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queen anne's lace flower head

The confusing carrot family

Every family is full of characters—the fun one, the pretty one, the difficult one, etc.  The Umbellifer family has that, too.  While carrots are the life of the party—sweet, crunchy, and great with ranch, other members like poison hemlock are better appreciated from a distance.  Who...
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peach curl symptoms on leaves

Recognize and manage peach leaf curl in the home orchard

Over the past month, the tri-county Extension offices have received several calls and emails regarding peach leaf curl. Given the wet spring conditions, it is not surprising that this fungal disease is showing up in home orchards this year. However, early symptoms can easily be mistaken for frost...
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tick on a grassy plant

Feeling “tick”-ed off?

May is Lyme Disease Awareness month, so now is a great time to learn more about its host and how to protect your family from tick bites.  What are ticks?Ticks have eight legs and belong to the arachnid family, related to spiders.  Because their primary source of food is blood from animals...
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soil with vegetables and garden gloves

How to prepare a vegetable garden bed

Spring has officially sprung in northern Illinois, and with it comes the excitement and opportunity of a new gardening season. Before seeds and transplants make their way into the ground, taking time to properly prepare your garden bed can set the stage for healthier plants, higher yields, and...
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view of trees looking up in winter

“Exploding” trees? Probably not

Much has been in the news lately about “exploding trees”, caused by the extreme cold temperatures.  But is this something to be worried about?  Can trees explode?The short answer is, yes, but it’s very rare.  More likely is a loud popping noise caused when trees crack due to the...
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various microgreens growing in nine trays

Microgreens are a big deal

Have you seen microgreens on the menu of a fancy restaurant and wondered what they were?  Or maybe you saw them over the summer at a farmers’ market but passed them up because of the hefty price tag.  It turns out, with the right setup, you can have this fresh, nutritious add-on all year...
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orange pumpkin being launched into a dumpster

How to safely dispose of old Pumpkins after Halloween

From decorating and carving pumpkins to visiting a pumpkin patch, pumpkins bring excitement during the fall season for people of all ages. Carving jack-o’-lanterns is a common tradition amongst families for fall fun, but where should they go after they start to deteriorate? Pumpkins thrown into...
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close up of tomatoes at end of gardening season with leaves dying

Fall veggie garden clean-up can yield spring rewards

Once fall hits, I feel myself starting to lose interest in my garden. As I pull the last few tomatoes out and look at the squash with their dessicated, powdery mildewed leaves, I long for the fresh new promises of spring. But, like it or not, there are a few chores left before shutting down for the...
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