ILRiverHort

Home Blogs ILRiverHort

Latest Posts

Grow your own apple orchard and enjoy the bounty

October 9, 2026

By Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Gardener and Master NaturalistServing Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell CountiesI grew up on a farm and my parents felt it important to have an orchard full of every kind of fruit tree, but apples were the favorite of us all. My brother's...

Finish this story

Why are fall colors so brilliant some years and dull others?

October 9, 2026

The science behind autumn color and trees to consider for your landscape.The change from summer to autumn is often signaled by leaves glowing in shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple. Some years, the trees seem painted with brilliant color. Other years, the display feels muted and short-lived....

Finish this story

Local Master Gardeners earn state recognition for service and impact

October 9, 2026

Master Gardener volunteers help strengthen communities across central Illinois through education, local food production, conservation, and community partnerships. Their work supports youth and adult learning, improves public spaces, expands access to fresh produce, and connects residents with...

Finish this story

A late-summer look at Illinois roadsides

September 1, 2026

In 2017, Illinois Extension horticulture educator Rhonda Ferree shared a roadside inventory of late-summer flowers in her blog post, Roadside Flowers. Readers were encouraged to look for species such...

Finish this story

New homeowners should take time to learn their yard

August 4, 2026

By Deborah Lane, Extension Master Gardener, Serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell CountiesAs a Master Gardener volunteer, I have learned that many new homeowners arrive with the same concern: they have inherited a yard, but they are not sure what they have. Moving day may bring boxes...

Finish this story

Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary: A local nature classroom

August 4, 2026

By Roberta Clifton, Extension Master Naturalist, serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and TazewellOff the beaten path, but only 30 minutes from our capital city of Springfield, in Loami, Illinois, is a wonderful place I found in 2015. Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature stop that offers everything from...

Finish this story

Supporting pollinators around the clock with native plants

June 25, 2026

Most people think of bees and butterflies when they think of pollinators. However, many plants receive visits from pollinators in the evening and after sunset. Moths, beetles, flies, and even a few bee species remain active in the evening and overnight hours. They help move pollen through gardens...

Finish this story

Conservation@Home Member Spotlight: Meg Ray

May 29, 2026

By Sarah Smith, Illinois Extension Master Gardener and Master NaturalistUtilizing the 2025 Conservation@Home Kickoff event at Pleasant Prairie Nursery as a catalyst, Meg Ray has quickly gained momentum in her C@H journey. Almost immediately following the event, she had her yard certified,...

Finish this story

orange ditch lilies spreading through dense green foliage

Landscapes that support life: Replacing invasives with natives

May 14, 2026

Many people recognize bush honeysuckles (Lonicera maackii, L. tatarica, etc.) and autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) as invasive species. Still, some lesser‑known plants are also on Illinois’ invasive species list. invasive plants in are the ones hiding in plain sight, including...

Finish this story

Top reasons it is important to plant natives

March 30, 2026

By Gayle Blodgett, Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties Native plants are essential to healthy ecosystems because they support biodiversity, conserve resources, stabilize soils and waterways, sequester carbon,...

Finish this story