Good Growing

Love them or fear them, hot peppers bring the heat to gardens and kitchens alike. Join us as we dive into the spicy world of peppers with Dr. Jack McCoy. Learn about what makes peppers hot, why some people love to eat them, how to grow them, ways to use your harvest, and more!

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/llkA3W2adiY

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:28 – Welcome. Do we like to eat hot peppers? 

  03:33 – Jack, tell us about what you are currently teaching/working on at U of I.

  04:48 – Student Sustainable Farm at University of Illinois

  10:19 – Jack, how did you get into hot peppers?

  13:22 – Why is there so much interest in hot peppers?

  17:04 – Why are hot peppers hot? Why did they evolve to be hot?

  20:08 – How do capsaicin levels relate to Scoville units?

  23:47 – Which came first, hot or sweet peppers? Are they all the same? 

  25:53 – How do we grow peppers?

  30:05 – Suggestions for starting pepper seeds indoors

  33:15 – Do peppers need any kind of special fertilization or irrigation routines?

  34:18 – Is there anything that happens during the growing season that affects the pepper's heat?

  39:44 – What pests do we need to watch out for?

  44:31 – Do we need to protect ourselves when harvesting hot peppers? 

  47:50 – Any peppers to recommend for chiliheads? What about beginners? 

  50:43 – Favorite way to use hot peppers

  54:30 – There seems to be a hot pepper arms race, is there a limit to how hot peppers can be?

  56:01 – What's the hottest pepper we’ve ever eaten?

  1:01:41 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Allerton Supper Club

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

Emily Swihart: [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

Big bluestem is one of the iconic grasses of the tallgrass prairie, and it's having a moment as this year's Perennial Plant of the Year! Check out this week's Good Growing Podcast as we explore what makes this native grass so special, from how to identify it, to where it grows, and how it supports wildlife. Plus, we dig into the 'Blackhawks' cultivar, discuss how to use big bluestem in your landscape, share tips for choosing between wild types and cultivated varieties, and more!

In this Gardenbite episode of the Good Growing podcast, we dig into essential early summer tomato care to help keep your plants healthy, productive, and under control. From staking and trellising methods like cages and the Florida weave to managing vigorous indeterminate varieties, we explore practical ways to support growing plants and prevent a backyard takeover.

We also break down the pros and cons of pruning tomato suckers, when fertilizing may (or may not) be necessary, and how mulching can improve soil moisture retention, reduce weeds, and support overall plant health. Along the way, we share real-world experiences, lessons learned, and simple strategies you can apply in your own garden this season.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f89Jy0U8MOQ

Skip to what you want to know:
00:57 Staking/trellising tomatoes 
05:09 Pruning "suckers" on the tomato plant 
06:08 Tomato fertilizer 
06:43 Mulching tomatoes

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

How do you actually become a horticulturist? Is it a straight path—or a winding trail full of unexpected turns?

In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Chris, Ken, and Emily dig into their own origin stories—sharing how childhood curiosity, career detours, and a little bit of luck led them into the world of horticulture. From digging holes and growing strawberries to working at Disney greenhouses, studying landscape architecture, and navigating the Great Recession job market, their journeys prove there’s no single path into this field. Enjoy our “how it all began” stories!

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Vqz4wZSE6hU

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

Got weird plants in your yard? Strange damage on your trees? Or birds attacking your truck? You’re not alone! In this Good Growing Podcast Q&A episode, we tackle real gardening questions asked at Illinois Extension offices and by podcast listeners.

We start with a recurring question this time of year, a Poison Hemlock alert—how to identify this highly toxic plant, how it compares to lookalikes like Queen Anne’s lace, and what to do if you find it on your property. Then we dig into peach tree leaf curl, why there’s nothing you can do mid-season (sorry!), and how to prevent it next year. Plus, much more!

Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKvEiM_7REM

Skip to what you want to know: 
01:35 What's going on in our landscapes this time of year?  
04:46 Kicking off this week's questions: What is this plant? Picture This says it is poison hemlock. 
   06:25 How to identify poison hemlock.   
   08:32 Toxic effects of poison hemlock   
   10:09 Controlling poison hemlock     
16:58 Can we plant Chinese wisteria in Illinois?   
18:57 What are the basics of fruit tree grafting?   
26:26 Why do bluebirds attack my truck?   
31:45 Sick peach tree. Is it peach leaf curl?   
35:11 How do you find a good landscape contractor?  
43:30 What's wrong with my linden trees? They aren't leafing out, and the leaves that are there are deformed.   
54:41 Are peppers with three lobes on the bottom considered males and peppers with four to five lobes considered female?  
01:30 Thank yous and coming up next week. 

Invasive Poison Hemlock https://extension.illinois.edu/invasives/invasive-poison-hemlock
Poison Hemlock Handout https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/2025-05/accessibledocuments/poison-hemlock.pdf
Invasive Wild Parsnip https://extension.illinois.edu/invasives/invasive-wild-parsnip

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

Like what you hear? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.
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

This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we dig into the Three Sisters gardening method, an Indigenous planting system that brings corn, beans, and squash together in a mutually beneficial way. Learn about the history and cultural significance behind the Three Sisters, how these three crops support one another in the garden, tips for trying it yourself at home, and more!  

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EZmR9h-dhmQ 

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:36 – Have we ever tried the Three Sisters Gardening technique?

  03:07 – Land acknowledgment 

  09:20 – The origin of the Three Sisters 

  16:31 – What is Three Sisters agriculture/gardening?

  20:41 – Growing the Three Sisters

  31:50 – Is it an effective way to grow?

  39:53 – Eating the harvest

  50:05 – The Honorable Harvest

  57:26 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

More information

The Mohawk story of creation: Lee Claremont, TEDx Penticton

Historical Indigenous Food Preparation Using Produce of the Three Sisters Intercropping System

An Evaluation of the Productivity of the Native American 'Three Sisters' Agriculture System in Northern Wisconsin

Yield, growth, and labor demands of growing maize, beans, and squash in monoculture versus the Three Sisters 

Root foraging elicits niche complementarity-dependent yield advantage in the ancient ‘three sisters’ (maize/bean/squash) polyculture 

Uncovering Cahokia’s Food History & Forgotten Farmscapes 

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

Emily Swihart: [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 National Garden Bureau has named 2026 the Year of the Azalea! Ken, Emily, and Chris are digging into what makes these colorful (and sometimes finicky) plants so popular.

In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, we break down everything you need to know about azaleas—from their connection to rhododendrons to how to grow them successfully in the Midwest. If you’ve ever wondered why azaleas struggle in Illinois landscapes (or if they’re even worth trying), this episode is for you.

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Tvg7VoiBmgc

00:30 Hey Ken
01:07 Hey Emily!
01:42 Topic of the week: Year of the azalea according to the National Garden Bureau
03:13 Rhododendron vs, Azalea, which is which?
05:44 Groups of azalea: Tsutsusi and pentanthera
07:19 Native deciduous azalea vs non-native evergreen azalea
07:42 History of breeding azalea
10:16 Growing requirement for azalea
14:52 Site selection and species/cultivar selection
18:59 Insects and disease challenges with azaleas
22:24 Pollinators and azalea
23:51 Phytopthora root rot and soil pH issues
25:10 Back to pollinators on azalea
26:06 Describing 10 azaleas native to Eastern North America
   27:08 Alabama Azalea
   29:12 Coastal Azalea
   30:11 Florida Azalea
   32:13 Flame Azalea
   33:04 Piedmont or Mountain Azalea
   33:35 Oconee Azalea (also goes by Peidmont azalea in some areas but is a different species)
   34:14 Pinxterbloom Azalea
   35:13 Rochelle/Early/Plumleaf Azalea
   36:44 Pink Shell Azalea
   37:28 Swamp Azalea
39:19 Would we grow azaleas in our yard?
42:34 What type of azalea might you find in an Illinois nursery?
44:32 Azaleas at Augusta Golf Course

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

Like what you hear? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.
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

Long-time listeners know that Ken, Chris, and Emily are passionate about proper plant care practices. On this week’s podcast, the team discusses six hot-button issues related to improper tree care, including tree topping, the misuse of plastic sheeting under mulch, and codominant leaders. Listen to discover the other three pet peeves and what can be done to better support tree health. 

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Rhg5WXPlaw

Skip to what you want to know:  

  03:12 – Co-dominant leaders

  06:33 – Nursery pruning for bushier trees 

  10:57 – Tree topping

  12:36 – Two times when topping may be considered

  15:34 – What to do with vegetation at the base of a tree

  20:32 – Not removing burlap from a root ball

  26:38 – Removing healthy trees

  29:08 – Overview of tree benefits

  34:44 – Making good pruning cuts

  41:19 – Tree diversity – species and age

  46:02 – Available resources

  49:34 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Resources

 Morton Arboretum - https://mortonarb.org/

 Community Tree Care Series - https://extension.illinois.edu/plants/community-tree-care-series

Contact us! 

 Chris Enroth: [email protected]

 Ken Johnson: [email protected]

 Emily Swihart: [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 we reach Arbor Day this month of April, the Good Growing team dives into the biotic world of tree pests and diseases, breaking down what’s really going on when insects and pathogens show up in your landscape.
Horticulture educators Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart explore common (and not‑so‑common) tree troubles, including eastern tent caterpillars, bagworms, wood‑boring insects, cedar apple rust, needle cast diseases, and oak wilt. Along the way, they explain the difference between biotic and abiotic problems, how environmental stress sets trees up for decline, and why some “pests” are actually just doing their ecological job.

Skip to what you want to know:
00:31 Hey Ken! Are you there? 
01:15 Welcome, Emily! 
01:54 What are biotic problems? 
06:05 How did we choose what biotic tree problems to share today? 
07:49 Eastern tent caterpillar 
16:01 Wood boring insects 
31:25 Cedar apple rust 
43:59 Bagworms 
52:01 Spruce needle cast diseases 
01:00 Oak wilt 
14:25 Thank yous and see you next week! 

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

Like what you see? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.
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 

--
Prefer audio? 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

Spring has sprung! This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we continue our Arbor Month conversation by sharing our favorite trees for spring, including redbud, dogwood, tulip tree, catalpa, and more. From eye-catching blooms to unique structure and seasonal interest, we celebrate the trees that make spring such a special time of year.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kVE7rOXl-n4 

Skip to what you want to know:  

  02:59 – Flowering and kousa dogwood

  07:38 – Redbud 

  11:36 – Black locust

  15:24 – Silverbell

  18:58 – Catalpa

  25:36 – White fringetree

  30:18 – Tuliptree 

  37:06 – Saucer magnolia

  37:55 – Black gum

  40:16 – Vernal witch-hazel

  42:48 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

Emily Swihart: [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