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by Chris Enroth
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- 4 days ago59 min
Ep. 252 Growing together: Three Sisters gardening | #GoodGrowing
This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we dig into the Three Sisters gardening method, an Indigenous planting system that brings corn, beans, and squash together in a mutually beneficial way. Learn about the history and cultural significance behind the Three Sisters, how these three crops support one another in the garden, tips for trying it yourself at home, and more! Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EZmR9h-dhmQ Skip to what you want to know: 00:36 – Have we ever tried the Three Sisters Gardening technique? 03:07 – Land acknowledgment 09:20 – The origin of the Three Sisters 16:31 – What is Three Sisters agriculture/gardening? 20:41 – Growing the Three Sisters 31:50 – Is it an effective way to grow? 39:53 – Eating the harvest 50:05 – The Honorable Harvest 57:26 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! More informationThe Mohawk story of creation: Lee Claremont, TEDx Penticton Historical Indigenous Food Preparation Using Produce of the Three Sisters Intercropping System An Evaluation of the Productivity of the Native American 'Three Sisters' Agriculture System in Northern Wisconsin Yield, growth, and labor demands of growing maize, beans, and squash in monoculture versus the Three Sisters Root foraging elicits niche complementarity-dependent yield advantage in the ancient ‘three sisters’ (maize/bean/squash) polyculture Uncovering Cahokia’s Food History & Forgotten Farmscapes Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.eduEmily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu 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
- 1 weeks ago49 min
Ep. 251 Celebrating the Year of the Azalea and Talking How to Grow Them | #GoodGrowing
The National Garden Bureau has named 2026 the Year of the Azalea! Ken, Emily, and Chris are digging into what makes these colorful (and sometimes finicky) plants so popular.In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, we break down everything you need to know about azaleas—from their connection to rhododendrons to how to grow them successfully in the Midwest. If you’ve ever wondered why azaleas struggle in Illinois landscapes (or if they’re even worth trying), this episode is for you.Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Tvg7VoiBmgc00:30 Hey Ken01:07 Hey Emily!01:42 Topic of the week: Year of the azalea according to the National Garden Bureau03:13 Rhododendron vs, Azalea, which is which?05:44 Groups of azalea: Tsutsusi and pentanthera07:19 Native deciduous azalea vs non-native evergreen azalea07:42 History of breeding azalea10:16 Growing requirement for azalea14:52 Site selection and species/cultivar selection18:59 Insects and disease challenges with azaleas22:24 Pollinators and azalea23:51 Phytopthora root rot and soil pH issues25:10 Back to pollinators on azalea26:06 Describing 10 azaleas native to Eastern North America 27:08 Alabama Azalea 29:12 Coastal Azalea 30:11 Florida Azalea 32:13 Flame Azalea 33:04 Piedmont or Mountain Azalea 33:35 Oconee Azalea (also goes by Peidmont azalea in some areas but is a different species) 34:14 Pinxterbloom Azalea 35:13 Rochelle/Early/Plumleaf Azalea 36:44 Pink Shell Azalea 37:28 Swamp Azalea39:19 Would we grow azaleas in our yard?42:34 What type of azalea might you find in an Illinois nursery?44:32 Azaleas at Augusta Golf CourseContact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart eswihart@illinois.eduLike what you hear? 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/goodgrowingsubscribeAny 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
- 2 weeks ago51 min
Ep. 250 Tree care pet peeves | #GoodGrowing
Long-time listeners know that Ken, Chris, and Emily are passionate about proper plant care practices. On this week’s podcast, the team discusses six hot-button issues related to improper tree care, including tree topping, the misuse of plastic sheeting under mulch, and codominant leaders. Listen to discover the other three pet peeves and what can be done to better support tree health. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Rhg5WXPlaw Skip to what you want to know: 03:12 – Co-dominant leaders 06:33 – Nursery pruning for bushier trees 10:57 – Tree topping 12:36 – Two times when topping may be considered 15:34 – What to do with vegetation at the base of a tree 20:32 – Not removing burlap from a root ball 26:38 – Removing healthy trees 29:08 – Overview of tree benefits 34:44 – Making good pruning cuts 41:19 – Tree diversity – species and age 46:02 – Available resources 49:34 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Resources Morton Arboretum - https://mortonarb.org/ Community Tree Care Series - https://extension.illinois.edu/plants/community-tree-care-series Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu 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
- 3 weeks ago1h 17m
Ep. 249 Common Tree Diseases and Insect Pests in Illinois and What to Do About Them | #GoodGrowing
As we reach Arbor Day this month of April, the Good Growing team dives into the biotic world of tree pests and diseases, breaking down what’s really going on when insects and pathogens show up in your landscape.Horticulture educators Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and Emily Swihart explore common (and not‑so‑common) tree troubles, including eastern tent caterpillars, bagworms, wood‑boring insects, cedar apple rust, needle cast diseases, and oak wilt. Along the way, they explain the difference between biotic and abiotic problems, how environmental stress sets trees up for decline, and why some “pests” are actually just doing their ecological job.Skip to what you want to know:00:31 Hey Ken! Are you there? 01:15 Welcome, Emily! 01:54 What are biotic problems? 06:05 How did we choose what biotic tree problems to share today? 07:49 Eastern tent caterpillar 16:01 Wood boring insects 31:25 Cedar apple rust 43:59 Bagworms 52:01 Spruce needle cast diseases 01:00 Oak wilt 14:25 Thank yous and see you next week! Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart eswihart@illinois.eduLike 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/goodgrowingsubscribeAny 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
- Apr 17, 202644 min
Ep. 248 Favorite trees for spring: Trees we look forward to every year | #GoodGrowing
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: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.eduEmily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu 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
- Apr 10, 202646 min
Ep. 247 Planting with Purpose: Tree Equity and Our Communities | #GoodGrowing
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/0SFKXYs8yX4Skip 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: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart eswihart@illinois.eduLike 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/goodgrowingsubscribeAny 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
- Apr 3, 20261h 0m
Ep. 246 From Ancient Crop to Modern Gardens: The Fascinating Story of Figs | #GoodGrowing
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_HISkip 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-1439The 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/2upThe 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: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu 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/goodgrowingsubscribeAny 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
- Mar 27, 202634 min
Ep. 245 Growing something new: Plants we’re trying in 2026 | #GoodGrowing
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-p0Skip 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: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu 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
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