Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Do you have fairy rings in your yard? After reading this article you might decide that you do. Fairy rings are an interesting situation that is quite noticeable this time of year.
Fairy ring usually appears in the lawn as circles or...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
If you are an allergy sufferer, spring often brings sniffling, sneezing, and watery eyes. One culprit is pollen from flowers of trees, shrubs, grasses, and weeds. Though most of these bloom for just a short period each year,...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Do you tire of mowing grass or want to add more diversity to your garden? Lawn alternatives are a growing garden trend. It seems that every trade show, conference, and symposium I've attended this winter includes reference to various...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Gardens include much more than just plants. Garden structures add functionality, purpose, and beauty to a garden. However, garden structure terms and definitions can be confusing. Here is a listing of popular garden structures with...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Signs of spring are slowly emerging all around us. The grass is getting greener, bulbs are starting to emerge, early flowering plants are blooming, and tree buds are swelling. Even some of the winter annual weeds are starting to grow...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Burning Bushes are very common landscape plants grown mainly for their intense fall color. Unfortunately, burning bush are becoming a plant of concern for many of us as we watch it reseed and invade nearby natural areas.
I have two...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
If you are a regular reader of this column, you know that I love to grow and use herbs. Herbs are easy to grow, beautiful, fun, and rewarding to use. Most of them are as easy to grow as common vegetables. Whether you use them in...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Easter is just around the corner. Have you purchased you Easter lily yet? If not, be sure to choose an Easter lily with lots of unopened buds for longer bloom enjoyment.
Easter lily history
The popular Easter lily is the Christian...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
The National Garden Bureau has named 2015 as the Year of the Sweet Pepper.
Each year the National Garden Bureau selects one annual, one perennial and one edible as their "Year of the" crops. Each is chosen because they are popular,...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Are plants around your house foundation old, overgrown and in need of a change? Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension, provides the following tips for updating your homes foundation plantings.
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