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male asparagus ferns on left, female asparagus ferns with seed on the right

How to Achieve Asparagus's Perpetual Harvest

Originally published by Kelly Allsup on February 11, 2020. Asparagus goes great with hollandaise sauce, has a nutty flavor when eaten raw (wash it first, and cut off the lower third), and is always a welcome treat at a restaurant. With a little patience and some planning, you can grow...
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Lavender photo by Verophoto Art, via Unsplash

Sensory gardens invite interaction

Walking through any garden can be calming, educational, inspiring, energizing, or a combination of all of these. A new trend in gardening is creating intentional gardens; gardens with a specific purpose, like a sensory garden.  Sensory gardens are areas designed to...
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Epiphany farms owner Ken Myszka speaks into microphone

Ephiphany Farms brings 'farm to fork' to backyard gardeners

He’s not just a restaurateur, nor just a farmer, nor just a chef, nor just an entrepreneur. He’s an influencer of sustainable eating. He wants to change the world, one delicious plate at a time. Ken Myszka, owner and operator of Epiphany Farms Hospitality Group, runs four celebrated restaurants in...
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natural trunk flair

Extending the life of your urban tree (Part 1)

Many urban trees only live about 20% of their life due to issues like pests and disease, but mostly can be linked back to improper care and installation. A tree should live more than 50 years, and up to 100 years depending on their species. A recent USDA study analyzing tree life expectancy in...
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under ripe blackberries and pomme fruit

Backyard Fruit Tree Workshops

BLOOMINGTON, IL – University of Illinois Extension is hosting two sessions for backyard gardeners on how to grow and care for fruits at The Refuge Food Forest in Normal, an outdoor, hands-on classroom. One session will focus on pruning and training apple trees, the other on pruning brambles like...
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home lawn and garden day saturday march 7 2020 keynote speaker ken myszka

Register NOW for Home, Lawn, and Garden Day 2020!

University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners would like to invite you to their 18th annual Home, Lawn and Garden Day on Saturday, March 7 at Central Catholic High School, Bloomington. Home, Lawn and Garden Day is a day dedicated to garden fun! It is an ideal place to gain...
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chinese money plant in tea cup

Gardening Trends for 2020!

It’s a new year and many are reflecting on their 2019 gardening season and making resolutions for the 2020 gardening season. If you are anything like me, you started missing gardening in early November and can’t wait for temperatures to rise and strive for all those grand resolutions. When I can’t...
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tree cookies painted like santa evergreen ginko leaf ornament wood burned ornament

Nature Ornaments for the Holidays

Perhaps my favorite thing to do during the holidays is to make my own ornaments. Glittery baubles, shiny tinsel, twinkling lights, and baroque glass ornaments just are not my style when decorating for the holidays. I am inspired by nature and entrenched in a family tradition of making art. In...
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Poinsettias grow in a large scale greenhouse

How Your Poinsettias are Grown, and Making Them Last

Before I became an educator for the University of Illinois Extension, my career solely focused on growing plants in a greenhouse. High-quality poinsettias were one of the most important crops for a grower. Clients had long-standing orders for these holiday treasures, and expected long-lasting,...
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