Winter sowing workshop helps gardeners stay on top of gardening in the offseason
DECATUR, Ill.— Winter sowing is a popular gardening strategy that exposes seeds to cold temperatures while keeping them protected in a container. The seeds remain outside in the container and germinate once the temperatures rise. The result is a heartier spring transplant and a budget-friendly...
Winter sow seeds for a head start on your garden and a beautiful blooming season
MONTICELLO, Ill. — Some plants won’t bloom the first year unless you sow the seeds early. Winter-sown seeds tend to be much heartier than seeds grown inside. These are just a few of the benefits of sowing seeds in winter, including helping to keep your gardening budget in check during the spring...
Master Gardener program offers new training options
DECATUR, Ill.— You don’t have to be a gardening expert to become a Master Gardener. All you need is an interest in gardening with a desire to learn and share knowledge. The program is about connecting people with other gardeners, their community, and reliable resources for information. Once...
Former communications administrator for ACES and Illinois Extension passes away
William “Bill” Cupps’ contributions to the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) continue to be felt today through scholarships, college programs, and communication activities. Cupps passed away on December 2, 2022, at the age of 88.
During an 11-year tenure...
Share your time and talents and become a Glacier's Edge Master Naturalist
DECATUR, Ill. — Connecting people with nature and encouraging environmental stewardship is essential to becoming a more sustainable society. University of Illinois Extension’s Master Naturalist training program prepares adult volunteers to become environmental stewards. Registration for the...
Hard work and dedication pay off for Illinois 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl team
CLINTON, Ill. — A DeWitt County 4-H member recently competed on the Illinois 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl team in the National Livestock 4-H Quiz Bowl Competition in Louisville, Ky. The 4-H team was named fourth in the nation for their performance.
Davis Howell from DeWitt County earned a...
Mountain lions on the move through Illinois, not here to stay
URBANA, Ill. – Mountain lions have been on the move this fall with two confirmed sightings of animals in northern and central Illinois. Large predators occasionally pass through Illinois but are not here to stay.
The...
Supplies donation from the NRA Foundation helps 4-H Shooting Sports Club
MONTICELLO, Ill. — Piatt and DeWitt 4-H shooting sports club members will benefit from a recent National Rifle Association Foundation donation of shotgun shells, pellets, and safety glasses. The donation will help further the success of these programs.
“These young folks are very well...
Volunteer excellence recognized at Illinois Master Gardener conference
DECATUR, Ill. — Over 280 volunteers across Illinois attended the University of Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener Conference in Tinley Park. The conference featured educational sessions, a keynote address, and tours of the Morton Arboretum, Cantigny Gardens, and Ball Trial Seed Gardens. Three...
Piatt County 4-H club finishes in top three at 4-H trap shoot
BUNKER HILL, Ill. — Sixty-four youth from across the state gathered at Brittany Shooting Park near Bunker Hill on Sept. 24 for the 4-H state trap shooting contest. Piatt County Mid-State Marksmen 4-H club finished second for the day in the county shotgun trap division, and club member, Jonathan...
Take care of a few details now to prepare for spring garden season
MONTICELLO, Ill. – The seasons change so quickly. In a blink of an eye, summer is gone, and fall has arrived. Before too long, spring will be poking out through the remnants of winter. It will be time to plant vegetable gardens and flower beds. This can be a daunting task. Take certain steps now...
Give summer-blooming bulbs a second chance, store them over winter
URBANA, Ill – Plants, such as cannas, caladiums, dahlias, elephant ears, gladiolus, and tuberous begonia, can make a great addition to the landscape. These plants are commonly referred to as tender bulbs or summer-blooming bulbs. Not all of them actually grow from bulbs, but this is what...
Learn how to identify beautiful fall foliage with tree walks
DECATUR, Ill. – With fall arriving soon, many look forward to trees covered with fiery red and glowing orange leaves. Fully appreciate their beautiful fall canvas by learning to identify trees during Tree ID Walks hosted by University of Illinois Extension.
Tree ID Walks has three date...
Home and Community Education helps youth get creative with finger knitting workshop
MONTICELLO, Ill. – 4-H empowers youth by providing the tools and opportunities to learn skills that will last a lifetime. Knitting is the latest offering by 4-H that is a collaborative effort with Piatt County Home and Community Education. Youth will not only learn that knitting is fun but that...
Soil forecasting project seeks survey input for app development
URBANA, Ill. – For farmers and agribusiness leaders, accessing reliable and timely soil condition data can drive important soil management decisions that affect both short- and long-term production success.
A research collaboration between University of Illinois and...
Select the best characteristics of your garden vegetables with seed saving
MONTICELLO, Ill. – Seed saving makes it possible for gardeners to be self-sufficient and select their favorite produce qualities by using seeds from the fruits or vegetables that possess them. According to Abigail Harper, Michigan State University Extension, “Saving seeds from year to year can...
Grassy weeds becoming more common in lawns
URBANA, Ill. — When confronted with lawn weeds, typically we think of dandelion, creeping Charlie, and violet. These plants and many others are classified as broadleaved weeds, or dicots, and are easily distinguished from grasses which are monocots. Scientists have engineered herbicides that...
Become a Master Gardener and help others grow
DECATUR, Ill. – Do you have an interest in gardening, a desire to learn and share your knowledge with others, and time to volunteer in the community? The University of Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener volunteer program serving DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties may be the perfect fit....
Living with Diabetes, a six-week virutal program, builds community of support
DECATUR, Ill.— Living with diabetes can sometimes feel overwhelming. Planning meals, counting carbohydrates, and just understanding how to adjust your lifestyle is a lot of information to digest. University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties understands these struggles...
