Good Growing

In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, hosts Chris Enroth and Emily Swihart are joined by horticulture educator Ryan Pankau to unpack a 2024 study from the Illinois Natural History Survey. The topic? Chemical trespass—how herbicides and other pesticides are drifting into Illinois’ natural areas and impacting native ecosystems, impacting a keystone group of trees - oaks.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/44Ue4HbGS7Y

Skip to what you want to know: 
00:33:12 Hello Emily!
01:35:06 Welcome, Ryan Pankau!
02:18:18 What report are we talking about? Understanding the extent and consequences of chemical trespass for Illinois ecosystems
02:57:12 How has the landscape of Illinois changed historically to where we are today?
10:16:15 What is chemical trespass?
12:58:18 What organizations conducted this study?
16:49:15 What type of data was collected? What species seemed to be most impacted?
19:14:23 What is the ecological impact of pesticide trespass in our forests?
24:30:24 Does this just impact trees on the edges of fields or throughout a forest?
25:20:02 What did the data show in the collection samples?
27:31:09 What was the percentage of chemical trespass observed?
29:56:00 Can we solely rely on visual assessment to determine levels of herbicide trespass?
33:32:06 What they didn't find much of - dicamba and neonics
34:46:00 What does a tree that has been impacted by herbicide drift look like?
40:32:17 The importance of the lab tests in this study.
41:02:16 What do you do when your tree is impacted by herbicide trespass?
48:50:01 Can you prevent this damage or is there a way to protect trees and gardens from being damaged?
56:51:03 While there seemed to be a big focus on herbicide trespass, the study found a lot of fungicide in the later season samples. What is the impact of fungicide?
1:01:12:15 Our key takeaways from this report

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

All photos by Chris Enroth
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

Roses are grown in many gardens for their large, showy, often fragrant flowers. If you grow roses, you may have noticed something eating the leaves of your plants, causing them to become unsightly. While various insects will feed on roses, one of the most commonly encountered pests is rose roseslugs. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn more about these rose pests and how to manage them.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fo836_3pgl8

 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 educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive deep into the fascinating world of milkweed—also known by its genus name, Asclepias. Whether you're a native plant enthusiast, pollinator advocate, or just curious about why this "weed" is the National Garden Bureau’s Plant of the Year, this episode is packed with insights.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qw24JnUOitQ 

Skip to what you want to know:
00:46 Hey Ken! How do you say Asclepias?
01:28 What's in a name? A scientific name!
03:08 What is Asclepias (milkweed), and how many species of Asclepias are out in the world?
04:11 History of Asclepias.
07:37 Uses of milkweed outside of the garden
09:30 The negative image of milkweed in the agricultural community
12:02 Milkweeds for the garden. Listing the species of Asclepias native to Illinois. https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutplants/wildaboutplantsmilkweeds.html
13:28 The most common milkweeds we often see in a home landscape
15:17 Our favorite milkweeds that we grow
21:32 Key identifying characteristics of Asclepias
23:05 Milkweed and pollination: who is the best pollinator for the job?
24:41 Milkweed pollination biology https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/nvpmctn12764.pdf
27:39 Milkweed toxicity and monarch butterflies
28:34 All the other insects using milkweed besides the monarch butterfly
30:16 What is the best milkweed for monarch butterflies?
30:44 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2018.00169/full Monarch Butterflies Show Differential Utilization of Nine Midwestern Milkweed Species
37:35 Talking about honeyvine milkweed
42:19 How do you harvest and grow milkweed seeds?
45:56 Transplanting milkweed
47:09 milkweed maintenance
48:45 Mowing for monarchs https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2018-08-28-mowing-monarchs
52:08 Who decreed 2025 the year of Asclepias?
53:34 Thank you and see you next week!

Photos:
Ken Johnson, University of Illinois Extension
Chris Enroth, University of Illinois Extension
Chris Evans, University of Illinois Extension
5347031 - William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, 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 ever dreamed of harvesting your own grapes right from your backyard? Or maybe you have a grape plant or two and are unsure of how to care for them. Check out this week's Good Growing Podcast as we demystify the art and science of growing grapes at home with commercial agriculture specialist Dr. Elizabeth Wahle. From selecting disease-resistant cultivars to growing and training grape vines, managing pests, and more!

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AUxI1tupXNI

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:23 - Welcome, Ken. What's your favorite way to consume grapes?

  02:17 - Welcome, Elizabeth.

  03:47 - What are the key things someone should consider before planting grapes in their backyard?

  05:40 - Are there specific grape varieties that are best suited for beginners or small spaces?

  08:27 - Can people grow grapes in containers?

  10:55 - How big will a typical grape plant get? 

  12:01 - How important is climate and soil type when choosing grape varieties?

  16:31 - When is the best time of year to plant grapevines?

  19:11 - What kind of support structures do grapevines need (e.g., trellises, arbors)? 

  22:25 - Herbicides and the problems they can cause on grapes

  24:10 - Do we need more than one type of grape for pollination? Are they self-pollinating? 

  25:26 - What are the most common mistakes new growers make? 

  29:07 - How do you prune grapevines, and why is it so important? Plus, a few more common grape growing mistakes.

  34:31 - What pests or diseases should backyard growers watch out for?

  40:20 - Growing grapes organically in Illinois

  43:10 - What should someone do if their vines aren't producing fruit?

  45:53 - Are there any low-maintenance grape varieties - "plant and forget"?

  49:03 - How do you know when grapes are ready to harvest?

  50:56 - Any tips for storing or preserving grapes after harvest?

  54:15 - Elizabeth, what's your favorite way to consume grapes, what is your favorite grape variety, and why?

  56:56 - Any final words of encouragement for someone thinking about starting their grape-growing journey?
   58:00 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what's up next week, and goodbye!

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

Tired of being a mosquito magnet? In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson bust common mosquito myths and dive into what really works to keep those pesky biters at bay. From citronella candles and bug zappers to the viral “Bucket of Doom,” learn which repellents are backed by science—and which ones are just buzz. Whether you're planning a backyard BBQ or just want to enjoy your garden in peace, this episode is your go-to guide for mosquito control that actually works.

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/dpAHAqJ2WhM 

Skip to what you want to know:
00:40 Hey Ken!
03:20 What makes people attractive to being bitten by mosquitoes?
05:55 Mosquito control that doesn't work
07:50 Purple Martins
10:40 Mosquito sonic repellents. 
11:59 Bug zapper lights
16:49 A pan of soapy water.
17:49 Using mouthwash
21:38 Stuff that kind of works
21:44 Mosquito-repelling plants
24:46 Citronella candles
26:51 Mosquito control that can work
27:03 Fogging/spraying an area
30:56 Mosquito bucket of doom!
36:30 Habitat modification
41:47 Stay inside
44:03 Wear light colored, loose-fitting clothing
45:44 CO2 Traps

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

Peonies are a springtime showstopper, fragrant, full, and beloved in gardens across the world. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast and explore the history of peonies, their flower forms, and tips for growing, dividing, and relocating them. We also discuss why ants are drawn to their buds, what might be keeping your peonies from blooming, and how to make the most of their short but spectacular bloom season.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_CB0qzCxJ5Q

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:33 - Welcome, Ken. How do you pronounce peony? Peonies and the rain.

  02:12 - History and types of peonies

  07:27 - Peonies as cut flowers

  13:48 - Bloom times and cultivars

  17:02 - Flower forms

  22:20 - Why do we see ants on peony flowers?

  25:38 - Peony diseases

  30:33 - Moving and dividing peonies

  35:52 - Breeding your own peonies

  40:57 - The story of Peonydale

  47:23 - Why aren't my peonies blooming? 
   50:17- Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Read more about it:  

Peony flower forms: https://americanpeonysociety.org/learn/herbaceous-peonies/flower-types-anatomy/ 

Peonydale and the Wettengel Family Story: http://wimuseum.org/peonydale-and-the-wettengel-family-story/

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 late spring, which means buffalo gnats are back and biting. This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we take a look at buffalo gnats, where they live, their lifecycle, what you can do to avoid their bites, and more!

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i0Hq-hZ6fFU 

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

Join Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson, horticulture educators with University of Illinois Extension, as they dive into the most pressing spring gardening questions. From getting seedlings ready for the great outdoors to how to water those newly planted Arbor Day trees and more, we've got some timely tips for the spring garden.

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/ymjesr8Z24E

Skip to what you want to know:
00:56 Hey Ken!
01:29 How do I prepare my seedlings for planting outside? What does it mean to harden them off?
03:48 What if the garden isn't ready for planting, but our plants are outgrowing their pots?
06:20 How do I water my newly planted trees from Arbor Day? Specifically, Canadian hemlock.
10:45 Small caterpillars are eating all the needles off my Mugo pine! What are they, and how do I stop them?
14:31 Why are my blackberries dying back? It seems like the frost keeps killing them.
21:02 What do you do about a bumblebee nest near your front door?
24:03 Xerces Society moving bumblebee nest https://xerces.org/bumble-bees/nesting-overwintering 
25:34 Illinois State Beekeepers Association https://www.ilsba.com/contact.html 
25:58 Swarmed Website https://beeswarmed.org/ 
26:30 The difference between a bumblebee and a yellow jacket wasp
27:06 Rabbits are eating my arborvitae. What can I spray to stop them?
31:07 So long and thank you!
31:44 But wait, there's more! How do you tell the difference between a caterpillar and a sawfly?

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 calendar has turned to May, which means it’s time for No Mow May. No Mow May was started to help pollinators, but does No Mow May work well in Illinois? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn more about what No Mow May is, whether or not it’s a good option for us in Illinois, other ways we can support pollinators, and more! 

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3FWjduDGmGM 

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:29 - Welcome, Ken. Where has spring gone? 

  03:06 - What is No Mow May? 

  06:57 - Some problems with No Mow May

  13:44 - Dandelions, are they good for pollinators?

  19:16 - What can we do to provide early-season resources for pollinators? 
   35:26- Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Read more about it:  

Good Growing Blog - It’s almost May; is it time to stop mowing?
Fitness costs and benefits of a non-native floral resource for subalpine solitary bees
Amino Acid Content of Dandelion Pollen, a Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Nutritional Evaluation

Illinois Pollinators website

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

From getting exercise to growing your own food to a sense of accomplishment, there are many benefits to having a vegetable garden. However, sometimes, we run into space restrictions and give up hope of having our own vegetable garden. But does that have to be the case? Tune in to this week’s Good Growing Podcast to learn about ways we can grow vegetables in small spaces, like cultivar selection, growing in pots, seasonal planting, and more! 

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lVDite6vvGE

Skip to what you want to know:  

  00:30 - Welcome, Ken. More plants for small spaces and our experiences with gardening in small spaces

  03:18 - Happy Arbor Day

  04:54 - Gardening in small spaces - selecting smaller plants

  09:47 - Growing in containers

  23:00 - Fruit plants for containers

  28:10 - Using trellising to save space

  34:30 - Growing in raised beds to save space

  37:28 - Planting seasonally

  40:03 - Incorporating food crops into landscaping (edible landscaping)

  43:52 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

Pictures:

Watermelon Cal Sweet Bush - All-American Selections

Pepper Pot-a-peno - All-America Selections 

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