Good Growing

In this episode, Ken and Chris explore a timely and concerning topic—the resurgence of bed bugs making headlines globally! Join us as we delve into the pressing issue of bed bugs seemingly spiraling out of control. Are these tiny pests staging a global takeover once again? Our special guest, entomologist Dr. Kacie Athey, joins the conversation to address our lingering questions about bed bugs. From tips on avoiding these unwelcome companions during your travels to guidance on handling a bed bug discovery in your home, we cover it all. Tune in to the latest episode of the Good Growing Podcast for an informative discussion on bed bugs! Skip to what you want to know: 0:41 Hey Ken! Are we ready for winter? 3:36 Welcome back Kacie! What is Dr. Athey’s experience with bed bugs? 6:25 What is going on in the world with bed bugs all over the news? 10:00 Why are we concerned about bed bugs? Do bed bugs spread disease? What are their bites like? 14:19 What about the stigma and anxiety associated with bed bugs? How do we tell the difference between actual bed bugs and the anxiety that causes phantom itching? In some cases, a serious mental health issue is known as delusionary parasitosis. 18:12 Why are bed bugs so difficult to control now? And why are we seeing cases of bed bugs today? 21:11 Where do we look for bed bugs whether in our home or a hotel? 25:36 What do we do with our luggage at a hotel? 28:07 What is the recommended treatment to get rid of bed bugs? Heat vs. insecticides Diatomaceous earth Clean the clutter! 31:07 What about clothing and bedding items? Will cold temperatures work just as well as heat? 33:30 Have bed bugs always been part of human society? What’s the history? 34:50 Bed bugs have been with us a long time. We list some fun bed bug names. 37:00 What do we expect to see for bed bug populations in the future? 38:21 What are bat bugs? 40:28 What can we do to avoid bringing bed bugs home when we travel? 42:20 Dr. Athey’s PSA – Be skeptical when a person posts a blurry picture on social media and claims it is a bed bug! 43:40 All done this week! Thank you’s and next week. Resources: Using Heat to Kill Bed Bugs https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/bb-heat1.pdf The History of Bed Bug Management: With lesson from the past https://agresearch.montana.edu/wtarc/producerinfo/entomology-insect-ecology/BedBugs/BedbugsMangement.pdf Contact us! Dr. Athey’s email kathey@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. 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

Thanksgiving is over, which means many of us will be going out to pick out our Christmas trees. On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we’re taking a trip back to 2020 when we talked with Robert Richardson with the Illinois Christmas Tree Association. Learn about the process of growing Christmas trees from when they go in the ground until you pick one out. Want to see or listen to the entire show? Watch this episode on YouTube or listen on our website. YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z7D5ckMCEX8 Good Growing Podcast: https://extension.illinois.edu/podcasts/good-growing/ep-48-talking-christmas-trees-robert-richardson 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 the Good Growing podcast rewinds to when we chatted with local foods educator James Thueri all about turkeys. James talks about how the commercial producers get the turkey from egg to plate. Plus, James gives tips if for those interested in raising their own heritage breeds in their own backyard. Listen to the entire podcast https://extension.illinois.edu/podcasts/good-growing/ep-46-talking-turkey-and-backyard-livestock-james-theuri Skip to what you want to know: Skip to what you want to know: 1:30 James warns against doing a rabbit program near Easter 2:59 Are most turkey growers making all their money just from Thanksgiving? 4:45 How long does it take to grow a turkey? 6:36 How far apart is the value of heritage turkeys versus commercial breeds? 8:56 What is the main commercially bred meat-producing turkey sold in grocery stores? 11:05 Are the larger meat birds too large to naturally breed? Do they need artificial insemination? 11:37 Chickens have a problem with predators. Can turkeys defend themselves? 14:46 If a person would like to grow their own Thanksgiving turkey, is this something we can do on our own? What space does a turkey need? 16:36 How do you care for turkey poults (babies) when they arrive? 19:00 What breeds of turkey would a homeowner want to raise? Bourbon red 21:00 Bronze 21:50 Royal Palm 23:15 Slate 24:48 Is it better to order poults or hatch your own poults? 27:02 Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving! 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’re answering some of your fall gardening questions. Learn about overwintering mum and dahlias, white pines dropping needles, keeping feral cats out of gardens, and more! We also give an update on what’s going on with the leaves in our yards and how our gardens fared this year. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BXgo-nq9KNo Skip to what you want to know: 00:30 – Welcome, Ken, and what’s up with the weather? 01:15 – Leaf report from our yards and what we are doing with them 06:50 – How did our gardens fare this year? 15:05 – I didn’t get my mums planted; can I overwinter them? 16:43 – Should I worry about white pines dropping needles? Will spraying an anti-desiccant help? 20:55 – How can I overwinter dahlias? 23:42 – Toads coming in with potted plants 25:06 – What can I do to keep feral cats out of my garden? 29:52 – What are the black and orange bugs all over the place? 34:32 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! What new vegetables are we growing in 2023 (and a shade tree) - https://youtu.be/hww7vEXP3_0 What new flowers are we growing in 2023 - https://youtu.be/q_HGNwhTvqE 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 Chris and Ken chat with horticulture educator Sarah Vogel and horticulture program coordinator Jenny Lee promoting an upcoming series for tree care professionals called the Community Tree Care Series. During the online webinar participants will go from basics to more complex topics in tree care. It is a great opportunity for Illinois arborists needing CEUs or training staff who maintain trees. Register for the online Community Tree Care Series at https://go.illinois.edu/treecareseries Skip to what you want to know: 0:28 - Hey Ken! Are we ready for the first big freeze? 3:46 - Welcome Sarah and Jenny! 4:22 - What is the Community Tree Care Series and how did it get started? 7:09 - Is this course all online or is it in-person? 9:50 - The difference between forestry and community forestry (urban forestry) 11:23 - Who should sign up for the Community Tree Care Series? 13:09 - What can I expect to learn from the three webinars? Session 1 15:11 - Session 2 17:07 - Session 3 19:42 - Plus there are in-person sessions to help identify needs for that local community tree population! Where will they be and what to expect from these? 22:25 - How do we sign up? go.illinois.edu/TreeCareSeries 23:24 - Is there a fee? 24:18 - What are the most common mistakes when it comes to tree care that this series will help to eliminate? The four horsemen of tree failure (treepocolypse?) 26:54 - The problem with mulch and trees 28:36 - Why is it important to train tree professionals about tree care beyond cutting and removal of trees? 33:55 - 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

We’re all dressed up for this week’s Good Growing podcast because it’s our Halloween Spooktacular! This year, we are joined by Dr. Chelsea Harbach to talk about some spooky plant diseases that have had some significant historical impacts. Learn about ergot, late blight, and coffee rust and how they’ve changed the course of history. Watch us, and see our costumes on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oEzbf1LuLLg Skip to what you want to know: 00:15 – Welcome, Ken and Chelsea, and what are we dressed up as this year? 04:40 – Ergot and the Salem Witch Trials 11:10 – Ergot in current times 15:35 – The Irish Potato Famine 23:20 – The start of plant pathology 24:40 – Diagnosing diseases in current times 28:00 – How did late blight get to Ireland? 30:00 – Are modern-day crops at risk? 32:33 – Coffee leaf rust 39:34 – Why do the British drink tea instead of coffee? 41:00 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! I See Dead Plants Podcast: Coffee rust - https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/podcast/episode/s1-e6-coffee-rust-the-parasite-that-wants-to-ruin-your-morning 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 Chris and Ken talk with Dr. Kacie Athey about the newest invasive insect found in Illinois, the spotted lanternfly. Even though it’s only currently in Cook County, this particular bug is likely to spread across the state and Midwest. Will spotted lanternfly devour everything in its path? Or will we barely notice its arrival? Find out this and more on this week’s podcast. Find out what you want to know: 0:49 – Hey Ken. And Chris has trouble remembering what we’re talking about this week 3:29 – Welcome Dr Athey! 4:24 – Will they eat everything? Who needs to be concerned about spotted lanternfly? 7:48 – Where can you find spotted lanternfly as of this recording? (10/17/2023) 8:46 – Where does spotted lanternfly come from? 9:21 – How are they being spread? 11:10 – What does a spotted lanternfly look like? 14:07 – What is their lifecycle? What should we expect to see through the year? 16:04 – Spotted lanternfly’s celebrity status 18:36 – How do I keep them out of my yard? 20:16 – What to do if you see a lanternfly? 20:48 – What are ways we can manage spotted lanternfly? 22:45 – Description of their egg cases 23:55 – Where would you scout for adults? 25:16 - Does spotted lanternfly smell bad when smashed like a brown marmorated stinkbug? 27:57 – Does the bright color of the insect mean it’s dangerous? 28:53 – How will the swarming behavior affect things? 29:28 – Dr. Athey’s heads up about periodical cicadas coming in 2024. Report spotted lanternfly sightings at lanternfly@illinois.edu Talking Spiders with Dr. Athey https://goodgrowing.transistor.fm/episodes/ep-41-spiders-with-dr-kacie-athey 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 welcome Emily Swihart back to talk about water-conscious landscaping! Learn why planning our landscapes with water in mind is important and how we can incorporate water-conscious landscaping into our landscapes. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hfIY5e0axak Skip to what you want to know: 00:30 – Welcome, Ken and Emily, and are our landscapes ready for frost? 06:30 – What is water-conscious landscaping? Is it just a fancy way of saying xeriscaping? 07:55 – Do we need to worry about saving water in Illinois? 11:15 - What are some ways we can incorporate water-conscious landscaping into our landscapes? 11:50 – Right plant, right place 18:05 – Mulch 22:47 – How do lawns fit in? 24:43 – Irrigation systems 31:20 – Vegetable gardens use a lot of water, how can we be water-conscious in them? 36:50 – What about harvested water? 38:32 - Now that plants are starting to lose their leaves and go dormant, do we still need to worry about watering them? 43:00 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Check out other Good Growing Podcast episodes! 2023 weather and what to expect for the winter: https://youtu.be/RYXakCpxO2c All about mulch: https://youtu.be/sqw4Cwr7wjo 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 on the Good Growing Podcast, Chris and Ken talk with commercial ag educator Nathan Johanning all about pumpkins! Nathan has been researching pumpkins with University of Illinois Extension for years and is himself a pumpkin grower. This week we dive into what is a growing season like for a pumpkin farmer, what are some of their biggest pests, how to pick the perfect pumpkin, and much more! Skip to what you want to know: 0:34 – Hey Ken! Have we gotten our pumpkins yet? 4:46 – Welcome Nathan! Learning Nathan’s background in growing pumpkins. 5:17 – How does the pumpkin crop look for 2023? 9:16 – How do you deal with pumpkin viruses? 11:29 – What is Nathan’s favorite pumpkin? Which one is the most popular? 15:01 – What’s the process of growing a pumpkin? What is it like to be a pumpkin farmer? Ordering seed Starting seed Transplanting out to the field Scouting for disease Scouting for insect pests (namely squash bugs) Encouraging pollinators Practicing IPM Looking to harvest Protect the stem! 24:46 – What is downy mildew? Is it a serious problem for pumpkins in Illinois? 27:02 – Does trap cropping work to help control insect pests of pumpkins? 30:56 – What do you look for when picking out a pumpkin? And how do you store it? 33:58 – How can we dispose of pumpkins? 39:20 – What are everyone’s thoughts on pumpkin spice? 41:42 – For those who like to eat pumpkin seeds, what’s a good cultivar for hull-less seeds? 44:38 – Thank you’s and coming up next week! Find a Pumpkin Smash near you https://www.scarce.org/pumpkins/#locator The great debate! Fall Flavors: Pumpkin vs. Apple https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2020-09-24-fall-flavors-pumpkin-vs-apple 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 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 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