Events

Blog Posts

Frost crack on apple tree branch
Read article: Exploding trees? A closer look at frost cracking
Exploding trees? A closer look at frost cracking
Exploding trees made quite a few headlines this past week when winter temperatures dropped across much of the country. While the claim of trees...
wine-red spathes of skunk cabbage emerging from the snow
Read article: Skunk cabbage: Spring’s earliest and hottest native plant
Skunk cabbage: Spring’s earliest and hottest native plant
The cold winter temperatures may make it seem like spring is a long way off, but before we know it, spring will arrive, bringing warmer temperatures...
a bird getting ready to eat from a frozen bird seed wreathe
Read article: Choose the right feeder and seed for birds in the winter
Choose the right feeder and seed for birds in the winter
By Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, and Conservation@Home member serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties...
mug of hot chocolate
Read article: Celebrating Hot Chocolate Day
Celebrating Hot Chocolate Day
Hot Chocolate Day is January 31, inviting us to appreciate the plants and traditions that make this beverage possible. While hot chocolate feels like...

News Releases

Make Memories That Last: Festive Ornament Workshops in December
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 festive workshops designed to bring nature indoors and add a personal touch to your holiday décor....
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...

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...