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A woodland vole staring at the camera lens giving its best blue steel

Protect your trees and yard from winter vole damage

Voles are active in the winter, even if you aren'tWhile I may not be out in the garden during this time of year, the frozen landscape of Illinois during January still has plenty of life. In fact, there is one animal that toils in the garden all winter, the vole. What are voles?Voles are small...
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A pile of cinnamon quills

From bark to baking: Cinnamon’s journey to your table

While we use them year-round, spices often take center stage during the holidays. From bread and pies to cookies and drinks, spices provide many holiday foods with their distinct and memorable flavors. One of the most popular spices around the holidays (and year-round) is cinnamon. A...
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group of kalanchoe blooms in orange, pink, and red

A nontraditional holiday plant: Kalanchoe

Traditional holiday plants get a lot of attention this time of year, and the Good Growing team has made an effort to write about the most popular ones. We have an article for poinsettia, paperwhites, holiday cacti, mistletoe, and more. A nontraditional holiday plant that is available in abundance...
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A golden Christmas ball on a dry branch of a Christmas tree without needles.

Help! What’s wrong with my Christmas tree?

Maybe this is your first year with a farm-raised cut Christmas tree. Or perhaps you’ve used them for years, but something seems off. Drooping branches, fallen ornaments, and even a few bugs can make you wonder if a fake tree is the better option. Before you switch, let’s look at common issues with...
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five groups of herbs hanging from a string of twine to dry

Preserving garden-grown herbs

Herbs are among the easiest plants to grow, whether in a backyard garden, a small container on the patio, or indoors on a sunny windowsill. Their versatility and resilience make them a favorite for home gardeners, and many varieties thrive with regular harvesting—often producing more the more they...
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rabbit feeding on trunk of shrub sitting on snow covered ground

Winter Wildlife vs. Your Trees: Win the Battle

The splendor of fall color on deciduous trees is a beautiful indicator that winter is coming. In the months ahead, the outdoor landscape will experience freezing temperatures, piles of snow, and an abundance of dormant or dead plants. For the animals left to survive the winter season, the trees and...
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plastic zip top bags labeled with various species of native Illinois prairie seeds

Start a native prairie garden using seeds

Many homeowners are beginning to incorporate more native plantings into their home landscapes. There can be a variety of reasons people choose to have native plant gardens—perhaps less mowing, a desire for more wildflowers, or providing benefits to wildlife and local ecosystems. However, buying...
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