Events

Blog Posts

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...
blueberry bush
Read article: Creating our blueberry garden bed
Creating our blueberry garden bed
By Cathy Endress, Extension Master Gardener, serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesWhat started as a landscaping project,...
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...
poison ivy
Read article: Poison Ivy: A friend to deer and bird, a foe to many humans
Poison Ivy: A friend to deer and bird, a foe to many humans
By Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell countiesI love my yard with all...

News Releases

a diverse group of adults working around a raised community garden bed
Grow Your Passion: Master Gardener Training Begins This Fall
From rural farms and small towns to bustling suburbs and vibrant city neighborhoods, more than 2,600 volunteers across Illinois are making a difference through gardening. These dedicated individuals bring the mission of “helping others learn to grow” to life by sharing their knowledge and love...
Yellow and green foliage shade plants at a garden center
Grow successful made in the shade gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Did you know that despite Illinois' reputation as a prairie state, its landscape was once nearly a third forest? This fact opens up a wonderful world of native plants perfectly suited for shade gardens. Choosing these local beauties not only bolsters regional biodiversity but...
View of a layered landscape all green in bloom with flowers, trees, and shrubs in the woods.
A layered landscape provides space for wildlife all year
URBANA, Ill. — There are many ways to support pollinators and other wildlife in home landscapes, such as providing floral resources throughout the season, planting host plants, and planting native plants. In addition, consider creating a space for them to live out their life cycles by creating...