Good Growing

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: [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/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

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: [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

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/W0mz6CHpuocSkip 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-lightsContact 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/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

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/dGihbSjXDi8Skip 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/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

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 RuksansNational Garden Bureau – Year of the Crocus: https://ngb.org/year-of-the-crocus/ 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

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/GrowAlong2026Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XUGiBe3RrFwSkip 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] 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

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 MinnesotaHaskap/Honeyberry, University of Wisconsin-MadisonHaskap/Honeyberry-University of Saskatchewan ResourcesThe PRI Apple Breeding ProgramContact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] McCarty: [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

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=nF6gGjGbjxURezab 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 purpureaContact 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/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