Master Gardeners

Extension has a vast collection of resources addressing horticultural interests across Illinois. We recognize that home and commercial horticulturalists have unique needs, so we've cultivated resources designed to address their top concerns. These collections represent the topic areas where we usually get the most questions, but our expertise covers everything from trees to tomatoes to tulips.

Shifting USDA plant hardiness map reflects changing climate, changes for plants

Illinois now has six zones, with 12 sub-zones, ranging from zone 5a in northwestern Illinois to the newly added 7b zone in southern counties. USDA provides the new USDA Illinois Plant Hardiness Zones map.

Ask a Master Gardener Horticulture Help Desk

Let us help you grow...your lawn and garden! The Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle County Master Gardeners are ready and willing to supply research-based answers to your horticulture questions. For more information, refer to this flyer and call a help desk today.

Gardeners Corner | Spring Issue

Read the spring online issue of this newsletter here! Join the mailing list of this quarterly newsletter from the Illinois Extension team of horticulture experts. Each issue highlights seasonal recommendations and how-tos that will make your houseplants, landscape, or garden shine in any season.

Plant Clinic

Plant disease and injury can be costly. The Plant Clinic provides solutions to what's attacking the health of your plants. We provide plant and insect identification; nematode assays; diagnosis of injury from disease, insects, weeds, and chemicals; and help with nutrient-related issues.

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Have a bee hotel? Donate it to science.

Bee hotels buzz with activity, but is it the right kind? A graduate student at University of Illinois is researching bees and needs help, in the form of donated used bee hotels, from the public to understand if these man-made nests are helping or harming bee populations in Illinois.