Winter sowing is a cost-effective and low maintenance way of starting plants for the garden. The creator of the winter sowing method, Trudi Davidoff puts it in simple terms, "starting plants outdoors, in winter."
Winter sowing works with nature to prepare seeds for growth by providing the proper...
A sensory garden is not only a feast for the eyes but also for your nose, touch, taste buds, and ears. They are perfect for schools, healthcare facilities, or your backyard oasis. Here's how you can create a sensory garden:
Pick the Perfect Spot
Find a location that gets plenty of sunshine every...
The Grow A Row initiative aims to give back to Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford communities by providing fresh produce to food banks, pantries, and other distribution efforts. The goal in 2023 was to donate 25,000 pounds of fresh produce to charitable organizations. Anyone can participate by donating...
The 2023 Annual Master Gardener State Conference, held at the East Peoria Convention Center, honored thirteen Extension Master Gardeners and one team project in the Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell unit with state awards.
Outstanding Master Gardener Award
The Outstanding Master Gardener...
Weeds may be unwanted, but armed with the right information they can be very helpful tools to improving your garden.
There are some weeds that are called indicator species because they are more likely to be found in specific environmental conditions. Their presence in your garden or landscape can...
Pruning perennial flowers takes a garden from looking fair to fabulous. Deadheading, cutting back, and pinching are all pruning techniques that can keep perennial plants looking well cared for, healthy, and colorful.
Pruning perennials is a complex topic because different plants need different...
There are many types of mulch that can be used in landscapes and gardens. Here are some things to consider as you choose the mulch that works best for your space.
Benefits of mulch
Even though there are different types of mulch, they do have some important things in common. One of the big...
Getting Started with Seed Saving
If you find the perfect tasting tomato, harvesting and saving the seed will ensure you can have that tomato again next season. The seed stores the genetic information for a new plant. With a bit of practice and patience, you can have the seeds of your favorite...
The colorful poinsettia is a beautiful addition to end-of-the-year holiday festivities. One of the most common questions about poinsettias is how to keep them and get them to rebloom the following season.
The first step to reblooming is to keep the plant healthy and growing throughout the year....
The large, colorful blooms of the Amaryllis can brighten dreary winter days. This South American native has showy flowers in a range of colors from white to pink to red. Amaryllis is a beautiful addition to holiday or winter décor.
Getting Started
Often you will find Amaryllis sold as a bulb in a...