Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
University of Illinois Extension horticulture programs inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. Here are a few examples of how our programs impacted the residents of Fulton,...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Once the Christmas holiday is over, the chore of taking down and disposing of the cut Christmas tree remains. Today, because of solid waste regulations, most communities will no longer permit the used Christmas trees to be hauled out...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Pinterest is a rapidly growing social media site where you can get great ideas on many topics.
Basically Pinterest is a digital bulletin board. You create board for various topics and then "pin" links and pictures you like onto that...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Our last gardening trend of 2014 is TREE-mendous!
A 2012 US Forest Service research study found that urban tree cover has been declining at a rate of about 20,000 acres per year or about 4 million trees per year. This greatly...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Many plants are holiday symbols, but few say Christmas as well as the poinsettia. Did you ever wonder why this came to be?
If you've done much traveling, you've probably noticed that poinsettias grow naturally as large shrubs in...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I was recently asked to identify a hawthorn tree growing on the Bradley campus in Peoria.
Hawthorns are among the groups of small trees that are noted for their wintertime berries.
Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I have been enjoying trying new foods, especially those I prepare from scratch myself. Recently I made homemade granola and several types of bread. Recipes called for ingredients that I wasn't familiar with: quinoa, flax seed, wheat...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Every year I try to provide ideas for those of you who are searching for the "perfect" gift for a gardener in your family. This year I'm highlighting some new gardening books that I recently read.
Entomologist Doug Tallamy has two...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
African violets are houseplants that most people recognize. They are very popular and easy-to-grow.
Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension, says "African violets add a welcome splash of color...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Thanksgiving always makes me think of beautiful fall decorations. In addition to flowers, stems, and leaves that may be dried indoors, there are many materials that can be collected in the fall and used almost directly in...
