Explore 2025 All-America Selection plant, flower award winners
URBANA, Ill. — Another Illinois winter comes closer to a close, depending on which region of the state you live in. Cold and snowy days may have drug on, but the promise of spring and garden catalogs ease the time before March planting. Whatever the plan is for 2025 gardens, leave room for those...

Youth photography contest captures skills for the future 
Champaign, Ill. – The Moments That Matter Photography Contest has announced its statewide winners, highlighting 4-H youth who used photography to tell powerful stories and showcase real-world...

Get a jump start on spring by starting seeds at home
URBANA — As spring creeps closer and closer, gardeners start to get the itch to go outside and start digging in the dirt. While it may still be too early to do that, seed starting is a popular way to kick off the gardening season. Benefits of Starting SeedsSeeds started...

Illinois Extension to train new wave of community compost leaders
URBANA, Ill. — From reducing waste to enriching soil, composting plays a vital role in creating sustainable communities. This spring, learn to be a composting leader with University of Illinois Extension's Compost Ambassador program.The five-week training program, which began in Cook,...

Celebrate spring with the return of the Rain Garden Rumble native plant playoff 
URBANA, Ill. — What’s a little friendly competition between plants? The annual Rain Garden Rumble returns this spring, giving nature and gardening enthusiasts a chance to root for their favorite native plants...