Trim trees, shrubs in the dormant season for stronger, healthier plants
URBANA, Ill. – Throughout the growing season, gardeners and arborists talk about the benefits of pruning woody ornamentals while they are dormant, and that time is almost here.
“Pruning can seem like a daunting task, but it is an important cultural practice for the health and vigor...
4-H youth honored for career achievements
Urbana, Ill. – 4-H youth across the state have been honored for their career achievements in the 4-H program.
The State 4-H Experience Award offers recognition for members who...
Get ready for spring with 20th annual Home, Lawn and Garden Day
URBANA, Ill. – Be inspired to grow cut flowers, learn how to properly care for your trees, or get a handle on the basics of everyday gardening at the 20th annual Home, Lawn and Garden Day.
Enjoy live workshops, a Q&A with gardening experts and a keynote speech on sustainable...
Saturdays With A Whiteside Master Gardener Kicks Off
STERLING, Ill. — Beat the winter blahs, start thinking spring! What better way to look forward to spring than to start planning your garden! Gardeners have taken their cue for planting times from nature – join Whiteside County Master Gardeners as they navigate...
Put Ready…Set…Grow…Back on Your March Calendars for 2022
DIXON, Ill.---On Saturday, March 19, 2022, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties will be hosting the 2022 Ready…Set…Grow… gardening workshop from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Loveland Community Building, 513 W 2nd...
Keep Your Brain Healthy with Monthly Brain Health Exercise Class
STERLING, Ill.-Keep your brain fit and healthy from the comfort of your own home! Current research indicates that challenging the brain is one of several things you can do to contribute to your own brain health as you age. Challenging...
Garden catalog season gives gardeners chance to explore, shop for next year's seeds
URBANA, Ill. – January begins the annual flight of vegetable, flower, and fruit tree catalogs to your mailbox or inbox. Depending on your level of gardening, the catalogs are starting to arrive frequently and en mass.
“It used to be you would get either a vegetable catalog or a fruit...
Illinois Extension celebrates outstanding programs, staff
URBANA, Ill. – Across the state, local University of Illinois Extension staff members help families, businesses, and communities identify local issues and potential solutions to those issues. Extension professionals use research-based knowledge and translate that knowledge into actions and...
Joys of Gardening Returns this February
University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce that Joys of Gardening returns as an in-person event to offer gardening tips for the growing season. There will be three fun and informative topics offered from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at the Highland Community College...
Plant cover crops at home for healthier soils
URBANA, Ill. – Healthy soil is essential for healthy plants. Using cover crops in the home garden is one way to promote soil health.
Cover crops are non-harvested crops that add organic matter to the soil, transfer nitrogen to plants, and break up heavy clay or compacted soil. They...
What will federal policy changes mean for local governments?
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois county governments are responsible for the administration of public policies and funds that impact their communities’ infrastructure, disaster relief measures, environmental health, transportation access, social services, child welfare, workforce and economic development...
Plant seeds for success with beginner vegetable gardening workshop
URBANA, Ill. – Whether you have a multi-row backyard vegetable plot or a patio with room for a few containers, now is the time to start planning for a successful gardening season. Over the past several years, there has been a surge of gardeners taking up the trowel for the first time to try...
Uncover dimensions of wellness that enhance health, wealth, happiness
URBANA, Ill. – Personal wellness is more than just diet and exercise. Wellness is multi-dimensional, encompassing eight dimensions: physical, financial, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, vocational, and intellectual.
"These eight dimensions work in harmony to help you achieve...
New Extension communications director advances mission of community, global outreach
URBANA, Ill. – For more than 100 years, University of Illinois Extension experts have worked in communities around the state providing research-based solutions for life’s everyday problems. In that time, Extension outreach efforts have evolved from community-focused in-person and mail...
Give houseplants new life with DIY kokedama moss balls
URBANA, Ill. – Free your houseplants’ roots this winter by creating organic art for your home through kokedama, a form of Japanese bonsai, where plants are grown in a special soil mix and wrapped in moss. Kokedama is a uniquely beautiful way to grow houseplants in a non-traditional way.
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