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 kjohnso@illinois.edu Katie Parker keparkr2@illinois.edu Chris Enroth cenroth@illinois.edu