Good Growing

Chris Enroth
  • 4.8 (21)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Talking all things horticulture, ecology, and design.

  1. Ep. 257 Design principles and plants for edible landscapes | #GoodGrowing

    1d ago

    Ep. 257 Design principles and plants for edible landscapes | #GoodGrowing

    In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, we explore the concept of edible landscaping, where ornamental plants double as food sources. Emily, Ken, and Chris will discuss how to design a landscape that combines aesthetic appeal with edible function. Learn the core principles of edible landscape design, including plant selection, diversity, seasonality, and incorporating perennials alongside annual crops. We’ll share real-world examples from our own yards, highlighting native plants, shrubs, trees, and herbaceous perennials that offer both visual interest and edible benefits. Reminder: Always properly identify plants and research proper preparation for cooking and eating them. Some plants we talk about in this episode do have toxic properties if improperly harvested or prepared. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/edDfPi_i3Fw Skip to what you want to know:00:46 Hey Ken and Emily!01:45 Defining the topic for this week. Edible landscape plants...Edimentals03:33 Edimentals is not foraging04:50 Principles of an edible landscape15:13 What are some edible landscaping plants?15:34 Ken's picks16:03 Leadplant17:31 Purple poppy mallow18:21 Ken's Sweet potato and yam article https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2019-11-25-whats-difference-between-sweet-potatoes-and-yams18:54 Common milkweed21:07 Jerusalem artichoke23:25 Hackberry25:16 Chris' edible landscape plants25:31 Blueberry27:44 Hazelnut28:50 Rhubarb30:03 Swiss chard32:34 Emily's picks32:42 Serviceberry35:29 Elderberry37:04 Elderberry syrup recipe https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/elderberry_syrup.pdf37:19 Aronia39:08 Spiderwort40:28 Lambs quarter45:32 Can you eat native grass seeds? Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk  --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

    50 min
  2. Ep. 256 From mild to wild: Exploring hot peppers | #GoodGrowing

    Jun 18

    Ep. 256 From mild to wild: Exploring hot peppers | #GoodGrowing

    Love them or fear them, hot peppers bring the heat to gardens and kitchens alike. Join us as we dive into the spicy world of peppers with Dr. Jack McCoy. Learn about what makes peppers hot, why some people love to eat them, how to grow them, ways to use your harvest, and more!   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/llkA3W2adiY Skip to what you want to know:     00:28 – Welcome. Do we like to eat hot peppers?    03:33 – Jack, tell us about what you are currently teaching/working on at U of I.   04:48 – Student Sustainable Farm at University of Illinois   10:19 – Jack, how did you get into hot peppers?   13:22 – Why is there so much interest in hot peppers?   17:04 – Why are hot peppers hot? Why did they evolve to be hot?   20:08 – How do capsaicin levels relate to Scoville units?   23:47 – Which came first, hot or sweet peppers? Are they all the same?    25:53 – How do we grow peppers?   30:05 – Suggestions for starting pepper seeds indoors   33:15 – Do peppers need any kind of special fertilization or irrigation routines?   34:18 – Is there anything that happens during the growing season that affects the pepper's heat?   39:44 – What pests do we need to watch out for?   44:31 – Do we need to protect ourselves when harvesting hot peppers?    47:50 – Any peppers to recommend for chiliheads? What about beginners?    50:43 – Favorite way to use hot peppers   54:30 – There seems to be a hot pepper arms race, is there a limit to how hot peppers can be?   56:01 – What's the hottest pepper we’ve ever eaten?   1:01:41 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!   Allerton Supper Club   Contact us!  Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu     Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/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 4m
  3. Ep. 255 Big bluestem in the garden | #GoodGrowing

    Jun 12

    Ep. 255 Big bluestem in the garden | #GoodGrowing

    Big bluestem is one of the iconic grasses of the tallgrass prairie, and it's having a moment as this year's Perennial Plant of the Year! Check out this week's Good Growing Podcast as we explore what makes this native grass so special, from how to identify it, to where it grows, and how it supports wildlife. Plus, we dig into the 'Blackhawks' cultivar, discuss how to use big bluestem in your landscape, share tips for choosing between wild types and cultivated varieties, and more!

    55 min

  4. Jun 5 ·  Bonus

    Gardenbite: How to Keep Tomatoes Healthy in Summer Heat: Pruning, Support, and Mulch | #GoodGrowing

    In this Gardenbite episode of the Good Growing podcast, we dig into essential early summer tomato care to help keep your plants healthy, productive, and under control. From staking and trellising methods like cages and the Florida weave to managing vigorous indeterminate varieties, we explore practical ways to support growing plants and prevent a backyard takeover. We also break down the pros and cons of pruning tomato suckers, when fertilizing may (or may not) be necessary, and how mulching can improve soil moisture retention, reduce weeds, and support overall plant health. Along the way, we share real-world experiences, lessons learned, and simple strategies you can apply in your own garden this season. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f89Jy0U8MOQ Skip to what you want to know:00:57 Staking/trellising tomatoes 05:09 Pruning "suckers" on the tomato plant 06:08 Tomato fertilizer 06:43 Mulching tomatoes Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk  --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

    12 min
  5. Ep. 254 How We Became Horticulturists: Real Stories & Career Paths in Plant Science | #GoodGrowing

    May 29

    Ep. 254 How We Became Horticulturists: Real Stories & Career Paths in Plant Science | #GoodGrowing

    How do you actually become a horticulturist? Is it a straight path—or a winding trail full of unexpected turns? In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, Chris, Ken, and Emily dig into their own origin stories—sharing how childhood curiosity, career detours, and a little bit of luck led them into the world of horticulture. From digging holes and growing strawberries to working at Disney greenhouses, studying landscape architecture, and navigating the Great Recession job market, their journeys prove there’s no single path into this field. Enjoy our “how it all began” stories! Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Vqz4wZSE6hU Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk  --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

    1h 7m
  6. Ep. 253 Garden Q&A: Is it Poison Hemlock? Weird Pepper Myths, Bluebird Drama, and more! | #GoodGrowing

    May 22

    Ep. 253 Garden Q&A: Is it Poison Hemlock? Weird Pepper Myths, Bluebird Drama, and more! | #GoodGrowing

    Got weird plants in your yard? Strange damage on your trees? Or birds attacking your truck? You’re not alone! In this Good Growing Podcast Q&A episode, we tackle real gardening questions asked at Illinois Extension offices and by podcast listeners. We start with a recurring question this time of year, a Poison Hemlock alert—how to identify this highly toxic plant, how it compares to lookalikes like Queen Anne’s lace, and what to do if you find it on your property. Then we dig into peach tree leaf curl, why there’s nothing you can do mid-season (sorry!), and how to prevent it next year. Plus, much more! Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKvEiM_7REM Skip to what you want to know: 01:35 What's going on in our landscapes this time of year?  04:46 Kicking off this week's questions: What is this plant? Picture This says it is poison hemlock.    06:25 How to identify poison hemlock.      08:32 Toxic effects of poison hemlock      10:09 Controlling poison hemlock     16:58 Can we plant Chinese wisteria in Illinois?   18:57 What are the basics of fruit tree grafting?   26:26 Why do bluebirds attack my truck?   31:45 Sick peach tree. Is it peach leaf curl?   35:11 How do you find a good landscape contractor?  43:30 What's wrong with my linden trees? They aren't leafing out, and the leaves that are there are deformed.   54:41 Are peppers with three lobes on the bottom considered males and peppers with four to five lobes considered female?  01:30 Thank yous and coming up next week.  Invasive Poison Hemlock https://extension.illinois.edu/invasives/invasive-poison-hemlockPoison Hemlock Handout https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/2025-05/accessibledocuments/poison-hemlock.pdfInvasive Wild Parsnip https://extension.illinois.edu/invasives/invasive-wild-parsnip Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart eswihart@illinois.edu Like what you hear? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/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 3m
  7. Ep. 252 Growing together: Three Sisters gardening | #GoodGrowing

    May 15

    Ep. 252 Growing together: Three Sisters gardening | #GoodGrowing

    This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we dig into the Three Sisters gardening method, an Indigenous planting system that brings corn, beans, and squash together in a mutually beneficial way. Learn about the history and cultural significance behind the Three Sisters, how these three crops support one another in the garden, tips for trying it yourself at home, and more!     Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EZmR9h-dhmQ      Skip to what you want to know:     00:36 – Have we ever tried the Three Sisters Gardening technique?   03:07 – Land acknowledgment    09:20 – The origin of the Three Sisters    16:31 – What is Three Sisters agriculture/gardening?   20:41 – Growing the Three Sisters   31:50 – Is it an effective way to grow?   39:53 – Eating the harvest   50:05 – The Honorable Harvest   57:26 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!     More information The Mohawk story of creation: Lee Claremont, TEDx Penticton   Historical Indigenous Food Preparation Using Produce of the Three Sisters Intercropping System   An Evaluation of the Productivity of the Native American 'Three Sisters' Agriculture System in Northern Wisconsin   Yield, growth, and labor demands of growing maize, beans, and squash in monoculture versus the Three Sisters    Root foraging elicits niche complementarity-dependent yield advantage in the ancient ‘three sisters’ (maize/bean/squash) polyculture    Uncovering Cahokia’s Food History & Forgotten Farmscapes    Contact us!  Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily 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

    1 hr
  8. Ep. 251 Celebrating the Year of the Azalea and Talking How to Grow Them | #GoodGrowing

    May 8

    Ep. 251 Celebrating the Year of the Azalea and Talking How to Grow Them | #GoodGrowing

    The National Garden Bureau has named 2026 the Year of the Azalea! Ken, Emily, and Chris are digging into what makes these colorful (and sometimes finicky) plants so popular. In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, we break down everything you need to know about azaleas—from their connection to rhododendrons to how to grow them successfully in the Midwest. If you’ve ever wondered why azaleas struggle in Illinois landscapes (or if they’re even worth trying), this episode is for you. Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Tvg7VoiBmgc 00:30 Hey Ken01:07 Hey Emily!01:42 Topic of the week: Year of the azalea according to the National Garden Bureau03:13 Rhododendron vs, Azalea, which is which?05:44 Groups of azalea: Tsutsusi and pentanthera07:19 Native deciduous azalea vs non-native evergreen azalea07:42 History of breeding azalea10:16 Growing requirement for azalea14:52 Site selection and species/cultivar selection18:59 Insects and disease challenges with azaleas22:24 Pollinators and azalea23:51 Phytopthora root rot and soil pH issues25:10 Back to pollinators on azalea26:06 Describing 10 azaleas native to Eastern North America   27:08 Alabama Azalea   29:12 Coastal Azalea   30:11 Florida Azalea   32:13 Flame Azalea   33:04 Piedmont or Mountain Azalea   33:35 Oconee Azalea (also goes by Peidmont azalea in some areas but is a different species)   34:14 Pinxterbloom Azalea   35:13 Rochelle/Early/Plumleaf Azalea   36:44 Pink Shell Azalea   37:28 Swamp Azalea39:19 Would we grow azaleas in our yard?42:34 What type of azalea might you find in an Illinois nursery?44:32 Azaleas at Augusta Golf Course Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.eduKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Emily Swihart eswihart@illinois.edu Like what you hear? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/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
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4.8
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Talking all things horticulture, ecology, and design.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Enroth
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    326
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Good Growing

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