Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

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Sharing a growing secret at Gardeners' Gathering this April

March 29, 2018

Join the Woodford County Master Gardeners on Saturday, April 21 for a morning filled with lots of fun as we unlock secret gardening tips in a celebration entitled "Gardeners' Gathering: Sharing a Growing Secret," in Germantown Hills. Universityof Illinois Extension is proud to present Patrick...

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Colorado Blue Spruce needs care in Illinois

March 20, 2018

Originally published by Kelly Allsup on March 20, 2018. Colorado blue spruce's silvery green color and perfectly placed boughs make it one of the most sought-after conifers in the industry. It was first discovered growing in the meadows and by the streams in the Rocky Mountains. Despite...

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A Day in the Garden Patch

March 14, 2018

Gardening is celebrated at this year's A Day in the Garden Patch celebration with a focus on native Illinois plants and edible ornamentals. Join Livingston County Master Gardeners on Saturday, April 7 for a morning filled with colorful plants and new gardening ideas just in time for spring.The...

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Get your tree pruning questions answered without even leaving the house

February 19, 2018

Get your tree pruning questions answered without even leaving the house BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Many tree owners are apprehensive about the pruning process, but pruning is an important practice to improve structure, safety, aesthetic value, and ultimately extend the life of a tree. A...

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Super cool greens

February 17, 2018

Super Cool Greens! Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, Bill Davison, says "kale is at least 30-40 percent cooler than broccoli." The reasoning behind this prevailing statement is the ease in which it is grown and how ornamental it can be. However, horticulture educator, Kelly...

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FOUR SEASONS GARDENING PROGRAM OFFERS 2018 WINTER SERIES

February 14, 2018

The Winter series of University of Illinois Extension's Four Seasons Gardening program, which focuses on environmental stewardship, home gardening, and backyard food production, gets underway this month. The first session of the series is titled, The Green Pathway to Invasion: Ornamental Invasive...

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Kitchen scrap gardening…regrow your fruits and vegetables! by Brittnay Haag

February 12, 2018

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Who knew your kitchen scraps could turn into a bountiful garden to enjoy again? Skip the compost bucket or garbage can, and re-grow your leftover veggies and fruits this winter for beautiful houseplants and garden additions."Kitchen scrap gardening is a great way to...

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2018 Home, Lawn & Garden Day welcomes Gold Standard Perennials

February 9, 2018

2018 Home, Lawn & Garden Day welcomes Gold Standard Perennials BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – McLean County Master Gardeners welcome Susan Martin, as their keynote speaker for their 2018 Home, Lawn, and Garden Day. Susan receives accolades as a freelance writer, with features in Garden Gate Magazine,...

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Fruit Tree Pruning Workshops offered in Metamora and Bloomington

February 2, 2018

Are you looking for more fruit on your trees this year? Try pruning. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. –An essential strategy for producing tree fruits is yearly pruning during the dormant season. Proper pruning can increase fruit quality, reduce the occurrence of diseases, and improve the...

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The winter view of Trees by Rhonda Feree

January 24, 2018

Each season brings a different look to the garden, and some plants are uniquely beautiful in winter. Rhonda Ferree, horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension says that winter is a great time to see a plant's texture and form—each unique and mystical. "Look for the differences...

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