In the 16th century, St. Nick's counterpart, Krampus, was fictitiously known to gift naughty children coal in their stockings. By the early 1900s, coal grew in popularity as a gift, since many families used coal to heat their homes. While today most of us no longer receive coal in our stockings, it...
The Poinsettia, a vibrant red flower that graces our Christmas décor, has a rich history of cultivation and symbolism, beginning with the ancient Aztec people of Mexico, where it thrives as a tall perennial shrub, often growing over 10 feet in height in its native environment. Poinsettias have...
What do cover cropping in garden beds, companion planting of corn, beans, and squash, crafting herbal gifts at home, DIY sausage making, and sourdough bread making all have in common? Each of these practices empowers community members to boost self-sufficiency, enhance household resilience, and...
During the holiday season comes tasty food, festive decorations, and precious time spent with those dear to us. It also means an array of holiday plants in your home or office, like poinsettias, amaryllis, and holly. One plant that may not be on your holiday décor list, the holiday cactus, is a...
The holiday season is quickly approaching, and while we might all celebrate differently, many of us are purchasing gifts for loved ones over the next few months. Before you start adding items to your shopping cart, here are some facts to consider about the environmental impact of holiday shopping...
U of I Extension, Rader Family Farms to host 2nd McLean Co. Pumpkin Smash to combat climate changeHalloween night may be filled with frights, but garbage day is where the real horror lurks. Discarded by the 1,000s, decaying jack-o-lanterns and rotting pumpkins are hauled off to...
Which of the following statements are true? There are hundreds of types of plastics. Since the 1950s, global plastic production has grown by an average of 9% per year. 80% of grocery bags and more than 1/3 of entire plastic packaging production is for short term use by US...
As we head into the end of the growing and gardening season, it’s important to show your garden some love after it has provided all season long for you and yours. My preferred cover crop mix is oats, field peas, and tillage radish – seeded in late August or early September. But whether you missed...
As September ushers in the changing seasons and offers a period of rest for the garden, there are still a few essential tasks to complete this fall. Taking these steps will help ensure your garden thrives with health and beauty come spring.Cut back plants (or not!) Any diseased or insect-...
Central IL Modern Homesteading and Self-Sufficiency Series ContinuesThe "Modern Homesteading & Self-Sufficiency" workshop series was launched by the University of Illinois Extension staff in Bloomington, Illinois on Wednesday, August 21st, from 5:00-7:30 PM at the McLean County...
