News Releases

Grow apple trees in your urban garden
URBANA, Ill. – Apple trees have been a common landscape feature throughout human history. As humans become more urban-dwelling, apple trees are finding new homes in cosmopolitan landscapes far from familiar orchards. “Urban apple trees are usually dwarf varieties or columnar apple trees...

Controlling crab grass can be a summer-long task
URBANA, Ill. – Recent rains have caused a common spring-time foe, crabgrass, to reappear. Crabgrass is often thought of as a spring-emerging weed, but with enough moisture, crabgrass can germinate any time in the growing season, challenging homeowners. “Crabgrass is an abundant seed...

Census deadline looms; response impacts funding, relief assistance
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Is pond algae toxic?
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Keep ponds oxygen-rich for healthy fish
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Virtual and in-person tours available for annual pumpkin field day
URBANA, Ill. – From jack-o’-lanterns to gourds, University of Illinois Extension has research updates on all things pumpkin. Since 2014, Illinois Extension staff conduct agricultural field trials regularly to compare yields of different pumpkin varieties grown under realistic conditions...

Choose the right grass seed for a thriving lawn
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Emergence of downy mildew threatens Illinois basil crop
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Choose drought tolerant plants for homeowners
URBANA, Ill. - It can be a challenge to choose plants that will survive Illinois’ changing weather patterns. "While we can go inside and enjoy the air conditioning, our plants don’t have the same luxury," says Gemini Bhalsod...

Face your older years with health, happiness, confidence
URBANA, Ill. – Age may just be a number, but 2020 is putting that statement to the test. University of Illinois Extension educators offer suggestions for handling the physical and emotional challenges of aging, especially in light of the current health challenges.   “Now more than...

Livestock producers invited to USDA outbreak preparedness scenario
URBANA, Ill. – Are you prepared for a disease outbreak that threatens U.S. livestock? The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine will host a U.S. Department of Agriculture backed online exercise to bring together a broad...

Find Food Illinois: new community map locates food assistance sites
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Color your garden with a rainbow of vegetables
URBANA, Ill. - Color is one of the aspects of design that leads to the beautiful garden, but sometimes vegetable gardens lack a variety of hues. "Thumbing through garden catalogs, you can now find a variety of colorful cultivars," says...

Research drone photos spot invasive species
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Do not plant seeds of unknown origins
URBANA, Ill. – Mystery packages with unidentified seeds have shown up in mailboxes across the U.S. over the past week. University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts urge people to never plant unidentified seeds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is...

Get latest crop updates at virtual Northwestern Illinois research farm field days
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Extension answers common food preservation questions throughout August
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Big nutritional value from tiny plants; learn to grow microgreens
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Garden vegetables need water to survive extreme weather
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Consistent watering needed during hot-weather gardening
URBANA, Ill. – Every day matters when extremely high temperatures beat down on flowers, vegetables, and lawns. University of Illinois Extension Horticulture...