Garlic is a long-season, over-winter crop that does best when planted in the fall. It can then be harvested in the early summer, which allows space for another summer crop. This is rather unusual timing in the gardening world and it has always interested me for that reason. ...
The iconic monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has become somewhat of a poster child for the plight that many pollinators face, and for good reason. Monarch populations have experienced drastic declines in recent years for a variety of reasons, some which researchers are still...
Recently, my wife, Amanda, noticed that something was chewing on the nice stand of kale she planted in our vegetable garden. Initially, I brushed it off to the usual, acceptable amount of insect damage kale can withstand and still produce a harvestable crop. Typically, kale has some...
Last week, I notice the first of an annual pest in our area that is always unwelcome to anyone that gardens. Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) adults emerge from the ground every June to voraciously consume a plethora of plants. Although there are certainly plants these...
Eleven years ago, the US Senate unanimously approved the designation of a week in June as National Pollinator Week, marking a huge step in recognizing both the value of our pollinators and the plight they have faced nationwide. Governors in all 50 states have also recognized the same...
Visitors to the downtown Champaign area last month may have noticed an odd addition to the One Main Development landscaping. Over the course of May, an increasing number of mysterious white trees appeared out of nowhere. Who placed these ghost trees? Where did they come from?
The...
Master Gardeners across Champaign, Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties are planning a great line up of Garden Walks in the coming few weeks. These events offer a wonderful opportunity to observe the diversity and individuality of garden spaces designed by a wide range of area gardeners....
As agriculture worldwide continues to advance and innovate in an attempt to feed our ever-growing global population, unique and specialized productions systems are popping up all the time. One such system, referred to as aquaponics, includes an interesting mixture of plants and aquatic...
Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) is one of the centerpiece landscape plants in my backyard, given its prime location at the corner of our screened-in porch and patio. Last fall it delivered a stunning display as foliage turned every shade of yellow, orange and red to...
In the busyness of spring and planting all our annuals, such as flowers and vegetables, the perennials in our garden often get overlooked. To keep perennial plants performing at their peak, it is necessary to divide them from time to time in order to maintain vigor and flowering. As a...
