Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

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Pruning Blackberries for Productivity

January 25, 2019

Originally published by Kelly Allsup on January 25, 2019. As a child, my grandparents would send me to the unmanaged portions of their property to pick blackberries with my sisters. Most of the time we brought enough back for grandma to make a pie, and probably just as much sun sweetened...

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Wedding Flower Trends for 2019

January 18, 2019

It may be hard to predict what a bride will want for her wedding day, but is likely to include gorgeous flowers. Barn weddings with rustic materials have been popular for years, but floral designers are seeing a shift in 2019 towards a 1970s bohemian style, and an elegant industrial style. Here are...

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Early Spring Bloomers

January 11, 2019

Originally published by Kelly Allsup on January 11, 2019. Even non-gardeners welcome the sight of early blooming perennials. Here are some early spring bloomers to look out for in the garden. Iberis semperverins, known as Candytuft, is a low-growing, mounded perennial that puts...

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Register Now for Home, Lawn and Garden Day by Brittnay Haag

January 3, 2019

Register NOW for Home, Lawn and Garden Day - a day of gardening fun and learning! BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners would like to invite you to their 17th annual Home, Lawn and Garden Day on Saturday, March 2 at Catholic High...

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Build a Terrarium during the Holidays

December 10, 2018

Terrariums a century-old trend of bringing nature inside during the winter, terrarium gardening has had a revival gardeners as of late and would make an excellent gift for the holidays. The invention of terrariums is attributed to English Botanist, Dr. Nathanial Ward. He used a closed bottle...

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Handmade Succulent Wreaths as Gifts

December 5, 2018

Homemade gifts can be extra special during the holiday season. This season, give the gift of a succulent wreath. Succulent Wreath Supplies: wreath form, Spanish moss, paddle wire, straight pins, and several succulent cuttings Moisten a sheet of moss in a bucket. Place moss in a...

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Phaleonopsis beautiful but picky

November 30, 2018

Phaleonopsis orchid flowers have awe-inspiring and long-lasting flowers that really make them an ideal gift. Look for a plant where not all the buds are open. This means you would have the maximum amount of time to enjoy the blooms. With a little affection, phaleonopsis (moth) orchid blooms can...

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Horticulture Trends for a Cheery holiday

November 26, 2018

Will stringing lights, making door wreaths and decorating the tree truly make you happier? For me, it brings out the nostalgia of childhood, my creative side and allows me to promote the use of horticulture during this season. Whether you are buying a live Christmas tree, poinsettias and...

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Eat Local this Thanksgiving Holiday

November 7, 2018

If you are a planner, you have most likely jotted down the dishes that you plan to cook and present to your family on Thanksgiving Day. Perhaps you are sticking with traditional favorites or trying something new to shake things up. My role in the family dinner is to help procure the ingredients....

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Powdery Mildew on Pumpkins and other issues

November 3, 2018

Mohammed Babadoost, University of Illinois go to plant pathologist, says, "This year's processing pumpkin crop is the best it has been in the last two decades. " Babadoost attributes the success of the pumpkin crop to new varieties, more successful management of diseases like downy mildew and...

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