Good Growing

Talking all things horticulture, ecology, and design.
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Latest Episode

Get ready to kick off the 2026 gardening season with the Good Growing team as we unveil this year’s Grow Along plant list.
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Ep. 233 Deck the halls with holly: Growing and enjoying Ilex spp. | #GoodGrowing

Holly isn’t just a festive decoration; it’s a plant with a rich history that can be incorporated into almost any garden. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast, as we explore the fascinating world of holly (Ilex spp.), from its cultural significance in ancient traditions to...
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Gardenbite: Cut Stump Herbicide Treatment to Control Bush Honeysuckle | #GoodGrowing

 It’s the most wonderful time of the year, if you’re battling invasive bush honeysuckle! In this Garden Bite, Chris from the Good Growing podcast walks you through effective late-fall control methods. Learn how to identify honeysuckle when everything else has gone dormant, why timing...
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Gardenbite: Tips for overwintering potted perennials | #GoodGrowing

Have you ever had a container planter with perennials and excitedly waited for them to resume growth in the spring, but it never happened? Perennials in pots are subjected to much harsher conditions compared to those in the soil. Because of this, even if they are hardy to our area, they can be...
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Ep. 232 The Cranberry Story: Native Roots and Modern Agriculture | #Good Growing

Discover the fascinating world of cranberries in this episode of Good Growing. Horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson explore the history, science, and cultivation of one of North America’s few commercially grown native fruits. Learn how cranberries evolved from wild bog...
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Ep. 231 New Additions to Illinois’ Invasive Species List | #GoodGrowing

In this episode of Good Growing, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the latest updates to the Illinois Exotic Weed Act, which now includes nine newly listed invasive plant species. From the notorious Tree of Heaven to the sneaky Sericea Lespedeza. Plus, a...
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Ep. 230 From alien wasps to zombie ants, parasites are all around | #GoodGrowing

It’s a Halloween Spooktacular! While they are usually overlooked, parasites are all around us. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we explore the complex, surprisingly common, and sometimes creepy world of parasites and parasitoids with Dr. Kacie Athey. Learn how these tiny creatures...
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Ep. 229 Why Leaves Change in the Fall and Which Trees Do It Best | #Good Growing

In this episode of Good Growing, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the science and spectacle of fall foliage. From the pigments behind the seasonal color shift to their favorite underappreciated trees (sorry, maples), the duo explores what makes autumn leaves so dazzling—and why some...
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Ep 228 Should they stay or should they go: What should we do with fallen leaves? | #GoodGrowing

The arrival of fall means vibrant colors and a whole lot of leaves on the ground. So, what should we do with all those leaves? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we discuss whether or not we should remove leaves from our landscapes, and if we do, what can we do with them? ...
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Ep. 227 Stink Bugs, Lady Beetles & Boxelder Invasions: Fall’s Uninvited Houseguests | #GoodGrowing

As temperatures drop and daylight shortens, many insects begin their annual migration—straight into our homes. In this episode, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson explore the biology and behavior of three common fall invaders: the brown marmorated stink bug, the multicolored...
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Ep. 226 Spotted lanternfly in Illinois: Where it is and what to look for | #GoodGrowing

Have you heard about the spotted lanternfly and wondered where it is in Illinois? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we talk with Kelly Estes, State Agricultural Pest Survey Coordinator, about the arrival of this invasive insect. Learn about how spotted lanternfly got here and where...
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