Leaves of three? Keep poison ivy out of the home landscape
URBANA, Ill. — Experienced gardeners know where poison ivy is likely to be in the home landscape and newer gardeners will likely learn fast. Without knowing poison ivy is in the yard, it is all too easy to get the oils on your hands and clothing while clearing beds of otherwise harmless weeds...
Avoid injury, fines, power outages by calling 811 before digging
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — National Safe Digging Day, or 811 Day, is upon us. Easy to remember because of its 8/11 date, the day is a good reminder to get underground utilities marked prior to breaking ground. Having utilities marked is free and easy to do; simply call 811 two to three business days...
Gardening advice now available 'in the air'
URBANA, Ill. – Gardening in the Air filled a void during the early pandemic days. With the increase of home gardening, the Extension programs of Illinois and Iowa transitioned in-person workshops into online opportunities and introduced gardening to a new generation. To reflect the online nature...
Everyone’s going where? To the Carroll County 4-H Fair!
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ill.-Join us at the Carroll County Fairgrounds, 28374 Milledgeville Rd, August 8-13. General projects will be displayed in the 4-H building. Livestock judging will take place throughout the week. Our Master Gardeners are ready to share their expertise. Catch...
Overwhelmed by garden produce? Pickle it!
URBANA, Ill. – Sour, sweet, bread and butter, Kosher dills, spears, chips, or slices on a sandwich, or as a snack or side dish – pickles are everywhere. For home gardeners with an abundance of cucumbers and other produce, pickling is a great way to preserve your bounty.
While cucumbers...
Give monarch butterflies something to munch on, plant native milkweeds
URBANA, Ill. – Imagine eating only one type of food your entire life. Your survival depends entirely on being able to find this food. This is the challenge monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus, face every day as landscapes change nationwide and fewer native plants are available. But home...
Find financial freedom, reach your money goals with guidance from Extension experts
URBANA, Ill. - During the COVID-19 pandemic, budgets were stretched tight, and every dollar counted. That's why Illinois Extension consumer economic educators make financial discussions easy to understand so you can explore your options and make informed decisions. Around the...
Create backyard paradise with tropical plant garden
URBANA, Ill. – Summer may be the season for vacations, but if you can’t get away create your own backyard paradise with a tropical plant garden.
Tropical plants can be planted in the ground or in containers and overwintered inside. Treat tropical plants as annuals in the Illinois...
Be prepared when disaster strikes
URBANA, Ill. – Disasters don't operate on a schedule, but pre-planning can help families and communities prepare for unexpected emergencies. A series of five workshops by University of Illinois Extension will outline proactive steps to take...
Tips to harvest garden vegetables at peak quality, flavor
URBANA, Ill. – Whether you started your first garden this year or are a veteran grower, we’re coming up on the heart of harvest season. One of the advantages of homegrown vegetables is that you can harvest produce at its peak quality and flavor.
But knowing when to harvest a crop...
Develop a disaster plan: Be prepared when disaster strikes
URBANA, Ill. – Floods, fire, tornadoes, and storms can put lives at risk, damage property, and shut down power. Building a household emergency plan is an important step to help individuals and families safely cope during emergencies, but knowing where to start can be...
Extension finds common ground, connects public with agriculture
URBANA, Ill. - Whether large commercial agriculture operations, small farms, or community and backyard gardens, the future of our food supply relies on the use of practices that boost production and capacity. Illinois growers at all levels benefit from effective, efficient, and sustainable...
New biosecurity resource helps producers protect pigs
URBANA, Ill. –The estimated economic impact over 10 years is $50 billion if African swine fever finds its way into the United States, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
And...
Midwestern farmer feedback requested to guide $10M resilient agriculture project
URBANA, Ill. – The Diverse Corn Belt project is seeking farmer input through focus groups and in-field research. This is a multidisciplinary project exploring alternative crops, longer rotations, integrating livestock and perennials that could help increase resilience in Midwest agriculture....
Produce donation program improves health and nutrition at food pantries
URBANA, Ill. – Food pantries provide much needed relief for food insecure individuals and families. But pantries often rely on donations of canned and packaged foods with limited nutritional value. Growing Together Illinois, a program from Illinois...
Reduce impact of extreme temperatures on power grid
URBANA, Ill. - The National Weather Service reports that portions of the Midwest have experienced record-breaking, early-season heat, including numerous record highs and heat index values above 105 degrees....
Feed your community by safely donating homegrown fruits, vegetables
URBANA, Ill. – When home gardens are bursting with an overabundance of fresh produce, growers start looking for ways to share their bounty. Backyard gardeners can help feed their community by donating fruits and vegetables to local food pantries.
Growers planning on...
Guide outlines steps to take when pesticide drift occurs
URBANA, Ill. – Pesticides assist in managing pests. People should use precise application techniques detailed on the label so they don’t endanger people, pets, livestock, plants, and the environment.Damage can occur when pesticide drifts from its intended location onto adjacent...
Midwestern hemp database applications open until July 24
URBANA, Ill. – Industrial hemp is one of the fasting growing crops across Midwestern fields and researchers are recruiting producers in the race to learn more.
University of Illinois Extension commercial agriculture educators are working...
