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Gardening in February

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator February often gives me the winter blahs. When that happens, gardening tasks help perk me up. Consider these various February gardening activities to reduce the winter blues. GENERAL Repair and paint lawn and garden tools, window...
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Grow Your Own Hops

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Gardeners have been growing hop as an ornamental vine for many years. Recently, I have seen more hop grown in backyards for home brewing. This is especially popular among younger male gardeners aged 18-34. Hop is a herbaceous...
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Bromeliads

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator A friend of mine recently vacationed in Florida and purchased a bromeliad at a flea market. I can see why she picked it out since bromeliads are especially eye-catching. Bromeliads are in the pineapple family. There are many...
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Date Set for 2017 Gardeners' BIG Day

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Get ready, here it comes - the 18th Annual Gardeners' BIG Day! University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners in Fulton and Mason County sponsor this event, which is set for Saturday, April 29th, at Dickson Mounds Museum in...
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How to Have Healthy Houseplants Webinar and YouTube

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Having houseplants in our homes make them come alive. In fact, studies indicate that houseplants help keep people happier and healthier. Plants fill an important psychological function, while also cleansing indoor air, and making us...
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Test Seed Viability

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator I recently found some old seed in my office and wondered if they were still viable. If you save leftover seed to use the following year, here are some ways to find out if they are still good. Seed viability is a measure of the...
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Cold Frames Extend the Garden Season

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Do you plan to grow your own food this summer? Would you like to extend that growing season a bit more in the spring and fall? If so, there are several options you might consider, including cold frames, hot beds, hoop houses, cloches...
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Starting Seeds Indoors

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Are you "itching" to start your vegetable garden? One way to jump-start the growing season is to start seedlings indoors. There are many advantages to starting your seeds indoors in addition to allowing anxious gardeners to "get...
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