Vegetables

Blog Posts

Look at the sky through an autumn forest

Back to school, back outside: Family fun for late summer and fall

August 21, 2026

Classes may have started, but keep up the outdoor adventures this fallWith the onslaught of back-to-school sales, the lazy days of summer are soon to...

Big flavor, small size: why snacking peppers belong in your garden

April 2, 2026

Peppers are a staple for many summer gardens, yet high heat combined with humidity can challenge plant performance. While peppers are often...

How to prepare a vegetable garden bed

April 16, 2026

Spring has officially sprung in northern Illinois, and with it comes the excitement and opportunity of a new gardening season. Before seeds and...

various microgreens growing in nine trays

Microgreens are a big deal

January 5, 2026

Have you seen microgreens on the menu of a fancy restaurant and wondered what they were? Or maybe you saw them over the summer at a farmers’...

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News Releases

Green grass with blue sky horizon chicken coup and chickens on grass

June 20, 2023

McHenry County Farm Stroll 2023
McHenry County Farm Stroll 2023 Offers Tours of 11 Family-Owned Small Farms and McHenry County College Student Farm Woodstock, Ill. – Come out for an autumn day in the country! On Sunday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., McHenry County will host its annual Farm Stroll, a free self-...

February 25, 2026

Vermilion County Master Gardeners to host annual Garden Day featuring expert speakers and local vendors
DANVILLE, Ill. — The Vermilion County Master Gardeners will host their annual Garden Day on Saturday, March 14th. Held at the Danville Area Community College Bremer Conference Center, this full-day event is designed to inspire and equip home gardeners for the upcoming spring season.With a...

February 12, 2026

New series helps residents grow groceries, saving money in the process
BOURBONAIS, Ill. — Growing affordable, fresh produce at home is something that many people are interested in, but can often feel out of reach.  Whether due to lack of experience, uncertainty about what...

A basket of fresh vegetables with the words 2026 Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School.

December 3, 2025

Fruit and vegetable growers cultivate knowledge and success through Extension program
MT. VERNON, Ill. — Growing fruits and vegetables comes with plenty of challenges and unknowns. Producers can count on Illinois Extension's up-to-date, practical research to guide their production decisions. Community members can make plans now to attend the 2026 Southern Illinois Fruit and...

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Videos

School and Community Gardens Learning Module

Bring the garden into the schoolyard with our online School and Community Gardens Self-Paced Learning Modules. A school garden can be many things, from a pollinator garden, to a sensory garden, or a bulb garden. Our online learning modules focus on vegetable gardening while we take you on a...

How to save your tomato seeds

Did you know you can save the seeds from your garden this year in order to plant them next year? This is an easy way to save some money and save seeds from plants that produced well. Illinois Extension Educator Chris Lueking has some tips on harvesting, drying, and storing your seed for next...