Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

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French intensive gardens root well in Central Illinois

September 3, 2020

Connie Kostelc has been a Master Gardener volunteer for University of Illinois Extension in Livingston County for the last 22 years. When gardening for edible plants, Connie uses the French intensive raised bed method. Connie says the look of a French Intensive raised bed garden is different than...

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Landscaping Fiction (Part 2): Eggshells, railroad ties, and organics

August 28, 2020

1. Adding eggshells when planting tomatoes adds calcium and prevents blossom end rot. Fiction. Eggshells add very little immediate calcium to the plant. Any composter who has added eggshells to their pile know that it takes several months, often more than a year, for eggshells to break down. And...

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Landscaping Fiction (Part 1): Don't be fooled by garden add-ons

August 21, 2020

1. Control grubs in the lawn to eliminate moles and voles? Fiction. A mole’s diet consist mostly of earthworms. This does not mean they won’t eat a grub, but grubs are not their preferred diet. Although mole tunnels can be a nuisance in a lawn setting, most landscape plants are not bothered. Moles...

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brilliant red-orange oriental poppy pixabay

Divide and Conquer in Fall

August 18, 2020

If you have a vigorous perennial that has been in the garden bed for more than a few years, or it is starting to choke out some other plants and no longer looking healthy, then it may be time to divide. Plants that need to be divided cannot support healthy foliage and flowers. Some perennials like...

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Kids in the Garden: Grow & Explore this Fall

August 14, 2020

Fall is the perfect time for little ones to get out in the garden to explore plants at their peak, and even grow their own plant projects in the cooler temperatures. Here are a few ideas to get them outside and appreciating nature. Cut Grass Hair Grow your own grass head, then snip or style the “...

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basil and pepper sharing a five gallon bucket

Garden in a bucket

August 7, 2020

For the last two years, I have been gardening in five-gallon buckets. A team of Extension colleagues from the Horticulture and Nutrition programs are teaching area residents who do not have access to garden space how to grow and their own herbs and veggies. The ‘Garden in a Bucket’ outreach has...

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Sow seeds for comfortable fall gardening

July 31, 2020

In the heat of summer’s end, vegetable gardeners are often drained by the weeding and watering routine, and ready to put the garden to bed. But fall provides a more comfortable environment and some of the most productive gardening of the year when vegetables are planted in late summer and mature...

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Take your butterfly garden to the next level

July 24, 2020

Are you ready to take your butterfly gardening to the next level and allow some of your beautiful plants to be eaten by caterpillars? Choose the right plants, give them some care, and voila — caterpillars. The most grown caterpillar food in our gardens are milkweeds for monarchs and parsley...

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Protect yourself from invading mosquitoes

July 17, 2020

Mosquitoes are out and about ruining people’s picnics, hikes and gardening with their constant swarming and need to obtain blood from innocent Illinois residents. Adult mosquitoes eat nectar, pollen and honeydew (insect droppings full of sugar). However, the adult female needs the protein from...

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Grow your own grass head!

July 14, 2020

The grass will germinate and grow quickly to create a lush, green head. Snip or style the “hair” to keep it looking tidy. Materials: 8 oz white paper cup Potting soil Wheat grass seeds Colored pencils or crayons 1. Poke 3-4 small holes in the bottom of...

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