Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

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A single ripening asian pear hangs among green leaves.

Add Agroforestry Plants to Your Garden

February 18, 2022

I don’t know about others, but I myself am fighting a case of the winter blues. My happy place is in the garden, looking at my growing plants—not snow! As you daydream about your spring and summer garden, consider planting some unorthodox plants that are fueling a growing...

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A row of cyclamens with red, white and pink flowers

Gift a Flowering Houseplant this Valentine's Day

February 11, 2022

Time is ticking to find that perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your loved ones. Instead of the go-to fresh floral arrangement, give a gift that someone can enjoy for many months. Flowering houseplants are great alternatives to traditional bouquets of cut flowers. With a little care and maintenance,...

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Pepper and Tomato seedlings with first true leaves.

20th Annual Home, Lawn and Garden Day

February 4, 2022

In 2022, we welcome Jan Bills as we celebrate the Mclean County Master Gardeners' 20th Annual Home, Lawn and Garden Day! A gathering of small origins, the single classroom event connecting Master Gardeners to fellow community gardeners has grown into a day-long destination for Central Illinois...

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Favorite houseplants of a horticulturist

January 24, 2022

Growing plants indoors can add a soft green touch, create a focal piece, or incorporate nature inside, transforming any room. Houseplants vary greatly in color, texture, size, and shape—there is a plant perfect for any spot. Research has also shown plants to improve air quality, lower stress levels...

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2022 gardening trends and emotional resilience

January 21, 2022

With a new year comes new gardening trends we can all get excited about. Each year, predictions are made about types of plants, colors, containers and how we utilize them. Experts use last year’s gardening purchases to make these predictions. Yet, in a world full of constant stress, this gardening...

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Nick Frillman teaching pruning workshop at Refuge Food Forest

Make your tree fruit and small fruit pruning plans now; reach out to Extension for resources

January 14, 2022

For those of us who are lucky enough to have access to fruit trees, fruit bushes, bramble fruits, or cane fruits during the year, we have a chore that needs doing this winter: pruning. Pruning out dead, dying or diseased wood from all those wonderful plants and trees is an absolutely essential part...

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Order your seed catalogs now; plan better for next year

December 10, 2021

Here we are, knee-deep in the holidays, and our gardens have finally been tucked in for the long winter nap. It’s a time of year many growers look forward to, a time to finally put up their aching feet, assess how the growing season went, reflect on successes, failures and what to do better next...

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New Poinsettia options are a modern twist for an iconic holiday decoration

December 1, 2021

Millions of Poinsettias are bought each year as decoration and gifts. Sales continue to increase as people use the plant to create a festive atmosphere. Poinsettias are the epitome of Christmas time and reflect the holiday decorating trends. While the traditional rich red Poinsettia in a 6-inch...

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Buy a live tree, support a family farm, wake up to the smell of Christmas!

November 19, 2021

The Thanksgiving meal has been had (hopefully with a local turkey and/or local produce) and now it’s time to start thinking about putting up a tree for Christmas. Did you grow up with a fake plastic tree like some of my friends did? If so, that’s ok, but there is another way. Every year about this...

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Take care of hostas going into winter

November 12, 2021

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. This fall, some are displaying a vibrant yellow lighting up the landscape. They come in miniature versions to...

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