Few people like 90+ degree temperatures. Plants aren't far behind. On hot days, plants can lose water faster than roots absorb it, even if sufficient soil moisture is available. In these conditions, you can watch the plants wilt, leaves droop, and stems seem to flop. If the soil is moist, the...

Two gardening tasks for autumn BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Kelly Allsup recommends two essential gardening tasks to do this fall: fertilize your trees and refrain from cleaning up your perennial garden. Fall is a great time to...

Peas, leafy greens, potatoes, Swiss chard, tomatoes and numerous herbs have thus far been harvested from my straw bale garden this year, states University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, Kelly Allsup. The bales are lined up in pairs standing just east of her driveway, close to a water...

Four Seasons Gardening Program Offers Spring Series The spring series of University of Illinois Extension's Four Seasons Gardening program, which focuses on environmental stewardship, home gardening, and backyard food production gets underway this month. The first session of the...

Ella Maxwell of Hoerr Nursery to Present at 'A Day in the Garden Patch' Please join Ella Maxwell and the Livingston County Master Gardeners in welcoming spring with an educational workshop entitled 'A Day in the Garden Patch' from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 9 at the...

Staghorn Fern: A Growing Work of Art BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Do you have an empty spot on your wall that is just screaming for a touch of green? "Create a unique art installment this winter in the form of a beautifully mounted Staghorn Fern," states University of...

Kokedama String Ball Garden Workshop Livingston County Master Gardeners would like to invite you to an exceptional make and take workshop entitled "Kokedama String Ball Gardening." The class is on Saturday, October 22 at the Livingston County Extension Office. A small registration fee of $15 is...

These dangerous carrots cause photo-dermatitis. Cow parsnip, wild parsnip, and giant hogweed contain an allergen that is activated by sunlight to cause rash, blisters, or other skin irritations in susceptible people. Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) is a native plant that can reach eight...

Holidays, Simplified The University of Illinois Extension is here to help you have a less stressful holiday season! Learn how to make and use evergreen swags, create healthier desserts and discover ways to stick to a budget at our "Holidays, Simplified" workshop. The workshop will...

Woodford County Master Gardeners accept new members University of Illinois Extension Woodford Master Gardener program welcomes nine new interns to the county. The interns participated in the first Master Gardener training conducted here in Woodford County. They join a group of...

The University of Illinois Extension would like to congratulate McLean County Master Gardeners Diane Boeck, Lenore Clark, Tom Creswell, Pat Epsicokhan, Lucy Kelly and Sharon O'Neall for being recognized with the 2016 Outstanding State Master Gardener award. The Outstanding State Award was...

For Immediate Release: Please Join Livingston, McLean and Woodford County University of Illinois Extension Horticulture for a series of workshops designed to teach the community how to grow. Selecting topics that are popular and sure to teach novice and avid gardener's skills to grow flowers and...

Late-blooming beauties URBANA, Ill. - Just as most flowers are frying or fading, late-blooming perennials take off and steal the show, says Sandra Mason, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.Mason shares a few late-blooming beauties to create a fantastic fall flower garden....

Brussels Sprouts "Brussels sprouts were the high point of numerous meals over my holiday season. I must admit I have never grown this delectable vegetable because it is known to be a slow-growing vegetable, but now have aspirations to make it part of my fall...

Hostas are among some of the most cherished perennials of all time, creating a lush pallet of bright greens, muted greens, chartreuse greens, variegated greens and creams, and blue greens. They come in miniature versions to lofting leaves as tall as a small child. Hostas are commonly described as...

CELEBRATE HERBS AT WESTVIEW PARKGRIDLEY, Ill.– Interested in getting an herb garden started or expanding your knowledge on how to use the herbs you grow? Join the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners at 6:30 p.m. on June 14 at Westview Park for their...

Please join Ginny Hodgson and the University of Illinois Extension Woodford County Master Gardeners at the "Gardeners' Gathering" from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 16 at the Great Oaks Community Church, located at 515 Rt. IL-116 in Germantown Hills. Past participants have said this is the...

Adult Japanese beetles have been reported in southern, central, and northern Illinois. Early control reduces damage through the six weeks that they are actively feeding as beetles are attracted to previous feeding damage. Japanese beetles feed on the upper leaf surface, eating through the...

She's unassuming. She's loud. She's somewhat inappropriate -- that is, if you were thinking you were going to get gardening advice from your grandma. She describes herself as a grade below Martha Stewart and uses common sense to distill her gardening woes. Her name is Amanda Thomsen and she is...

Join the University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners for the third herb class of the summer at their Herb Garden located in Illinois State University Horticulture Center on Raab Road in Normal. On August 17 at 10 a.m., a program entitled "What to do with your fragrant herbs"...