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Purple coneflower, grass, and permeable pavement pavers.

Illinois Groundwork provides community resources and guidance for creating community green infrastructure

URBANA, Ill. – During large rainstorms, many Illinois residents brace themselves for flooding in their basements, streets, and neighborhoods. Illinois Groundwork, illinoisgroundwork.org, is a new free, online tool for communities and stormwater

Purple and pink blooming native plant in field

Use the resiliency and sustainability of plants to naturally beautify your garden

URBANA, Ill. – Seasons come and go, but home gardening never stops. Pick up the knowledge you need to embrace a resilient and sustainable home landscape, identify plants that could be problematic, and promote a natural display of beauty throughout the year. 

Learn best practices for all

wood chip mulch

Make the most of mulch by choosing from living, synthetic, inorganic, or organic

URBANA, Ill. – Every spring, gardeners turn to mulches for their landscapes and gardens for a variety of reasons. One of the main benefits of mulch is reduced soil erosion and compaction. Mulch also moderates soil temperature keeping it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Another

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beef cattle in field
Make informed decisions for your beef herd
BAYLIS, Ill., – Producers weigh management options to build profitable cattle herds. Researchers at this year's Orr Beef Research Center Field Day will review several management practices to consider. The field at begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 at the Ag Sciences Complex and Fred...
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Fall gardening is your time to plan for beautiful spring
URBANA, Ill. – Seasons come and go, but home gardening, environmental stewardship, and backyard food production take year-round effort. University of Illinois Extension provides timely tips in its fall edition of the popular Four Seasons Gardening horticulture workshops.  Each online...
family celebrating their 4-H legacy
Vern, Leona Shaffer family's 4-H legacy honored by 4-H Foundation
URBANA, Ill. – As a 50-year active Ursa Indian Grave Home Extension club member in Adams County, the late Leona Shaffer sparked a lasting love for Extension and 4-H. Over five generations, 42 Shaffer family members have contributed a combined 346 years of 4-H club membership. Their legacy is...
trees Illinois Extension wordmark
New leadership announced for Illinois Extension regions
URBANA, Ill. – As the outreach arm of the state’s land-grant university, University of Illinois Extension translates research and knowledge into practical applications for Illinois residents to help them create solutions to local challenges. Extension has a local presence in every...
trees Illinois Extension wordmark
Kemp selected to lead Extension outreach in northeast Illinois
URBANA, Ill. – A 16-year veteran of Illinois Extension was selected to lead the organization's educational programming in the state's northeastern counties. Durriyyah Kemp began her duties as assistant director on Aug. 1. Extension has a local presence in every Illinois county, allowing...
poison vines
Leaves of three? Keep poison ivy out of the home landscape
URBANA, Ill. – Experienced gardeners know where poison ivy is likely to be in the home landscape and newer gardeners will likely learn fast. Without knowing poison ivy is in the yard, it is all too easy to get the oils on your hands and clothing while clearing beds of otherwise harmless weeds...
Orange flag marks the location of an underground utility line in a leaf-covered yard..
Avoid injury, fines, power outages by calling 811 before digging
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — National Safe Digging Day, or 811 Day, is upon us. Easy to remember because of its 8/11 date, the day is a good reminder to get underground utilities marked prior to breaking ground. Having utilities marked is free and easy to do; simply call 811 two to three business days...
Be the first to use new drainage tools at August workshop
URBANA, Ill. – Managing land resources is a competing balance of environmental, economic, social, and life-sustaining issues in an ever-changing and ever-growing world. Land improvement practices play a key role in sustainable land management. University of Illinois Extension and the ...
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Gardening advice now available 'in the air'
URBANA, Ill. – Gardening in the Air filled a void during the early pandemic days. With the increase of home gardening, the Extension programs of Illinois and Iowa transitioned in-person workshops into online opportunities and introduced gardening to a new generation. To reflect the online nature...
dill pickles
Overwhelmed by garden produce? Pickle it!
URBANA, Ill. – Sour, sweet, bread and butter, Kosher dills, spears, chips, or slices on a sandwich, or as a snack or side dish – pickles are everywhere. For home gardeners with an abundance of cucumbers and other produce, pickling is a great way to preserve your bounty. While cucumbers...
Give monarch butterflies something to munch on, plant native milkweeds
URBANA, Ill. – Imagine eating only one type of food your entire life. Your survival depends entirely on being able to find this food. This is the challenge monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus, face every day as landscapes change nationwide and fewer native plants are available. But home...

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