Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Latest Posts

Spring Sweetness: Strawberrries

May 1, 2015

Strawberries can be greatly rewarding and only require a few simple, timed garden tasks. Plant strawberry plants this spring for next year's harvest of plump juicy berries. Add Compost Before planting bare-root bundles, amend the soil with organic matter. Organic matter consisting of plant and...

Finish this story

What is that Orange Rust on my Junipers? by Travis Cleveland

April 27, 2015

Telial growth has started to emerge from overwintering Gymnosporangium rust galls. Early stages of the telial emergence are pictured above. Three Gymnosporangium rusts commonly affect trees in Illinois landscapes: Cedar-apple rust, Hawthorn rust, and Quince rust. These pathogens require two...

Finish this story

Introduction to Sustainable Landscaping Webinar Offered

April 24, 2015

The spring series of University of Illinois Extension's Four Seasons Gardening program, which focuses on environmental stewardship and backyard food production, gets underway in April. The first session of the series is titled, Introduction to Sustainable Landscaping. The program is...

Finish this story

The Secret of Great Gardening Soil

April 20, 2015

A recent popular Facebook post shows a gardener starting to prepare her soil, despite being surrounded by mounds of snow. "Once spring is here gardeners start to get excited about planting; almost too excited," states University of Illinois Horticulture Extension educator, Kelly Allsup. Experienced...

Finish this story

Kale is Cooler than Broccoli

April 15, 2015

Cool Kale Our 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", explains University of Illinois Extension...

Finish this story

Growing Perennial Vegetables to Save Garden Dollars

April 8, 2015

Growing Perennial Vegetables to save the Garden Dollars The National Gardening Association has said a $70 investment can yield more than $650 worth of produce. "Most of this investment is needed to buy seeds and transplants of annual food crops like beans, tomatoes, peppers and...

Finish this story

Growing America's Favorite Tuber-The Potato

April 3, 2015

America's Favorite Tuber Early April through middle of April is the ideal time to plant America's favorite tuber, the potato. "Growing potatoes can be an easy gardening activity while producing delicious dishes that cannot be recreated with a store bought potato," says Kelly...

Finish this story

Lovely Lavender

March 31, 2015

Lavender has long been a much-loved blooming herb in the garden and should be planted more for its aromatic and culinary properties states University of Illinois Horticulture Educator, Kelly Allsup. Lavender has been used for perfumes and essential oils in aromatherapy, cooking and disinfectant,...

Finish this story

Rose Rosette or Witch's Broom by Sonja Lallemand

March 25, 2015

As spring marches on, rose lovers and rose enthusiasts alike begin the annual ritual of uncovering the rose garden to assess winter damage, clean the beds, and start the tedious task of pruning as the plants come out of dormancy."The keys to effective cultural control when growing great roses with...

Finish this story

Spring Gardening Tips by Ron Wolford

March 20, 2015

Gray, cold winter days may seem endless, but soon the weather will be warm, tulips and daffodils will bloom, and grass will be green: sure signs of spring. "Grab your trowel and get ready for spring with the following tips," said Ron Wolford, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator...

Finish this story