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Fall is the perfect time to focus on apples. In this week’s episode of Good Growing, Ken Johnson and Emily Swihart are joined by Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty to discuss fall apple tree care, harvesting times, storage tips, common orchard challenges, and exciting varieties for home growers.     Watch us on YouTube:    Skip to what you want to know:     03:38 – Welcome, Grant! Recap of weather and harvest.   08:22 – Thinning defined.   10:55 – Apple tree care in the fall.   13:25 – Knowing when apples are ripe.    17:56 – Tips for storing apples.   21:37 – Late-season pests and disease.   25:57 – The challenge of small apples.   27:58 – When to plant apples.   29:40 – What does “rootstock” mean?   34:54 – Cross-pollination    38:56 – Grafting   45:36 – Red Delicious discussion   47:52 – Finding orchards   51:53 – Soup Talk   54:00 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [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

Sedums are some of the toughest and most versatile plants in the garden, but they're also at the center of a botanical identity crisis. This week on the Good Growing podcast, we dig into the world of sedums (or should we call them stonecrops... or even Hylotelephium?) and explore how advances in plant genetics have reshaped our understanding of this popular group of succulents. Learn about the different types of sedums, from low-growing groundcovers to upright favorites like Autumn Joy, along with their ideal growing conditions, landscape uses, pollinator value, and propagation techniques. We'll also discuss why these drought-tolerant plants thrive in challenging sites, common problems like flopping stems, and a few standout cultivars worth considering for your garden. Plus, we'll attempt to shine a light on the new taxonomy of sedum. Your sedum may not be a sedum anymore. Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/WwY2aOPimAc  00:30 Hey Ken and Emily!02:09 Why is there now confusion about what makes a sedum a sedum?08:18 What characteristics do sedums have?09:08 The three types of "sedum"12:29 Pollinators19:29 Sedum's use on green roofs22:24 Propagating sedum24:14 What growing conditions are ideal for growing sedums?27:45 Dividing upright sedum. 28:20 Dealing with floppy sedums32:26 The popularity of Autumn Joy34:03 Some of the newer upright sedums (Hylotelephium)35:29 Designing with bold structure and colors of upright sedums (Hylotelephium)38:18 Companion plants for sedum39:27 Do sedums really want hot and dry weather to grow in?43:30 Soup Talk: a podcast within the Good Growing Podcast45:52 What sedums do we grow? Or ones we would like to try after reading about them?50:36 Where do sedums come from?51:24 Native sedum56:26 Thank yous and coming up next week Resources Mentioned:Linnaeus's folly – phylogeny, evolution and classification of Sedum (Crassulaceae) and Crassulaceae subfamily Sempervivoideae https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/tax.12316 Sedum Mats https://columbia-green.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sedum-Mat-All-Standard-Mixes-TIS.pdf Illinois Pollinators Website Plant Profile - Wild Stonecrop https://illinoispollinators.org/plant/wild-stonecrop/ Contact us!Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Swihart: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://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: https://freesfx.co.uk/ --You can find us on most podcast platforms.iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCRVurbl - 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-167902Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

Illinois has experienced no shortage of weather headlines this year. Check out this week's Good Growing Podcast as we talk with Illinois State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford about a year of tornadoes, heavy rainfall, record hail, and sticky summer weather. Learn what fueled these weather events, why El Niño is making headlines, and what may be in store for us this fall and winter.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7UM5oYiCkS4   Skip to what you want to know:     01:18 – Welcome, Trent! Recap of summer 2026 weather.   07:31 – Why were there so many tornadoes this year in Illinois?   12:15 – Why is there a bubble around Jacksonville (or other cities) that keeps the rain away?   14:59 – Does corn sweat keep the temperature slightly cooler than it could if there were less humidity?    20:37 – What do we have to look forward to this fall weather-wise?   26:36 – What is El Niño?   32:08 – Will the El Niño this year be like The Day After Tomorrow (weather chaos)?   43:44 – Will we still be at risk of having a polar vortex? Are they somehow linked to El Niño?   50:57 – Do we see more sudden stratospheric warming events with climate change?   55:03 – Does our climate and weather lag behind the CO2 effects in the atmosphere?    59:06 – 3d printing of state record hailstone   1:02:21 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!     Illinois State Climatologist website   Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [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

Gravel gardens are a new approach to gardening that utilizes a deep layer of gravel and deep-rooted plants to create a low-maintenance landscape. In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, we discuss the dynamics that define a gravel garden, applications where a gravel garden might be an appropriate strategy, and hesitations we have when considering installation and maintenance. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WKrvhztDw8E Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [email protected]  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe 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

Planning for spring starts in fall! In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, we venture beyond tulips and daffodils to explore the world of minor bulbs with Ann Chanon of The Ohio State University. Ann shares her favorite minor bulbs, tips for planting and naturalizing them, and design ideas for creating bold displays with these small-but-mighty spring bloomers. Get ready to brighten a woodland garden, edge a pathway, or add early-season color beneath trees and shrubs. This episode will inspire you to think beyond the usual spring staples. Plus, this episode marks the beginning of Good Growing's virtual tour of Extension experts across the United States, with Ohio serving as our first stop. Grab your bulb catalogs and get ready to plan for a more colorful spring! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qhCCK9a-sUE Skip to what you want to know: 00:36  Hey Ken and Emily! 02:37  Welcome, Ann! 03:31  Trip graphic? 06:07  Ann's favorite minor bulb 06:35  What would be good minor bulbs to start with for beginners? 07:28  What are some of the lesser-known minor bulbs? (The minor, minor bulbs?) 08:15  Are there any native minor bulbs? 09:36  How can gardeners use these smaller bulbs to make a big impact in the landscape? 11:02  What are the recommended site conditions for minor bulbs? 13:19  What are some good companion plants to go with the minor bulbs? 16:39  What do we do with the minor bulb foliage after the plant is done blooming? 17:39  When do we plant minor bulbs? 19:49  Is there any special planting technique or soil amendments when planting minor bulbs? 22:21  What is the biggest mistake that people make when planting minor bulbs? 23:54  Are there any pests or diseases we need to be aware of with minor bulbs? 24:50  Recap of the minor bulbs Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [email protected]  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe 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

As summer gives way to fall, insects are busy preparing for winter in a variety of ways. Tune in to this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we explore which insects migrate, which stay put, and how they survive the cold months ahead. Plus, learn what gardeners can do this fall, from leaving leaves to delaying cleanup, to help support beneficial insects in the landscape.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zDhAISO3wlA Skip to what you want to know:     03:24 – What insects are we seeing more of in fall?   11:35 – How do insects survive the winter months?   24:27 – Creating overwinter habitat for insects   37:16 – Fall landscape clean-up with insects in mind   44:28 – Should we clean up vegetable gardens?   47:08 – Insects coming indoors in the fall   53:44 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!     Insects on the move – dragonfly migration Migratory Insects of North America How do insects survive cold weather? Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects Evolutionary impacts of winter climate change on insects     Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [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

As autumn approaches, one of the standout flowers that is beginning to bloom is goldenrod. Dozens of species are native to the Midwest, and more than 100 species can be found throughout the United States. To help us sift through which species is suited for which landscape, the Good Growing team reviews two recently published goldenrod trials, one from the Chicago Botanic Garden and one from Mt. Cuba Center, and discusses the results. Join Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart to learn more about this late-season stunner.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NzDJxNoGxRk     Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [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

Tomatoes may be the most popular garden crop, but they can also be the most frustrating. If your tomatoes are cracking, developing black spots on the bottom, refusing to ripen, or showing strange yellow shoulders, you're not alone. In this episode, Chris and Ken dig into the most common tomato fruit disorders caused by weather, watering, heat, and nutrient imbalances. We also discuss late-season tomato care, including topping plants, ripening green tomatoes indoors, and cleaning up the garden to reduce problems next year.  Skip to what you want to know:00:42 Hey Ken! Where are we making our tomato problem observations this year?  04:09 Ken has tomato fruitworm (corn earworm), and he's proud of it.  05:33 What's a psychological disorder?  08:06 Tomato fruit cracking  11:45 Tomato yellow shoulder  13:27 White core of tomatoes  16:00 Blossom-end rot  21:00 Tomatoes are not ripening, or there are no tomatoes even though there are flowers  29:50 Late-season tomato maintenance  30:14 Topping tomatoes  33:22 Tomato plant full of green tomatoes with a frost imminent  35:17 Cleaning up the tomatoes from the garden at the end of the season Troubles with Tomatoes https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2020-05-01-troubles-tomatoes Stalled Green Tomatoes: Why won’t they turn red? https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2025-08-29-stalled-green-tomatoes-why-wont-they-turn-red Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [email protected]  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe 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

Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but they may be easier than you think! Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast, where we are joined by horticulture educator and longtime orchid enthusiast Jack Schooley. Learn about common orchid myths, good orchids for beginners, watering and light requirements, getting orchids to rebloom, and troubleshooting common problems. Plus, discover whether watering orchids with ice cubes is a good idea and how there really is an orchid for everyone!   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SSO87aYwcJo    Skip to what you want to know:     01:56 – Welcome Jack! Tell us a little about your background. How did you get into growing orchids?   05:34 – Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to grow. Is that true? What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about orchids?    10:19 – For someone buying their first orchid, what type(s) would you recommend?   12:42 – What should people look for when purchasing an orchid?    15:53 – Do we grow orchids like regular houseplants? What makes orchids different from other houseplants?   21:34 – Watering orchids, should we use ice cubes?   24:07 – Humidity   27:57 – Where should we locate orchids indoors?    30:39 – Repotting orchids. What kind of pot should be used (do they need to be clear)? When do you know when to repot?   34:57 – How do we get orchids to rebloom?   43:15 – Common orchid problems   50:59 – What is the most common reason orchids fail to thrive long-term?   52:32 – Top three orchid growing tips    56:29 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!     Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [email protected] Jack Schooley: [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

This week’s Good Growing Podcast explores some common horticultural “rules of thumb” that might make garden and landscape care easier and more successful. Learn about the origins, benefits, and limitations of common guidelines. Many of the guides we discuss are frequently used on the Good Growing Podcast or in Extension programs, so if you have ever scratched your head after hearing an odd phrase from one of Illinois Extension’s Horticulture Educators, listen, and we will help you decipher some of our favorite “rules of thumb”.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1Wap-lCNC-4     Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [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

Rain gardens are one of the most effective tools homeowners can use to manage stormwater, reduce runoff, and add beauty to the landscape. In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Chris, Emily, and Ken explore how rain gardens work, why they matter, and how they can help keep excess water out of storm sewers and local waterways. Plus, hear about upcoming rain garden educational programs and community installation projects happening across Illinois Extension. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k3_SuHDWQ18 Skip to what you want to know: 02:17 Topic of the day: Rain gardens. Why are they important?06:02 Describing the urban stormwater system10:05 Other stormwater management tools besides rain gardens13:53 What is a rain garden? The difference between detention and retention15:29 Where should and shouldn't rain gardens be in a home landscape?16:13 Defining a rain garden: it's a depression in the ground! Yay, we said what it was finally!25:17 Sizing your rain garden36:42 Rain Garden installation tips51:34 Planting design for a rain garden58:34 Illinois Groundwork link1:01:48 Rain garden maintenance1:02:35 Mosquitoes and rain gardens1:04:54 Thank yous and coming up next week! Register for our Rainscaping Classes https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-09-21-rainscaping Illinois Ground Work Plant Finder Tool https://illinoisgroundwork.org/resources/plant-finder/ Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [email protected]  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe 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

Summer is in full swing, and with the heat comes plenty of garden and lawn questions! Join us as we tackle some of the most common summertime issues, including crabgrass taking over lawns, brown patches of turf, cracked tomatoes, swarms of beetles, and more!   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/x-5ENejfrTE   Skip to what you want to know:     01:10 – What to do about crabgrass in lawns?    06:33 – Lawn is dying, what do I do?     10:00 – What is tearing apart my sassafras tree?    13:40 – Why are my tomatoes cracking?   17:04 – Why are hot peppers hot? Why did they evolve to be hot?   16:18 – Green June Beetle ruined the park concert...   24:28 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!     Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [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

Take your landscape from random to remarkable. In this Gardenbite episode, Illinois Extension horticulture educator Emily Swihart explores how color theory can help you create a more cohesive, attractive, and intentional garden. Learn the difference between analogous color schemes that create calm, harmonious plantings and complementary color combinations that deliver bold contrast and visual impact. From choosing a favorite plant as your design anchor to selecting flowers and foliage that work together, Emily shares practical tips for using color with confidence. Whether you're planning a new garden bed or refreshing an existing landscape, this episode will help you stop guessing and start designing with purpose. Topics covered: What analogous and complementary color schemes areHow to use the color wheel to guide plant selectionsWays to create a cohesive garden designTips for balancing bold color combinationsHow foliage color and plant texture enhance your landscapeA simple step-by-step approach to designing with color Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [email protected]  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe 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

How far can running bamboo run? Bamboo may look exotic and tropical, but did you know some species can thrive right here in Illinois? In this Gardenbite episode, Chris Enroth dives into the fascinating—and sometimes frustrating—world of bamboo. From Illinois' own native giant cane to the notorious running bamboo that has sparked neighbor disputes and landscaping headaches, learn what makes these giant grasses so unique.  Skip to what you want to know:00:51 Does bamboo grow in Illinois?02:02 Illinois has a native bamboo species!05:29 The different types of bamboo: pachymorph and leptomorphs11:04 Methods for containing bamboo18:44 How do you control bamboo? Bamboo rhizome barrier installation video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf7S80itdso Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [email protected]  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe 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

Coneflowers are beloved native plants, but sometimes you may end up with strange-looking flowers. Check out this week's Good Growing Podcast to learn about two common causes of distorted coneflower blooms: aster yellows and coneflower rosette mites. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of each, understand how they affect your plants, and discover management strategies to help keep your garden looking its best.   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uENkERouAR8   Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart: [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