Color your garden with a rainbow of vegetables
URBANA, Ill. - Color is one of the aspects of design that leads to the beautiful garden, but sometimes vegetable gardens lack a variety of hues.
"Thumbing through garden catalogs, you can now find a variety of colorful cultivars," says...
Do not plant seeds of unknown origins
URBANA, Ill. – Mystery packages with unidentified seeds have shown up in mailboxes across the U.S. over the past week. University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts urge people to never plant unidentified seeds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is...
Choose perennials that love sun for summer glory
URBANA, Ill. – Planning a perennial garden can be challenging when faced with weather extremes. The Midwest can often be hot and dry throughout August. Drought-proven perennials can provide relief to a stressed summer flower garden.
Silver foliage plants that thrive in full sun...
Stay safe in pools and hot tubs
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Water is a powerful conductor of electricity. It is especially important to be aware of electrical hazards around water. As temperatures soar this week, University of Illinois Extension provides these safety tips...
Illinois Master Gardeners announce new volunteer website
URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners donated 189,392 hours across the state in 2019, answering questions, leading programs, and volunteering at community garden projects. These 2,719 garden enthusiasts of all ages volunteer at local Illinois Extension offices to...
Showy Annabelle hydrangea has historic roots in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. - The ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea has been a mainstay of the ornamental shrub world since its release in the 1960s. This showy shrub is filled with beautiful snowball-like flowers that adorn its spindly branches each summer. The blooms begin as pretty green puffs that turn white at...
COVID-19 expense relief available for local governments
URBANA, Ill. - The Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Support Program, CURE, is federally funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund and reimburses local governments for costs specifically related to the COVID-19 public health emergency incurred since March 1, not previously budgeted...
Rural communities learn ways to recognize, manage stress
URBANA, Ill. - Volatile crop prices, global markets, and natural disasters create stress for rural residents, farmers, and ranchers. Even before the current health crisis, rural communities across the Midwest were dealing with additional economic stressors, such as the closing of coal-fired...
Learn safe food handling, prep methods
URBANA, Ill. - Approximately one in six Americans gets a foodborne illness each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Foodborne illnesses are not a minor inconvenience. In fact, the CDC estimates...
Illinois’ big trees are on the map
URBANA, Ill. – From the depths of the Shawnee National Forest to backyards in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois’ biggest trees are branching out. For the first time, the state’s champion trees are now available as an interactive digital map.
“For more than 58 years, the Illinois Big Tree...
Get out of the sun with 5 ideas for backyard shade
URBANA, Ill. - Relaxing outdoors while surrounded by plants is a great stress reducer. As temperatures heat up, you can prolong your time outside by creating some shade in your yard.
"Shaded areas let you stay outside longer without getting exhausted from the sun,"...
Extension expands programming, continues virtual 4-H shows in August
URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension will allow staff and volunteers to resume limited in-person gatherings in August, consistent with the public health and safety guidelines outlined in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois...
