Events

Blog Posts

plastic zip top bags labeled with various species of native Illinois prairie seeds
Read article: Start a native prairie garden using 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...
orange pumpkin being launched into a dumpster
Read article: How to safely dispose of old Pumpkins after Halloween
How to safely dispose of old Pumpkins after Halloween
From decorating and carving pumpkins to visiting a pumpkin patch, pumpkins bring excitement during the fall season for people of all ages. Carving...
Big bluestem seed heads against a clear sky with sun hazy in the background
Read article: The big three: dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie
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...
three packets of different seeds spilling out on a wooden table with a notebook to record the seeds
Read article: Open-Pollinated vs. Hybrid: An important distinction when saving seeds
Open-Pollinated vs. Hybrid: An important distinction when saving seeds
Each year, I try to grow a few different fruits and vegetables. Sometimes the unknown crop turns out to be a dud that produces a lackluster harvest,...

News Releases

wood panelling with pinecone tree
Hort for the Holidays Returns with Pinecone Tree Workshop
WINNEBAGO COUNTY- Gardeners know that nature provides the best décor! At Hort for the Holidays, we’ll turn simple pinecones into stunning pinecone trees that celebrate the textures and tones of the season. From fall through winter, pinecones pair beautifully with greenery...
Nancy surrounded by a group of kids gardening
Illinois Extension staff spotlight: Nancy Kuhajda
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Each month University of Illinois Extension serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties sits down with an Extension staff member to discuss their work and impact in the community.  This month's spotlight features...
Celebrate the Season with Holiday Horticulture Workshops
The holidays are the perfect time to get creative—and what better way to do that than with a hands-on horticulture project? University of Illinois Extension invites you to join us for a series of festive workshops designed to bring nature indoors and add a personal touch to your holiday décor....
A person raking leaves in a yard
Recycle your leaves for a better garden and suprising environmental benifits
MATTESON, Ill. – After raking leaves this fall, consider recycling them on your property rather than bagging them for curbside pick-up. For the typical home gardener, fallen leaves are one of the most readily available forms of organic matter. Organic matter aids plant growth and can...

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...

Staff