Good Growing

Chris Enroth
  • 4.8 (19)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Talking all things horticulture, ecology, and design.

  1. Gardenbite: Boost Prairie Wildflowers with Winter Overseeding | #GoodGrowing

    1D AGO · BONUS

    Gardenbite: Boost Prairie Wildflowers with Winter Overseeding | #GoodGrowing

    Join University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Chris Enroth on a winter walk through the prairie as he demonstrates how to overseed an existing native prairie by hand.  Learn why winter is the perfect time for prairie overseeding, how they select their seed that is spread, and how to mix seed with a carrier for even spreading. Chris explains practical tips for seed collection, hand sowing methods, using locally sourced seed from community seed shares, and how overseeding supports long-term prairie health.  Perfect for native plant lovers or anyone curious about hands-on conservation work that can be done in the winter. Tune in, learn the process, and discover how hand-sown prairie seeds can transform local landscapes over time. Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF6gGjGbjxU Rezab MixGolden Alexander - Zizia aureaHairy Mountain Mint - Pycnanthemum pilosumFoxglove beardtongue - Penstemon digitalisGrass-leaved goldenrod - Euthamia graminifoliaSlender Mountain Mint - Pycnanthemum tenuifoliumShowy goldenrod - Solidago speciosaRattlesnake Master - Eryngium yuccifoliumMissouri Ironweed - Vernonia missuricaRigid Goldenrod - Oligoneuron rigidumPrairie Coreopsis - Coreopsis palmataTall Coreopsis - Coreopsis tripterisVirginia Spiderwort - Tradescantia virginianaYellow Crownbeard - Verbesina helianthoides 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

    10 min
  2. Ep. 239 Seasonal Affective Disorder: More than the winter blues | #GoodGrowing

    FEB 6

    Ep. 239 Seasonal Affective Disorder: More than the winter blues | #GoodGrowing

    Feeling a little low this winter? You’re not alone. This week on the Good Growing Podcast, Family Life Educator Tessa Hobbs‑Curley joins us to discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder. Learn about what it is, how it differs from the usual winter blues, coping strategies, and more.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NdOQ8xNM9aI   Skip to what you want to know:     03:14 – What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? How is it diagnosed?   06:14 – How is SAD different from just feeling bummed about the weather?   10:11 – How is fall/winter SAD different than spring/summer SAD?   12:35 – Do certain groups, such as farmers or gardeners, experience SAD differently?   19:42 – What about children and SAD?   22:46 – How does less green in our environment affect mental health?   32:31 – What are some strategies to help us cope with SAD?   45:56 – Resources to learn more about SAD   47:56 – A little more on light therapy   51:04 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   More information: Mao Clinic: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) National Institute of Mental Health: Seasonal Affective Disorder Illinois Extension: How to manage the winter blues Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Seasonal Affective Disorder Mental Health America: Seasonal Affective Disorder     Contact us!  Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu     Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe   Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.     Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk   -- You can find us on most podcast platforms.   iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377      Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR     Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/     Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/     Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902     Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

    53 min
  3. Gardenbite: How Trees Survive Cold Winters | #GoodGrowing

    JAN 30 · BONUS

    Gardenbite: How Trees Survive Cold Winters | #GoodGrowing

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

    18 min
  4. Ep. 238 Exploring Ficus: More than the houseplant in the corner | #GoodGrowing

    JAN 23

    Ep. 238 Exploring Ficus: More than the houseplant in the corner | #GoodGrowing

    You’ve probably seen Ficus in living rooms, lobbies, or maybe even grown one yourself, but how much do you really know about these iconic houseplants? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we explore the surprisingly diverse world of Ficus. From weeping figs and rubber trees to creeping figs and giant banyans, we dive into their history, care, different species, and more!    Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2hx5VXZrJmg   Skip to what you want to know:     00:41 – There are a lot of ficus species!   02:12 – Ficus species native to the United States, and what are strangler figs.   07:08 – What are Ficus?   12:25 – General care of Ficus houseplants.   22:23 – Common Ficus houseplants     23:38 – Ficus benjamina (weeping fig)     27:14 – Ficus elastica (rubber tree)     33:15 – Ficus lyrata (fiddle leaf fig)     36:03 – Ficus benghalensis (banyan, Ficus Audrey)     42:35 – Ficus maclellandii (banana/long leaf fig, Ficus Alli)     45:31 – Ficus microcarpa (Ginseng ficus, Chinese banyan, Indian laurel)     49:09 – Ficus pumila (creeping fig)   53:08 – Ficus propagation   56:37 – Less commonly encountered ficus houseplants   59:12 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   More information: National Garden Bureau Ficus: Trees and Vine of Florida (University of Florida) Gods and Monsters: The Genus Ficus (Brooklyn Botanic Garden)   Contact us!  Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu     Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe   Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.     Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk   -- You can find us on most podcast platforms.   iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377      Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR     Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/     Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/     Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902     Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

    1h 1m
  5. Gardenbite: The Science of Backyard Bird Care | #GoodGrowing

    JAN 16

    Gardenbite: The Science of Backyard Bird Care | #GoodGrowing

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

    16 min
  6. Ep. 237 Looking back on 2025 and looking forward to 2026 | #GoodGrowing

    JAN 9

    Ep. 237 Looking back on 2025 and looking forward to 2026 | #GoodGrowing

    It’s a new year, which means a new gardening season will be here before we know it. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we look back on our most popular episodes and standout moments from 2025. From battling mosquitoes to celebrating pollinator plants like milkweed and mountain mint, we revisit the topics that sparked the most conversation. Plus, we share some of our plans for 2026, from expanding native plantings to growing food and flowers for community donation, and more!   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-1T-xDTG_W0   Skip to what you want to know:     01:30 – Most popular podcasts of 2025   09:07 – Our favorite episodes and things we learned   17:43 – Reflecting on the 2025 growing season   30:53 – Looking ahead to the 2026 growing season   46:41 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   Popular episodes and videos: Clustered Mountain Mint - Perennial Plant of the Year Get to Know Asclepias (Milkweed) 2025 plant of the year Gardenbite: The life and bites of buffalo gnats Summer Mosquito Control: What Really Works to Keep Bites Away Vegetable gardening in small spaces Compost your way: Passive and active composting styles Chamomile: Discover 2025's herb of the year Peonies: Beauty, history, and backyard blooms The cranberry story: Native roots and modern agriculture Discovering Dogwoods: From trees to shrubs and even groundcovers! Answering your spring gardening questions Fall gardening questions answered Spring beauty in the landscape       Contact us!  Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.eduEmily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu     Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe   Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.     Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk   -- You can find us on most podcast platforms.   iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377      Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR     Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/     Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/     Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902     Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

    49 min
  7. Ep. 236 Persimmon Growing Facts & Folklore | #GoodGrowing

    JAN 2

    Ep. 236 Persimmon Growing Facts & Folklore | #GoodGrowing

    Join us for a deep dive into the fascinating world of American persimmons (Diospyros virginiana)! In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Chris, Ken, and special guest Nick Frillman explore everything from tree identification and growing tips to wildlife connections and seed stratification. We’ll bust common myths—like whether persimmons need frost to ripen—and uncover quirky folklore, including the famous fork, knife, or spoon winter prediction. Skip to what you want to know: 00:33 Hey Ken!01:28 Where can we find persimmon growing naturally in Illinois?05:31 Sprouting persimmon seeds.07:51 What animals are eating and moving the seeds around Illinois?08:49 Folklore: Do persimmons require a frost to ripen?10:15 Can persimmon seeds predict the future winter weather?15:07 Other persimmon myths/facts16:56 Persimmon is the sweetest fruit native to Illinois.17:54 Where can we go to learn more about persimmons?19:18 Svannah Institute persimmon breeding19:29 University of Connecticut Climate Smart Orchard Handout19:50 Thank yous and Happy New Year! Growing and Enjoying Pawpaw and Persimmon with Patrick Byers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy6aZdQ5FokCliff England - persimmon breederJames (Jim) Claypool - persimmon breeder (deceased)Cornell - http://www.hort.cornell.edu/fruit/mfruit/persimmons.htmlSavanna Institute - https://www.savannainstitute.org/persimmon/  Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Nick Frillman frillma2@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

    22 min
  8. Ep. 235 Evergreen Extravaganza: From pines to cedars and beyond | #GoodGrowing

    12/19/2025

    Ep. 235 Evergreen Extravaganza: From pines to cedars and beyond | #GoodGrowing

    From pines and spruces to firs and cedars, evergreens are an important part of many landscapes in Illinois. Join us as we explore what makes these plants unique, how they thrive in tough conditions, and why they’re holiday favorites. Plus, we share some tips for caring for evergreens, choosing the right species for your landscape, and creative ways to repurpose your Christmas tree. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5y6VlnF24go   Skip to what you want to know:     00:34 – Welcome. Talking evergreens and episode 300!   03:02 – Definition time: evergreen, conifer, deciduous conifer, etc.   06:51 – What is the benefit of retaining leaves (being evergreen)?   08:59 – Common evergreens in Illinois landscapes     09:17 – Pines     10:52 – Spruce and fir trees       14:58 – Unusual fir Christmas tree problems no scent and weak limbs       17:26 – Is a Douglas-fir a true fir tree?     19:15 – When a pinecone isn't a pinecone, differentiating conifer cones     21:10 – Cypress family - bald cypress, arborvitae, eastern red cedar     25:38 – Holly     26:50 – Yew   30:45 – Planting evergreens   36:02 – Christmas trees as fire hazards   38:26 – Christmas trees after the holidays   41:46 – Scientific names   43:27 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   More information: Is It Pine, Spruce, or Fir? - https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-80     Contact us!  Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu     Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe   Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.     Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk   -- You can find us on most podcast platforms.   iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377      Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR     Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/     Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/     Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902     Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Talking all things horticulture, ecology, and design.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Enroth
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    307
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Good Growing

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