Good Growing

If you’ve driven along any interstates or highways in Illinois, there’s a good chance you’ve seen tall plants with spiky flower heads. Teasels have become an increasingly common sight across Illinois. While they may appear attractive, especially for cut flower arrangements, these troublesome plants can form large colonies that outcompete and choke out native plants.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_wKeJ61A20o

‌

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, horticulture educator Chris Enroth from University of Illinois Extension explores the adversaries of the monarch butterfly, including the controversial practice of captive rearing.

Although we do not recommend captive rearing, there may be times when it is wanted for educational purposes. Can it be done responsibly? Chris shares best practices for raising monarch caterpillars indoors. Instead of captive rearing, support habitat conservation efforts! Learn how programs like Monarch Waystations and pollinator gardens can help restore critical habitat.

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Yfzxnvpco0M

00:32 The dangers encountered by monarch butterflies
   02:07 Predators!
   02:17 Disease!
03:18 A historic shift in habitat for monarch butterflies
04:04 Introducing the concept of captive rearing of monarch butterflies
07:17 Why captive rearing is not recommended
   07:27 A loss of fitness
   09:21 Artificially overpopulating an area with monarch butterflies
10:38 If you are STILL going to captive rear monarch butterflies, here are some tips.
   11:44 What to feed your monarch caterpillars (cats)
   14:21 What type of container to use
   14:57 Placement of rearing cage
   15:14 Check and clean containers daily
   15:42 The stages (instars) of the caterpillar
   16:11 The walkabout and final molt into a chrysalis
   18:19 Emergence of the adult butterfly from the chrysalis
   18:51 Releasing the adult
   19:00 Not everything works out with the rearing process
   19:19 Don't handle monarch caterpillars
   19:51 How many caterpillars are responsible for rearing?
21:53 If captive rearing is discouraged, what can be done to help monarch butterflies?
23:49 efforts to support monarch butterfly habitat
24:32 Monarch Waystation Program
29:15 Upcoming Monarch Migration Festival. Thank you and see you next week!

Monarch Migration Festival, Sept 6, 2025 https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2025-09-06-11th-annual-monarch-migration-festival

Xerces Society Keep Monarchs Wild https://www.xerces.org/blog/keep-monarchs-wild

Monarch Butterfly Science w/ Dr. Andy Davis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIt-zkivDjI

Monarch Butterfly Status Update w/ Brodie Dunn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmqQlyPY1TA

University of Illinois Extension Pollinator Pockets https://extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/pollinator-pockets

University of Illinois Extension Pollinator Website https://illinoispollinators.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

In this episode, Chris and Ken delve into the complex world of composting. From their passive piles that simply sit and rot (no judgment!) to active setups that require thermometers, turning, and possibly even a chipper shredder. Learn what compost actually is (hint: it’s not soil), how to build a pile that works, and why moisture matters. Don't feed the landfill. Feed your soil!

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/LWrdiau0aiA 

Skip to what you want to know:
00:37 Hey Ken! Do we compost at home?
02:43 What is and is not compost?
06:51 How do we go about making compost?
07:09 Types of composting.
10:52 Where is a good spot to locate a compost pile?
14:13 How big should a compost pile be?
15:09 Materials to go into a compost pile. Talking about the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio
18:27 Building your compost pile. Measuring materials and layering.
20:21 Tables listing C:N ratios of different compost materials https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6956 
22:13 Different styles of compost bins
23:23 Compost bin plans https://learningstore.extension.wisc.edu/search?type=article%2Cpage%2Cproduct&q=G4020-01*  https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/designs_for_composting_systems.pdf 
24:53 Is it allowed to compost in your area, or what rules do you need to follow?
25:23 Reduce the mass of the compost materials.
27:28 Can you compost in the winter?
28:54 Holding compost materials over winter for use in spring.
30:27 Counter-top composter
32:30 How do you know when compost is ready to be used?
35:18 What's happening in the compost pile when decomposition is occurring?
36:50 Tips for and tools for turning compost and measuring interior temperature
41:12 Sifting Compost
42:35 Ways to use your compost
44:37 What moisture level should we keep our compost piles?
45:25 Compost tea
49:04 Compost vs. fertilizer
54:13 Thank you and see you next week!

Illinois Extension’s soil and composting website (includes links to soil testing labs) https://extension.illinois.edu/soil 

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

Thinking about building raised beds, but not sure where to start? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we discuss the benefits and challenges of raised bed gardening. From building materials to filling beds, get tips for construction, irrigation, and maintenance. Learn how raised beds can improve accessibility, reduce compaction, and what plants to grow in them.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5ooWAxzir6g

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:48 – Welcome, Ken. How are our tomatoes looking?

  03:13 - Why would we want to go through the effort to build a raised bed? 

  08:43 - What are some drawbacks of raised beds?

  11:09 - What materials can be used to build raised beds? 

    09:57 – Wood: untreated, treated, logs

    16:30 – Composite lumber

    18:11 – Metal

    20:52 – Stone/rock, bricks, and concrete

  22:35 - Raised bed construction tips

  28:04 - What should raised beds be filled with?

    36:38 - Can you put stuff in the bottom of a raised bed so you don't have to fill it as much?

  38:53 - Do you need to kill grass before filling raised beds?

  40:40 - Raised bed maintenance - settling soil and irrigation

  48:10 - What can be (or what do we) grown in raised beds? 

  55:21 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what's up next week, and goodbye!

Oregon State University - Pressure-treated wood for raised bed construction: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/soil-compost/pressure-treated-wood-raised-bed-construction-willamette-valley

 Evaluation of substrates in constructed, raised-beds for vegetable culture: https://openscholar.uga.edu/record/12578

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

Ever wondered how to tell one tree from another—or why it even matters? Check out this week’s Good Growing podcast, where we dive into the magical world of tree identification with horticulture educator Sarah Vogel. From leaf shapes and bark textures to Latin names and mnemonic tricks, learn how recognizing trees can help you care for them better, diagnose problems, and deepen your connection with nature.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_7IMFXaOqNc

Skip to what you want to know:  

  01:20 – Welcome, Sarah! 

  02:28 - Why is tree identification important? 

  05:53 - Do you remember the first tree you learned to identify?

  11:09 - What are the basics when it comes to identifying trees? 

  15:44 - Are there tools to help with tree ID?

  22:37 - Is learning Latin names necessary? 

  29:30 - Any upcoming tree ID walks? 

  31:53 - Tree ID recap, process to identifying an unknown tree.

  34:41 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what's up next week, and goodbye!

Forest Trees of Illinois: https://pubsplus.illinois.edu/products/forest-trees-of-illinois

Tree Owner’s Manual: http://www.treeownersmanual.info/

Illinois Trees:

  English: https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/publications/documents/00000696.pdf

  Spanish: https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/publications/documents/00000702.pdf

Illinois Extension - DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties: https://extension.illinois.edu/dmp

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

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 candid and photo-filled episode of the Good Growing Podcast, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson take you on a tour of their own backyards. You will see the good, bad, and pretty. Learn about battling verticillium wilt and jumping worms to celebrating volunteer wildflowers and thriving pollinator beds. During the show, Chris tries a cucumber melon for the first time, and Ken shares his ever-expanding front yard prairie project. They share what’s working, what’s not, and what they’ve learned during a hot, humid, and rain-soaked Illinois summer.

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

Skip to what you want to know:
00:39 Hey Ken!
01:12 The growing conditions up to this point in our 2025 gardens
04:11 A dead tree and confirmed diagnosis: Verticillium wilt. Dealing with Verticillium wilt of trees and shrubs.
08:37 Checking out how things are growing in Ken's backyard
13:15 Chris found the invasive jumping worm in his landscape bed
20:27 Checking in on Ken's vegetable garden
29:16 Is this a melon or a cucumber? It's a cucumber melon!
31:55 Passive tick control - tick tubes
34:04 Ken's passive mosquito control - mosquito bucket of doom!
36:07 What's growing along Ken's driveway?
37:09 Check out our hydrangeas
40:57 Ginger midsummer update
45:00 Ken’s summer wildflower display - Kill your lawn!
51:37 Thank yous 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

Wasps often get a bad reputation for being aggressive and painful pests. However, they play important roles in our gardens. From pollination to pest control, wasps are more helpful than many people realize. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn more about the benefits of wasps and how to safely manage them in your landscape.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uw7BSf9kUQ0

Pollination Success Following Loss of a Frequent Pollinator: The Role of Compensatory Visitation by Other Effective Pollinators - https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plx020. 

Yellow Jackets May Be an Underestimated Component of an Ant-Seed Mutualism - https://www.jstor.org/stable/3877985. 

‌

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 ever wondered if trees and crops can grow together and actually benefit each other? Or maybe you've heard the term "agroforestry" and aren't quite sure what it means. Check out this week's Good Growing Podcast as we dig into the world of agroforestry with MJ Oviatt from the Savanna Institute. From windbreaks and riparian buffers to growing nuts, berries, and more, learn how blending trees with agriculture can boost biodiversity, protect soil and water, and even support your bottom line!

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l0oVLH5i9Us

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:35 - Welcome back, Ken. What's our agroforestry experience?

  02:45 - Welcome, MJ Oviatt

  06:34 - What is agroforestry? Does it work in Illinois? 

  10:29 - Is agroforestry focused on economics? Or ecology?

  14:06 - What benefits does agroforestry provide to a farm or property?

  17:42 - Are there barriers that keep property owners from incorporating agroforestry?

  22:52 - What kind of plants can be used for windbreaks? 

  27:32 - Is there a wrong way to create a windbreak? 

  33:12 - What are riparian buffers? What are the benefits of these? 

  42:47 - Does the Savanna Institute have examples of agroforestry in practice? Do you provide education for landowners? 

  49:31 – Savana Institute's work on hazelnuts

  54:18 - MJ, what species would you want in your own agroforestry project? 

  57:46 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what's up next week, and goodbye!

Savanna Institute: https://www.savannainstitute.org/

Perennial AF Podcast: https://www.savannainstitute.org/perennialaf/

MJ Oviatt: https://www.savannainstitute.org/staff-mj-oviatt/

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 Gardenbite episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Chris Enroth kicks back over the Fourth of July weekend to flash back to a 2021 chat with Extension educator Elizabeth Wahle, who declares Spigelia her all-time favorite garden plant. Why? Picture a flower dressed for Mardi Gras with scarlet red petals, golden yellow tips, and a flair that hummingbirds can’t resist.

Spigelia marilandica, also known as Indian Pink or Carolina Pink, might become your new favorite native 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 itchy edition of the Good Growing podcast, horticulture educator Chris Enroth shares his annual run-in with one of summer’s most irritating pests—chiggers. Just in time for the Fourth of July, Chris dives into the myths, facts, and personal stories surrounding these nearly invisible arachnids. Learn what chiggers really are, how they bite, why nail polish won’t help, and what you can actually do to protect yourself. Whether you're gardening, hiking, or dodging fireworks, this Garden Bite will help you stay itch-free and informed.

Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/D1Wkcf0qQaY

Good Growing Blog Post https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2019-07-02-unseen-menacechiggers

Kansas State University https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news-and-publications/news/stories/2025/03/entomology-chiggers-in-kansas.html

University of Missouri https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g7398

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