Good Growing

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we talk with Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty about how things are going in northern Illinois and some of the different crops he's been trying in his garden, like day-neutral strawberries, grapes, and fall-planted blackberries. We also discuss an orchard crawl Grant did, and Ken gives updates on his rice and glass gem corn.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GPLfk0Mavp4

01:35 - Rice and glass gem corn update
03:45 - Welcome Grant
04:35 - Growing conditions this year in northern Illinois
07:18 - What is an orchard crawl? What did you see and do?
10:25 - How are commercial and backyard orchards looking?
13:20 - Growing day-neutral strawberries
20:02 - Growing table and wine grapes
26:40 - Planting blackberries in the fall
30:39 - Thank you, what's up next week, and goodbye

Some helpful resources on this week's topics:
Iowa State Grape Cultivars - https://www.extension.iastate.edu/viticulture/cold-climate-cultivars
Day-Neutral Strawberries in Minnesota - https://extension.umn.edu/strawberry-farming/day-neutral-strawberries
Impact of Heat on Vegetables - https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2021/07/vegetables-not-yielding-well-blame-heat.html

Check out the Good Growing Blog extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing

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Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.

Show Notes

On this week’s Good Growing podcast, we talk with Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty about how things are going in northern Illinois and some of the different crops he's been trying in his garden, like day-neutral strawberries, grapes, and fall-planted blackberries. We also discuss an orchard crawl Grant did, and Ken gives updates on his rice and glass gem corn. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GPLfk0Mavp4 01:35 - Rice and glass gem corn update 03:45 - Welcome Grant 04:35 - Growing conditions this year in northern Illinois 07:18 - What is an orchard crawl? What did you see and do? 10:25 - How are commercial and backyard orchards looking? 13:20 - Growing day-neutral strawberries 20:02 - Growing table and wine grapes 26:40 - Planting blackberries in the fall 30:39 - Thank you, what's up next week, and goodbye Some helpful resources on this week's topics: Iowa State Grape Cultivars - https://www.extension.iastate.edu/viticulture/cold-climate-cultivars Day-Neutral Strawberries in Minnesota - https://extension.umn.edu/strawberry-farming/day-neutral-strawberries Impact of Heat on Vegetables - https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2021/07/vegetables-not-yielding-well-blame-heat.html Check out the Good Growing Blog extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing --- Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.

Creators and Guests

Host
Chris Enroth
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties
Host
Ken Johnson
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Morgan, and Scott Counties

What is Good Growing?

The Good Growing Podcast from University of Illinois Extension helps gardeners grow with confidence. Each episode features research-based advice, practical gardening tips, and engaging conversations on plants, landscapes, ecology, and seasonal garden challenges. Whether you're a beginner gardener or a seasoned plant enthusiast, Good Growing offers timely information to help you create healthier, more successful gardens and landscapes.