Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
The garden season is in full force, and I'm excited to hear about all the food and community gardens happening in our area. As we begin growing food and other plants this summer, please consider some potential health hazards.
A...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Flowers are a great way to communicate your love and affection. Over the years, flowers have developed meaning and are known as a way to convey a special message.
Flowers can represent everything from friendship to true love....
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
This year I am planting a dwarf, determinate tomato in my herb garden. It will take less space and produce as much fruit as I need. And, this makes more room for herbs!
Tomatoes are divided into two different types based on their...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I enjoy shopping for plants each spring. In addition to our usual local spots, my husband and I like to visit new garden centers each year. This year's garden shopping trek included Jacksonville, Springfield, Champaign, Danville, and...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
On a recent trip to visit my son Derek in Monterey, California, we hiked among the giant redwood trees in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. It was a rainy day, which enhanced the overall experience. It also brought out a banana slug for...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Earth Day falls every year on April 22. As you use this day to reflect about our world around us, you might try to look at a small piece of our world from a completely different viewpoint.
Take dandelions, for example. To many...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Arbor Day and Earth Day happen each April. This year Arbor day is April 28 and Earth Day is April 22. Both offer an opportunity for us to step back and enjoy our natural world.
Arbor Day was founded about 145 years ago in Nebraska,...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I love rhubarb! Also known as the pie plant, rhubarb is a very hardy perennial garden vegetable that grows extremely well here. Although considered a vegetable, rhubarb is used as a fruit in pies, tarts, cakes, and sauces.
Rhubarb...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Our abnormal spring temperatures have many folks antsy to begin gardening, but remember that we could still get freezing temperatures. How early you can plant depends upon the hardiness of the vegetables and the date of our last...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
The spring series of University of Illinois Extension's Four Seasons Gardening program focuses on environmental stewardship, home gardening, and backyard food production.
The first session of the series is titled, Growing...
