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red bubblegum machine and matching terrarium

Candy jar terrariums: A nostalgic take on a holiday gift

Leaves and temperatures are falling. Pumpkin spice is in the air. That can only mean that Halloween will soon be here. As we prepare our landscapes and gardens for winter, look towards indoor plant care to warm your mood. Giving plants for the holidays brings a little sunshine and warmth to those...
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man's hand next to purple broccolini floret

A resilient broccoli alternative: Broccolini

Hot summer days may be slowly coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the growing season has to! Fall crops are a staple in the Midwest, which helps farmers and gardeners prolong the short growing season in Northern Illinois. Cool season crops like broccoli are commonly grown in the Spring and Fall...
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man's hand next to purple broccolini floret

A resilient broccoli alternative: Broccolini

Hot summer days may be slowly coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the growing season has to! Fall crops are a staple in the Midwest, which helps farmers and gardeners prolong the short growing season in Northern Illinois. Cool season crops like broccoli are commonly grown in the Spring and Fall...
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dried flowers in a garden

Pollinator tips for fall clean up time

Where did summer go?  It seems like we were just enjoying the sun, imagining all the wonderful produce our gardens would make, and looking forward to those lazy days of summer.  But suddenly, the kids are back to school and there’s that unmistakable chill in the evening air.  It’s...
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close up of damage from squash vine borer

Squash Vine Borer has arrived

As the growing season continues, squash vine borer has made its way to the tri-county area. Squash vine borer typically emerges in late June and can decimate entire fields of cucurbit crops in a single season. In this article, you will learn how to identify and control this troublesome pest for...
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lightning bug glowing on a blade of grass

Shedding light on lightning bugs

Are they “lightning bugs”? Or do you prefer “fireflies”? Either way, these living, glowing little lamps are an inimitable sign that summer is truly in full swing.LifecycleThere are more than 20 species of lightning bugs in Illinois, all within the family Lampyridae. Like all beetles, they have a “...
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hammerhead worm

Have you heard of hammerhead worms?

While you may be familiar with many invasive plants and insects, the hammerhead worm is perhaps one of the strangest and least well-known invaders to our gardens. HistoryAccording to the USDA,...
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close up of two pineberries

Grow pineapple-flavored treats in your garden

As spring planting begins and we look forward to the harvests of our labors, one of the best summer treats are strawberries. Depending on cultivar planted, June-bearing provide a large crop of larger strawberries and everbearing strawberries produce smaller berries throughout the growing season....
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overview of local rain garden just planted

Keeping rain where it lands

Rainwater is frequently treated like a waste product – gathered up, hustled off our yards, and into the nearest body of water. But instead, what if we kept it where it fell, used it, and directed it back into the ground. We could help mitigate flooding, conserve water, and be rewarded with a...
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