growing Grow Along. We’ve selected six new plants/cultivars to grow in our gardens, and you can grow them along with us. We also discuss some new plants that have been in the news lately. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sUH6D73-fFg Skip to what you want to know: 00:30 – Welcome, Ken and Emily! 01:45 – What’s new in the plant world in 2024? – glowing petunias 06:50 – What’s new in the plant world in 2024? – purple tomatoes 13:00 – Is there a benefit to growing new things in the garden? 18:03 – Introducing the Good Growing Grow Along! 22:00 – Runner Bean ‘Black Knight’ 23:50 – Okra ‘Candle Fire’ 27:45 – Mizuna ‘Japanese Pink’ 30:45 – Acorn Squash ‘Honey Bun’ 33:20 – Cucumber ‘Lemon Cuke’ 37:05 – Southern Pea (Cow Pea) ‘Hog Brain’ 41:20 – How do I participate in the Good Growing Grow Along? 47:00 – Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Join us for the Good Growing Grow Along: https://go.illinois.edu/GrowAlong Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week is the second half of our conversation with Zack Grant about urban farming and dealing with contaminated soils. Zack details techniques that urban farmers and gardeners can use to avoid growing in contaminated soils. We also dive into the importance of soil testing and how to pick a soil lab and use the results to guide your amendment decisions. Throughout this process, Zack keeps bringing up the key point that often we can overdo it with amendments. He mentions how compost can become a major water polluter if used too ambitiously. Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/wY4MmIUjftA Skip to what you want to know: 0:55 What materials do you use to cap and fill on top of contaminated soil? - Landscape fabric, woodchips, 50/50 soil/compost mix 5:30 Based on the budget and scale of your site, how do you approach contaminated soils? 6:27 What options are available when considering cap and fill. 7:29 Diagrams of cap and fill techniques. 9:11 Issue of the use of compost and nutrient runoff concerns. 14:15 Soil testing - where can people go to learn about soil testing and how to do it. https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/soil-testing 17:47 Importance of soil testing and how we use it to manage soil fertility and reduce pollution. 23:41 Applying scientific research to the varying agricultural systems. 27:49 Take-home message covering the past two episodes. 29:34 Thank yous and coming up next week. Big surprise! Soil Scientist, Andrew McQuire's Blog recommended by Zack https://extension.wsu.edu/grant/andrew-mcguires-homepage/ Check out SoSuCo’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sosuco_urban_ag/ SoSuCo YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYr1qobBXdo&list=PLffsjFIQsK0ZG_Sx29hoGsrVlzh_IxzB_ Is there lead in your soil? New Chicago-area map tells you https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/there-lead-your-soil-new-chicago-area-map-tells-you 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

This week on the Good Growing podcast Ken and Chris chat with local foods and small farms educator Zack Grant about urban farming and dealing with contaminated soils. Zack describes what it's like to grow in urban conditions and how we inevitably encounter soil contamination. Plus we dive into his research on soil lead contamination and what contamination levels look like across Cook County. Check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ugAPOKIcr7w Skip to what you want to know: 0:28 - Hey Ken! What type of soils are we dealing with at our homes? Could it be contaminated? 3:10 – Welcome Zack Grant! Zack’s Extension demo site SoSuCo (Southside Suburban Cook County). What type of soil does Zack grow in Cook County? 8:44 – What is urban agriculture and what type of crops are grown in these environments? 11:04 - Getting to know SoSuCo. The different demonstration plots and seeing what Zack grows there. 17:56 – Zack’s vlog Urban Ag Connect and the challenges of trying to get research-based info out in the social media world. 20:58 – How do urban soils differ from other soils? What is the primary concern? 26:58 – What about arsenic in rural areas? 30:24 – Talking about on-site (in situ) remediation of cap and fill 31:44 – Bioremediation, does it work to use plants to remove heavy metals from soil? 33:43 – Talking about Zack's soil lead contamination project with Dr. Andrew Margenot. How they used a portable x-ray device to scan soils to determine chemical composition and contamination levels. 40:15 – Results of lead soil testing in Cook County. And what thresholds of lead are okay to work in? 44:09 – What are the risks when growing in contaminated soil? What are the pathways for exposure? 45:34 – What are best practices to minimize exposure? 46:22 – Are there other datasets for other soil contaminates? Check out SoSuCo’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sosuco_urban_ag/ SoSuCo YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYr1qobBXdo&list=PLffsjFIQsK0ZG_Sx29hoGsrVlzh_IxzB_ Is there lead in your soil? New Chicago-area map tells you https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/there-lead-your-soil-new-chicago-area-map-tells-you 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

Have you been stuck indoors with children this winter? Are they driving you crazy? You’re in luck! On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Brittnay Haag joins us to talk about different garden and nature activities we can do with our kids, both indoors and out. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vn8HDTxy8DM Skip to what you want to know: 00:45 – Welcome, Ken, what’s the strange orange ball in the sky? 02:50 – Welcome, Brittnay. What does Chris think of when he hears McLean County? 04:20 – Why is it important for kids to go outside? 06:08 – Getting kids to help in the garden. 08:14 – Gardening activities for the indoors during the winter 13:20 – What about outdoors? Outdoor winter activities for kids. 20:45 – Valentine's Day is coming up: gift ideas that kids can make. 27:20 – Fun with birds! Observing and feeding 33:00 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! How to make homemade seed cards: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2021-02-11-how-make-homemade-seed-cards-valentines-day Great Backyard Bird Count: https://www.birdcount.org/ Create a Winter Bird Haven: https://youtu.be/_yLih1FYRfM Make a toilet paper roll bird feeder: https://youtu.be/EQcbfivmyvQ How to Make a Bird Food Garland with Popcorn, Cranberries, and More: https://youtu.be/IyozQ-KuCVA Make your own suet log bird feeder: https://youtu.be/3Rr0ZssYbBM 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week’s episode of the Good Growing Podcast features Ken and Chris in conversation with Brodie Dunn and Timo Wayman. The discussion revolves around a new research project on bee hotels that includes a citizen science component. Brodie and Timo share their insights on what they hope to discover through this scientific endeavor, and whether bee hotels are beneficial or detrimental to bees. Tune in to learn how you can contribute to this scientific cause and become a citizen scientist. Skip to what you want to know: 0:28 Hey Ken! Bugs are cool now and what kind of bee hotels do we have? 2:48 Welcome Timo and Brodie from the most podcast-y location we've ever had on the show! 4:07 What drew Timo to studying insects? 7:10 What are bee hotels and how do the help bees? 11:44 Do only bees use bee hotels? What about wasps and other insects? Problems with bees hotels. 13:34 Predation from natural enemies if bees and wasps like the cuckoo wasp (cleptoparasites). 15:19 Diseases showing up in bee hotels. 16:40 What about invasive bees using bee hotels? 19:10 How much research is out there regarding bee hotels? 27:31 How do bees utilize bee hotels? 30:06 Is there a recommendation on where to put a bee hotel in the landscape? 31:32 How do the bee babies get out of the galleries drilled into the wood? 34:11 What could someone look for when buying a bee hotel? Should people buy bee hotels!? 35:22 Talking about the bee hotel research. How can Illinoisians contribute to increasing our knowledge? 44:29 How can people learn more about this project or contact Timo? go.Illinois.edu/BeeHotel Urban environments have species-specific associations with invasive insect herbivores https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juac011 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

Have you been longing to get outside and play in the dirt? Then vermicomposting may be for you! Learn about how to compost indoors with worms, from containers to use, how to prepare the growing media and food, how to harvest your worm compost, and more! 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week’s episode of the Good Growing Podcast is all about snow and ice. Ken and Chris discuss how to deal with snow and ice on trees and shrubs, problems to avoid with rock salt, tips for using deicers, and much more. Tune in to the Good Growing Podcast to learn more about how to protect your plants from the winter weather. Thank you for listening! Skip to what you want to know: 0:34 Hey Ken! Winter has finally arrived in Illinois. Are we ready for the upcoming cold snap? 1:51 How do we handle ice and snow weighing down tree limbs? 4:35 What trees are better adapted to dealing with ice and snow? Needled evergreens vs. deciduous. 6:07 Talking how branch angles influence the strength of limbs. What branch angle is best? 8:02 Protecting columnar, upright trees and shrubs. 9:20 Where is the best spot to place piles of shoveled/plowed snow? 11:48 The pitfall of shoveling salt-laden snow into one spot. 12:11 Talking deicing salts. What are they and how it can damage plants. 13:35 Salt’s effect on soils. 15:58 Salt spray and how plants near roads are often affected. 17:58 Discussion of salt tolerant plant lists. 19:22 Alternative to rock salt (sodium chloride). 24:20 Tips on using deicing salts. 27:15 The benefits of snow. 31:00 Thank you’s, goodbye, and coming up next week. Salt Tolerant Plant List https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0145/8808/4272/files/A3877.pdf 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

It’s that time of year - time to start thinking about pruning your deciduous trees and shrubs. While many of our landscape trees and shrubs don’t necessarily need yearly pruning, the same can’t be said for fruit trees. Learn about why we should prune fruit trees yearly, the different types of pruning cuts we use, and more! 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

In this Gardenbite, Chris explores the various ways to recycle your cut Christmas tree. Many Illinoisians have a Christmas tree disposal day where they can throw out a cut Christmas tree and the city will pick it up and turn it into woodchips. However, there are other ways to give your tree a second life. Chris discusses how to create a shelter for birds, turn the cut tree into food for wildlife, use cut evergreen branches as winter mulch to protect herbaceous perennials, and more! 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

Join Ken and Chris on a journey around the world as they explore the fascinating history of quintessential holiday spices. In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, you will learn about the origins of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, peppermint, allspice, and ginger, and how they made their way to our spice cabinets. You will also discover what parts of the plants are harvested to produce these spices. And, if you’re a fan of the Spice Girls, you won’t want to miss Chris’s attempt to name them all! Skip to what you want to know: 0:35 Hey Ken, Spice Girls and how Taylor Swift impacted the Christmas tree grower industry 3:13 What’s the difference between a spice and an herb? 4:27 The history of the Spice Trade. 8:19 Nutmeg, what is it, where was it found, how is it used? 9:19 Nutmeg vs. mace 11:48 Harvesting nutmeg 14:40 The history of what the Dutch did to the people of the Banda Islands in the name of nutmeg 16:50 Cinnamon, what is it, where does it come from? 19:00 The different types of cinnamon 21:30 The human labor involved in getting cinnamon to the table. 22:50 Can we grow any cinnamon tree in Illinois? 24:08 Cloves, what is it and where does it come from? 26:15 How are cloves harvested and processed? 29:11 What is an orange pomanders? And other historic clove uses. 32:47 Allspice, what is it and where does it come from? 35:18 What is allspice used for in cooking? Cincinnati-style chili? 36:48 Harvesting and processing of allspice. 37:37 Growing allspice and the other spices we’ve talked about so far at home. 39:34 Peppermint, how is this different from other mints? 42:33 A cautionary tale of growing mints in the ground. 45:11 Ginger, both a spice and an herb! 47:00 Ken’s experience growing ginger this past year and what how he uses it in the kitchen. 48:25 The commercial growing of ginger and the process of growing it in Illinois vs. the tropics. 51:35 Thank yous, happy spicey holidays, and coming up next week. 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/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD