Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I recently planted several black aronia along a new fence in my backyard. Also called chokeberry, aronia are becoming more and more popular, especially among small fruit growers.
There are several reasons why I selected the black...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
On June 1st my husband Mark and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. My Grandma Simmons told me June brides are extra special. I don't know if that is true, but I sure did feel special that day. Certainly, June is a...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Landscape edging plays an important role in pulling the landscape together. Edging function is simply, says Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension. "It forms a clean, neat line between planting...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Vegetables are most commonly grown in traditional gardens in rows. Large gardens can seem overwhelming, especially during the heat of summer or after a vacation. If you don't have space for that or just want to try something...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
If you look at ferns, mosses, lichens, and club moss closely, they look like something right out of a fairytale. In fact, these non-flowering plants do have their very own kingdom in the plant world. Instead of reproducing by flowers...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Efforts to save the monarch butterfly are everywhere with many people pledging to plant milkweed for monarch larvae to eat.
There are two different types of plants you can grow for butterflies: nectar food sources and larval food...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
My son Derek graduates from University of Illinois this week with a BS in community health so it seemed like a good time to discuss reunion and school color gardens.
School reunion gardens are especially nice to do using flowers in...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Don't forget you special Mom on Mother's Day! If you haven't bought something special for her yet, consider these ideas. You can be sure I'll get my Mom (Doris Simmons) a special horticultural gift for Mother's Day.
A gift of fresh...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educatorHorticultural Grilling
What do plants have to do with grilling – other than eating vegetables? Well, great chefs use many "tricks" to get just the right taste from their grill and many of those tricks involve plants...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I spend a fair amount of time helping people sort through the many garden myths. Today's social media rage spreads information very quickly. Unfortunately it isn't always good information. For example, recipes for homemade weed...
