Good Growing

Talking all things horticulture, ecology, and design.
Good growing text over soil and gardening tools background

Latest Episode

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.

Ep. 22 Tree Diseases with Travis Cleveland

On this week's Good Growing podcast the team talks with Travis Cleveland about tree diseases. Travis is an Extension Specialist in the field of plant pathology and woody plant material. On this episode the Good Growing team talks about: The difficulty in plant disease diagnosis and the importance...

Ep. 21 Micro Propagation and Community Gardens with Bruce Black

Horticulture educator Bruce Black joins this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast to talk about micropropagation and starting a community garden. Plus your home garden and landscaping questions. In this episode we chat about: Micropropagation What are some tips for starting a community...

Ep. 20 Pollinators and Q & A with the Hosts

On this episode of the Good Growing podcast your host Chris, Katie, and Ken chat about what going on in their yards and gardens plus answers to listener questions. What to do with swarming honeybees Remedies for soils with excessively high phosphorous levels Dealing with carpenter bees nesting in...

Ep. 17 Weed Woes with Michelle Wiesbrook

In this episode of the Good Growing podcast we chat with University of Illinois pesticide safety and weed specialist, Michelle Wiesbrook. During our conversation we dive into the following topics: Options for Illinois residents seeking pesticide applicator licenses Controlling weeds in a driveway...

Ep. 16 Landscape Design Tips with Martha Smith & Murder Wasps

This week Martha Smith joins the Good Growing team to talk all about landscape design. Martha is a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension and has previous experience as a landscape designer. During this episode the group talks about: What's blooming in their yards What does...

Ep. 15 All about tomatoes! With guest Andrew Holsinger

In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast, horticulture Andrew Holsinger joins the gang to talk all about tomatoes. Tomato topics discussed: Physiological leaf roll vs. herbicide injury Flower drop Cracking tomato skin Novelty tomatoes Staking tomatoes Growing tomatoes in containers...

Ep. 14 Growing Mushrooms with Michelle Berg Vogel & Your Gardening Questions

In today's episode of the Good Growing Podcast Michelle Berg Vogel joins Ken, Katie, and Chris to talk about growing your very own mushrooms at home. Plus tips for hunting the elusive morel mushroom. All this plus your home gardening questions answered. On this episode we answer the following...

Ep. 13 Answering Insect Questions with Kelly Allsup

Join the Good Growing crew as they answer your insect questions. Ken, Katie, and Chris welcome special guest Kelly Allsup, horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension. Kelly's passion is insects and shares her knowledge with the podcast to answer your insect questions. Following...

Ep. 12 Your Home Gardening Questions Answered with Ken and Katie

On this spring episode of the Good Growing podcast we answer questions we received from Illinois home gardeners. Ken Johnson, horticulture educator, and Katie Parker, local foods & small farms educator, join Chris to answer the following questions: 1. Dealing with squash bugs 2. What to do...

Ep. 11 The Truth about the Woolly Bear Caterpillars with Chris Enroth

Most people know few insects by name. One of the more popular, at least this time of year, is the woolly bear or woolly worm caterpillar. This caterpillar is the larval form of the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia Isabella). A white to orange to yellow moth that frequents lights at night in...