Blogs

Blogs Written by Our Educators

Recent Blog Articles
Blog Articles
dirt road leading toward a dark cloudy stormy sky
Read article: Do storms really split apart and come back together?
Do storms really split apart and come back together?
When I do weather talks, I usually get a question like, “Why do we see storms split apart and come back together after they pass by?” Unfortunately...
daffodils
Read article: Spring Gardening: When is the best time to get started
Spring Gardening: When is the best time to get started
By Ella Maxwell, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties The temperatures this spring have been up...
black currant berries and leaves on a mature plant
Read article: Enhance your Garden with Edible Landscaping Shrubs
Enhance your Garden with Edible Landscaping Shrubs
Enhance Your Garden with Edible Landscaping Shrubs  The integration of edible landscaping shrubs into Bloomington-Normal area...
pink peach blossoms on tree
Read article: Assessing Freeze Damage on Peaches
Assessing Freeze Damage on Peaches
Our warm overall winter and above normal February temperatures signaled plants to break dormancy early, putting many of our crops, especially peaches...
Read article: February and Winter 2024 IWCS Update from Trent Ford
February and Winter 2024 IWCS Update from Trent Ford
Weather/Climate Information:  Report provided by Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist The following description of temperatures...
rapeseed and crimson clover cover crops growing in a field
Read article: Cover Crop Update
Cover Crop Update
Fall Cover Crop Mixtures With spring weather pushing growth, our cover crops are also taking off as well.  I had some early fall...
vegetable transplants growing inside a black netted hoop house
Read article: Dixon Springs Update: Cool season crops growing in the caterpillar
Dixon Springs Update: Cool season crops growing in the caterpillar
Early season cole crops have been planted in the caterpillar tunnel set up over the winter at DSAC. Instead of covering this smaller tunnel with...
green asparagus spear growing from ground
Read article: Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo) Update: Spring is Abound
Southwestern Illinois (Waterloo) Update: Spring is Abound
We have been on the typical March roller coaster for weather lately.  We have generally been fairly mild but have gone from a few days around 80°F to...

Popular Blogs from across Illinois Extension

Agriculture

Acres of Knowledge

All issues concerning Small Farms, Agriculture, Local Food Systems, and Natural Resources.

Hill & Furrow

News from the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural R&D Center.

Community & Economic Development 

Building Entrepreneurial Communities

Strategies for strengthening local economies.

Community Health

Community Health: Education, Prevention & Inspiration

Empowering people to make healthy, respectful, and responsible choices.

Consumer Economics 

Be Centsible

Written by college students, for college students. Be Centsible features answers to personal finance questions.

Fearless Financial Future

Research-based financial information to help us develop and maintain thoughtful and effective financial behaviors.

Plan Well, Retire Well

Great retirements don't happen by accident. Tips for saving and investing your money.

Environment

All About Weather

Learn more about Illinois weather patterns.

Naturalist News

Share your passion for nature and learn ways to protect our natural world.

Naturalist's Notebook

Experience the natural world through reviews and journal entries with Master Naturalist's.

Grasses at a Glance

Dig deep into the types of grasses and their uses in our world.

Family 

Community Health: Education, Prevention and Inspiration

Empowering people to make healthy, respectful and responsible choices.

Family Files

Facts for all ages.

Refill Your Cup with Self-Care

Genuine, sustained self-care is an art.

Salud y Familia

Resources in Spanish.

Horticulture 

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Local and statewide information on a variety of current topics for home gardeners and market growers.

The Garden Scoop

Featuring seasonal tips and tricks from the horticulture team at Illinois Extension.

Good Growing

Keeping you growing with good ideas from Christopher EnrothKen Johnson, and Emily Swihart.

Illinois River Hort

Helping new and experienced gardeners develop their skills and knowledge while encouraging everyone to enjoy the outdoors.

Know How, Know More

Connecting you with your food, farmers, and community.

Over the Garden Fence

Where gardeners come to find out what's happening out in the yard.

Raise, Grow, Harvest, Eat, Repeat

A blog for growers, consumers, and backyard gardeners to grow, eat, and connect in the local food system.

Nutrition and Wellness 

Be Smart, Eat Well, Get Healthy

Nutrition information you can use.

Healthy Eats and Repeat

Highlighting food, recipes, and ideas for a healthy lifestyle.

Live Well, Eat Well

Information by our Nutrition and Wellness Extension Educators from across Illinois.

Simply Nutritious, Quick and Delicious

Helpful tips to make meals easy, healthy, and tasty!

Turnip the Beet! Nutrition and Wellness

Timely news, information, and innovative ideas to promote health and influence change.

Youth Development

Connection Corner

Timely information, activities, and resources to help you stay connected to loved ones, the world around you, and yourself.

Our Illinois 4-H Story

Telling the amazing stories of Illinois 4-H members, volunteers, and alumni.