Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
If you find large, ragged holes in the leaves of hosta (and other) plants in your garden and notice a slime trail as well, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator warns you may have a slug or two taking up residence...
Many Japanese beetle larvae did not survive the winter, particularly in the northern half of the state. Research has shown that Japanese beetle grubs do not migrate deeper than 11 inches into the soil for the winter. They die if the soil temperature reaches 15 degrees F or if they are...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Recent droughty summers, a cold winter, and various other environmental and pest problems have killed many trees in our area. Usually when a tree is removed a stump is left behind. Here are several suggestions on how to remove tree...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
The recent University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Team professional improvement meeting in Springfield included three tour sites. One location was the grounds at the governors mansion. I've been to the grounds many times and...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I've had several questions about lavender this spring. Most gardeners wonder if their lavender survived the winter, but others want to know how to use it.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an ancient herb. It has been a...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
"Fire Blight symptoms were observed on several Callery Pears this past week," says Travis Cleveland, University of Illinois extension specialist.
"The symptoms were more severe than those observed during the 2013 growing season."...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
May brings us our sixth gardening trend for 2014: Cultur-vating. "Taking local to the next level, people are growing the world in their gardens, mixing cultures and embracing what is local to their own region."
Growing our own food...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Pollinators are an essential requirement for many of our favorite food crops.
"News on bee and other pollinator populations is everywhere this spring," says Rhonda Ferree, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator....
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I grew up thinking that a green bell pepper was called a mango. It wasn't until my sister Lynn Miller moved to Florida that we realized there was also a fruit called a mango.
Now that I have seen and tasted a mango, it seems odd to...
View Rhonda Ferree's MUM YouTube video at http://go.illinois.edu/ferreevideos
Have you ever had a fall blooming mum that doesn't look at all like what it is supposed to come September? Is it tall, leggy and flopping over with a few flowers at...
