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holly, mistletoe, pinecones, and greenery

Holly, mistletoe, and holiday traditions

December 15, 2023

During the holidays, there are a few plants that seem ubiquitous, even if only during the month of December. But have you ever wondered why we “deck the halls with boughs of holly” or kiss under the mistletoe? Holly Holly (Ilex sp.) is a group of almost 500 species of both deciduous and...

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Deck the halls with Poinsettias: history and helpful hints

December 7, 2023

December showers may not bring holiday flowers in Illinois, but houseguests, neighbors, and friends just might! One of the most recognizable of these gift plants is the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). A native to Mexico, the English-known Poinsettia was known to the Nahuatl and Aztecs...

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Zoning in: USDA updates hardiness map

November 30, 2023

1/12/2024: For the latest on this topic, please refer to this news release. --- Have you seen the new USDA plant hardiness map...

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Is it an alien? Is it a plane? They're Sandhill Cranes!

November 20, 2023

Walking outside on a nice fall day, you may be greeted by a strange, primal rattling sound coming from way high up in the sky. No, it’s not an alien invasion. It’s a ...

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Spice up your November with cranberries

November 6, 2023

October just left us with blistery cold snowy reminder that the growing season is over. Now we can turn our focus to our families, friends, and neighbors to celebrate the holidays together. When I think of November two things come to my mind - turkeys and cranberries. Americans consume nearly 400...

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close-up of basket of dirty garden tools

Keep your tools in tip-top shape

October 18, 2023

As we pack our gardens up for the year, caring for your tools now will keep them in great shape for years to come. Before you pack your tools away for the winter, you’ll want to give them a good cleaning first. Use a wire brush to remove soil and debris. Rust can be removed with sandpaper...

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two hands working with tweezers inside a round terrarium

DIY bottle terrariums make great projects, gifts

October 9, 2023

Fall is now in full swing with temperatures reaching down to the 30s at night and Halloween just around the corner. As we prepare our landscapes and gardens for a long winter’s nap, don’t let those seasonal blues get an early start. Why not start a plant project with your family or to give to a...

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close up of a yellowjacket wasp, yellow and black stripes and skinny wings

Taking the sting out of yellowjackets

September 25, 2023

It’s that time of year again. In the fall, yellowjacket wasps (often mistaken for bees) have reached peak populations, becoming more noticeable as they hunt for food—often in garbage cans, hummingbird...

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Monarch migration: Learn how you can help

August 28, 2023

Imagine taking a trip to Mexico. What sort of things would you do? Get your car inspected. Check some maps to find the best route. Read reviews to find great restaurants and hotels along the way. Now imagine taking that trip with no preparation. Pretty stressful, no? What if you were an insect...

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Prolong the shelf-life of garden-fresh produce with good harvest habits

August 21, 2023

The fruits of our summer labors have been ripening with more fruits and vegetables ready for harvest. Overplanting is a common problem and it is a struggle to get the longest life out of the harvest. Most of us end up with more produce than we can use. Neighbors, friends, coworkers, food pantries...

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