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Spring has sprung! This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we continue our Arbor Month conversation by sharing our favorite trees for spring, including redbud, dogwood, tulip tree, catalpa, and more. From eye-catching blooms to unique structure and seasonal interest, we celebrate the trees that make spring such a special time of year.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kVE7rOXl-n4  Skip to what you want to know:     02:59 – Flowering and kousa dogwood   07:38 – Redbud    11:36 – Black locust   15:24 – Silverbell   18:58 – Catalpa   25:36 – White fringetree   30:18 – Tuliptree    37:06 – Saucer magnolia   37:55 – Black gum   40:16 – Vernal witch-hazel   42:48 – 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  

In this Arbor Month episode of Good Growing, horticulture educators Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart dig into the concept of tree equity—the idea that all neighborhoods deserve access to tree canopy and the benefits trees provide. From shade and stormwater management to mental health and property values, the hosts explore why trees matter and why their distribution across communities is far from equal. The conversation traces how historical practices like redlining shaped today’s urban forests, explains why some neighborhoods still have far fewer trees, and introduces practical tools—like the Tree Equity Score and i‑Tree—that can help communities make more informed, equitable tree‑planting decisions. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0SFKXYs8yX4 Skip to what you want to know:00:30 Hey Ken! 01:18 Welcome, Emily! 02:38 First topic of tree month: Tree equity 04:11 What are the benefits of trees? Ecosystem services 09:28  Social and Emotional benefits of trees 14:38 Not everyone has the benefits of trees. Diving into the topic of tree equity.17:10 The history of tree inequity 17:57  Redlining and its effect on tree equity 23:41 What tools can be used to look at the need for tree planting in communities? 26:45 Tree Equity Score and i-Tree 44:44 So long and coming up next week!  Tree Equity Score https://www.treeequityscore.org/i-Tree https://www.itreetools.org/ Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart [email protected] Like what you see? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.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  --Prefer audio? 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

Can you really grow edible figs in Illinois—or anywhere in the Midwest? In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Wahle to dig deep into one of humanity’s oldest cultivated fruits: the fig (Ficus carica). From ancient history to modern backyards, we explore how figs grow, where they originated, and why cold‑hardy varieties like Chicago Hardy and Brown Turkey make figs possible even in colder climates. You’ll learn what makes figs so unique botanically, why the “fruit” is actually a modified stem, and how fig pollination works—including the truth about dead wasps in your figs (don’t worry, Midwest gardeners are in the clear). Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TiClnN6r_HI Skip to what you want to know: 00:34 Hey Ken!   01:36 Welcome Elizabeth!  02:13 Updates from the cold snap on landscape plants and crops   10:50 On to the main topic - edible figs   11:37 What is the Fignomenal fig?   12:51 What type of figs is Elizabeth growing in her garden?  13:59 The history of the edible fig  19:08 Where do we typically find fig production in the world?  20:09 US Fig production  20:52 Figs in the Midwest diet and have we ever eaten fresh figs?  23:08 Learning about the edible fig plant (Ficus carica)   23:36 Edible fig is a woody perennial   25:28  What is the fig fruit?   28:22 Edible fig pollination and are dead wasps inside our fig fruit?  38:09 Can we get breba crops on our figs?   39:29 For those wanting to try to grow edible figs in Illinois what are some of the site requirements? 42:53 What can you do to protect figs during the winter?   50:03 Pruning and sap causing injury on human skin   51:42 Cultivars for planting in Illinois  54:30 Fantastic Fig Facts   Fig ResourcesGrowing Hardy Figs in Ohio https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1439 The Fig: Its history, culture, and curing, with a descriptive catalogue of the known varieties of figs  Published in 1901 and an interesting look at fig production over 100 years ago https://archive.org/details/figitshistorycul00eise/page/n89/mode/2up The Fig: Botany, Production and Uses, edited by Ali Sarkhosh, Alimohammad Yavari, Louise Ferguson, published in 2022, (online book accessed via the library) Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected]  Like what you see? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.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  --Prefer audio? 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

Curious about trying something new in your garden this year? This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we share the unique and unusual plants we’re adding to our 2026 gardens. From teff and loofah gourds to spoon‑sized tomatoes, Armenian cucumbers, butterfly pea, and more, join us as we explore what drew us to these plants, how we plan to grow them, and the fun (and challenges!) of experimenting with unfamiliar crops.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_lx8Jeog-p0 Skip to what you want to know:     03:09 – Teff   06:38 – Armenian cucumber/melon   08:20 – Bottle gourd   10:55 – Spoon tomato   13:19 – Luffa gourd   16:27 – Mexican sunflower   18:24 – Butterfly pea    20:40 – Sunflower ‘Soluna Bronze’   23:18 – Anchote   25:16 – Hydrangea ‘Haas Halo’ or something similar   29:56 – Peanuts    31:36 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!  More information:  Mt. Cuba Center - Wild Hydrangea for the Mid-Atlantic Region     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

Early spring in the Midwest means unpredictable weather—and plenty of garden questions. After bouncing from 80-degree days to single-digit temperatures, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson tackle what these wild swings mean for your landscape and gardens. This week’s episode answers attendee questions submitted at the Home Lawn & Garden Day in Bloomington–Normal. Ken and Chris discuss surprise cold snaps, summer-bound broccoli, thinking ahead to Japanese beetles, and much more. Get ready to get back in the garden as the seasons begin to shift into spring. And then back to winter. And we'll throw some summer in the mix, too. All in the span of a few days. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W0mz6CHpuoc Skip to what you want to know:00:36 Hey Ken! The weather has been crazy! Do we yet know what this means for our early-spring flowers?05:07 Questions from the Home Lawn and Garden Day in Bloomington/Normal06:35 What are some non-toxic or environmentally friendly ways to kill or keep weeds under control in garden beds?10:42 Hints on growing brassicas in our area/climate? Cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. Mine seem to fade in the heat.16:11 Drip irrigation is supposed to be better than sprinklers. Can I do it myself? How do I choose and locate the equipment needed?21:45 What tools can you not live without, and which ergonomic tools can you recommend as we age?27:14 What plants are good for repelling rabbits?30:52 How can you prevent Japanese beetles from eating your flowers without using chemicals?37:49 What supplemental lighting (type of bulb, distance from the plants & length of time to keep lighting on) is best for Phalaenopsis orchids & African violets?42:23 https://www.aos.org/all-about-orchids/growing-orchids-under-lights44:05 Thank yous and coming up next week. All About Mulch https://youtu.be/sqw4Cwr7wjoGarden Tools and Gadgets https://youtu.be/GXD12sUiI8wSupplemental Lighting for Orchids https://www.aos.org/all-about-orchids/growing-orchids-under-lights Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected]  Like what you see? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.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  --Prefer audio? 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

Spring is on the horizon—even if the weather can’t quite make up its mind. In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Chris and Ken do a little spring dreaming, sharing the flowers, plants, and woodland scenes they look forward to every year as the growing season begins. From early bloomers like crocus, daffodils, and spring ephemerals to peonies, magnolias, and everything in between, we flip through a mental (and visual) photo album of spring favorites. Along the way, we talk about why these plants matter to us, how they fit into home landscapes and natural areas, and how Midwest spring weather—from false summers to surprise snow—keeps things interesting. This is a picture‑heavy episode. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dGihbSjXDi8 Skip to what you want to know:00:45 Hey Ken!02:14 Rollercoaster late winter weather. From 80 degrees to 10 degrees!05:06 Ken's favorite spring-blooming plants he looks forward to every year.   05:27    Bleeding heart   06:25    Dutchman's breeches   06:58    Columbine   09:01     Crocus   10:00    Daffodil   11:29    Peony   13:04    Spring beauty   14:57    Tulips   17:03    Common blue violet   19:11    Virginia bluebell   20:05    Wild ginger22:12 Chris' favorite spring blooming plants   22:23    Daffodil    23:57    Woodland walk through Dutchman's breeches, mayapples, and trillum   27:09    Lilac and snow in spring   29:23    Saucer magnolia   30:43    Virginia bluebells   31:50    Foamflower   32:30    Lungwort   33:09    Blueberry flowers   33:43    Rhubarb season   34:04    Tulip 'World Peace'   34:32    Unfurling ferns   34:56    Bloodroot   35:55    Peonies at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, IL38:51 Thank yous and see you next week! Spring beauty video https://youtu.be/i9JVP9wEM_M  Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected]  Like what you see? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.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  --Prefer audio? 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

Crocuses may be small, but their world is anything but simple! Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast, as we dive into the big, colorful world of Crocus. Learn about identifying crocus, how to grow them in your landscape, some of the commonly grown spring and fall-blooming species, and more!       Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rX7QUDstn9E   Skip to what you want to know:     02:26 – 'Crocus' that aren't Crocus   06:33 – What do 'real' Crocus look like? - flowers   11:31 – What do 'real' Crocus look like? - leaves   13:33 – What do 'real' Crocus look like? - corm   17:41 – Categorizing crocus   22:49 – General guidelines for growing crocus   28:32 – When should crocus be planted?    30:15 – Propagating crocus   35:49 – Fun fact - contractile roots   37:24 – A few last planting tips, rodents, fertilizers, and mulch   42:48 – Commonly grown species of Crocus     43:53 - Snow/golden crocus (C. chrysanthus)     47:54 - Dutch yellow/yellow crocus (C. flavus)      48:46 - Tommies (C. tommasinianus)     52:57 - Dutch/giant/spring crocus (C. vernus)      54:01 - Tuscan crocus (C. etruscus)      55:22 - Sieber’s crocus (C. sieberi)      56:51 - Cloth of Gold crocus (C. angustifolius)      57:58 - Corsican crocus (C. corsicus)    59:17 – Some fall-blooming Crocus     59:32 - Saffron/autumn crocus (C. sativus)      1:02:44 - Autumn crocus (C. kotschyanus), Hairy crocus (C. pulchellus), and Showy/Bieberstein’s crocus (C. speciosus)    1:04:17 - Can Crocus be grown in pots? When should they be divided?   1:06:03 - Pests   1:07:27 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   More information: Crocuses: A Complete Guide to the Genus by Janis Ruksans National Garden Bureau – Year of the Crocus: https://ngb.org/year-of-the-crocus/     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  

Get ready to kick off the 2026 gardening season with the Good Growing team as we unveil this year’s Grow Along plant list. In this episode, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educators Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart walk through the selection process and describe the six unique crops chosen for the 2026 Grow Along program. Register for the Grow Along: https://go.illinois.edu/GrowAlong2026 Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XUGiBe3RrFw Skip to what you want to know:1:21 Decision-making process for choosing the 2026 Grow Along seeds6:55 Rebel Starfighter Prime11:45 Poppy ‘Amazing Gray', 'Shirley Supreme', and 'Black Swan'20:18 Sweet Pepper ‘Nadapeno’24:41 Cucumber Mexican Sour Gherkin/Mouse Melon28:24 Ground Cherry35:15 Savory ‘Summer Compact'41:46 When/where can you sign up and when will seeds be shipped? 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

Curious about adding something a little different to your backyard orchard? On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we dive into the flavorful world of lesser-known fruits you can grow right here in Illinois. From early‑ripening honeyberries and fall-bearing primocane blackberries to compact bush cherries and Illinois-born PRI apples, we explore unique fruit crops that offer exciting alternatives to the usual.      Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XAVtrBFKB40      Skip to what you want to know:     01:30 – Welcome, Grant McCarty! Illinois Beginning Orchard Academy.   03:22 – Some not-so-successful crops for Grant in northern Illinois.    07:35 – Where in Illinois can we reliably grow/harvest peaches?   09:53 – Honeyberries. How to grow and what do they taste like?    14:52 – Are honeyberries problematic like many other honeysuckles?    17:32 – Primocane fruiting blackberries.   21:38 – Is the care of primocane blooming blackberries different than other blackberries?   23:45 – Is there a link to Illini Hardy blackberry?   27:20 – Bush cherries. How are they different than cherry trees?   33:57 – Apples. What are PRI apples?   38:51 – High-density apples   44:31 – Any PRI resources out there?   48:10 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   More information: Overview of Honeyberry from University of Minnesota Haskap/Honeyberry, University of Wisconsin-Madison Haskap/Honeyberry-University of Saskatchewan Resources The PRI Apple Breeding Program Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] Grant McCarty: [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 University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Chris Enroth on a winter walk through the prairie as he demonstrates how to overseed an existing native prairie by hand.  Learn why winter is the perfect time for prairie overseeding, how they select their seed that is spread, and how to mix seed with a carrier for even spreading. Chris explains practical tips for seed collection, hand sowing methods, using locally sourced seed from community seed shares, and how overseeding supports long-term prairie health.  Perfect for native plant lovers or anyone curious about hands-on conservation work that can be done in the winter. Tune in, learn the process, and discover how hand-sown prairie seeds can transform local landscapes over time. Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF6gGjGbjxU Rezab MixGolden Alexander - Zizia aureaHairy Mountain Mint - Pycnanthemum pilosumFoxglove beardtongue - Penstemon digitalisGrass-leaved goldenrod - Euthamia graminifoliaSlender Mountain Mint - Pycnanthemum tenuifoliumShowy goldenrod - Solidago speciosaRattlesnake Master - Eryngium yuccifoliumMissouri Ironweed - Vernonia missuricaRigid Goldenrod - Oligoneuron rigidumPrairie Coreopsis - Coreopsis palmataTall Coreopsis - Coreopsis tripterisVirginia Spiderwort - Tradescantia virginianaYellow Crownbeard - Verbesina helianthoidesWild Senna - Senna hebecarpaBlack-eyed Susan - Rudbeckia hirta Evening Primrose - Oenothera biennisFalse Sunflower - Heliopsis helianthoidesPurple Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [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

Feeling a little low this winter? You’re not alone. This week on the Good Growing Podcast, Family Life Educator Tessa Hobbs‑Curley joins us to discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder. Learn about what it is, how it differs from the usual winter blues, coping strategies, and more.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NdOQ8xNM9aI   Skip to what you want to know:     03:14 – What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? How is it diagnosed?   06:14 – How is SAD different from just feeling bummed about the weather?   10:11 – How is fall/winter SAD different than spring/summer SAD?   12:35 – Do certain groups, such as farmers or gardeners, experience SAD differently?   19:42 – What about children and SAD?   22:46 – How does less green in our environment affect mental health?   32:31 – What are some strategies to help us cope with SAD?   45:56 – Resources to learn more about SAD   47:56 – A little more on light therapy   51:04 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   More information: Mao Clinic: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) National Institute of Mental Health: Seasonal Affective Disorder Illinois Extension: How to manage the winter blues Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Seasonal Affective Disorder Mental Health America: Seasonal Affective Disorder     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

How do trees survive freezing temperatures without turning into popsicles? Well, they do kind of turn into popsicles, but they control which part freezes. In this Gardenbite of the Good Growing Podcast, horticulture educator Chris Enroth breaks down the fascinating science behind how trees and other plants make it through harsh winter conditions. Whether you’re a gardener, nature lover, or just curious about the secret life of plants, this episode gives you a clear and engaging look at what happens inside trees during winter—and how you can help prepare your landscape plants to survive cold stress.

You’ve probably seen Ficus in living rooms, lobbies, or maybe even grown one yourself, but how much do you really know about these iconic houseplants? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we explore the surprisingly diverse world of Ficus. From weeping figs and rubber trees to creeping figs and giant banyans, we dive into their history, care, different species, and more!    Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2hx5VXZrJmg   Skip to what you want to know:     00:41 – There are a lot of ficus species!   02:12 – Ficus species native to the United States, and what are strangler figs.   07:08 – What are Ficus?   12:25 – General care of Ficus houseplants.   22:23 – Common Ficus houseplants     23:38 – Ficus benjamina (weeping fig)     27:14 – Ficus elastica (rubber tree)     33:15 – Ficus lyrata (fiddle leaf fig)     36:03 – Ficus benghalensis (banyan, Ficus Audrey)     42:35 – Ficus maclellandii (banana/long leaf fig, Ficus Alli)     45:31 – Ficus microcarpa (Ginseng ficus, Chinese banyan, Indian laurel)     49:09 – Ficus pumila (creeping fig)   53:08 – Ficus propagation   56:37 – Less commonly encountered ficus houseplants   59:12 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   More information: National Garden Bureau Ficus: Trees and Vine of Florida (University of Florida) Gods and Monsters: The Genus Ficus (Brooklyn Botanic Garden)   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  

Welcome back to the Good Growing Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re sharing a special throwback conversation with Dr. Michael Ward, ornithologist at the University of Illinois. We’re answering real homeowner questions about backyard birds—everything from bird feeders to territorial cardinals to preventing window collisions. If you’re wondering what to feed birds, how to clean feeders, why birds hit windows, or how to attract more colorful birds to your yard, this episode is packed with expert insights to help you create a healthier, more bird‑friendly backyard. Watch this on YouTube https://youtu.be/jKHrH_eeGFo The full conversation with Dr. Ward https://youtu.be/HxZ3HiI69hs  Skip to what you want to know:01:30 How do we discourage barn swallows from building nests underneath overhangs?03:52 Should we feed birds bread, crackers, and other human food?05:10 Is there anything we can do to stop birds from hitting our windows?07:33 What can we do about a territorial cardinal? 08:47 Should we feed birds all year? When is the best time to feed birds?10:33 I only get sparrows at my feeders. How do I attract more types of birds?12:22 Do we need to provide birds with water in the winter, or do they use snow?13:18 How often and with what should we clean birdfeeders? Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [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

It’s a new year, which means a new gardening season will be here before we know it. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we look back on our most popular episodes and standout moments from 2025. From battling mosquitoes to celebrating pollinator plants like milkweed and mountain mint, we revisit the topics that sparked the most conversation. Plus, we share some of our plans for 2026, from expanding native plantings to growing food and flowers for community donation, and more!   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-1T-xDTG_W0   Skip to what you want to know:     01:30 – Most popular podcasts of 2025   09:07 – Our favorite episodes and things we learned   17:43 – Reflecting on the 2025 growing season   30:53 – Looking ahead to the 2026 growing season   46:41 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   Popular episodes and videos: Clustered Mountain Mint - Perennial Plant of the Year Get to Know Asclepias (Milkweed) 2025 plant of the year Gardenbite: The life and bites of buffalo gnats Summer Mosquito Control: What Really Works to Keep Bites Away Vegetable gardening in small spaces Compost your way: Passive and active composting styles Chamomile: Discover 2025's herb of the year Peonies: Beauty, history, and backyard blooms The cranberry story: Native roots and modern agriculture Discovering Dogwoods: From trees to shrubs and even groundcovers! Answering your spring gardening questions Fall gardening questions answered Spring beauty in the landscape       Contact us!  Chris Enroth: [email protected] Ken Johnson: [email protected] 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