Change the way you see salad: meals, sides and desserts
Celebrate National Salad Month with Tips from U of I Extension
Whether it’s your main entrée, side dish or even dessert, salads can be an easy, nourishing staple in your household’s meal plan.
“For many people, salads may not seem exciting or enticing,” says...
Familiar tale: Victims of emerald ash borer and other exotic pests
URBANA, Ill. – The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) has plagued native ash trees in Illinois since 2006. This pest was first introduced in 2002 around the Detroit area and rapidly spread across Michigan and Indiana to infect most of Illinois today....
Use native prairie plants in the home landscape
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois is known as the “Prairie State” and has several native prairie plants. These plants are good options to include in the landscape because they evolved with the climate, soils, and pathogens in this habitat for thousands of years.
Native prairie plant species have...
Revive your compost pile after winter
URBANA, Ill. – If you haven’t touched your compost bin or pile all winter, don’t worry, you are not alone! ...
Increase life span of urban trees
URBANA, Ill. – Urban communities responded to an increasing lack of interaction with nature by planting trees. Trees provide environmental benefits, along with their beauty, such as cooling buildings through shade and cleaning the air and water through filtration....
Start your spring landscape clean up
URBANA, Ill. – After the 2019 growing season, there is likely leftover landscape clean up needed besides the usual spring yard work....
Pollinator support tips for gardeners and homeowners
URBANA, Ill. – Pollinators have been in the news a lot the last few years due to their population declines. About 75% of all plant species are pollinated by animals and 90% of flowering plants, so pollinators are important parts of our ecosystems, says Ken Johnson, University of Illinois...
Start herb seeds indoors
URBANA, Ill. – Herbs are a favorite in most gardens, but transplants can be expensive. As an economical alternative, consider starting seeds indoors in early spring as warmer weather approaches.
Herbs can be started in March and be ready for transplanting into the garden in May,...
Get answers to pressing commercial ag questions
From pests to stress, farmers face mounting challenges that threaten profitability, production, and health. Learn strategies for minimizing loss and maximizing profit during a series of four free online webinars by University of Illinois Extension. Registration is required and available by...
Extension continues transition to online webinars, 4-H shows, events
URBANA, Ill. – As Illinois residents contemplate the impact of the coronavirus health pandemic on summer plans, University of Illinois Extension has released updated guidelines for Extension sponsored events and activities. The new guidelines continue to focus on the safety of event participants...
Calling all pollinator fans: University of Illinois seeks citizen scientists
For the second year, University of Illinois Extension is calling all lovers of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that keep our crops and gardens growing to join scientists in tracking their distribution and habitat use across the state. Potential volunteers may r...
Farmers needed for paid cover crop trial
URBANA, Ill. - Illinois farmers willing to participate in a paid cover crop demonstration trial are needed beginning in fall 2020. Participation is now open.
The Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program partners with university researchers and educators,...
Extension to host Plant ID Walk and Talk Webinar
– Join Extension Educators Austin Little and Erin Garrett as they help you identify the native plants, herbaceous flowers, or flowering shrubs of southern Illinois during the plant ID walk and talk webinar on Friday, May 8 at 1 p.m. CST.
The start of spring has provided many beautiful...
National Volunteer Week Recognizes Volunteers in the Southern 5 Counties
Each year, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers donate their time and energy to make their communities a better place to live. These volunteers will be among the millions across the country who will be spotlighted during the 44th anniversary of National Volunteer Week,...
Illinois Extension presses forward with planning for summer 4-H shows
URBANA, Ill. – As public health and government officials consider the next phase of managing the Coronavirus pandemic in Illinois, organizers of traditional summer events and activities are considering options. University of Illinois Extension, the...
Plant Clinic still open for business
URBANA, Ill. - The University of Illinois Plant Clinic remains open to identify plant pests and diseases. New guidelines are in place to comply with all university of state guidelines related to COVID-19.
To send samples...
