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 each...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Spring flowers have been very welcome this year after the hard winter.
"Many of those also add great scents to my outdoor gardens," says Rhonda Ferree, University of Illinois Extension educator in horticulture. "Adding fragrance to...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
May brings us our fifth gardening trend for 2014: Bee-neficials: It's all about the bees this year. News on bee and other pollinator populations is everywhere this spring. Obviously, pollinators are an essential requirement...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
When you need advice from a gardening expert but a trip to the gardening store isn't convenient, check out the University of Illinois Extension channel on YouTube.
Visit www.youtube.com/...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
If you are like me you likely have a lot of dead plants or plant parts in your yard. Last weekend while walking around my yard I noticed that one of my redbud trees in the front yard is completely dead. Today as I drove to work I...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
April brings us our fourth gardening trend for 2014: Dress up Your Yard. I often talk about my various outdoor garden rooms. Outdoor spaces are truly an extension of your home. You might have a kitchen for barbeques, a...
