Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

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Bring your gardening questions to the Woodford County Master Gardeners on September 10

September 4, 2018

EUREKA, Ill – Bring your questions to the Eureka Library on Monday, September 10 anytime between 4:30 to 6 p.m. to get your gardening questions answered by University of Illinois Extension Woodford County Master Gardeners. So far this growing season we have answered...

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Fearful looks aside, spiders can be lovable

September 4, 2018

Many homes are being purposefully adorned with abnormally large, scary black spiders and their webs to hinge on the fact that a large percentage of the population may suffer from the fear of spiders, known as arachnophobia. In contrast to most of America, I suffer from arachnophilia, a love of...

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Brown spots in the lawn

August 29, 2018

Many who have been seeking out the McLean County Master Gardener help desk have been complaining of brown patches in the lawn. Unfortunately, most lawn ailments present themselves as unsightly browning in a sea of lush green. The following are some of the potential culprits. If the grass is brown...

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Already thinking Fall? Add Fall Garden Patch to your calendar!

August 23, 2018

PONTIAC, Ill. – After five undoubtedly successful "A Day in the Garden Patch' events hosted by the Livingston County Master Gardeners, we present a new opportunity for the gardening community around Pontiac: Fall Garden Patch because after all, gardening is a yearlong endeavor. This brand...

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Fall Carrots for a Holiday Harvest

August 14, 2018

Eliot Coleman, author of The Winter Harvest Handbook, says "sweet winter candy carrots are his most acclaimed winter crop." He states "the tastiness resulting from growing in the fall weather elevates the humble carrot to another plane." Many gardeners who have experimented with spring grown vs....

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Join us for a Pesto Party at the Yost House in Pontiac

August 7, 2018

PONTIAC, Ill. – Livingston County Master Gardeners will be demonstrating how to make yummy, spicy, garden fresh pesto at the Catherine V. Yost House Museum from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 18. In addition, Master Gardener, Cathy Montgomery will give an informal presentation on how to...

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Watering All season long

July 30, 2018

I often tell people that I have a Ph.D. in watering plants. As a young professional, I spent my days deciding if I should water and then checking to see if I made the right decision. Sometimes, I spent my days racing to water before plants wilted. I would like to say it is an art, but any gardener...

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Pollinator Palooza: A Party for the Pollinators coming August 9

July 26, 2018

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Did you know that nearly 75% of the world's crops require pollination? Join University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois State University Horticulture Center as they celebrate the world of pollinators. The Pollinator Palooza: A Party for the Pollinators will be...

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Frank about fertilizers

July 25, 2018

Why do I need fertilizer? When? What kind? How do Master Gardeners fertilize plants? The answer to this question is easy to answer: It all depends on the plant. Now that you have been left even further mystified about fertilizers, learning some basic principles about plant nutrition can help you...

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Hoverflies not sweat bees

July 20, 2018

Originally published by Kelly Allsup on July 20, 2018. Walking in the Illinois State University Horticulture Center garden this week, I see the hover flies (aka syrphid flies or flower flies) are covering any nectar-producing flower in droves. These flies, commonly mistaken for bees are...

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