Good Growing

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: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected]  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.  Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us 

Persimmons are sweet, native to Illinois, and sometimes astringent! In this episode of Good Growing, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson sit down with Nick Frillman, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, to uncover everything you need to know about persimmons. From American vs. Asian cultivars to tips for growing them in Illinois, we cover cultivars, pollination, pruning, and harvesting tricks to avoid that dreaded cottonmouth. Skip to what you want to know:00:39 Hey Ken! Have we ever eaten a persimmon?01:42 Welcome Nick!03:24 What is the difference between the Asian and American persimmon?08:10 Which type of persimmon is grown in Illinois?12:01 What is the comparison of astringent vs. non-astringent persimmon?16:47 What do we need to know about sourcing persimmon trees?19:45 What are some improved cultivars of persimmon available for sale?20:09 https://nafex.org/21:46 How are these trees sold? Bareroot or potted?22:45 American persimmons sold for deer hunting23:54 Where do persimmons need to be planted?  24:28 Chris Evans winter tree ID webinar https://youtu.be/PuAlyp9PamA?si=bdcAOXUjY-NUIe09&t=317625:52 How does pollination work with persimmons? 30:39 What type of pruning is needed to grow persimmons?33:31 What other maintenance needs to occur when growing persimmons? Fertilizer? Irrigation?35:01 What pests can be problems with persimmons?36:39 How do you know when persimmons are ripe and ready to pick?41:16 What about the dropped persimmon fruit on the ground?44:39 How should we store persimmons?48:03 The difference in flavor and texture of American and Asian persimmons50:03 What are some processing methods for preserving persimmons?53:03 Thank yous and coming up next week!Chris Evans winter tree ID webinar https://youtu.be/PuAlyp9PamA?si=bdcAOXUjY-NUIe09&t=3176Growing and Enjoying Pawpaw and Persimmon with Patrick Byers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy6aZdQ5FokContact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribeAny products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

Holly isn’t just a festive decoration; it’s a plant with a rich history that can be incorporated into almost any garden. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast, as we explore the fascinating world of holly (Ilex spp.), from its cultural significance in ancient traditions to its role in modern landscapes. Learn about different species, tips for planting and care, how to ensure those iconic red berries appear, and even some surprising uses for holly. Whether you’re decking the halls or planning your garden, this episode has everything you need to know about this holiday favorite.  Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ymwu5eIsyaw Skip to what you want to know:    00:37 - Welcome, Ken. Talking holly this week.  01:47 – Holly mythology  05:10 - General growing conditions and care of holly  07:47 - Holly are dioecious, what does that mean? How does that affect pollination and fruit production?  13:21 – Pruning hollies  16:19 – Holly species (some)    17:28 - Ilex glabra – Inkberry    22:26 - Ilex crenata - Japanese holly    26:06 - Ilex decidua – Possumhaw    28:07 - Ilex verticilata – Winterberry    31:39 - Ilex x meserve - Blue holly    35:05 - Ilex aquifolium - English holly    36:58 - Ilex opaca - American holly    41:00 - Ilex cornuta - Chinese holly      42:56 – ‘Nellie Stevens’      45:59 – Ilex cornuta ‘Burford’  47:17 – Holly and wildlife  50:11 – Tea made from holly and a taste test  58:09 – Holly and deer and rabbits  59:06 - Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected]  Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.  Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us 

 It’s the most wonderful time of the year, if you’re battling invasive bush honeysuckle! In this Garden Bite, Chris from the Good Growing podcast walks you through effective late-fall control methods. Learn how to identify honeysuckle when everything else has gone dormant, why timing matters for herbicide applications, and the step-by-step process for the cut-stump treatment using glyphosate. From hand-pulling small plants to tackling large shrubs with saws and chainsaws, this episode covers the tools, techniques, and tips you need to reclaim your woodland understory. Grab your gloves and join us as we keep slaying that honeysuckle! Watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/fDynOj5pOOg Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk--You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us

Have you ever had a container planter with perennials and excitedly waited for them to resume growth in the spring, but it never happened? Perennials in pots are subjected to much harsher conditions compared to those in the soil. Because of this, even if they are hardy to our area, they can be damaged and killed. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to help these plants survive the winter, so we can enjoy them come spring.   Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CUbR7Dt7uws‌ Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us