Chris Enroth
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties
Appears in 335 Episodes
Ep. 241 Kicking Off the 2026 Grow Along: What We’re Growing and How to Join | #GoodGrowing
Get ready to kick off the 2026 gardening season with the Good Growing team as we unveil this year’s Grow Along plant list. In this episode, University of Illinois Exte...
Ep. 240 Beyond the usual: Exploring some lesser‑known fruits for the garden | #GoodGrowing
Curious about adding something a little different to your backyard orchard? On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we dive into the flavorful world of lesser-known fruit...
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 pra...
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 Affecti...
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 Gard...
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 w...
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 ...
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 epis...
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 ...
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 t...
Ep. 234 Persimmon: Growing and Eating Illinois' Sweetest Fruit | #GoodGrowing
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 Fo...
Ep. 233 Deck the halls with holly: Growing and enjoying Ilex spp. | #GoodGrowing
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...
Gardenbite: Cut Stump Herbicide Treatment to Control Bush Honeysuckle | #GoodGrowing
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 eff...
Gardenbite: Tips for overwintering potted perennials | #GoodGrowing
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 subje...
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 cu...
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 n...
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, su...
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...
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 Podca...
Ep. 227 Stink Bugs, Lady Beetles & Boxelder Invasions: Fall’s Uninvited Houseguests | #GoodGrowing
As temperatures drop and daylight shortens, many insects begin their annual migration—straight into our homes. In this episode, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and...
Ep. 226 Spotted lanternfly in Illinois: Where it is and what to look for | #GoodGrowing
Have you heard about the spotted lanternfly and wondered where it is in Illinois? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we talk with Kelly Estes, State Agricul...
Ep. 225 Stormwater Solutions for Homeowners & Communities | #GoodGrowing
In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, hosts Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson are joined by Colleen Reuter, Environmental Compliance professional at the University o...
Ep. 224 Fall gardening questions answered | #GoodGrowing
Even though it’s been dry, that hasn’t stopped the garden questions from coming in. Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we answer some of your questions, as ...
Ep. 223 Preparing for Fall Drought in the Garden and Landscape | #GoodGrowing
In this episode of Good Growing, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson dive into the challenges of gardening during Central and Southern Illinois’ increa...
Gardenbite: Teasel - An invasive species coming to a roadside near you? | #GoodGrowing
If you’ve driven along any interstates or highways in Illinois, there’s a good chance you’ve seen tall plants with spiky flower heads. Teasels have become an increasin...
Ep. 222 Monarch Butterfly Conservation: Should You Rear Them Indoors? | #GoodGrowing
In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, horticulture educator Chris Enroth from University of Illinois Extension explores the adversaries of the monarch butterfly...
Ep. 221 Compost your way: Passive and active composting styles | #GoodGrowing
In this episode, Chris and Ken delve into the complex world of composting. From their passive piles that simply sit and rot (no judgment!) to active setups that requir...
Ep. 220 From the ground up: How to create and care for raised bed gardens | #GoodGrowing
Thinking about building raised beds, but not sure where to start? Check out this week’s Good Growing Podcast as we discuss the benefits and challenges of raised bed ga...
Ep. 219 Tree identification: Learning to name the trees around you | #GoodGrowing
Ever wondered how to tell one tree from another—or why it even matters? Check out this week’s Good Growing podcast, where we dive into the magical world of tree identi...
Ep. 218 Midsummer Lessons: What’s Growing (and Dying) in Our Yards | #GoodGrowing
In this candid and photo-filled episode of the Good Growing Podcast, horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson take you on a tour of their own backyards. You...
