Good Growing

By University of Illinois ExtensionEducation Leisure Home & Garden

Good Growing episodes

May 19, 2023 Ep. 140 Introducing the Illinois Pollinators website | #GoodGrowing
On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we talk with horticulture educator Ryan Pankau about the new University of Illinois Extension pollinator website, Illinois Pollinators. Learn about how this website came together, the information it covers, including different pollinators we find in Illinois, the importance of pollinators, plants pollinators use, pollinator habitat design, community science and education, pollinator research, and more!
Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/894qscZJthk
Skip to what you want to know:
00:35 – Welcome, Ken, and what have we been up to?
02:00 – Welcome, Ryan!
03:00 – Why was this website created? What was the catalyst?
Website sections:
06:00 – What are pollinators?
11:00 – Importance of pollinators and what can you do to help them.
14:55 – Plants pollinators use
23:45 – Pollinator habitat design, design suggestions, and starting pollinator habitat
29:40 – No Mow May tangent
32:55 – Community science and education
34:55 – Pollinator research at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
38:15 – Future plans for the website
47:30 – Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye!
Visit the Illinois Pollinators website! https://illinoispollinators.org
Contact us!
Ryan Pankau: [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.
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
50 min
May 15, 2023 Ep. 139 Answering Soil Testing Questions | #GoodGrowing
This week Ken and Chris have compiled several homeowner questions all about soil testing. We share lots of resources to help the gardener and landscaper determine the status of their soils and eliminate the guessing game of soil management.
Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EztIDdWY6Qw
Illinois Extension's one-stop website for soils including a list of soil testing labs: https://extension.illinois.edu/soil
Check out these videos:
How to Take a Soil Sample https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv7iocI90os
How to Understand Test Results https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK_L6xVAw_A
Skip to what you want to know:
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected]
Check out the Good Growing Blog: htps://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
--
You can find us on most podcast platforms.
SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377
Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing
Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR
Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/
Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/
Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD
34 min
May 05, 2023 Gardenbite: Caring for spring blooming bulbs after flowering | #GoodGrowing
On this week's Good Growing Podcast, Ken Johnson talks about what we can do for our spring blooming bulbs to ensure a colorful display again next year. Check out the Good Growing Blog: go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. SoundCloud @user-555304573 iTunes podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good…ng/id1446630377 Stitcher www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/…d-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-g…th-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growin…d4302614?country=us Google podcasts bit.ly/3AiYjTD
6 min
April 28, 2023 Ep. 138 Growing shiitake mushrooms | #GoodGrowing
On this week’s Good Growing podcast we talk with Illinois Extension local foods educator Nick Frillman about growing gourmet shiitake mushrooms in your own backyard. Nick shows us the tools and methods used to turn fresh cut logs of white oak and sugar maple into inoculated “bolts” that will yield delicious shiitake mushrooms.
Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/MuP9exnHmaQ
Skip to what you want to know
0:43 Hey Ken! New haircuts; frosty nights; Who likes mushrooms?
3:06 Welcome Nick!
4:30 What are shiitake mushrooms?
6:19 Can anyone grow shiitake mushrooms at home?
7:33 What equipment is necessary to grow mushrooms?
-8:04 Low tech
-13:25 High tech
18:06 What species of logs do we use for growing shiitake?
21:07 Is there a benefit to using plug spawn vs. sawdust spawn? And what’s the techniques for drilling and inoculating?
24:17 Do they sell adapters for angle grinders if you already have one?
24:52 Where do you keep your inoculated log (bolt) to grow mushrooms?
29:49 Do you need to seal the ends of the logs?
34:06 How do you stack multiple logs?
36:12 How do we harvest the mushrooms?
42:00 How long do the mushroom logs last?
44:42 What does a shiitake mushroom look like?
46:20 What does a mushroom bolt look like?
51:30 Where do we find mushroom growing supplies?
More resources
Cornell Extension Mushroom Resources https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/projects/mushrooms/
Shiitake Mushroom Log-Growing Guide – Vermont Extension https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/media/ShiitakeGuide.pdf
Grow your favorite fungus at home: How to cultivate shiitake mushrooms https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/flowers-fruits-and-frass/2023-03-31-grow-your-favorite-fungus-home-how-cultivate-shiitake
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected]
Nick Frillman: [email protected]
Check out the Good Growing Blog: htps://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
--
You can find us on most podcast platforms.
SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377
Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing
Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR
Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/
Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/
Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD
55 min
April 21, 2023 Ep. 137 Garden tools and gadgets | #GoodGrowing
On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we have a discussion about garden tools and gadgets. Learn about what we should be doing to get our tools ready for use this spring, some of our favorite garden tools, and more!
Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GXD12sUiI8w
Skip to what you want to know:
00:25 – Welcome, Ken, and what have we been up to in the garden?
02:15 – Don’t put your tomatoes out yet!
03:10 – Gardening needs patience
04:10 – What should we do to get our tools ready for the gardening season?
07:58 – Anything we should be doing for tools with small engines like lawnmowers?
11:10 – Sharpening lawnmower blades
12:45 – Make sure you put your tools away
14:40 – Some of our favorite tools
15:00 – hori-hori
17:50 – hand pruners
21:50 – knives
22:50 – folding saw and reciprocating saw
24:25 – weeding and cultivating in the garden
25:00 – stirrup/scuffle hoe
26:10 – collinear hoe
27:04 – keeping up with weeding
30:15 – Rotary cultivator and hoes
32:05 – wire weeder
33:35 – What are the bare minimum tools you need for a garden?
36:25 – Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye!
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected]
Check out the Good Growing Blog: htps://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
--
You can find us on most podcast platforms.
SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377
Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing
Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR
Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/
Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/
Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD
39 min
April 14, 2023 Ep. 136 Garden Q&A: All about soil and compost | #GoodGrowing
This week on the Good Growing podcast we dive into the world of soil and compost. Ken and Chris answer your questions asked by actual home gardeners.
Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/KR9CLt2izW4
Skip to what you want to know:
Hey Ken! Spring, weather, and our new intro music
Amending Soil Questions
-3:09 Can you recommend a user-friendly home soil test for me to buy that will guide me through the amendment process?
-6:33 How to amend heavy clay soil?
-8:29 What kind of sand is best to add to a small garden?
-9:41 When is the best time to add manure or other fertilizers?
-12:15 How deeply should we mix in organic matter like manure?
-13:26 Is it harmful to have too much organic matter? Like over 5%?
-15:00 Are coffee grounds good to put in the garden, if so, how much?
-17:20 Is Calcium from eggshells is that a good source and how to make it readily available?
Composting
-18:29 Can I put kitchen scraps directly into the garden, or does it need to sit in a composter for a little while before it goes into the garden?
-20:35 How long do you compost table scraps in leaves before introducing them to garden soil?
Old potting soil
-21:48 What do you do with the used soil from pots?
-24:39 Perlite is often used as a soil medium in transplant containers. But since it is not biodegradable, is this bad for our garden soil?
-26:24 Can you plant directing in the bags that soil comes in??
-29:29 Should we bother with cover crops in raised beds/container gardens?
Soil Testing video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv7iocI90os
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.
--
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
35 min
April 07, 2023 Gardenbite: Companion Planting w/ Nick Frillman |#GoodGrowing
Do certain plants grow better together? While the research may be out for many claims of companion planting, some tried and true methods of vegetable garden plant combinations have worked for generations. Listen as local foods educator Nick Frillman gives some background on companion planting. Contact us! Nick Frillman: [email protected] Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: htps://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. SoundCloud @user-555304573 iTunes podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good…ng/id1446630377 Stitcher www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing Tunein tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/…d-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-g…th-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growin…d4302614?country=us Google podcasts bit.ly/3AiYjTD
6 min
March 31, 2023 Ep. 135 Spring Garden Q & A | #GoodGrowing
On this week’s Good Growing podcast, Chris and Ken sit down to go through some more spring gardening questions about seed starting, planting outdoors, planting in pots, and more!
Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iWCVq7QALCE
Skip to what you want to know:
00:30 – Welcome Ken, and be on the lookout for Callery pear and honeysuckle
02:05 – Why is Chris sad?
04:09 – How many seeds per cell do you recommend for vegetable plants to get seed starts?
08:25 – Thinning seedlings
09:50 - Do we need any special lights for seed starting?
13:50 - Are there any fruits or vegetables that you should not plant close to each other? Or in the place of something else was grown somewhere last season?
17:50 - How should plants be planted in Illinois? Should the rows run North to South or East to West?
20:15 - How do we prepare soil in pots for the next year?
23:50 - What should we put in pots? Can I dig up soil from my garden and put it in the pot?
27:50 - Should we be testing our container/potting soil?
29:57 - Wrap-up, thank you’s, what’s up next week, and goodbye!
Greenhouse Media Testing: https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/greenhouse-media-testing
University of Illinois Extension Soils page: https://extension.illinois.edu/soil
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected]
Check out the Good Growing Blog: htps://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
--
You can find us on most podcast platforms.
SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377
Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing
Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR
Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/
Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/
Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD
32 min
March 24, 2023 Ep. 134 Growing Cut Flowers w/ Chris Lueking | #GoodGrowing
Never be without a vase full of flowers after listening to this episode of the Good Growing podcast. This week Ken and Chris chat with Chris Lueking, Illinois Extension horticulture educator, and owner of her own successful cut flower farm. Chris describes how she got started, things to consider when growing cut flowers, her top five go-to cut flowers, and more!
Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/lYpBehI4Tqg
0:26 - Hey Ken
3:20 - Introducing Chris Lueking!
4:20 - How did Chris get started in farming cut flowers?
6:45 - Talking the EQIP loan to get farm resources and conservation planning through NRCS
9:32 - What equipment or special considerations do we need when starting a cut flower farm?
15:17 - What cut flowers does Chris grow outside and what does she grow in the high tunnel?
16:14 - How late can you produce cut flowers? All the way into the winter?
17:25 - What are Chris' 5 favorite cut flowers?
17:55 - Zinnia
19:03 - Sunflowers
20:05 - Cosmos
20:50 - Gomphrena
21:30 - Celosia
22:35 - How does Chris start her seeds for cut flowers?
24:07 - Tips on how to handle pests and spraying pesticides in cut flowers production
28:19 - What's happening right now in the cut flower garden? (March 22, 2023)
31:19 - What foliage plants does Chris grow?
33:32 - Growing eucalyptus in Illinois
37:31 - Experimenting with weird stuff like tea, cotton, and tobacco
38:58 - Is Chris trying anything new for 2023?
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected]
Check out the Good Growing Blog: htps://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
--
You can find us on most podcast platforms.
SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377
Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing
Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR
Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/
Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/
Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD
45 min
March 17, 2023 Ep. 133 Early Spring Gardening Questions | #GoodGrowing
On this week’s Good Growing podcast Chris and Ken sit down to go through our piles of early spring gardening questions about frost dates, seed starting, and more. Plus, we warn our listeners and viewers to be careful when getting out into the garden too soon!
Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/kDjPF-UYDKQ
Skip to what you want to know:
00:36 – Hey Ken, what’s going on in our gardens?
1:56 - We may not be done with winter just yet. Remembering spring snow in April 2022
3:39 - What the difference between frost free and average last frost dates?
7:08 – Are Farmer's Almanac dates good to go by or not?
8:55 - Does the planting date differ depending on whether you plant seeds or a small plant?
10:49 - When starting seeds indoors, should grow lights be turned on as soon as the seeds are planted or not until they sprout? Would window light be enough for germination?
14:22 - Confused by planting depth, twice the width? If the seed was shaped like a coin, what is the width?
15:37 – Thank you and what’s coming up next week
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: [email protected]
Ken Johnson: [email protected]
Check out the Good Growing Blog: htps://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
--
You can find us on most podcast platforms.
SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-555304573
iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377
Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/show/good-growing
Tunein https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR
Vurbl https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/
Listen notes https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/
Ivy https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902
Castbox https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
Google podcasts https://bit.ly/3AiYjTD
17 min

About Good Growing

From the publisher's feed

The Good Growing Podcast from University of Illinois Extension helps gardeners grow with confidence. Each episode features research-based advice, practical gardening tips, and engaging conversations…