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,...
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...
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...
By Joe Huether, Illinois Extension Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesFor as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to the naming of things. As a kid, gazing through the window of the family van, I’d watch the scenery change as we flew past: subtle...
By Laura Hertz, Illinois Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesIn 2018, I became aware of the importance of native plants after listening to a webinar featuring Doug Tallamy, an entomologist from Dartmouth most known for his books ...
Volunteers from the Fulton County Farm Bureau, Extension Master Gardeners, and Extension Master Naturalists planted close to 200 native plants around the Farm Bureau Building. On May16, 2023, nearly 20 volunteers helped to prepare soil and plant more than twenty-five species of native plants. We...
By Mike McGraw, Extension Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesIn September, 2023, my wife and I were honored to have our yard certified as eco-friendly by the Conservation@Home program. It has been a 29-year journey from “nothing” to a small haven for...
Supporting pollinators has become increasingly important as concerns over pollinator population decline are more evident. The good news is that even small spaces can provide resources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Container gardens are one solution for growing pollen and nectar...
