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Vegetable Garden Planning
It’s that time of year again – time to start planning for the vegetable gardening season.  The explosion of enticing seed catalogs hitting my mailbox...
Tree removal is easier when trees are dormant
Sometimes a tree becomes a hazard This is the time of year I prefer to take down any trees that have died or become a hazard in the garden. I say...
2023: Year of the Broccoli hands holding head of green broccoli in foreground, field of broccoli in background
2023 is the year of the broccoli
With the turn of the new year, it seems to be a tradition to declare it the year of ‘fill in the blank.’ So far I’ve learned 2023 is the year of the...
Seed in a glass
The ABC of seed saving
At first: Why save seeds?  Saving seeds is a great way to save money and be prepared for the following year, but it is...
Plant inside listening to music
Make your plants part of your family: Indoor kitchen gardens
Growing food is not limited to outdoors in the summer. With some planning, you can grow food indoors throughout the year. Make a plan Before...
Growing Loofa Gourds
Most gardeners who have planted a summer squash in their vegetable garden can attest to the prolific growth of healthy squash vines.  And in good...
Ethnobotany: the power of plants and people background image woven baskets with native fruits and nuts including walnuts
Ethnobotany: The power of plants and people
Plants have played a major role in human development for as long as people have inhabited the earth. Human interaction with plants has been and...
Managing squash vine borer in the garden. Colorful adult vine borer moth laying egg on squash stem
Managing squash vine borer in the garden
There are a variety of insects that will feed on squash. One of the more troublesome, and potentially devastating, is the squash vine borer. If you'...

News Releases

Say goodbye to your tomato troubles with free master gardener event
MONTICELLO, Ill. –  You have planted tomatoes and they are ready to pick. As you reach in to grab the beautiful ripe fruit you notice a strange looking green worm with black dots. Unfortunately, it appears you have a case of tomato hornworms. Those are just one of the troubles you may encounter...
Plant seeds for success with beginner vegetable gardening workshop
URBANA, Ill. – Whether you have a multi-row backyard vegetable plot or a patio with room for a few containers, now is the time to start planning for a successful gardening season. Over the past several years, there has been a surge of gardeners taking up the trowel for the first time to try...
a rotting jack o' lantern
Don’t dump Halloween pumpkins; donate or compost them
URBANA, Ill. – Every year, come November billions of jack-o’-lanterns whose wilting faces are now past their prime need to find a new home. Tossing pumpkins in the trash bin is the simplest solution, but is not the best for the environment says...
Falling into the Autumn Vegetable Garden
Join Grant McCarty, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 12 p.m. for this virtual program. You must pre-register by September 21 to receive the Zoom link to join the program. The program is being offered free of charge but donations to help offset the cost of...

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