Have you ever had a container planter with perennials and excitedly waited for them to resume growth in the spring, but it never happened? Perennials in pots are subjected to much harsher conditions compared to those in the soil. Because of this, even if they are hardy to our area, they can be damaged and killed. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to help these plants survive the winter, so we can enjoy them come spring.  

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CUbR7Dt7uws

‌

 Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk

--

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

Discover the fascinating world of cranberries in this episode of Good Growing. Horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson explore the history, science, and cultivation of one of North America’s few commercially grown native fruits. Learn how cranberries evolved from wild bog plants to a global industry, why they float during wet harvest, and the unique challenges growers face in managing seasonal demand. From Indigenous traditions to modern farming techniques, this episode dives deep into cranberry botany, sustainability, and the economics behind your favorite holiday berry. 

Skip to what you want to know:
00:39 Hey Ken! Ken loves cranberries and the holidays.
01:26 We studied for this one, promise!
01:56 What are cranberries? A look into history.
04:23 America's Founding Fruit: The Cranberry
14:57 Chris' favorite quote, cranberries are like cats
16:12 The anatomy of a cranberry. Why do they float?
18:34 Taste testing our fresh cranberries. 
19:41 Difference between dry and wet harvest of cranberries
26:04 Boom and bust of the cranberry market
28:15 A year of growing cranberries from a farmer's perspective - Planting cranberries
32:01 What does a cranberry field look like, and where do they get the water?
33:31 Cranberries in the spring planting, irrigation needs, and pollination
36:35 Summer in the cranberry field - ripening
36:53 Fall in the cranberry field -harvest
37:32 Wet harvest
39:23 Dry Harvest
40:48 The cranberry fields in the winter - protecting from winter injury
44:59 Can you grow the American cranberry in the backyard?
46:59 https://www.cranberries.org/bog-cup-activity
53:11 Thank yous and coming up next week

Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins https://eat-move-save.extension.illinois.edu/eat/recipes/cranberry-pumpkin-muffins

Cranberries https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2019-11-12-cranberries 

America’s Founding Fruit: The Cranberry in a New Environment, by Susan Playfair https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/A/bo44311431.html

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected] 

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk 

--
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

In this episode of Good Growing, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the latest updates to the Illinois Exotic Weed Act, which now includes nine newly listed invasive plant species. From the notorious Tree of Heaven to the sneaky Sericea Lespedeza. Plus, a tree many people have been waiting to be added to the list - Callery pear!

Skip to what you want to know:

00:30 Hey Ken! Are we done gardening yet? What we're doing with all our ginger.
03:03 News from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on 9 new invasive plant species
04:36 Tree of Heaven
08:11 Garlic mustard
10:23 Leafy spurge
12:58 Sericea lespedeza
16:06 Japanese stiltgrass
18:05 Amur corktree
20:01 Black and pale swallow-wort
22:22 Callery Pear
27:54 What does this mean to be listed as an invasive species?
37:37 What is a native plant?
39:59 Do other countries deal with invasive species?
42:37 Thanks yous and coming up next week!

Illinois Extension Press Release: Nine new invasive species regulated in Illinois with expansion of Exotic Weeds Act https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/nine-new-invasive-species-regulated-illinois-expansion-exotic-weeds-act
USDA Plant Guide: Leafy Spurge https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/idpmcpg12069.pdf
Illinois Regulations Regarding Invasive Plant Species https://extension.illinois.edu/invasives/regulations

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected] 

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk 

--
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

It’s a Halloween Spooktacular! While they are usually overlooked, parasites are all around us. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we explore the complex, surprisingly common, and sometimes creepy world of parasites and parasitoids with Dr. Kacie Athey. Learn how these tiny creatures attack and manipulate their hosts, the difference between parasites, parasitoids, and diseases, discover mind-controlling fungi that infect insects, and more!

Watch us on YouTube:

Skip to what you want to know:  

  02:47 - Welcome, Dr. Kacie Athey!

  04:46 – What are parasites? How are they different than diseases?

  06:21 - What are some parasites we commonly encounter or affect humans?
  09:59 - Parasites 'in the garden' - parasitoid wasps

  17:22 - Parasitoid wasps and hornworm caterpillars

  23:30 - Parasitoid wasps and aphids

  25:37 - The (sometimes) bizarre world of hyperparasitoids.

  37:33 - Cordyceps - The Last of Us comes to insects

  44:28 - A few more examples of parasites manipulating host behavior

  48:44 - A few parasitic plants

  54:37 - Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Alabagrus kaciejoae

Mistletoe Show: Learn about this holiday parasitic plant

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk

--

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

In this episode of Good Growing, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the science and spectacle of fall foliage. From the pigments behind the seasonal color shift to their favorite underappreciated trees (sorry, maples), the duo explores what makes autumn leaves so dazzling—and why some years are better than others. Learn the difference between carotenoids and anthocyanins, discover native trees that deserve more love, and find out which species drop all their leaves in one dramatic swoop. Plus, a fun detour into the origins of the words “fall” and “autumn,” and a few honorable mentions that might surprise you.
Whether you call it fall, autumn, or harvest season—this episode is packed with colorful insights!

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t2VGsf8SPiU

00:41 Hey Ken!
01:46 Is it the Autumn or Fall season?
04:47 The process occurring inside the leaves that causes color change.
11:42 Ideal weather for fall color.
13:14 Native trees for fall color (besides maples)
14:15 Black gum, Nyssa sylvatica
17:55 Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua
23:54 Sassafras, Sassafras albidum
28:05 Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum
29:03 Oaks, Quercus spp.
31:23 Gingko, Gingko biloba
35:59 Honorable Mentions
36:10 Redbud
36:47 Honeylocust
37:04 Flowering dogwood
37:13 Bald cypress
39:30 Poison ivy
40:34 Thank yous and coming up next week

Read more about it:  
Falling for Autumn - https://weconservepa.org/blog/falling-for-autumn/
Beyond maples: Trees for fall color - https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-10-20-beyond-maples-trees-fall-color

Dive Deeper into Fall Color Pigments
Gardenbite: The Science Behind Fall Color - https://youtu.be/2puA2uMoXEg

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected] 

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk 

--
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

The arrival of fall means vibrant colors and a whole lot of leaves on the ground. So, what should we do with all those leaves? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we discuss whether or not we should remove leaves from our landscapes, and if we do, what can we do with them? 

Watch us on YouTube

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:38 - Are leaves starting to drop near us?

  02:10 – Fall color update

  03:53 - Should we remove our leaves or leave the leaves? Impacts on insects. 

  13:15 - Recommendations for fall leaves and helping insects

  15:29 - What can be done with leaves? 

  28:42 - How do we use leaves in our landscapes?

  36:18 - Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Read more about it:  

Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk

--

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

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

Learn how these insects respond to seasonal changes, why they choose our homes for overwintering, and how to identify them accurately. The hosts also discuss the ecological impact of invasive species, like the stink bug and Asian lady beetle, and share practical, research-based strategies for keeping these pests out of your living space.

Skip to what you want to know:
00:43 Hey, Ken! It rained, but it is still dry.
03:59 Now is the time of year when certain insects take refuge in our homes.
04:42 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
14:17 Multi-colored Asian lady beetle
22:30 Boxelder Bug
27:05 Keeping fall-invading insects out of your home.
29:07 Exclusion
32:34 Do insecticides work to keep them out?
34:40 How to handle them when they get inside
38:15 Thank yous and coming up next week

Read More:
Fall House Guests - https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2019-10-01-fall-house-guests
Ladybugs everywhere: Preventing and managing multicolored Asian lady beetles - https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2024-11-01-ladybugs-everywhere-preventing-and-managing-multicolored-asian-lady

Pictures:
Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org
Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org
Bill Ree, Texas A&M University, Bugwood.org
William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org
Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org
Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org
Kristie Graham, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org
Jack Rabin, Rutgers NJ Agric. Expt. Station, Bugwood.org
Gerald Holmes, Strawberry Center, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected] 

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk 

--
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

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

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q9YSSOuSkfY

Skip to what you want to know:  

  01:35 - Welcome, Kelly Estes! What is your role with University of Illinois?

  05:06 - What is spotted lanternfly? Why should we be concerned?

  06:18 - How did spotted lanternfly get here?

  07:17 - Is spotted lanternfly present in Illinois? 

  08:39 - Is there any type of quarantine set up for spotted lanternfly?

  10:03 - The spread of spotted lanternfly.

  11:46 - If we live somewhere with spotted lanternfly, what should we expect?

  13:39 - Spotted lanternfly life cycle and identification.

  19:20 - If we don't live in an area with spotted lanternfly, where should we be looking for them?

  20:28 - Should we kill tree of heaven or leave some to scout for spotted lanternfly?

  22:37 - If I see a spotted lanternfly, what should I do?

  28:11 - Squashing spotted lanternfly, sticky traps, and spotted lanternfly awareness.  

  32:20 – Raining honeydew and other nuisance problems
  37:31- Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Read more about it:  

Report sightings of spotted lanternfly in Illinois to [email protected]

Illinois Spotted Lanternfly Homeowner’s Guide

Spotted Lanternfly Summit

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk

--

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

In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, hosts Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson are joined by Colleen Reuter, Environmental Compliance professional at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, to explore the world of green infrastructure and stormwater management.

From rain gardens and rain barrels to depaving driveways and even the surprising role of beavers in flood control, this episode dives into practical, research-based strategies that homeowners and communities can use to reduce erosion, manage runoff, and improve water quality.

We also preview the upcoming Illinois Green Infrastructure and Erosion Control Conference, a free, public event packed with expert speakers, hands-on solutions, and professional development opportunities.

Conference Info: October 28 at the iHotel in Champaign, IL
Register at: ccstormwater.org
Registration deadline: October 14 

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OpiuAlNO1As 

Skip to what you want to know:
00:43 Hey Ken! It rained...a little.
02:18 Welcome Colleen Ruhter!
03:05 Who are the partners for the Green Infrastructure and erosion control conference, and what is green infrastructure?
04:38 Why is managing stormwater important?
06:44 How does an impervious surface affect stormwater runoff?
11:25 What is depaving, and why is it a good idea for people to depave their landscape?
16:10 How do rain gardens help manage stormwater?
19:52 Are rain barrels effective when dealing with typical amounts of stormwater runoff?
23:37 Why are fall leaves a problem with stormwater management?
25:09 Is it useful for communities to work together to reduce pollution in the stormwater system?
29:03 Separating combined storm sewer and sanitary sewer systems.
32:01 Are there any good examples of communities that have incorporated green infrastructure into their stormwater system?
32:56 One of the conference topics is going to be about beavers. Are beavers considered a good stormwater management tool? 
35:10 Where can people go to learn more about the conference and about stormwater management?
37:57 Thank you and coming up next week.

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected] 

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk 

--
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

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

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FI0D5Z2mfYQ

Skip to what you want to know:  

  01:17 – It's still dry outside and National House Plant Week

  04:05 - Getting houseplants ready to bring back indoors 

  05:39 - Pawpaws are ripening!

  11:09 - Lightning round: questions from the internet and you

    12:14 – How do I keep ants out of my yard?

    13:36 – What are the black spots on my maple leaves?

    14:36 – Can I still plant perennials and trees in the fall?

    15:23 – Is it too late to sow fall vegetables? 

    16:44 – Should I cut back my perennials now? 

    17:58 – My annuals look bad right now. What should I do? 

    19:00 – Can I collect seeds now for next year? 

    20:28 – How often should I water my lawn in the fall?

    21:57 – Is now a good time to aerate and fertilize my lawn? 

    23:09 – Should I treat crabgrass right now? 

    24:56 – Is it time to plant spring bulbs? 

    26:30 - Should I test my soil in the fall? 

  27:51 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what's up next week, and goodbye!

Monstera: From the rainforest to must-have houseplant: https://youtu.be/3xyQlbH-7ws

Growing Pawpaws in Illinois with Doug Gucker: https://youtu.be/m_cCkGqjp80

Illinois Extension Soil Testing website: https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/soil-testing

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

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.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk

--

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