Events

Blog Posts

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,...
child planting tree in lawn area with older adult guiding the childl
Read article: Autumn is for tree planting
Autumn is for tree planting
Autumn is a time for apple picking, pumpkin spice everything (yes, I’m on that side of the debate), final garden harvests, and tree planting. While...
kissing bug on a leaf
Read article: Separating fact from fear: Kissing bugs in Illinois
Separating fact from fear: Kissing bugs in Illinois
Kissing bugs are present in Illinois, but the risk of contracting a disease from them is low. While Chagas disease has been confirmed in...
fall follage against a pretty blue sky with white clouds
Read article: Fall tree planting
Fall tree planting
By  Ella Maxwell, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesFall is an excellent time to plant a...

News Releases

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...
Looking into the canopy of a poplar tree showing early fall color changing from green to yellow
Water trees wisely to beat winter woes
URBANA, Ill. — As autumn colors emerge, it may seem that trees are preparing for rest. However, when fall brings dry conditions instead of seasonal rains, trees can enter winter under stress. Fall droughts can be subtle but have lasting impacts. With timely care, trees can weather dry spells and...
Cheryl West posing with 3 other Master Gardeners
McLean County Master Gardener recognized at state conference
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension proudly congratulates McLean County Master Gardener Cheryl West of Arrowsmith on receiving a prestigious state award from the Illinois Master Gardener program. Cheryl was honored for her outstanding contributions during the Illinois Master...

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...