By Julie Robinson, Extension Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell countiesIt is hard to believe that 2025 finds Local OPAL’s (Local Outdoor Playing and Learning) website celebrating its fifth birthday. What began as a mere (and somewhat crazy) idea during 2018...
By Trudy Yazujian, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesI used to tease that I was a public-school teacher to support my gardening habit. While there was a little truth to that, I loved being a teacher and had wanted to be a teacher since I was in...
By Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell countiesThis past weekend I pointed out to my grandkids the first goldfinch of the season I spotted at my feeders. Bird watching is enjoyable for many of us – I had an uncle...
By May Bach, Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell countiesIn the spring of 2024, three local Extension Master Gardeners created a hügelkultur bed inside the Wildlife Prairie Park 4-H Learning Garden that has become an excellent rain...
Are you interested in learning how to take steps to create a home landscape that is not only beautiful, but also provides ecological benefits for the environment? If so, join us as we start our 2025 book study.We're excited to announce a deep dive into considering conservation minded additions to...
By Susan McCabe, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties Thank you to Susan McCabe for sharing her method of overwintering hostas in pots. Susan is an Extension Master Gardener. I used to dislike Hosta very much. I thought, "They are just...
By Ellen Denler, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties Thank you to Ellen Denler for sharing her thoughts on "When is A Garden Not a Garden." Ellen is an Extension Master Gardener and Conservation@Home member. She has a passion for...
By Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Naturalist and Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell countiesIt will not be long until we are in the holiday season and then welcoming a new year. With winter we experience a new set of weather patterns from rain, to sleet, ice,...
The Morton Public Library has a diverse collection of trees planted on the library property. Extension Master Gardeners have identified twenty-six trees to illustrate that diversity and provide a sampling of species one might find in Illinois...
Adding flowers that bloom later in the season provides resources to pollinators into the fall. As they prepare for migration or overwintering, this is a critical season to ensure they have the required resources. Native plants are an excellent way to ensure that the blooms have the necessary...
