# Ep. 236 Persimmon Growing Facts & Folklore | #GoodGrowing

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021/ep-236-persimmon-growing-facts-folklore-goodgrowing
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021/ep-236-persimmon-growing-facts-folklore-goodgrowing.md
Podcast: [Good Growing](https://stenobird.com/podcast/good-growing-421021)
Published: 2026-01-02T11:31:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/c18b2eb6
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/c18b2eb6/bd4c5fa8.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/good-growing-421021/episodes/ep-236-persimmon-growing-facts-folklore-goodgrowing
Duration seconds: 1332

## Resource

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 guest Nick Frillman explore everything from tree identification and growing tips to wildlife connections and seed stratification . We’ll bust common myths—like whether persimmons need frost to ripen—and uncover quirky folklore, including the famous fork, knife, or spoon winter prediction . Skip to what you want to know: 00:33 Hey Ken! 01:28 Where can we find persimmon growing naturally in Illinois? 05:31 Sprouting persimmon seeds. 07:51 What animals are eating and moving the seeds around Illinois? 08:49 Folklore: Do persimmons require a frost to ripen? 10:15 Can persimmon seeds predict the future winter weather? 15:07 Other persimmon myths/facts 16:56 Persimmon is the sweetest fruit native to Illinois. 17:54 Where can we go to learn more about persimmons? 19:18 Svannah Institute persimmon breeding 19:29 University of Connecticut Climate Smart Orchard Handout 19:50 Thank yous and Happy New Year! Growing and Enjoying Pawpaw and Persimmon with Patrick Byers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy6aZdQ5Fok Cliff England - persimmon breeder James (Jim) Claypool - persimmon breeder (deceased) Cornell - http://www.hort.cornell.edu/fruit/mfruit/persimmons.html Savanna Institute - https://www.savannainstitute.org/persimmon/ Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Nick Frillman frillma2@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companie…

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