Good Growing

In this Gardenbite, Chris explores the various ways to recycle your cut Christmas tree. Many Illinoisians have a Christmas tree disposal day where they can throw out a cut Christmas tree and the city will pick it up and turn it into woodchips. However, there are other ways to give your tree a second life. Chris discusses how to create a shelter for birds, turn the cut tree into food for wildlife, use cut evergreen branches as winter mulch to protect herbaceous perennials, and more!

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: [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.

--
You can find us on most podcast platforms.  
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377   
Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing   
Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ 
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR   
Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/   
Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/   
Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902   
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us   
Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

Join Ken and Chris on a journey around the world as they explore the fascinating history of quintessential holiday spices. In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, you will learn about the origins of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, peppermint, allspice, and ginger, and how they made their way to our spice cabinets. You will also discover what parts of the plants are harvested to produce these spices. And, if you’re a fan of the Spice Girls, you won’t want to miss Chris’s attempt to name them all!

Skip to what you want to know:
0:35 Hey Ken, Spice Girls and how Taylor Swift impacted the Christmas tree grower industry
3:13 What’s the difference between a spice and an herb?
4:27 The history of the Spice Trade.
8:19 Nutmeg, what is it, where was it found, how is it used?
   9:19 Nutmeg vs. mace
   11:48 Harvesting nutmeg
   14:40 The history of what the Dutch did to the people of the Banda Islands in the name of nutmeg
16:50 Cinnamon, what is it, where does it come from?
   19:00 The different types of cinnamon
   21:30 The human labor involved in getting cinnamon to the table.
   22:50 Can we grow any cinnamon tree in Illinois?
24:08 Cloves, what is it and where does it come from?
   26:15 How are cloves harvested and processed?
   29:11 What is an orange pomanders? And other historic clove uses. 
32:47 Allspice, what is it and where does it come from?
   35:18 What is allspice used for in cooking? Cincinnati-style chili?
   36:48 Harvesting and processing of allspice.
   37:37 Growing allspice and the other spices we’ve talked about so far at home. 
39:34 Peppermint, how is this different from other mints?
   42:33 A cautionary tale of growing mints in the ground.
45:11 Ginger, both a spice and an herb!
   47:00 Ken’s experience growing ginger this past year and what how he uses it in the kitchen.
48:25 The commercial growing of ginger and the process of growing it in Illinois vs. the tropics.
51:35 Thank yous, happy spicey holidays, and coming up next week.

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: [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.

--
You can find us on most podcast platforms.  
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377   
Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing   
Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ 
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR   
Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/   
Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/   
Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902   
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us   
Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD

Join us on a horticultural journey through the world of mistletoe. In this episode, we explore the fascinating history and cultural significance of this parasitic plant. From its unique biology to its horticultural applications, we cover everything you need to know about mistletoe. We also discuss the plant’s role in the ecosystem and where you can find it in Illinois and beyond. Tune in to discover why mistletoe is more than just a holiday decoration!

Skip to what you want to know:
0:29 Hey Ken
2:18 Digging into the legends behind mistletoe. Druids, Vikings, and other symbolism.
7:30 Where do you find mistletoe? What are the differences?
9:40 Mistletoe in Illinois and North America
12:02 What does mistletoe translate to mean?
12:36 What is mistletoe? Is mistletoe a parasite? How does it grow?
18:16 How does mistletoe interact with the environment. Is mistletoe good for the ecology of a site?
25:43 How do you control mistletoe if you don’t want it in your tree? 
28:55 Chris learns about kissing under the mistletoe and how it’d done.
30:28 Is mistletoe used for anything besides kissing random people?
32:36 Where does mistletoe sold in stores come from?
33:19 Thank yous and coming up next week!

Check out this article on Mistletoe: Pathology, systematics, ecology, and management https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/epdf/10.1094/PDIS-92-7-0988

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.

--

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 taking a closer look at a holiday staple, the poinsettia. Join us as we discuss the myths and legends that surround the poinsettia, where they come from, how they’re grown, and more! 

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0jY1dNYQG5Y 

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:30 – Welcome, Ken, and what kind of Christmas tree does Chris have?

  02:50 – How do you pronounce poinsettia?

  04:20 – Where do poinsettias come from? What are some other names it goes by?

  06:40 – How did they get the name poinsettia?

  07:45 – The complicated legacy of Joel Roberts Poinsett  

  13:40 – What do poinsettias look like in their native habitat, and how have they changed in cultivation?

  16:50 – The poinsettia market

  20:20 – What does it take to get a poinsettia to flower?  

  24:26 – How should poinsettias be transported from the store to your home?

  27:55 – What should you do once you get your poinsettia home? 

  30:05 – How do they keep poinsettias so compact?

  34:00 – Are poinsettias poisonous?

  36:41 – What other colored poinsettias are out there besides red?

  39:45 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Poinsettia Care Guide - https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/poinsettia_infosheet.pdf 

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.

--

You can find us on most podcast platforms.  

iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377   

Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing   

Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ 

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR   

Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/   

Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/   

Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902   

Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us   

Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD 

In this 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 [email protected]
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.

--
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   
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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: [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.

--

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: [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.

--
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: [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.

--

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: [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.

--
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: [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.

--

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