Blogs

Blogs Written by Our Educators

Recent Blog Articles
Blog Articles
plants growing in high tunnels
Read article: Remember to look at disease resistance when selecting varieties
Remember to look at disease resistance when selecting varieties
In walking through the hydroponic tunnel at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center this week, the stark difference in powdery mildew disease pressure...
young strawberries and ripe
Read article: Day-neutral strawberries still producing
Day-neutral strawberries still producing
With our research partner, Freeport High School Student Vegetable Farm, the annual strawberry plants study has continued to grow well into September...
cleared out high tunnel
Read article: Dixon Springs Update: Time to clean the tunnels
Dixon Springs Update: Time to clean the tunnels
Not to brag or anything, but we may be on a 2-week streak of what I consider perfect weather. The humidity levels have dropped making it easier to...
ginger rhizomes
Read article: Central Illinois Update: Ginger is teaching valuable lessons
Central Illinois Update: Ginger is teaching valuable lessons
The ginger crop languished in the Unity high tunnel during August, putting on minimal growth — even with shade cloth in place of plastic over the top...
Pumpkin displaying virus symptoms. Photo credit: N. Johanning Illinois Extension 2023.
Read article: Southwestern Illinois Update: Pumpkins survive despite weather
Southwestern Illinois Update: Pumpkins survive despite weather
While the calendar says fall, it feels more like summer. Highs have been in the upper 80s and low 90s. Limited rainfall has been the biggest issue...
Jonagold De Coster apple
Read article: St. Louis Metro East Update: Cool nights benefit red apples
St. Louis Metro East Update: Cool nights benefit red apples
The St Louis Metro East in the last few weeks has been experiencing what I would call “resort” weather, with temperatures during the day in the upper...
Fresh loaf of bread next to rising dough and a bowl of water
Read article: No ‘knead’ to stress when making yeast bread
No ‘knead’ to stress when making yeast bread
A yeast bread may feel intimidating to make, but even a novice baker can pull off making a basic loaf. Yeast breads, of course, use yeast to make the...
Pour jam into jar
Read article: Why is open kettle canning unsafe?
Why is open kettle canning unsafe?
Canning food at home has been around since the early 1800s, with the first mason jar designed for canning distributed in 1884. Canning, freezing, and...

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 Katie ParkerChristopher Enroth, and Ken Johnson.

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.