Tips for extending the garden’s growing season
URBANA, Ill. — Harvest season in a vegetable garden doesn’t have to end so soon. Stretch growth with techniques that extend the typical growing season past the point where crops would normally be grown outdoors.
Protection from frosts can happen at either end of the growing season. A...
Butterflies can eat to live, live to eat in a balanced garden
URBANA, Ill. — A favorite thing about visiting gardens in the summer is catching sight of a butterfly enjoying nectar from a brightly colored zinnia or a monarch caterpillar munching on a milkweed leaf. When designing a butterfly garden, expand and balance plant selection to provide more than...
Field Day event plans to keep beef cattle producers up on trends for their herds
URBANA, Ill. — Beef cattle producers will gain insights and stay up to date on current research from cow/calf patterns to alternative forages and more at the Orr Beef Research Center's Field Day on September 6. The meeting will be held at the John Wood Community College Ag Center located west of...
Abe Lincoln 4-H Shooters holds archery exhibition
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Abe Lincoln Shooters 4-H currently offers the shooting discipline of archery. The Sangamon County program is guided by a Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator. The Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports program is part of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Program which sets the...
Build drought-tolerant gardens this fall for next summer’s blooms
URBANA, Ill. — Many Illinois gardens are entering the fall stressed from the lack of summer rains combined with scorching hot temperatures. These conditions easily stress some plants; however, many plants quickly adapt to hot, dry conditions. Drought-tolerant plants are not only tough and...
Local 4-H scholarships awarded
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local 4-H members were recently awarded scholarships in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in 4-H, in their schools, and in their communities.
The Logan County 4-H Foundation presented 4 scholarships:
Clay Aylesworth (Mt. Pulaski) received...
Build privacy with plants for secret gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Plants serve a lot of purposes in the landscape. One of which is to add some privacy. Screening plants can help define and give purpose to a space. Homeowners may wish to screen a particular area or transparency in the landscape, creating interest in what lies beyond.
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Illinois Extension investing in the future of farming across the state
URBANA, Ill. — Helping Illinois farmers grow thriving crops and livestock has always been at the heart of University of Illinois Extension’s mission. Using feedback received from farmers and other agricultural stakeholders through a 2022 survey,...
Extraordinary 4-H volunteers honored
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois 4-H empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 6,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Fifty-three volunteers were recently honored by Illinois 4-H for their selfless dedication to the University of Illinois...
Local 4-H members earn awards at Illinois State Fair
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H members from Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counites earned special awards for their project exhibits at the 2023 Illinois State Fair. Seventy-nine local 4-H’ers exhibited their project work alongside 4-H’ers from across the state in the Orr Building on Friday, August 11....
Local 4-H supporters honored during Illinois State Fair
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Three outstanding local 4-H supporters were honored during a ceremony held on August 11 at the Illinois State Fair. Two local supporters were inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, and one local volunteer was chosen for the national 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding...
Make flowers and memories last forever with drying for design
URBANA, Ill. — A great way to enjoy flowers with family and friends is to harvest and preserve them. The popularity of dried and pressed flowers has turned an old hobby into a renewed interior design and art trend. Who has not pressed that lucky four-leaf clover between a couple of pages of a...
Master Gardener program offers online training options
URBANA, Ill. — For 48 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow....
Menard County youth share project work during 2023 4-H shows
PETERSBURG, Ill. – 4-H members earned awards during the local 2023 4-H Shows by demonstrating knowledge and skills they gained this year. Menard County 4-H members showed 76 live animal exhibits at the Menard County Fair and 37 general project exhibits during a show held at the Sangamon County...
How to grow tropical ginger for at-home spice
URBANA, Ill. — Growing fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs in the backyard can seem like a lot of work, but at the end of the season, the bountiful, tasty harvest is worth it. The International Herb Association named ginger (Zingiber officinale) the...
Want more from your garden? Plant a fall crop of cucumbers
URBANA, Ill. — It’s the middle of summer, and you are looking for a new home project. Did you know it is not too late to plant some vegetable plants? With proper care, many vegetables are easy to grow in a sunny location in your backyard or a container garden on a patio. Take the challenge and...
Kiwanis presents awards to outstanding Logan County 4-H members
LINCOLN, Ill. – The Lincoln Kiwanis Club recently presented awards to outstanding Logan County 4-H members who completed their 4-H Records.
The following individuals were chosen as outstanding 4-H members from their clubs:
Ellie Wrage – 4 Corner Clovers 4-H Club
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