Serviceberry Success – new fruiting bushes at Refuge Food Forest will increase food accessIt was a cold, windy late-winter morning at the southeast corner of the Refuge Food Forest in Normal when three of us gathered to talk about slightly expanding the site’s edible landscaping...
This month, I took on something I’ve only done once before—fruit tree grafting for Extension food access projects across the tri-county area. Last spring, I grafted 24 apple scions onto 24 rootstocks. 23 of those grafts were successful, leaving me a great problem to have – finding homes for 23...
Plant a Small Fruits Garden and Increase Perennial Household Food SecurityThe spring thaw is happening albeit in fits and starts. Gardeners across central Illinois are chomping at the bit to plant their annuals. But they should also consider planting certain perennials this year....
Illinois Ginger Growers Collaborative prepares for second year of crop production research A Growing Market for a Globally Loved SpiceLast year, the U.S. consumed about 99,000 tons of ginger rhizome—the knobby, brown‑skinned, yellow‑fleshed, aromatic spice (sometimes...
Get ready to shake off winter and welcome spring! Picture a lively gathering of gardeners eager for the season ahead, hallways filled with local vendors and exhibitors showcasing their products and services, and engaging presenters sharing their expertise on everything from new plant varieties to...
Winter may have just started, but now is the time for home gardeners and market growers alike to flip through troves of seed catalogs and plan the 2026 planting season. Many of the top performing varieties are labeled (F1) or (F1 Hybrid) after the cultivar name, while others might be labeled “...
The New Year brings fresh traditions, opportunities, and resolutions. For gardeners, it also signals the start of a new growing season. Why not set a few personal gardening resolutions to become a more sustainable and successful gardener? Here are some ideas for one gardener to another....
Two years ago, I wrote a column about American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) to spread awareness about the lesser-known tree – especially as an option for Bloomington-Normal area home orchardists. Having learned, tasted, planted, and taught more about it, I wanted to provide more...
On November 12, 2025, University of Illinois Extension welcomed 15 new Master Naturalist Interns into the volunteer program after they completed 13 weeks of hybrid training. Components of training include reading, watching educational videos, hands-on learning with field trips, and online...
The leaves are falling, rain is creating pockets of mud, and before you know it, we may have snowflakes covering the ground. These seasonal shifts keep many of us curled up indoors, but exciting and interesting signs of wildlife movement lie right below our noses if we know where to look.Forest...
