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Big bluestem seed heads against a clear sky with sun hazy in the background

The big three: dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie

Illinois, nicknamed the Prairie State by early settlers, was once dominated by a tallgrass prairie ecosystem.  Prairies are characterized by deep, fertile soils that are the result of thousands of years of supporting a diverse ecosystem of primarily herbaceous grasses and forbs, a few trees,...
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child planting tree in lawn area with older adult guiding the childl

Autumn is for tree planting

Autumn is a time for apple picking, pumpkin spice everything (yes, I’m on that side of the debate), final garden harvests, and tree planting. While April gets a lot of attention for being Arbor Month, let’s consider autumn as another great time to plant trees.Advantages of autumn plantingRegardless...
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Redbud tree with fall webworm webbing over foliage

Webs in trees: The life and impact of fall webworms

There are many ways we mark the 'end of summer'. Some refer to the beginning of school or the closing of the pool, while others view Labor Day as the 'unofficial end of summer'. Another way, if you're more entomologically inclined, is the appearance of fall webworm.Fall webworm (Hyphantria...
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Cottonwood branch against blue sky

Understanding cottonwood

A recent family trip westward to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks offered a chance to observe the changing landscapes of the Midwest. While Iowa’s familiar fields of corn and soybeans resemble much of Illinois, the transformation across Nebraska—from tallgrass to shortgrass prairie—...
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Green tomatoes growing in the garden

Stalled Green Tomatoes: Why won’t they turn red?

If you have grown tomatoes, it is likely that at some point in your gardening journey, you have encountered a stubborn tomato plant that refuses to ripen. In the past, there have been a few of my tomatoes that have sat green for a few weeks, but eventually they turned red. However, in the summer of...
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Goldenrod soldier beetles on goldenrod blossoms

Fall flower visitors – Goldenrod soldier beetles

As fall approaches, our landscapes begin to transition. Summer bloomers like purple coneflower, prairie blazing star, and milkweeds begin to fade while fall bloomers like asters and goldenrod begin their colorful displays. These plants are commonly covered in pollinators, one of which is the...
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a naturalized landscape bed

Nature by design: Naturalistic landscapes

In recent years, landscape design trends have migrated toward naturalistic aesthetics- a style that equally prioritizes ecological function, native plant selection, and beauty. For some, this may seem like an abrupt turn from the more familiar formal landscape design often employed in home...
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