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Latest Posts

Stormwater woes, and how rain gardens can help

August 4, 2022

A local problem with widespread implications What is a watershed? No matter where you live, you are in a watershed. All of Illinois, minus that sliver of land bordering Lake Michigan, is in the Mississippi River Watershed. But we can break down this massive watershed into more local streams and...

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Summer tip: Now is the time to prevent a fused garden hose in the Autumn

July 29, 2022

A tale as old as time I’ve been there. It is late fall and there is a hard freeze about to hit. A wise gardener once warned leaving a hose connected to a spigot during a hard freeze could lead to disaster! As water freezes it expands and any water trapped in the nozzle or spigot could expand to...

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Emerald Ash Borer: Is it okay to move firewood yet?

July 22, 2022

Many years ago, when emerald ash borer (EAB), had just arrived in northern Illinois, a colleague came across a flatbed trailer loaded with cut ash trees at a gas station. At that time Illinois counties confirmed with EAB had a quarantine that restricted moving ash wood outside of the county. Most...

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Managing squash vine borer in the garden

July 15, 2022

There are a variety of insects that will feed on squash. One of the more troublesome, and potentially devastating, is the squash vine borer. If you've grown squash and had a runner or two start wilting, there's a good chance you've had an encounter with squash vine borer. Squash vine borers (...

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How to protect landscape plantings during drought

July 8, 2022

The summer of 2012 saw my first year as an Extension horticulture educator; it also was one of the driest years on record. Illinois saw massive shortages of rainfall that year- complete with water restrictions, loss of crops, and the demise of many ornamental landscapes. It was a summer that will...

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Add some fireworks to your garden this Fourth of July

July 1, 2022

The Fourth of July holiday often includes parades, barbeques, and fireworks. Fireworks often fill the night sky with their colorful, albeit fleeting displays. The fireworks don’t have to be restricted to the Fourth, though. Whether it be their color, flower shape, or name, a number of plants can...

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Sulfur deficiency in corn can lead to lower yields

June 24, 2022

Depending on your soil test results; nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are nutrients we supply year after year to our corn crop; however, there is a nutrient we might be overlooking when making fertilizer applications. Sulfur is considered the fourth most important nutrient needed by plants. With...

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Picking the right tree for your windbreak

June 17, 2022

Picking a tree for a windbreak is a big decision. A windbreak protects a home from the constant Illinois wind and blowing snow. With this important job, you want the trees that make up your windbreak to be strong and healthy for as long as possible. To help in making that decision here are some...

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Sparks in the night: Fireflies and tips on conserving them

June 9, 2022

One of the most exciting times of the year is the first appearance of small flashing yellow lights in the evenings. The arrival of fireflies or lightning bugs, depending on where you’re from, is a sure sign that summer has arrived. Because of...

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Five Tips for Healthy Ponds

June 2, 2022

Having a scenic and healthy pond on your property takes a little bit of strategy and time but does not have to be overwhelming. Spring is a good time to get ahead of growing vegetation or algae before it becomes a nuisance. Here are five tips to keep your pond healthy for fishing, swimming or...

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