Gardening

Events

Melons and Gourds

May 4, 2026

County

Grundy

Kankakee

Will

Compost Giveback & Ask a Master Gardener Booth

May 6, 2026

County

Lake

Master Gardener Help Desk

May 7, 2026

County

Christian

Gardening with Native Plants | Stillman Valley

May 7, 2026

County

Ogle

More Events

Blog Posts

a patch of blooming creeping Charlie plants

Managing creeping Charlie in home landscapes

May 1, 2026

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...

Woman smiling, sitting at a table with a tea pot

Herb garden becomes teaching tool and culinary resource

April 16, 2026

In 2025, a new herb garden, planted through a partnership between University of Illinois Extension and the Fulton County Farm Bureau, became the...

Big flavor, small size: why snacking peppers belong in your garden

April 2, 2026

Peppers are a staple for many summer gardens, yet high heat combined with humidity can challenge plant performance. While peppers are often...

How to prepare a vegetable garden bed

April 16, 2026

Spring has officially sprung in northern Illinois, and with it comes the excitement and opportunity of a new gardening season. Before seeds and...

More Blogs

News Releases

A large lecture room filled with people listening to a gardening presentation.

April 6, 2026

Community Turns Out for 28th Annual Gardener’s Day in Macomb
Macomb, IL — The 28th Annual Gardener’s Day brought together nearly 100 gardening enthusiasts on March 28, 2026, at the Spoon River College Outreach Center in Macomb. Hosted by University of Illinois Extension and the McDonough County Master Gardeners, the daylong event offered...

March 18, 2026

Boone County Master Gardeners to offer free gardening programs at Ida Public Library
BELVIDERE, Ill.— The Boone County Master Gardeners invite community members to grow their gardening knowledge this spring through free educational programs offered at the Ida Public Library, 320 N. State Street, Belvidere. Space is limited. Reserve your spot by calling the library at 815‑544‑...

An orange and black monarch butterfly lands on a milkweed bloom

March 16, 2026

Celebrate spring’s arrival with new Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening webinars
URBANA, Ill. — Springtime brings visions of beautiful butterfly gardens and dreams of delicious vegetable varieties growing in a garden or porch pots outside the window.Garden planning and the countdown to a new growing season continue with two new webinars...

February 25, 2026

Vermilion County Master Gardeners to host annual Garden Day featuring expert speakers and local vendors
DANVILLE, Ill. — The Vermilion County Master Gardeners will host their annual Garden Day on Saturday, March 14th. Held at the Danville Area Community College Bremer Conference Center, this full-day event is designed to inspire and equip home gardeners for the upcoming spring season.With a...

More News

Videos

The Buzz About Bees

What's all the Buzz about Bees? Illinois Extension is here with information

Join University of Illinois Extension and Extension Educator Sreelakshmi Suresh in this info-packed Wilderness Wednesday webinar sponsored by...

Starting a Garden: Seed Starting Basics

Are you new to starting your own vegetable garden seeds? Doing it yourself can save you money and get you involved with the food you eat from seed to harvest. In this video, Illinois Extension horticulture educator Chris Enroth demonstrates seed starting while at home during the...