Episode Details

Early spring in the Midwest means unpredictable weather—and plenty of garden questions. After bouncing from 80-degree days to single-digit temperatures, Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson tackle what these wild swings mean for your landscape and gardens.

This week’s episode answers attendee questions submitted at the Home Lawn & Garden Day in Bloomington–Normal. Ken and Chris discuss surprise cold snaps, summer-bound broccoli, thinking ahead to Japanese beetles, and much more. Get ready to get back in the garden as the seasons begin to shift into spring. And then back to winter. And we'll throw some summer in the mix, too. All in the span of a few days.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W0mz6CHpuoc

Skip to what you want to know:
00:36 Hey Ken! The weather has been crazy! Do we yet know what this means for our early-spring flowers?
05:07 Questions from the Home Lawn and Garden Day in Bloomington/Normal
06:35 What are some non-toxic or environmentally friendly ways to kill or keep weeds under control in garden beds?
10:42 Hints on growing brassicas in our area/climate? Cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. Mine seem to fade in the heat.
16:11 Drip irrigation is supposed to be better than sprinklers. Can I do it myself? How do I choose and locate the equipment needed?
21:45 What tools can you not live without, and which ergonomic tools can you recommend as we age?
27:14 What plants are good for repelling rabbits?
30:52 How can you prevent Japanese beetles from eating your flowers without using chemicals?
37:49 What supplemental lighting (type of bulb, distance from the plants & length of time to keep lighting on) is best for Phalaenopsis orchids & African violets?
42:23 https://www.aos.org/all-about-orchids/growing-orchids-under-lights
44:05 Thank yous and coming up next week.

All About Mulch https://youtu.be/sqw4Cwr7wjo
Garden Tools and Gadgets https://youtu.be/GXD12sUiI8w
Supplemental Lighting for Orchids https://www.aos.org/all-about-orchids/growing-orchids-under-lights

Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu
Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu 

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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.

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