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a ring of lush, dark green turfgrass surrounded by lighter green turfgrass

What’s causing the circles in my lawn? Fairy rings

Have you ever noticed a near-perfect circle of lush green grass or a ring of mushrooms growing in a lawn? While these patterns may seem concerning or even supernatural, they are caused by soil-dwelling fungi and are commonly referred to as fairy rings. What are fairy rings?...
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pink blooming shooting start with foliage in background

Shooting stars on a remnant prairie

The other day I was traveling for work and found myself near a remnant prairie with a few minutes to spare, so I had no choice but to stop for a walk. These parcels of land are incredible examples of what the landscape was before sod busting and settlement. Visiting these historic ecosystems can be...
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Crabgrass stages a takover of the lawn - crabgrass looking very healthy as it spreads in grass in a suburban back yard

Garden Vocabulary: Water Grass

It started as an ordinary phone call. A homeowner contacted the Extension office with a question about controlling a grassy weed in her lawn. A weed she knew was ubiquitous in lawn care. However, when she said the name “water grass,” I was dumbfounded. The voice on the other end of the line seemed...
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a patch of blooming creeping Charlie plants

Managing creeping Charlie in home landscapes

As we go through our landscapes in spring and begin the inevitable task of weeding, there is one plant we commonly encounter. It creeps through shaded lawns, slips beneath shrubs, and roots wherever it touches the soil. With its small purple flowers, creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)...
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Group of people planting trees man planting in the foreground two more planting in the background

Celebrating Nature

This week, we celebrate two holidays: Earth Day and Arbor Day. Although they were inspired by different moments in history, both share the purpose of inspiring environmental stewardship. Together, their histories and modern observances reflect our ever-evolving understanding of the human-nature...
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a digging spade in the ground next to a cluster of freshly harvested sweet potatoes

How sweet it is growing sweet potatoes

Grow what you eatI often suggest that the best things to grow in your garden are fruits and vegetables we enjoy eating. Sometimes, though, our gardens may exceed our appetites. After growing fifteen kale plants, my family determined that we could probably live off two. And ten cherry tomato bushes...
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Ruby-throated hummingbird sipping nectar from a red tubular flower in soft bokeh light

More than feeders: Attracting hummingbirds to your landscape

As temperatures warm and spring progresses, our landscapes come alive. Plants resume growth and begin flowering, insects emerge, and hummingbirds return. These charismatic birds captivate us with their iridescent plumage and aerial agility. Many gardeners put out feeders to attract hummingbirds,...
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wooden raised garden beds planted with a variety of vegetables including gourds, cabbage, tomato, calendula and leaf lettuce

Flowers in the vegetable garden

Each spring, many of us get very excited about the abundant harvest we are going to enjoy from our vegetable gardens. We plan, then plant. We weed and water. And if all goes well, we harvest an abundance of nutritious and delicious produce.In addition to carefully planning what to plant, when to...
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