Grow apple trees in your urban garden
URBANA, Ill. – Apple trees have been a common landscape feature throughout human history. As humans become more urban-dwelling, apple trees are finding new homes in cosmopolitan landscapes far from familiar orchards.
“Urban apple trees are usually dwarf varieties or columnar apple trees...
Controlling crab grass can be a summer-long task
URBANA, Ill. – Recent rains have caused a common spring-time foe, crabgrass, to reappear. Crabgrass is often thought of as a spring-emerging weed, but with enough moisture, crabgrass can germinate any time in the growing season, challenging homeowners.
“Crabgrass is an abundant seed...
Virtual and in-person tours available for annual pumpkin field day
URBANA, Ill. – From jack-o’-lanterns to gourds, University of Illinois Extension has research updates on all things pumpkin.
Since 2014, Illinois Extension staff conduct agricultural field trials regularly to compare yields of different pumpkin varieties grown under realistic conditions...
Choose drought tolerant plants for homeowners
URBANA, Ill. - It can be a challenge to choose plants that will survive Illinois’ changing weather patterns.
"While we can go inside and enjoy the air conditioning, our plants don’t have the same luxury," says Gemini Bhalsod...
Livestock producers invited to USDA outbreak preparedness scenario
URBANA, Ill. – Are you prepared for a disease outbreak that threatens U.S. livestock?
The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine will host a U.S. Department of Agriculture backed online exercise to bring together a broad...
Color your garden with a rainbow of vegetables
URBANA, Ill. - Color is one of the aspects of design that leads to the beautiful garden, but sometimes vegetable gardens lack a variety of hues.
"Thumbing through garden catalogs, you can now find a variety of colorful cultivars," says...
Do not plant seeds of unknown origins
URBANA, Ill. – Mystery packages with unidentified seeds have shown up in mailboxes across the U.S. over the past week. University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts urge people to never plant unidentified seeds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is...
Choose perennials that love sun for summer glory
URBANA, Ill. – Planning a perennial garden can be challenging when faced with weather extremes. The Midwest can often be hot and dry throughout August. Drought-proven perennials can provide relief to a stressed summer flower garden.
Silver foliage plants that thrive in full sun...
