Good Growing

On this week's Good Growing podcast the crew sits down with University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Sarah Vogel to talk about trees and some common problems we encounter in the home landscape. Sarah is a certified arborist and is based in Decatur, Illinois. On this show we get into: What are the main problems Sarah sees with home landscape trees There is conflicting advice on tree planting. What's the best way to plant a tree? What is root washing? Is it worth the extra effort? When it comes to Emerald Ash Borer is it going to lead to the extinction of ash trees? There is a young tree losing bark. What's happening? There are lots of people that mound mulch up against the tree. But Extension says otherwise. What's the correct way to mulch a tree? Will squirrels nesting in a tree hurt the tree? Should the cavity be filled with something? If someone doesn't take care of their tree properly, how long will it live? Anything Grows Virtual Help Desk https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2021-05-14-anything-grows-webinar-series-vegetable-gardening Master Gardeners of DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties https://extension.illinois.edu/dmp/master-gardeners Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/eC5X4TnshgI ___ Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.

On this week's Good Growing podcast the crew chats about the upcoming Brood X emergence and why Ken is sad we don't live within their range. But we do talk about the best ways to eat cicadas plus who shouldn't eat cicadas. What should people expect who live within the Brood X range and how to protect young trees from cicada damage. All this and much more! Check out the Cicada Mania webpage https://www.cicadamania.com/ The Ohio State University's article on cicadas https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1759 Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/6Y0utDdt3mY ___ Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.

On this week's Good Growing podcast Katie, Ken, and Chris answer your timely questions about gardening in May. Dealing with late spring frosts and tomatoes. What to do about rhubarb that gets hit by frost? There are some landscape plants with black and brown foliage. Is this from the frost a few weeks ago? What should you do about cedar apple rust? If I spray 2,4-D on my lawn will it kill my hostas? Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/EZMyurxkCFY ___ Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.

On this week's Good Growing podcast we talk with wildlife biologist Dr. John Vanek all about snakes! Dr. Vanek has a specialty in herpetology and loves to study snakes. In this episode we discuss: Why are so many humans afraid of snakes? Is it learned behavior or something deeper in our brains? What snake will people commonly encounter outside in Illinois? Is it safe to handle any wild snake we find outside? How common are venomous snakes? What types do we have in Illinois? How can we tell the difference between a non-venomous and venomous snake? Snake ID from a listener submitted photo - Can you identify the snake hanging out in this tree? This person had a cluster of snakes in her tree by a pond. What are they? And why are they clustered up? And will they eat the baby geese? Are snake populations declining? How do we discourage snakes in our yard. What do we need to do? Do the repellants work? Mothballs? What if we want to encourage snakes in our yard. Is there some way we can do that? Are there any snakes that would help control larger animals like rabbits? A snake is hanging off of their ceiling fan! First off, how did it get on the fan? And how do we keep snakes out of the house? What happens when you know there’s a snake in the house, but you can’t find it? How do you flush out a snake? Check out John's webpage johnpvanek.weebly.com Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Y9iso_KVUXc ___ Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.

In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, we sit down with University of Illinois Extension educator Carrie McKillip to talk about disaster preparedness and things we as residents in storm-prone Illinois need to consider. Carrie is a Community and Economic Development educator who specializes in helping communities prepare and respond to disasters. We chat about how she does that, keeping an emergency kit, should we be worried about earthquakes in Illinois, and preparing for the disaster we are most likely to face. Plus we answer actual questions that came into the Extension office during past Illinois disasters. How do you get debris out of the lawn following a tornado? What should you do about trees that are damaged during storms? Can you eat produce from a flooded vegetable garden? How can we fix our lawn after being flooded for weeks? Should we knock the ice off of branches during an ice storm? How can you make your yard more sustainable from drought? Native plant list from Indiana/Illinois Sea Grant https://iiseagrant.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1-ILLINOIS-NATIVE-PLANTS-FOR-THE-HOME-LANDSCAPE.pdf Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/uYxLlpKnASM ___ Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.

On this week's Good Growing podcast we share some recent photos of spring-blooming plants in our yards. Horticulture program coordinator and photographer Wendy Ferguson gives us some tips for improving our photography skills. Plus your home gardening questions answered. I have an image of our saucer magnolia taken at night. The flowers seemed to glow in the dark so I grabbed my camera, but the photo didn’t turn out well. Can I take a photo at night and get realistic images? Hellebores in bloom Is there anything I can do about shadows? I always have my shadow or the shadow of something else in my pictures. I understand to move, but is there something else I can do? Close up images Image composition Taking pictures at ground level Some unique tulip cultivars; plus a field full of spring beauties https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2021-04-15-spring-brings-spring-beauties-landscape What can I do about harsh lighting during the middle of the day? I bought blooming spring bulbs in containers for Easter. Is it okay to cut the foliage and dead blooms off of my bulbs before I plant them in the ground? Will the cold night temperatures affect my snapdragons I just planted in a container? How do you get rid of creeping Charley? When the best time to spray for bagworms? How to control wild onion in turf? Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/oySSB7hl614 --- Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.

In this week's Good Growing podcast we chat with Mary Fischer about her work in building a coalition of conservationists with Illinois teenagers. Mary is working to expand the Master Naturalist program to teens to build a land ethic in the next generation and create ideas for future careers. Plus we answer your home gardening questions! Talking about Mary's work to build a Master Naturalist Youth program. What are some easy and inexpensive activities parents can do with their kids outdoors? (maybe even educational) We’re seeing lots of escaped ornamental pear trees flowering along our woodland. Should we cut it down now? How do we get rid of this? We’ve heard a lot about night-blooming plants and how it may help pollinators like moths. What do you recommend? We have both full sun and full shade landscape beds we’d like to plant. We would like to grow sweet potatoes this year, but we have no idea where to start. Plus, what is a sweet potato slip? An old oak had branches resting on a powerline. I just trimmed them off then realized it is probably too late in the year. The saw was clean -- never used on oak before. Branches were 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Did I mess up and if so, is there something I can do about it? I know they don't recommend coating with a coating sealer. I don't know why I think about these things after I do them. Does planting multiple seeds per pot is making their tomatoes taller. Is competition a factor? Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/PaQkWxeG77k --- Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.

On this week's Good Growing podcast the groups sit down with Dennis Bowman to talk about using drones in agriculture. How much do you know about drones? 8:52 We have a true or false pop quiz with Ken and Katie to test their knowledge about drones. 4:30 What is the difference between GPS and GIS. Plus, Dennis answers your ag questions! Using Drones in Ag 9:38 Can anyone buy and start flying a drone? 15:24 What type of drone does Dennis fly? 17:42 Is it legal to leave while your drone flies a pre-mapped pattern? 19:16 Do drones take measurements using sensors, just like in Star Trek? 25:20 Where does most of the work take place when flying drones in agriculture? In the field or at the computer? 29:18 What amount of area can a drone cover on one battery charge? 30:36 How detailed can you get with drones? Down to a single plant? 33:20 It is legal in Illinois to use drones to spray pesticides? 37:29 Will new technology will reduce future pesticide loads in the environment? 38:50 Is being an ag drone pilot a viable career opportunity? Your Questions: 40:43 Is it legal for a drone to be flying over my property? 42:32 What are the plants that cause farm fields to turn purple in the spring? 43:28 We have noticed lots of vole damage in our alfalfa field this spring. What can be done to control it? 44:37 During the warm early March weather, we tilled the field. Since then we’ve had lots of rain and large portions had standing water on it. Does it need to be turned over again? Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/8uD5blfrTvg Any products mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion of these products.

On this week's Good Growing podcast hosts Ken, Katie, and Chris share what's going on in their vegetable gardens and what yard chores are on their to-do list. Is it time for spring cleanup? Ken notices some bees are out and looking for nesting locations and gives tips on providing that habitat while cleaning out some dead plants. Katie talks about lawn care and what we should be doing this early in the spring. Plus your questions answered! What kind of maintenance should be happening for fruit trees in early spring? What can be done about mole and vole damage to yards? Bees are emerging in our basement from a wood table! What can we do to keep that from happening? Bees are swarming the bird feeder. Why? What can a person with bee allergies do to stop it? What are some tips to sustainably maintain our lawns? Should we be doing grub control in the spring? Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/LvNlLfp_KiQ

On this week's Good Growin podcast we chat about the team's upcoming Good Growing Garden Day all about pollinators. Andrew Holsinger joins us to dive into the topics we will discuss during the Garden Day webinar covering hummingbirds, pollinating insects, wildflowers, and native trees. Plus, we answer questions on these topics. More information on the event page https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2021-03-27-good-growing-garden-day-pollinators-webinar Register for the Good Growing Pollinator Day go.illinois.edu/GardenDayPollinators When is the best time to put out hummingbird feeders? When can I start cleaning up my garden if I want to try and protect overwintering pollinators? Establishing a pollinator plot from seed versus potted plants. How should I plant native trees and shrubs in my landscape for the most significant impact on pollinators? How can I attract more hummingbirds to my yard? I have a butterfly house in my garden, but I never find butterflies in it. What can I do to attract them to it? What flowers that attract pollinators are recommended for part shade or under trees? What can I do to make sure I get the best native woody plant for my site? Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/rk2_VGj6S0k

This week the Good Growing team chats with Illinois Extension educator Duane Friend about cover crops and soil organic matter. They discuss a recent article about how the Midwest is quickly losing carbon-rich topsoil and if that rings true for Illinois. Duane gives possible remedies to help conserve soil and how cover crops can play a role and how cover crops can be used in the home garden. Plus your questions: There is a funky smell in the air near the farm fields. Is this rotting cover crops? What to do when your brand new home is left with lousy soil. Can cover crops be planted in the spring before planting tomatoes? Can cover crops become weeds? Is there a way to kill cover crops without using herbicides? I started using cover crops, but now I have voles in my garden. What can I do!? Tilling my garden for years has caused the soil to settle. Will using cover crops stop the settling? Check out Duane's upcoming webinar on Farm Pond Management https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2021-03-30-rural-pond-management-webinar Duane also has a new blog All About Weather https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/all-about-weather Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/3b-03cLAfr4

Do you want to get started with beekeeping? Spring is the time to get your hive up and running. Our guest this week, Illinois Extension horticulture educator Jennifer Fishburn, gets into the details of how to start a beehive. Plus, listener questions: Can beehives be kept in town? When should you start a hive? What do you need to set up a hive and keep from getting stung? What type of budget are we talking about for a beginning beekeeper? Do you need to provide things other than what's in the hive? Water about water? How do you harvest the honey? How to transition mostly grass CRP into bee-friendly flowers? Is micro clover a good groundcover for bees? How do you keep your bee colony healthy? Should beehives be kept in the shade? Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/8hSLNLxn1jw

In this week's Good Growing episode we chat with Illinois Extension forestry specialist Chris Evans about maple syrup and how you can make maple syrup in your own backyard. Chris also answers listener-submitted questions on forestry. Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/j8MmgCrfVeM Maple syrup questions: Did the prolonged cold-snap affect maple syrup production? Does being in Southern Illinois affect maple sap? Can you use other species besides sugar maple? How was maple syrup harvested historically? What kind of investment are we talking for a homeowner wanting to harvest sap for syrup? Is this like canning where we have to keep things sterile? Is climate change at play here? Will we lose the sugar maple in Illinois? Forestry questions: If someone would like to begin a profitable timber investment for their kids where do they start? A landowner has cleared out a black walnut patch from his woods and would like to plant edible walnuts. What does he need to know about planting edible walnuts? A vegetable grower has some old Austrian pines that are dying and need to rebuild their windbreak. They would like to include plants that may also contribute to their farm with edible crops for harvest. How can you determine the value of trees? How do you find someone local to harvest the trees? Lots of great resources can be found at Illinois Extension's forestry webpage https://extension.illinois.edu/forestry

We are talking all about birds on this week's Good Growing podcast. We chat with Dr. Michael Ward on the plight of birds. Are the declining populations dire? Why are Midwestern migrating birds being found in shark stomachs in the Gulf of Mexico? Dr. Ward tells what is being done across the borders, in Illinois agricultural lands, and how we can help in our backyards. Plus, Citizen Science opportunities anyone can do. Dr. Ward is a senior ornithologist at Illinois Natural History Survey and associate professor at the University of Illinois. He recently won the distinguished Runge Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award. Dr. Ward also answers listener questions: What to do about barn swallows nesting above a patio? Can you feed birds people food like stale bread and crackers? What can be done to stop birds from hitting the window? Should we feed birds all year? How do we attract more than just sparrows to our feeders? Should we clean our birdfeeders?

In this part two episode of our series on native plants, our special guests Martha Smith, Austin Little, and Layne Knoche answer listener-submitted questions about native plants. Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/9YJfLhH07vA Should we be planting nativars? What about the genetics spreading in the wild? Is it okay to dig up native plants you find in the wild? What native plants are recommended to plant in very dry and sandy soil? If you remove bush honeysuckle do you need to replant something to keep it from coming back? What can be planted in a shaded hillside that has erosion problems? Our dogwood tree leaves dried and turned brown last year. What's going on with these trees? How can we reduce all the aphids on the milkweed plants without hurting the monarch caterpillars? Harvesting wild native plants https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethics/index.shtml Alternatives to Invasive Plants (book) https://www.amazon.com/Native-Alternatives-Invasive-Plants-Greener/dp/1889538779 The debate on natives vs nativars continues https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-scoop/2019-12-28-native-vs-nativar Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

Check out Part One of our talk on native plants with Austin Little, Layne Knoche, and Martha Smith. All talented landscape designers, each guest shares their top three favorite native plants. You won't want want to miss this one as you plan ahead for this growing season. Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/UqvnZc_Y7rY What is a native plant and why should people incorporate these into the landscape? Austin's picks American persimmon Oakleaf hydrangea Gray dogwood American beautyberry Martha's picks White fringe tree Black tupelo Butterflyweed Layne's picks Slender mountain mint Swamp milkweed Red chokeberry

In this week's Good Growing podcast we chat with Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle, an Illinois Extension horticulture educator. We get into the thick of it as we talk seed catalogs and tips for navigating your way through the inundation of marketing from seed companies in these winter months. Plus your questions! What’s the difference between hybrids and GMOs? How can I avoid purchasing GMO seeds? What about certified organic seed? Should I throw away seed from last year? What are all these different abbreviations next to the plant names in the catalog? Is it legal to save seed from a vegetable that I ordered from a seed catalog? Is there a way to get free seed? Bush or vining type? Determinate and indeterminate? What is best if I just want a small tomato plant? Seed viability chart from Iowa State Extension https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1999/4-2-1999/veggielife.html Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/shGknomSQFw Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

In this week's Good Growing podcast we chat once again with Gemini Bhalsod, an Illinois Extension horticulture educator for Cook County. Gemini and the group dive into seed production and why we are already seeing shortages for the 2021 growing season. We also discuss how you can plan your garden for saving your seed this year. Plus your questions! Tomato seeds from last year have mold on them. Can they be saved? Is it too late to plant milkweed seed in January? Can I save seed from a sweet pepper plant being overwintered that is producing fruit now? Can I sow lawn seed in the winter? What can teachers plant now (January) which will grow in time for the kids to see flowers or harvest? Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/Uh09yv6Anao Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

In this week's episode, the Good Growing team sits down with Dean Kim Kidwell to talk about all things Illinois Extension and College of ACES (Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences). Dean Kidwell leads the College of ACES on the University of Illinois campus and oversees the efforts of Illinois Extension across the state. With so much on her plate, we cover lots of ground including the connection between Extension and ACES and how that translates to bridging the University of Illinois to our local communities. We also chat about Dean Kidwell's background as a University of Illinois student and life before taking the role of an administrator as a wheat breeder. Dean Kidwell also announces some big news for Illinois Extension and the University of Illinois campus. Interested in learning more about a degree in ACES? Check out their website and schedule a time to visit. https://aces.illinois.edu/ Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/5BTH6dZ6-fc Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

In this week’s episode of the Good Growing podcast, we talk with corn and soybean farmer Matt Duesterhaus about what’s life like for a farmer in Central Illinois. Matt talks about what led him to farming, what it takes to farm from money to knowledge, and what was farming like during 2020. Plus Matt answers your questions during our Ask a Farmer segment. Come learn about the people that cultivate our land to put food on our tables in this week's episode. Your Questions: Illinois seems to lag behind other states when it comes to cover crop use. Why and will we start seeing more cover crops being used? I’ve heard fall tillage described as “recreational tillage” or something bored farmers do in the fall. Why do we see so much tilling occur in the fall? What’s in those big white tanks in the fall? What’s it used for? What are the planes spraying on the fields in the summer? What are Illinois farmers doing to help protect the land to ensure we can keep farming into the future? Dicamba has been making the news these last few years. What do farmers think of this? Is it a good tool? Is it destined to lead to resistance? Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/LNV6z68nU1s Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we chat with entomology specialist Sarah Hughson about pantry pests. Sarah dives into what to do about moths in your cereal and “maggots” in your flour. Still hungry? We also dig into cockroaches and ants. Put down the spatula because you won’t want to miss this episode! Plus your questions: What are those small moths flying around the kitchen and how do we get rid of them? Should you be spraying your pantry with bug killer? (Spoiler: it’s not a good idea) Will carpenter ants in a dead tree stump outside come into my house? I keep getting worms in my apples on my backyard apple trees. How can I get worm-free apples? I bought some Rid-X now I have tiny bugs crawling everywhere! Are they from the Rid-X? Questions about pesticides? Need to become a licensed pesticide applicator in Illinois? Check out the Pesticide Safety and Education website. https://extension.illinois.edu/psep/psep-homepage Register now for the 85th annual Pest Management Conference host by Purdue University https://www.extension.entm.purdue.edu/urbanconference/ Geared toward commercial growers, but still chocked full of good information for any tree fruit gardener the 2019-2020 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/Hort/pages/sfg_sprayguide.aspx Check out Ken’s article on common pantry pests https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/common_pantry_pests.pdf Want to watch the podcast? You can on YouTube https://youtu.be/TYHS4MdgFnU Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

Good Growing loves trees and we are excited to promote the Urban Tree Conference. A month-long conference in an online format for January 2021. The Urban Tree Conference is host by the University of Illinois Extension. Conference dates: January 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. Register soon! go.illinois.edu/urbantree

On this week’s Good Growing podcast we sit down once again with Energy and Environment educator Peggy Doty. We catch up from our last meeting as we ponder what happened to Bruno the Bear who wandered throughout Illinois this past summer. Peggy also talks about wildlife and some of the problems humans may encounter when an animal happens in to our yards. Peggy says with more people working from home we are noticing more wild animals in our yards, but they were always there, we just weren’t looking. We talk about what is the most destructive wild animal and ways to minimize their efforts to eat our landscapes. We talk conservation efforts that can be done in the backyard, habitat loss, and if animal bridges over busy roads really work. Plus, your questions: 1. Does feeding wildlife disrupt natural patterns? 2. Do raccoons hibernate? 3. How can we stop deer from rubbing on our trees and eating our shrubs? 4. Is it possible to feed the birds, but not the mice? 5. What can be done to stop raccoons from using a backyard as a latrine? 6. Will a mouse live trapped in the house and freed outside come back inside? 7. Should you pass on a doe to bag a buck? Check out Illinois Extension’s Living with Wildlife webpage https://www.wildlifeillinois.org/ Want to watch the Good Growing podcast? Head over to our YouTube channel to see us in person! https://youtu.be/dnUGXhLm1vA

On this week's Good Growing podcast we sit down with Robert Richardson, president of the Illinois Christmas Tree Growers Association. Robert is also an accomplished Christmas tree grower north of the Chicago area. During the show, Robert gives the scoop on the high demand for fresh-cut Christmas trees in 2020. We learn what all goes into growing a Christmas tree and the years of patience it requires. We also get into Richard's important work with Trees for Troops. Plus your questions answered: What are the most commonly grown Christmas trees in Illinois? Should you boil your water first before putting it in the tree stand? Does Aspirin or bleach in the water help tree last longer? What are some important tips to keeping a cut tree looking good the entire holiday season? When I'm done with the Christmas tree can I burn it? I want to grow my own live Christmas tree, but will digging it up damage the roots? Illinois Christmas Tree Growers Association https://ilchristmastrees.com/ Trees for Troops https://www.christmasspiritfoundation.org/ Illinois Extension Christmas Trees and More https://web.extension.illinois.edu/trees/index.cfm Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, Extension horticulture educator Jennifer Fishburn hangs out with the group to chat about gifts for gardeners. They dive into fool-proof gift ideas for the gardener in your life. From types of clothing to tools to entertainment, your list of gifts will be full after listening to this podcast. We even added to our own lists of what we would like to get this holiday season. Plus, your questions: What is a fast-growing tree that doesn’t drop a lot of debris? Who can neighbors contact when they are having a dispute over a tree on the property line? Are GMOs in local soybean meal safe to put in compost for an organic garden? Can you cut back a limelight hydrangea in the winter? Recently planted dwarf apple trees have settled and are now planted too low. Can these be reset at the correct height? Find Extension books and publications at our PubsPlus website https://pubsplus.illinois.edu/ Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

For this week's Thanksgiving episode the Good Growing team sits down with Illinois Extension local foods educator James Theuri to talk turkey! James gives us the background of turkey production and how you can raise a Thanksgiving turkey in your very own backyard. James also discusses turkey breeds and dealing with predators. Plus your questions: Is it wise to introduce sheep with chickens and cows on the same pasture? What can be killing my baby chicks? What to do when I first receive my order of chicks? I am grazing my chickens in my garden this winter. When do I need to remove them to avoid any food contamination issues with their manure? All this and much more!

On this week's Good Growing podcast Andrew Holsinger joins the group to talk about their upcoming webinar series. From Christmas trees, wreaths, holiday plants, spices, even feeding the birds this winter, we cover a lot of ground in this episode. Register for the webinars at the link below. • Christmas Tree Types: go.illinois.edu/GGChristmasTrees. • Fun with Foliage: go.illinois.edu/GGEvergreenFoliage. • Popular Holiday Plant Care: go.illinois.edu/GGHolidayPlantCare. • Holiday Spices: go.illinois.edu/GGHolidaySpices. • Create a Winter Bird Haven: go.illinois.edu/GGWinterBirds. Questions we tackle on this week's show: What would you recommend we plant to grow a live Christmas tree? Do we plant it after the holiday is over? We harvested greenery to make a wreath, but most of it dried up and turned brown in a few weeks. Do we need to spray the wreath with something to keep this from happening? Do you need to spray greenery to kill bugs? If I cut the top off of a larger pine tree to use as a Christmas tree, will it regrow? How can I keep my poinsettia alive? How do I know if I have a Thanksgiving or a Christmas cactus? I planted mint. Now it is everywhere! What can I do to stop mint from taking over everything? Will a potted lemon tree ever produce lemons in Illinois? What are some herbs to grow inside over the winter? No birds at the bird feeder. Why?

In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast Ken, Katie, and Chris chat with Illinois Extension horticulture educator Kelly Allsup about pollinators. Their conversation starts with monarch butterflies and community science projects geared toward studying monarchs and all pollinators. Plus your questions: What seed mix should we plant around our new beehive? What are some good late-flowering fall plants for migrating monarchs? Is it possible to have a butterfly garden without bees? Should I clean up my leaves and yard in the fall? What's the best thing for pollinators? Community (Citizen) Science projects for pollinators: Monarch Way Station Project https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/ University of Minnesota Bee Lawn https://www.beelab.umn.edu/learn-more/beelawn University of Illinois I-Pollinate https://ipollinate.illinois.edu/ Illinois Extension Pollinator Pockets https://extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/pollinator-pockets Illinois butterfly monitoring network https://bfly.org/ Monarch larva monitoring project https://monarchjointventure.org/mlmp Check out the video version at https://youtu.be/VzbCNJFFXZg

On this week's Good Growing podcast the crew speaks with State Master Gardener Specialist Candice Hart about houseplants. A special feature for this episode is a live audience during the recording. Ken, Katie, and Chris pop into the Knox County Illinois Master Gardener meeting to get live questions. Throughout the episode we cover: How houseplants react when they get moved inside for the winter How to overwinter rosemary Watering strategies for houseplants Can you root prune instead of potting up? Should you put gravel in the bottom of containers? Is it best to let tap water sit overnight before watering plants? Ice cubes and orchids. Is that the way to water them? These topics and so much more! Check out the video version https://youtu.be/LrZAlBEyv98 Contact Candice Hart at [email protected] Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

On this week's Good Growing podcast it is a hostful episode where we talk about spooky plants. We dive into plants with a sinister history like deadly nightshade. And plants that just look evil such as devil's walking stick. Plus, just some all-around cool plants like witch hazel and bloodroot. Then we dive into the plants that bite back and talk carnivorous plants. All this plus your questions on asparagus and an invasive grass known as common reed grass or phragmites. We also went all out and put on our Halloween costumes and turned on the cameras. If you want to watch a T-rex, field mouse, and Yukon Cornelius talk gardening head over to our YouTube channel to watch the videocast https://youtu.be/_hhNLx4CjO8 Check out Ken's article on spooky plants https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2020-10-28-more-spooky-and-scary-plants Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

On this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast, we talk with entomologist Dr. Kacie Athey all about spiders! What are these creepy dudes doing in our house? Are they really dangerous? Dr. Athey dispels the myths and answers your spider questions. We talk about: Why do we see more spiders in the fall? What's the deal? Aren't spiders insects? Spider bites - what to look for. Do we swallow spiders in our sleep? Are daddy longlegs the most venomous spider in the world? What are these fabled toilet spiders? What's it like to get bit by a tarantula? How do I keep spiders out of my house? Does the hedgeapple trick work? Should you move indoor spiders outside? Do wolf spiders travel in packs? What are all those tiny glowing dots in the lawn when I shine my flashlight on them at night? Plus, why were whiteflies swarming everywhere this year? Got an insect question? Contact Dr. Athey [email protected] Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

In this week’s episode of the Good Growing podcast, we chat with commercial agriculture educator Nathan Johanning about pumpkins! Nathan describes the ins and outs of growing this wonderfully diverse crop plus how to pick the perfect pumpkin for your fall décor. Plus, we discuss: • What to do to make pumpkins last longer • Can Jack-o’-lanterns be used for pie and vice versa? • Just starting out growing pumpkins? There’s a lot to know. Nathan gives two big considerations. • Can we grow pumpkins in containers? • How do you grow giant pumpkins? • What to do about weeds in the pumpkin patch? Illinois Fruit and Vegetable Newsletter https://ipm.illinois.edu/ifvn/ Nathan’s series of videos on pumpkin production https://www.youtube.com/c/IllinoisLocalFoods/search?query=pumpkin Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

On this week's Good Growing podcast we are joined by energy and environment educator Duane Friend with Illinois Extension. Duane chats with Ken, Katie, and Chris all about soils and also helps us answer a question about ponds. In this episode we discuss: Parts of Illinois are listed in a drought. What is the outlook for next year and what should we be watering our plants? Is there a magic bullet for improving soil to fix sick plants? How often should we be testing our soil? What is a good cover crop for beginners? Is it possible to garden without a tiller? What to do after taking down a large above-ground swimming pool. Suggestions for improving heavy clay soil. Can we spray ponds weeds in the fall? Check here for future recordings of Duane's compost programs https://www.youtube.com/user/UIExtension/videos Purdue Pond Guide https://extension.purdue.edu/pondwildlife/ Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, horticulture educator Martha Smith joins to talk about spring-blooming bulbs. With so many to pick from where does a beginner start? Martha gives some good bulbs for beginners and her favorites she has growing in her landscape. Plus, tips on how to plant them and keep the critters away. Plus listener questions: What do we recommend for a homeowner to incorporate more flowering plants in their lawn that can be mowed? How do you overwinter canna lily and calla lilies? What is the best way to prepare a landscape bed now in the fall for planting in the spring? What’s the deal with all these clouds of whiteflies in the yard? Is tomato season over? Should we pull tomatoes off the plant now and save the green ones for fried green tomatoes? Is fall the time to move lilies or should we wait until spring? Signup for Gardening in the Air on October 10, 2020 https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=22551 Check out some of Martha's favorite spring bulbs https://uofi.box.com/s/0yf36wexh1v77celqq7j5y847kcrcbns Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast horticulture educator Richard Hentschel returns to talk about rehabbing our garden tools after a long season of use and abuse. The group talks about their favorite garden tools, the one thing to avoid to keep tools working great, sharpening shovels and pruners, refreshing wooden handles, and winterizing the mower for winter. Plus we answer listener questions! What trees should I plant next to a wetland? Is it too late to plant cover crops? Are there tarantulas in Illinois? Can we divide rhubarb in the fall? After several visits from the lawn care company, we still have crabgrass. What can we do to get rid of it? Resources The Midwest Cover Crop Council http://mccc.msu.edu/ Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

On this week’s Good Growing podcast our very own producer, Wendy Ferguson, shares her expertise in nature journaling. Wendy is also the horticulture program coordinator for Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties for the University of Illinois Extension. During the show, we learn that nature journaling is deeply engrained in both art and science because it’s all about observation and discovery. We discuss: Is nature journaling new? And famous scientists and explorers that used this technique Is it just like keeping a diary? How does it tie into science? What are some tips to get started? What about getting kids started? How does this relate to the new science standards being taught in school? Plus, your home gardening questions: Starting a pollinator garden this fall Can we limb up trees during the fall? Battling yellow jackets that are eating fall raspberries And what are the hosts doing right now to prepare their landscapes and gardens for fall References https://iiseagrant.org/publications/full_sun_pollinator_garden/ Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

In this week's episode of the Good Growing Podcast, we chat with horticulture educator Brittnay Haag about gardening and outdoor activities with kids. Brittnay gives tips for extending today's e-learning from the screen to the outdoors and working with plants. Topics discussed are: What are age-appropriate outdoor chores for kids? What about indoor gardening activities as the weather get crummy? An elementary school has access to a small prairie plot. What activities can teachers employ and are there safety precautions when doing so? Will my kid ever like bugs? Making kids feel more comfortable with insects. What are some good indoor plants to put in a child's room to teach about caring for something? What is a realistic expectation for a child's attention span? Check out Brittnay's School Garden Resource Guide https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/school_garden_resource_reduced.pdf Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast, the group chats with Illinois Extension horticulture educator Bruce Black. Bruce shares best practices for storing garden produce for consuming over the winter. Plus the team calls on nutrition and wellness educator Kristin Bogdonas to help answer questions about canning and pickling. Topics covered in today's episode: What do we need to store vegetables? What is Bruce's favorite vegetable to keep over winter? How long can we expect produce to stay good? Pickling and fermenting foods What to do with tomatoes with the shortage of canning supplies? Curing and storing sweet potatoes How to store garlic and onion Storing butternut squash Preparing the garden for next year Links: For more information on safe home food preservation methods and tested recipes, visit go.illinois.edu/nutritionwell. Here you will find recorded webinars and handouts on canning, freezing, drying, and fermenting. Need to have your pressure canner dial-gauge tested? We recommend these be tested every year for accuracy. Find the closest office to you by visiting, https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/pressure_canning_testing_-locations_-_june_2020.pdf Freezing tomatoes https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/tomato.html USDA Handbook 66 The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/oc/np/CommercialStorage/CommercialStorage.pdf Contact the hosts Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

During this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, we talk with Gemini Bhalsod about seed saving. Gemini is a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension in Cook County and a wealth of knowledge! Listen in as we discuss: • The Rose Garden Controversy • Can you save any kind of seed? • Processing heirloom tomato seeds • What’s the best way to store seeds over the winter? • How do we save seed potato and bareroot onion for planting next spring? • When is the best time to plant garlic? Can I use what I got from the grocery store? Could pecan trees be grown in a tub for a few years? What is the best way to start seeds? • Can I save seeds from my pumpkins this year to grow some next year? • Do I need to let the cucumber sit on the vine to save the seeds? How do I know when to pick it? Four Seasons Gardening Series https://extension.illinois.edu/global/four-seasons-gardening-webinar-series Seed Savers Exchange https://www.seedsavers.org/ Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected] Chris Enroth [email protected]

In another episode with our Good Growing hosts, we answering your gardening questions. This week we discuss: Dealing with cicada killers Can we plant strawberries and asparagus in August? Did bush honeysuckle kill my tree? What are these bee-like flies buzzing all over the place? When is watermelon ready to pick? Organic options when dealing with Colorado potato beetle Check out our webinars and YouTube channel Register for Getting Started with Compost https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2020-08-26-good-growing-webinar-getting-started-composting See our webinar recordings at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEYBGqFXZS6Sn37n1mVcY1g?view_as=subscriber

In this episode of the Good Growing podcast Eliana Brown shares her knowledge of sustainable landscaping. Eliana is a water quality specialist with University of Illinois Extension. During the episode the team talks about: What is sustainable landscaping? Where would a homeowner start in making their landscape more sustainable? What about large scale projects? How big do you make a rain garden? Is there a sustainable way to control weeds? What about homeowner's associations wanting to become more sustainable? Additional resources Video: Stormwater at Home https://go.illinois.edu/stormwaterhome Visit the Red Oak Rain Garden Website https://redoakraingarden.org/ Video: Rain Garden Installation http://go.illinois.edu/purdue Eliana's Publication with Illinois Indiana SeaGrant on nutrient reduction, native plants, rain gardens, and more https://iiseagrant.org/resources/publications-products/results/?_sft_creator=c-eliana-brown Natural Lawn Care https://iiseagrant.org/work/healthy-waters/programs-initiatives/natural-lawn-care/ THE SOUTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN RAIN GARDEN MANUAL https://iiseagrant.org/publications/the-southern-lake-michigan-rain-garden-manual/ Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/grants-loans/water-financial-assistance/Pages/gigo.aspx

In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, the crew is joined by University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Richard Hentschel. Richard dives into important and timely lawn care questions as summer days shorten and cooler nights begin to prevail. Topics covered include: What can I do to get lawns like my neighbors that hire companies to take care of theirs? What about lumpy yards? What should I do to rehab my lawn this fall? Should I be bagging my lawn clippings? What can be done to stop nimblewill? How can you transition to less ‘lawn’ and more native plants. Can you treat a lawn to get rid of both dandelion and crabgrass weeds? What grasses are recommended to plant in central Illinois? What animal keeps digging up the lawn? Is there anything that can be done to stop it?

It is a Good Growing podcast episode full of hostful goodness! Today’s show features our intrepid hosts Katie Parker, Ken Johnson, and Chris Enroth as the answer a slew of home gardening questions. On this episode we dive into: What’s going on in the hosts’ gardens right now Settling soil around foundations Getting started with blueberries Why aren’t zucchini and cucumbers producing fruit? Dealing with yellow nutsedge in the lawn Why aren’t tomatoes turning red? Dealing with clay washout in a flower bed. Getting hydrangeas to bloom Horticulturalists LIVE YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cABO-uabd6E&list=PLIq7XlTOe3alQyeqet_5j1YNseo2fxvf4 Horticulturalists LIVE Facebook https://www.facebook.com/125749841792/videos/1181792378829278 Illinois Extension Horticulture Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILextensionHorticulture Webinar Registration Links https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2020-08-05-good-growing-webinar-landscaping-fact-or-fiction

On this week's Good Growing podcast the group chats with Extension Forestry and Research Specialist Chris Evans. Chris updates the group about his work on controlled burns in woodland settings, herbicides for invasive species, and how they use drones in forestry work. Plus Chris helps answer questions on: Are invasive species increasing ticks populations? Maple syrup production in Southern Illinois What to do with woods completely overrun with bush honeysuckle Where do you start when creating a new woodland? Controlling wild parsnip without getting 'burned'. Plus other dangerous wild carrot species How can a landowner contact an appraiser for a timber harvest? Dealing with lingering ash dead from EAB in forests. Are these trees dangerous? White pines and windbreaks Check out the Illinois Extension Forestry website https://extension.illinois.edu/forestry Got a gardening question? Contact the hosts Chris Enroth [email protected] Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected]

This week the Good Growing team welcomes local foods educator, Grant McCarty to the show. Grant enjoys trying new and unique vegetables and talks about what he has growing in his garden. Time to get a pen and paper out to start making that list of veggies to try for next year! Grant also gives tips for gardeners looking to the fall gardening season. Do you have your garlic ordered yet? We also answer your home gardening questions. This week’s questions include: What’s eaten all my cucumber leaves? My hops are early this year. Should I harvest them now? What organic options do I have when dealing with Japanese beetles and spotted wing drosophila on blueberries? How can you tell when to harvest potatoes? Tips for harvesting zucchini Does reusing black plastic mulch for tomatoes carry disease over to the next year? Vegetable seed finder pickacarrot.com Northwest IL Local Foods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ExtensionJSWLocalFoods Contact the hosts: Chris Enroth [email protected] Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected]

On this week's Good Growing podcast, the crew is delighted to welcome Peggy Doty, Energy and Environment educator with University of Illinois Extension. Peggy works closely teaching youth about natural resources and specializes in wildlife topics. Peggy and the Good Growing team chat about the Bruno the Bear and dealing with large predators in Illinois. Plus Peggy helps us answer these homeowner questions: What to do about rabbits eating everything in the garden Keeping raccoons out of the attic Should we relocate wild animals? Can a gardener coexist with a groundhog? Are coyotes really getting bigger? What to do when they're hanging out around the neighborhood Deer are eating everything. In town! Can anything stop these stomachs with legs? Living with Wildlife in Illinois website https://www.wildlifeillinois.org/ Peggy's recent webinar on creating backyard bird habitat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFPR1dJWHTs Contact the hosts: Chris Enroth [email protected] Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected]

This week on the Good Growing podcast the crew talks about the trouble with trees with University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, Ryan Pankau. Ryan brings his wealth of knowledge and experience on arboriculture (the study of trees). In this episode the group discusses: The common problems that occur at the base of the tree trunk Can you train a new redbud from seedlings? A young maple tree leafed out and then suddenly died. Could it be from the weird growth on the trunk? Why would a long strip of bark be missing on an oak tree? What can be done with hydrangeas that don't bloom? A newly planted tree is dying. What suggestions are there to save the tree? Contact the hosts: Chris Enroth [email protected] Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected]

In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, Andrew Holsinger joins the crew to talk about everything Japanese beetles. We discuss nearly every angle of dealing with this invasive and incredible nuisance. We dive into: If home gardeners can feel overwhelmed, what about farmers dealing with Japanese beetles? How do commercial orchards deal with these pests? What can you do to protect your large shade trees? What about backyard fruit trees? If you control the Japanese beetle grubs in the lawn will it help with damage caused by adult beetles? Do you need to spray your sweet corn? What are the organic options to control Japanese beetles? Check out these resources on Japanese beetles Japanese beetle factsheet from University of Illinois Extension Mass Trapping by University of Missouri Extension https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2018/1/mass_trapping_japanese_beetles/ Ken Johnson's webinar on Japanese beetles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On0cbWjkoo4 Japanese beetles - plants they like and don't like & chemical controls https://uofi.box.com/s/9tx9sly5er1il921pmx8osj2t92clwqx Contact the hosts: Chris Enroth [email protected] Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected]

In this week's episode of the Good Growing podcast, Extension educator Duane Friend joins Ken and Katie to talk about compost and dealing with pond weeds. In this episode they cover topics on: Recommended composting methods How often should you stir compost? Can you compost weeds that have been sprayed with herbicide? Can you compost dog and rabbit waste? How do you get rid of algae on your pond? Why causes tiny pinholes in tomato leaves? How often should you water a tomato grown in a container? Check out these resources: Purdue pond management website: https://extension.purdue.edu/pondwildlife/ IL Department of Natural Resources: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Pages/default.aspx Everyday Environment webinars: https://extension.illinois.edu/global/everyday-environment-webinar-series Everyday Environment YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIq7XlTOe3aktogEpAPxp-s64ZoSei3nj Contact the hosts: Chris Enroth [email protected] Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected]

On this week's Good Growing podcast the team talks with Travis Cleveland about tree diseases. Travis is an Extension Specialist in the field of plant pathology and woody plant material. On this episode the Good Growing team talks about: The difficulty in plant disease diagnosis and the importance of good photos. What's happening with Virginia creeper with spots on the leaves? An older silver maple is dropping leaves and it's spring. What's happening? Why do all the sycamores have emptying branches with no leaves? A dogwood only leafed out in the upper canopy. Is it dead? What causes a Colorado blue spruce to lose needles from the bottom up? Links to resources mentioned in the show: A Box folder with photos of some of the plants in question on today's episode https://go.illinois.edu/GoodGrowingPhotos Home Yard and Garden Newsletter - Maple leaf blister article http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1068 Spruce problems https://web.extension.illinois.edu/plantclinic/downloads/Plant%20Clinic%20Report%20Spruce.pdf Contact the hosts: Chris Enroth [email protected] Ken Johnson [email protected] Katie Parker [email protected]