Gardening

Events

Master Gardener Help Desk

August 6, 2026

County

Christian

Master Gardener Informational Booth

August 8, 2026

County

Christian

Herb Gardening | Oregon

August 10, 2026

County

Ogle

Fresh from the Garden

August 11, 2026

County

Macon

More Events

Blog Posts

Royal Catchfly: A rare Illinois native worth growing

August 4, 2026

Royal catchfly (Silene regia) is one of the few Illinois native plants that sports a red bloom, making it a sought-after plant both...

This purple coneflower is infected with aster yellows, which produces odd and deformed flowers that can actually be interestingly attractive at times.

Aster yellows in central Illinois

July 29, 2026

It is always interesting to observe plant diseases, unravel the mystery of how a particular plant became infected, and look toward solutions. ...

cicada killer wasp with a paralyzed cicada

Cicada killers: Summer's misunderstood giants

July 24, 2026

Nothing says summer like the chorus of cicadas. Those annual cicadas also signal the arrival of cicada killer wasps, one of Illinois' largest and...

Give Pollinators a Boost This National Pollinator Week

June 26, 2026

National Pollinator Week, June 22–28, is the perfect time to evaluate how pollinator-friendly your backyard is and to explore ways to support these...

More Blogs

News Releases

July 10, 2026

Master Gardener Hybrid Training: Registration Now Open for Fall 2026 Program
MACOMB, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension invites community members with a passion for plants, gardening, and lifelong learning to enroll in the Fall 2026 Master Gardener Hybrid Training, running from September 8 through November 24. This program provides...

man, woman, young man standing in front of plants in containers

June 17, 2026

Illinois Extension brings community together through container gardening workshops in Cairo and Metropolis
CAIRO and METROPOLIS, Ill. — Community members across Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union counties recently came together to learn, create, and grow at the Container Gardening Workshops hosted by the University of Illinois Extension at local food donation gardens in...

A brown with a pink stripe hummingbird moth using its proboscis to collect nectar from a pink zinnia flower.

May 22, 2026

Add sunshine and new Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening webinars to summer
URBANA, Ill. — Summer activities around the garden can be fun and a way to spend a little more time outside. Take a break from the sun to watch two new webinars from University of Illinois Extension’s...

Woman showing gardeners a pollinator garden.

May 27, 2026

Grow healthier ecosystems at home this pollinator month
URBANA, Ill. — Planting native flowers in a backyard, patio container, or community garden can provide critical food and habitat for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. This June, in recognition of National Pollinator Month, University of Illinois Extension encourages community members to...

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...