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Ep. 232 The Cranberry Story: Native Roots and Modern Agriculture | #Good Growing
Discover the fascinating world of cranberries in this episode of Good Growing. Horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson explore the history, science, and cultivation of one of North America’s few commercially grown native fruits. Learn how cranberries evolved from wild bog plants to a global industry, why they float during wet harvest, and the unique challenges growers face in managing seasonal demand. From Indigenous traditions to modern farming techniques, this episode dives deep into cranberry botany, sustainability, and the economics behind your favorite holiday berry. Skip to what you want to know:00:39 Hey Ken! Ken loves cranberries and the holidays.01:26 We studied for this one, promise!01:56 What are cranberries? A look into history.04:23 America's Founding Fruit: The Cranberry14:57 Chris' favorite quote, cranberries are like cats16:12 The anatomy of a cranberry. Why do they float?18:34 Taste testing our fresh cranberries. 19:41 Difference between dry and wet harvest of cranberries26:04 Boom and bust of the cranberry market28:15 A year of growing cranberries from a farmer's perspective - Planting cranberries32:01 What does a cranberry field look like, and where do they get the water?33:31 Cranberries in the spring planting, irrigation needs, and pollination36:35 Summer in the cranberry field - ripening36:53 Fall in the cranberry field -harvest37:32 Wet harvest39:23 Dry Harvest40:48 The cranberry fields in the winter - protecting from winter injury44:59 Can you grow the American cranberry in the backyard?46:59 https://www.cranberries.org/bog-cup-activity53:11 Thank yous and coming up next weekCranberry Pumpkin Muffins https://eat-move-save.extension.illinois.edu/eat/recipes/cranberry-pumpkin-muffinsCranberries https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2019-11-12-cranberries America’s Founding Fruit: The Cranberry in a New Environment, by Susan Playfair https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/A/bo44311431.htmlContact 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
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Ep. 231 New Additions to Illinois’ Invasive Species List | #GoodGrowing
In this episode of Good Growing, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the latest updates to the Illinois Exotic Weed Act, which now includes nine newly listed invasive plant species. From the notorious Tree of Heaven to the sneaky Sericea Lespedeza. Plus, a tree many people have been waiting to be added to the list - Callery pear!Skip to what you want to know:00:30 Hey Ken! Are we done gardening yet? What we're doing with all our ginger.03:03 News from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on 9 new invasive plant species04:36 Tree of Heaven08:11 Garlic mustard10:23 Leafy spurge12:58 Sericea lespedeza16:06 Japanese stiltgrass18:05 Amur corktree20:01 Black and pale swallow-wort22:22 Callery Pear27:54 What does this mean to be listed as an invasive species?37:37 What is a native plant?39:59 Do other countries deal with invasive species?42:37 Thanks yous and coming up next week!Illinois Extension Press Release: Nine new invasive species regulated in Illinois with expansion of Exotic Weeds Act https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/nine-new-invasive-species-regulated-illinois-expansion-exotic-weeds-actUSDA Plant Guide: Leafy Spurge https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/idpmcpg12069.pdfIllinois Regulations Regarding Invasive Plant Species https://extension.illinois.edu/invasives/regulationsContact 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
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Ep. 230 From alien wasps to zombie ants, parasites are all around | #GoodGrowing
It’s a Halloween Spooktacular! While they are usually overlooked, parasites are all around us. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we explore the complex, surprisingly common, and sometimes creepy world of parasites and parasitoids with Dr. Kacie Athey. Learn how these tiny creatures attack and manipulate their hosts, the difference between parasites, parasitoids, and diseases, discover mind-controlling fungi that infect insects, and more! Watch us on YouTube: Skip to what you want to know: 02:47 - Welcome, Dr. Kacie Athey! 04:46 – What are parasites? How are they different than diseases? 06:21 - What are some parasites we commonly encounter or affect humans? 09:59 - Parasites 'in the garden' - parasitoid wasps 17:22 - Parasitoid wasps and hornworm caterpillars 23:30 - Parasitoid wasps and aphids 25:37 - The (sometimes) bizarre world of hyperparasitoids. 37:33 - Cordyceps - The Last of Us comes to insects 44:28 - A few more examples of parasites manipulating host behavior 48:44 - A few parasitic plants 54:37 - Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Alabagrus kaciejoaeMistletoe Show: Learn about this holiday parasitic plant 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
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Ep. 229 Why Leaves Change in the Fall and Which Trees Do It Best | #Good Growing
In this episode of Good Growing, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the science and spectacle of fall foliage. From the pigments behind the seasonal color shift to their favorite underappreciated trees (sorry, maples), the duo explores what makes autumn leaves so dazzling—and why some years are better than others. Learn the difference between carotenoids and anthocyanins, discover native trees that deserve more love, and find out which species drop all their leaves in one dramatic swoop. Plus, a fun detour into the origins of the words “fall” and “autumn,” and a few honorable mentions that might surprise you.Whether you call it fall, autumn, or harvest season—this episode is packed with colorful insights!Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t2VGsf8SPiU00:41 Hey Ken!01:46 Is it the Autumn or Fall season?04:47 The process occurring inside the leaves that causes color change.11:42 Ideal weather for fall color.13:14 Native trees for fall color (besides maples)14:15 Black gum, Nyssa sylvatica17:55 Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua23:54 Sassafras, Sassafras albidum28:05 Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum29:03 Oaks, Quercus spp.31:23 Gingko, Gingko biloba35:59 Honorable Mentions36:10 Redbud36:47 Honeylocust37:04 Flowering dogwood37:13 Bald cypress39:30 Poison ivy40:34 Thank yous and coming up next weekRead more about it: Falling for Autumn - https://weconservepa.org/blog/falling-for-autumn/Beyond maples: Trees for fall color - https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-10-20-beyond-maples-trees-fall-colorDive Deeper into Fall Color PigmentsGardenbite: The Science Behind Fall Color - https://youtu.be/2puA2uMoXEgContact 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
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Ep 228 Should they stay or should they go: What should we do with fallen leaves? | #GoodGrowing
The arrival of fall means vibrant colors and a whole lot of leaves on the ground. So, what should we do with all those leaves? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we discuss whether or not we should remove leaves from our landscapes, and if we do, what can we do with them? Watch us on YouTube Skip to what you want to know: 00:38 - Are leaves starting to drop near us? 02:10 – Fall color update 03:53 - Should we remove our leaves or leave the leaves? Impacts on insects. 13:15 - Recommendations for fall leaves and helping insects 15:29 - What can be done with leaves? 28:42 - How do we use leaves in our landscapes? 36:18 - Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! Read more about it: Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects 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
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