Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Latest Posts

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...

Finish this story

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...

Finish this story

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,...

Finish this story

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...

Finish this story

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...

Finish this story

Winter tree protection by Candice Hart

December 26, 2017

URBANA, Ill. – Winter can be a tough time for trees—especially evergreen trees and shrubs, says University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Candice Hart. When the ground freezes, evergreens are left to survive on the moisture they have stored up in their leaves, as well as any moisture...

Finish this story

Tags for Holiday Plants

December 20, 2017

Are you like me and wish for a holiday plant as a gift this year? Gifting holiday plants are nostalgic, unique and very affordable. Some of the most popular are poinsettia, Christmas cactus, cyclamen and mistletoe. However, air plants and succulents can make excellent and trendy holiday gift plants...

Finish this story

A winter experiment for youth: Forcing paperwhites by Brittnay Haag

December 13, 2017

A winter experiment for youth: Forcing paperwhites URBANA, Ill. – Even though it is cold outside and snow may be covering our gardens, we can still exercise our little ones' green thumbs. Bring the garden inside this winter with fun activities and experiments! Winter is the perfect time for kids...

Finish this story

The Legend Mistletoe with Chris Enroth

December 10, 2017

URBANA, Ill. – Decorating with mistletoe has been a holiday tradition for many centuries in North America and Europe. It begs the question: Why do we have this strange tradition that prompts friends, family, and even enemies to kiss when they meet underneath mistletoe? "Perhaps you have been one...

Finish this story

Perennial Plant of the Year is Allium 'Millenium'

December 5, 2017

Allium 'Millenium' has been awarded the 2018 perennial plant of the year. I actually just heard about this plant at a pollinator conference in October from Steve Foltz, Director of Horticulture at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, calling it a must have plant for the pollinator garden. The...

Finish this story