This week on the Good Growing podcast, Ken and Chris sift through a survey that asks homeowners about water-saving products that can be used during water restrictions. The duo go down the list of products suggested by the survey and discuss whether these items would truly help save water and benefit your plants during a severe drought. After debating the merits of the survey’s products, Ken and Chris provide some horticulturally sound water-saving tips for our Midwest yards and gardens.

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/oO3BYDiOzww 

Skip to what you want to know:
03:02 The survey we are discussing today regarding water-saving products from the lawn and garden. Impacts from water restrictions.
07:36 Going through the survey results.
12:26 Natural fertilizers. Water Saving Product?
16:08 Soil Wetting Agents. Water Saving Product?
21:49 Compost. Water Saving Product?
25:28 Liquid lawn fertilizers and soil moisture monitors. Water Saving Product?
30:35 Artificial Turf. Water Saving Product?
33:53 Soil amendments. Water Saving Product?
36:56 Granular lawn fertilizer. Water Saving Product?
40:35 Herbicides and fungicides. Water Saving Product?
42:17 Polymer pellets (hydrogels). Water Saving Product?
47:11 Recommendations for saving water in Illinois gardens and landscapes.
47:32 Soil amendments based on soil test results.
48:27 Planting vegetables in blocks rather than rows.
48:35 Siting plants based on their water requirements.
49:51 Select plants adapted to your site conditions.
50:12 Shade cloth in vegetable gardens.
51:00 Enhance and protect shade trees.
52:55 Eliminate non-functional turf.
53:32 Break up impervious pavement surfaces.
54:55 Water collection devices.
56:02 What about graywater in Illinois?
56:48 Watering properly and efficiently. 
57:59 Drip irrigation or soaker hoses.
58:51 Prioritizing what plants get watered and which are on their own.
01:02:07   Thank yous! See ya next week!

Mulch episode https://youtu.be/sqw4Cwr7wjo

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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