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Good Growing

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

While we tend to focus on the positives of plants, not all plants work well in all gardens or for all gardens. Whether they are too aggressive, require too much time and maintenance, or we just don’t like them, there are a variety of reasons we may not want to grow certain plants.

Ep. 54 Talking Seed Catalogs with Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle

In this week's Good Growing podcast we chat with Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle, an Illinois Extension horticulture educator. We get into the thick of it as we talk seed catalogs and tips for navigating your way through the inundation of marketing from seed companies in these winter months. Plus your...

Ep. 53 Talking Seed Saving and Production with Gemini Bhalsod

In this week's Good Growing podcast we chat once again with Gemini Bhalsod, an Illinois Extension horticulture educator for Cook County. Gemini and the group dive into seed production and why we are already seeing shortages for the 2021 growing season. We also discuss how you can plan your garden...

Ep. 52 Talking Illinois Extension & the College of ACES with Dean Kim Kidwell

In this week's episode, the Good Growing team sits down with Dean Kim Kidwell to talk about all things Illinois Extension and College of ACES (Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences). Dean Kidwell leads the College of ACES on the University of Illinois campus and oversees the efforts of...

Ep. 51 Ask a Farmer with Matt Duesterhaus

In this week’s episode of the Good Growing podcast, we talk with corn and soybean farmer Matt Duesterhaus about what’s life like for a farmer in Central Illinois. Matt talks about what led him to farming, what it takes to farm from money to knowledge, and what was farming like during 2020. Plus...

Ep. 50 Talking Pantry Pests with Sarah Hughson

On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we chat with entomology specialist Sarah Hughson about pantry pests. Sarah dives into what to do about moths in your cereal and “maggots” in your flour. Still hungry? We also dig into cockroaches and ants. Put down the spatula because you won’t want to miss this...

Promoting The Urban Tree Conference

Good Growing loves trees and we are excited to promote the Urban Tree Conference. A month-long conference in an online format for January 2021. The Urban Tree Conference is host by the University of Illinois Extension. Conference dates: January 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. Register soon! go.illinois....

Ep. 49 Talking Backyard Wildlife Damage with Peggy Doty

On this week’s Good Growing podcast we sit down once again with Energy and Environment educator Peggy Doty. We catch up from our last meeting as we ponder what happened to Bruno the Bear who wandered throughout Illinois this past summer. Peggy also talks about wildlife and some of the problems...

Ep. 48 Talking Christmas Trees with Robert Richardson

On this week's Good Growing podcast we sit down with Robert Richardson, president of the Illinois Christmas Tree Growers Association. Robert is also an accomplished Christmas tree grower north of the Chicago area. During the show, Robert gives the scoop on the high demand for fresh-cut Christmas...

Ep. 47 Gifts for Gardeners with Jennifer Fishburn

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, Extension horticulture educator Jennifer Fishburn hangs out with the group to chat about gifts for gardeners. They dive into fool-proof gift ideas for the gardener in your life. From types of clothing to tools to entertainment, your list of gifts will be full...

Ep. 46 - Talking turkey and backyard livestock with James Theuri

For this week's Thanksgiving episode the Good Growing team sits down with Illinois Extension local foods educator James Theuri to talk turkey! James gives us the background of turkey production and how you can raise a Thanksgiving turkey in your very own backyard. James also discusses turkey breeds...