Want more from your garden? Plant a fall crop of cucumbers
URBANA, Ill. — It’s the middle of summer, and you are looking for a new home project. Did you know it is not too late to plant some vegetable plants? With proper care, many vegetables are easy to grow in a sunny location in your backyard or a container garden on a patio. Take the challenge and...
Youth champions named in 2023 4-H Outdoor Skills Challenge
Urbana, Ill. - The 2023 4-H Outdoor Skills Challenge took youth into the great outdoors as they showcased their expertise and engaged in outdoor adventures throughout the spring and summer.
The curriculum-based challenge invited young nature enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature,...
Forestry specialist provides chainsaw safety education to local volunteers and park district staff
EAST PEORIA, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist volunteers often spend time assisting partners with trail maintenance, invasive and aggressive plant removal, and restoration efforts in prairies and forested areas. At times, those tasks require some serious gear. A new crew...
Elevate your expectations with raised bed gardening
URBANA, Ill. — Whether for convenience or accessibility, raised beds are a popular option for growing fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants. Raised bed structures elevate the soil, and with it comes a variety of advantages for growing plants.
Using raised beds may allow...
Orr Agricultural Center’s field day continues U of I Agronomy Days events
URBANA, Ill. — As summer 2023 marches on, so do the events of Agronomy Days at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a season-long series providing practical, research-based information that can improve yield, input management...
Learn more about Conservation@Home July 18
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - The public is invited to learn more about Conservation@Home membership, yard certification, and to check out the new native landscaping demonstration site on Tuesday, July 18, 5:30-7:30pm at the Fulton County Farm Bureau, 15411 N IL 100 Hwy, Lewistown.
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Care for perennial gardens with 3 proven pruning methods
URBANA, Ill. — Pruning perennial flowers takes a garden from looking fair to well-kept. Deadheading, cutting back, and pinching are all pruning techniques that can keep perennial plants looking well cared for and healthy.
Pruning perennials is a complex topic because different...
Extension Master Gardeners host plant sales to share gardening expertise and locally grown plants
PEKIN, Ill. - The arrival of spring brings a renewed interest in gardening, but many first-time gardeners may be unsure where to start. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) from Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties share their love and knowledge of horticulture by...
4-H camp helps campers thrive by engaging teens in data-based goal setting
PEKIN, Ill. - Summer camp programs are a long-standing tradition throughout the country. They provide positive youth development through overnight experiences in outdoor settings away from the distractions of everyday life. Summer 4-H camps offer a unique aspect in that they engage older youth...
New webinar series connects stakeholders to educators
PEKIN, Ill. - In the past year, three new educators have joined the University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit team. This new team of six worked together recently to showcase the expanded programs and knowledge base they offer locally to help make people and communities...
Make It, Take It craft days reinforce health and wellness education for youth and families
HAVANA, Ill. - Incorporating craft projects into educational lessons has a unique way of bringing people, traditions, and learning together. It can also have physical benefits such as reduced tension and lower blood pressure. Local University of Illinois Extension staff have combined craft...
Livestock judging helps youth develop areas of expertise
Urbana, Ill. -- Illinois 4-H members headed to the showring for the 2023 State Livestock Judging Contest held at the University of Illinois campus. Instead of leading animals, these young members were acting as judge, evaluating groupings of cattle, hogs, and sheep against a standard for breed...
Illinois AgrAbility ready to serve farmers across the state
URBANA, Ill. — Farmers have always been the backbone of America. The state of Illinois includes 72,650 farms that cumulatively harvest over 27 million acres and are operated by 118,000 producers. The work involved is not only the farmer’s livelihood but rather their way of life.
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Reduce storm damage by looking for tree defects before bad weather strikes
URBANA, Ill. — High winds during summer storms wreak havoc on trees. Tree defects increase the likelihood of failure, and those close to homes can quickly become dangerous. Learn to look for these weak points to be better prepared for severe weather events.
Trees experience...
Rachel Van Cleve joins growing Fulton 4-H program
With close to 300 members and 16 clubs in the Fulton 4-H program, it is the largest local 4-H program and continues to grow. To keep up with the demands, University of Illinois Extension has expanded the Fulton
4-H team and hired Rachel Van Cleve as an additional 4-H program coordinator....
Area graduates receive 4-H scholarships
University of Illinois Extension, Fulton County 4-H is honored to recognize eight high school graduates for their outstanding 4-H accomplishments and leadership. Thanks to scholarship funds established by local donors, $4,500 was awarded this year.
Perry Serven, of St. Augustine, and...
Go green with eco-friendly lawn care
URBANA, Ill. — Residential lawns consume over 2.5 billion gallons of water a year. This makes taking a natural approach to lawn care appealing for homeowners. Also, almost 3 million tons of fertilizer are applied to residential lawns every year, and homeowners typically use three times more...
Take a break from the summer heat: Enjoy Four Seasons Gardening series
URBANA, Ill. — Summer is a time of growth and exploration. While spring-planted flowers and vegetables are growing, take a break between waterings to learn something new from the vast world of gardening.
Explore the global impact of sunflowers, discover summer-blooming trees, and...
Identify, avoid, and manage troublesome wild parsnip
URBANA, Ill. — Often parsnips, large white carrot-like root vegetables, are substituted for celery in soups and stews. The cultivated parsnip that we eat heralds from the appropriately named wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa. However, wild parsnip is a plant to avoid. The wild version of cultivated...
