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College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

The Garden Scoop

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Potted plants await spring planting at the Missouri Botanical Garden nursery production area

Spring tree planting considerations

Spring is a time of an awakening plant world full of blooms and endless possibilities for the coming growing season.  It’s a time that many of us think about updating our landscaping, making it the most popular time of year to plant trees and shrubs. When you combine the mild temperatures...
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Paperwhite flowers.

Paperwhites: Delicate holiday blooms you can grow indoors

With holiday plants abounding these days, it is hard to miss the delicate and airy blooms of paperwhites (Narcissus spp.).  These blooming bulbs are a common holiday gift that brings a hint of the growing season into our winter abodes. Due to their ease of growth, they are commonly used...
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A generic landscape drawing.

Native garden design made simple

Gardening with native plants is an ever-increasing trend nationwide as many folks seek an ecological alternative to our traditional non-native landscape species.  However, many of us are faced with some challenges as we add a whole new pallet of plants to our garden spaces.I’ve been obsessed...
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Bradbury Bee Balm.

Fall's final flourish: Native plants for late-season color

These days, the best way to see the lingering fall colors is by looking at the ground.  Most of our trees have dropped their leaves, but color remains at ground level in the fallen foliage or in smaller landscape plants that still retain their autumnal hues. This year, I have been really...
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A trowel stuck in the soil.

Garden soil testing: Essential steps for healthier plants

As the gardening season winds down, it’s a great time to reflect on the past year and look toward the future.  Soil tests are a great way to put some data and insight behind decisions for next year. I often test in fall under the assumption that my tests will account for the past year’s...
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A pawpaw tree outside a brick building

How sunlight can change tree shape

Several years ago, we had an extra pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) after all the plants were distributed at the East Central Illinois Master Naturalist’s Annual Native Tree and Shrub sale. Since this poor tree had no home, we decided to plant it outside one of the staff entrances at the...
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Brown leaves hanging off an oak tree that were damaged by cicadas

How to identify cicada damage on trees

The signs of this year’s historic cicada hatch are still around, although all of our periodic cicadas are now quietly underground, feeding away on tree roots for the next 13 years.  After piles of molted shells and dead adult cicadas earlier in the summer, we are now seeing their signature on...
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College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Illinois Extension

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1301 W. Gregory Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

Email: extension@illinois.edu

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