Good Growing

This week on the Good Growing Podcast, Chris and Ken chat with state climatologist, Dr. Trent Ford. During the episode, we chat about what’s up with the weather for 2023. Soils are dry across Illinois. Is there any relief in sight? Will El Nino play a role in our weather this winter? Will it be a cold and snowy winter? Trent will share the Climate Prediction Center’s outlook for the fall and winter. Citizen Science Climate Data Collection Opportunities Check out CocoRahs https://www.cocorahs.org/ Check out CMOR https://go.illinois.edu/cmor Contact Trent Ford twford@illinois.edu 00:31 - Hey Ken 3:16 – Welcome Trent! What’s up with the weather for 2023? 8:16 – What is the report from the farmers this year? What is harvest shaping up to be? 10:49 – Western Illinois seems to be in and out of drought this year. What does the US Drought Monitor show? 12:46 – How is El Nino going to influence our Midwestern weather this winter? 17:40 – How is reoccurring drought affecting our perennial plants like trees? 20:23 – What are the fall and winter predictions for 2023 from Climate Prediction Center? 23:06 – What influences our Illinois climate? 23:40 – What questions about Earth’s climate keeps Trent up at night? 28:55 – What is the most common question a state climatologist answers? 32:42 - What are ways people can report climate data for Citizen Science efforts? 37:53 – Thank yous 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 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

On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we welcome Emily Swihart back to talk about mulch! Learn about what mulch is, what it’s good for, what mulches we should avoid using, and why our mulch should be thick and chunky. We also dispel some common misconceptions about mulch. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sqw4Cwr7wjo Skip to what you want to know: 00:30 – Welcome, Ken and Emily, and Chris’ existential crisis 02:45 – What is mulch, and what is it good for? 04:50 – What are our favorite types of mulch? 09:20 – Any drawback to using woodchips as mulch? 12:12 – Most effective mulch attributes 14:15 – Much repelling water 15:25 – Is rubber mulch a good choice? 18:25 – Are rocks and landscape fabric a good mulch option? 23:40 – Astroturf as a mulch? 25:25 – Is allelopathy a problem with mulch? 26:50 – Will mulch from diseased trees infect plantings? 31:06 - Will decomposing wood mulch tie up nitrogen in the soil? 32:00 – Should we or should we not use landscape fabric? 33:45 – Is there a best time of year to put mulch down in the landscape? 40:10 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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

Now that night temperatures are starting to cool, it’s time to start thinking about bringing houseplants back indoors for the winter. On this week's Good Growing Podcast, Ken Johnson discusses some steps we can take to successfully transition our houseplants indoors, as well as some tips on their care over the winter. Want to read more about moving houseplants indoors and houseplant pests? Check out these blog articles: 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 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 Chris shares a Gardenbite of when retired horticulture educator Richard Hentschel visited the show in 2021 to talk about fall lawn care. During the show, Richard spoke about three things we could all do to reduce our lawn inputs. Want to see or listen to the entire show? Watch this episode on YouTube or listen on our website. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCWX2HzFpY8&t=151s Good Growing Podcast: https://extension.illinois.edu/podcasts/good-growing/ep-80-fall-lawn-care-tasks-and-tips-richard-hentschel-goodgrowing 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 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

Fall is almost here! On this week's Good Growing Podcast, Ken talks about something we should add to our to-do list for this fall: conducting a soil test. 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

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we are answering more of your questions. We discuss the new invasive hornet that has been found in Georgia, coca mulch and worms in ponds, tree roots affecting building foundations, apple fruit rots, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fFmCDDUwXQ4 Skip to what you want to know: 00:05 – Welcome 01:20 – New invasive wasp found in Georgia, the yellow-legged hornet 07:47 – Be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly 11:10 – White “worms” in a pond after using cocoa mulch. What are they, and how do we manage them? 18:30 – Will tree roots interfere with the foundation of a home? 23:00 – Water lotus is taking of my pond, what can I do to get rid of it? 29:20 – Large black spots on my apples, what is causing it and how do I get rid of it? 34:00 - Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Photo credits: Yellow-legged hornet nest By Francis ITHURBURU - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25339575 Yellow-legged hornet By Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52006827 Cheese skipper maggots by Deborah Kent 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we discuss fall-blooming plants. While we typically reach for mums, there are a lot of other plants we can use in our landscapes for an end-of-season flower show! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NYmaaXnh7JY Skip to what you want to know: 00:33 – Welcome, Ken and have we followed our advice and started our fall vegetable gardens? 02:20 – Benefits of fall blooming plants for pollinators 05:05 – Goldenrods 06:25 – Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ 08:00 – Zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) 09:02 – Stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida) 11:10 – Managing Canadian goldenrod 12:11 – Goldenrod and allergies 13:40 – Asters 13:55 – New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) 16:26 – Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) 17:30 – Ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii) ‘Iron butterfly’ 19:25 – Black-eyed Susan ‘American GoldRush’ 21:07 – Sweet Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) 22:20 – Bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) 23:50 - False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra) 'Bleeding Hearts' 25:37 - Perennial sunflowers 26:38 – Western/naked stemmed sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis) 27:10 – Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) 28:35 – More fall-blooming plants: mums, sedum, bulbs 31:38 - Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Autumn allergies: Don’t blame goldenrod: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2022-10-21-autumn-allergies-dont-blame-goldenrod Fall Blooming Bulbs: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2020-09-17-theyre-not-just-spring-fall-blooming-bulbs 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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 may be hot out there, but fall gardening has already started in Illinois. This week on the Good Growing Podcast Ken and Chris share how the summer veggies faired and then describe their plans for fall crops. Learn about what you can get started in August for harvest in October and even into the winter. Plus tips on gardening as the weather turns cold. Watch us on YouTube! https://youtu.be/4l3AcXRNP8c 0:39 Hey Ken! 1:10 – How has the summer garden faired this year? What we grew, what worked, and what didn’t. First talking Shiso earlier in the year https://youtu.be/hww7vEXP3_0?t=271 9:30 - Have tomatoes been delayed this year? 11:13 - Recording this year’s garden crops for rotating next year 12:25 – What are some good fall garden crops? 13:50 - What might it be too late to plant for a fall garden as of the first week of August? 15:28 – Chris seeds red Russian kale 16:10 – A hack for labeling your seed starts 17:52 – Using pelleted seeds for tiny seeds and seeders 18:55 – Using seed tape of making your own for tiny seeds 19:30 – Carrots are tricky to germinate. Here are some tips. 20:09 – Starting spinach indoors 21:11 – Sowing turnips in the garden 21:49 – Cover crops for the fall 25:05 – Garlic is already selling out at many seed suppliers. Time to order ASAP. If you can find it, here’s what is recommended to grow in Illinois 27:31 – Storing garlic for the winter 29:12 – Our preferences for starting seeds indoors or directly in the garden. 30:44 – Why do we need to plant our fall garden in the summer? 32:10 – Season extension to push the garden into winter Build your own low tunnel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nln3DVuwQXY 33:42 – If we could only pick one fall crop what would we choose? 36:06 – Thank yous 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 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

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we discuss newly planted trees. How to pick them, take care of them, and get them ready for something we haven’t seen since 1803! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kFzOs7a3TCo Skip to what you want to know: 00:40 – Welcome, Ken, what are we seeing for the first time since 1803? 01:35 – It’s still dry out there, and it’s getting hot…It’s been a rough year for trees. 05:32 – When should we be planting trees? 07:00 – Things to consider when planting trees 07:45 – What is an urban tree? 09:30 – What tree should I plant? 10:10 – Where should I plant my tree? 11:25 – How to select a tree, what should I be looking for? 14:35 – Getting rid of circling roots 18:15 – Taking care of trees once they’re in the ground, remember to water 21:25 – Mulching newly planted trees 24:20 – Periodical cicadas and the problems they cause on newly planted trees 28:33 – Periodical cicadas in Illinois 30:30 – Difference between periodical and annual cicadas, and cicada killer wasps 32:54 – Can we eat cicadas? 37:00 – Can I use pesticides to protect my trees? 38:47 - Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Last week’s episode on Derechos & Tree Damage: https://extension.illinois.edu/podcasts/good-growing/ep-144-derechos-tree-damage-goodgrowing Ryan Pankau’s Four Seasons Webinar on Tree Compartmentalization: https://youtu.be/cG98ED54Ctw 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 relive the recent derecho with horticulture educator Emily Swihart. Emily and Chris swap stories about their experiences with past and present derechos. But what does all this wind do to our trees? We talk about cleaning up our trees after severe windstorms and how to prepare our trees for future wind events. Watch us on YouTube 0:36 Hey Ken! 2:05 Welcome Emily! 3:20 Recounting the Iowa derecho 8:01 What happened during the most recent July 2023 Illinois derecho 10:42 Tornadoes vs. derechos 14:07 Ken defines a derecho https://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/derechofacts.htm 17:08 Steps to take after a severe weather event Using chainsaws 19:25 Cutting wood under tension 21:53 Stay away from powerlines! 22:03 Hanging limbs “Widow Makers” 25:20 Finding an arborist 26:09 Things to look for when hiring an arborist 30:32 Long-term management to prepare trees to withstand wind storms; Prevention is the best medicine 33:04 Make sure the tree has adequate space for root development 38:40 Problematic trees 40:32 Angle of branching equals strength 41:25 Observe remaining tree after a major wind storm 42:27 How a changed landscape impacts remaining trees 43:34 How many derechos can we expect in the future? 44:35 Extreme loss of trees and its impact on people Radar recording of the derecho moving across Illinois https://www.weather.gov/ilx/june29_derecho 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 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

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we’re answering some of your questions that have come into our offices this summer. We discuss poison hemlock, aphids, Japanese beetles, green June beetles, galls on oaks, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AGe43Ff0eL0 Skip to what you want to know: 00:25 – Welcome, Ken, vacation and pet spider 05:45 – Should I avoid eating vegetables growing near poison hemlock? 10:35 – There are red insects all over my tomatoes and sunflowers. What are they, and why are there so many? 17:55 – What pesticides can be used to protect blackberries from Japanese beetles but not make the fruit toxic? 24:35 – Why is my Christmas cactus wilted and shriveled? 27:25 – Large green beetles are flying around trees. What are they, will they kill my tree? Can I spray them? 32:10 – There are galls on the branches of my oak tree. What can I do? 36:30 – Can I still treat my ash tree for emerald ash borer in the fall? 42:02- Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Buckeye Yard & Garden onLine (BYGL) articles: Poison hemlock - https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1996 Aphids - https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2169 How to identify and care for holiday cacti and get them to rebloom: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2022-12-09-how-identify-and-care-holiday-cacti-and-get-them-rebloom Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer: https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/PDF/NC-IPM.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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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

After a few rounds of severe weather in Illinois, Chris chats about what to do with a storm-damaged tree and how to make your trees more resilient to future storms. Find a Certified Arborist https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist Find your local Illinois Extension office https://extension.illinois.edu/global/where-we-serve Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: 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. SoundCloud @user-555304573 iTunes podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good…ng/id1446630377 Tunein tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/…d-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-g…th-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growin…d4302614?country=us Google podcasts bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week on the Good Growing podcast Chris tackles a question about how to hire a lawn care service when facing a list of services to choose from. How does a homeowner decide what is best for their lawn? Does the lawn care service match with university recommendations? Find out on this week’s podcast! LawnTalk website https://web.extension.illinois.edu/lawntalk/index.cfm Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: 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. SoundCloud @user-555304573 iTunes podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good…ng/id1446630377 Stitcher www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/…d-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-g…th-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growin…d4302614?country=us Google podcasts bit.ly/3AiYjTD

On this week's Good Growing Podcast, Ken Johnson discusses fireflies. Learn about fireflies in Illinois, the threats to their populations, and how you can help conserve them in your own landscape. Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: 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 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good…ng/id1446630377 Stitcher www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/…d-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-g…th-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growin…d4302614?country=us Google podcasts bit.ly/3AiYjTD

This week for the Good Growing podcast we have a gardenbite episode that dives into the basics of how to water your landscape and garden plants. While some may have built-in irrigation systems, many gardeners must reach for the hose to hand-water when times get dry, and right now times are VERY dry in central Illinois. Chris shows how to water and gives some great tips to know if you are irrigating enough or should be applying more water! Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/kUwhrFc0kkM Stay up to date on drought conditions with the U.S. Drought Monitor website https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we discuss the dry, hot weather we’ve been having recently. We discuss Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford’s recent blog post on the Increased Risk of Drought Conditions in Illinois, providing water to our plants, how you can help monitor drought conditions in your area, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RI4_daRf1O0 Skip to what you want to know: 00:25 – Welcome, Ken, how much have we been watering lately? 02:00 – What has the weather been like and what does the future hold? 03:12 – Trent Ford’s blog post (Increased Risk of Drought Conditions in Illinois) 03:55 – Rainfall in Illinois the past 30 days 04:30 – Multi-sensor Precipitation map (precent of normal rainfall) 07:24 – Soil moisture levels 08:10 – Why should we be concerned about dry, hot weather? 11:30 – Watering the lawn, trees, and other plants and the benefits of mulching 20:20 – Reporting weather conditions 21:00 - National Drought Mitigation Center’s Condition Monitoring Observer Reporting (CMOR) 26:00 – Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Check out Trent Ford’s blog post: https://stateclimatologist.web.illinois.edu/2023/05/23/increased-risk-of-drought-conditions-in-illinois/ The National Drought Mitigation Center’s Condition Monitoring Observer Reporting (CMOR): https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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 sit down with Illinois Extension communications specialist and first-time homeowner Emily Steele and walk through some of the basic To-Dos for a new yard/first-time yard owner. We dive into various topics from what to look for at house showings in the landscape to how to avoid termites and much more! Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/9Q-WiIYGjeM Skip to what you want to know: 0:35 Hey Ken! Summer beards and podcast camera angles 2:48 Welcome Emily, our first-time homeowner! 5:24 Before buying a house, what are some things to look for in the landscape? 9:30 What apps or tips can you use to identify a tree? 12:05 Setting the stage – What type of yard does Emily now have? 12:51 Why should we care about landscaping? What is the value of investing in landscaping? 17:54 How long should we wait before getting plants in the ground and changing the landscaping for new homeowners? 23:24 What about planting fruit trees? Does that need to be done ASAP? 24:26 What are things we can do landscaping-wise to prevent termites? 28:35 Is it essential to call for a utility locate? What do we do with that information? 34:21 For first-time homeowners starting from scratch, what tools should they prioritize getting now? What are some “would be nice to have” tools? Check out our recent garden tools podcast https://go.illinois.edu/GardenTool 41:14 How important is it to check ordinances or HOA guidelines? 44:46 How far away should you plant landscaping from a house? 48:27 Is it good to call in an arborist to evaluate the trees? How do you find a certified arborist? https://www.treesaregood.org/ https://illinoisarborist.org/ 50:39 How do people decide what lawn care is best for them? Plus some lawn care tips! 56:57 No mow lawns – what are they? Will they work in Illinois? University of Minnesota Extension Bee lawns https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn More links mentioned during the show https://go.illinois.edu/GardenHose https://go.illinois.edu/ToolMaintenance https://go.illinois.edu/GardenTool 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we talk with horticulture educator Ryan Pankau about the new University of Illinois Extension pollinator website, Illinois Pollinators. Learn about how this website came together, the information it covers, including different pollinators we find in Illinois, the importance of pollinators, plants pollinators use, pollinator habitat design, community science and education, pollinator research, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/894qscZJthk Skip to what you want to know: 00:35 – Welcome, Ken, and what have we been up to? 02:00 – Welcome, Ryan! 03:00 – Why was this website created? What was the catalyst? Website sections: 06:00 – What are pollinators? 11:00 – Importance of pollinators and what can you do to help them. 14:55 – Plants pollinators use 23:45 – Pollinator habitat design, design suggestions, and starting pollinator habitat 29:40 – No Mow May tangent 32:55 – Community science and education 34:55 – Pollinator research at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 38:15 – Future plans for the website 47:30 – Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Visit the Illinois Pollinators website! https://illinoispollinators.org Contact us! Ryan Pankau: rcpankau@illinois.edu 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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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 Ken and Chris have compiled several homeowner questions all about soil testing. We share lots of resources to help the gardener and landscaper determine the status of their soils and eliminate the guessing game of soil management. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EztIDdWY6Qw Illinois Extension's one-stop website for soils including a list of soil testing labs: https://extension.illinois.edu/soil Check out these videos: How to Take a Soil Sample https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv7iocI90os How to Understand Test Results https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK_L6xVAw_A Skip to what you want to know: Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: htps://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. SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573 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

On this week's Good Growing Podcast, Ken Johnson talks about what we can do for our spring blooming bulbs to ensure a colorful display again next year. Check out the Good Growing Blog: go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: 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. SoundCloud @user-555304573 iTunes podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good…ng/id1446630377 Stitcher www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/…d-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-g…th-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growin…d4302614?country=us Google podcasts bit.ly/3AiYjTD