Gardeners Corner Spring 2025

Looking into a row of planted, growing seedling trays under grow lights.

Get a jump start on spring by starting seeds at home

March 10, 2025

URBANA — As spring creeps closer and closer, gardeners start to get the itch to go outside and start digging in the dirt. While it may still be too early to do that, seed starting is a popular way to kick off the gardening season. Benefits of Starting SeedsSeeds started indoors tend to get better germination rates compared to seeds started outdoors because the seeds are provided with ideal...

Blog articles

Gardening inside with houseplants

December 13, 2024

Over the Garden Fence

The weather has turned cold, and your gardens have gone to sleep. But your hands still long to touch the dirt and crave a little green in your life. Consider adding some houseplants to your space! With a bit of research and forethought, even the brownest thumb can keep their space...

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A seed envelope with tomato seeds scattered on it with a plant label with the text "tomatoes"

From seed catalogs to garden: picking the right tomato seeds

January 10, 2025

Good Growing

After a lovely winter break, I returned to the office with a stack of seed catalogs begging me to order more seeds. I already have hundreds of different seed packets that I have accumulated over the years. Many of the seeds are old enough that they likely are not viable anymore, but I just have...

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Rotating crops for a more resilient garden

February 28, 2025

Good Growing

As the growing season approaches, final plans are being made for home gardens. What to plant and where to plant are big questions that require multiple levels of consideration. What to plant requires an analysis of the intended use, what the growing space can support, and how the climate will...

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News releases

A grouping of award-winning pink and yellow-striped blooming petunia flowers.

March 17, 2025

Explore 2025 All-America Selection plant, flower award winners
URBANA, Ill. — Another Illinois winter comes closer to a close, depending on which region of the state you live in. Cold and snowy days may have drug on, but the promise of spring and garden catalog eases the time before March planting. Whatever the plan is for 2025 gardens, leave room for those...

Green leaves of a bur oak tree on a new spring branch.

March 24, 2025

Root awakening: spring tree tips
URBANA, Ill. — As winter fades and the first signs of spring emerge, it's time to give trees the care they need to thrive. Trees, like all living things, require attention and maintenance, especially as they transition from dormancy to the growing season. Help trees recover from winter damage,...

View of a layered landscape all green in bloom with flowers, trees, and shrubs in the woods.

April 14, 2025

A layered landscape provides space for wildlife all year
URBANA, Ill. — There are many ways to support pollinators and other wildlife in home landscapes, such as providing floral resources throughout the season, planting host plants, and planting native plants. In addition, consider creating a space for them to live out their life cycles by creating...

White fuzzy appearing specs that are mealybugs on a houseplant stem.

April 28, 2025

Keeping outside pests off indoor plants
URBANA, Ill. — Keeping houseplants is a hobby that has recently seen a huge resurgence. Now, nurseries that were all but shuttered for the winter are hosting houseplant parties and other events to help people keep their hands dirty all year long. Tending to houseplants is a way to maintain our...

Gardeners Corner is a quarterly newsletter from gardening experts around the state. Each issue highlights best practices that will make houseplants, landscapes, or gardens shine in any season. Have a gardening question? Find an Extension expert near you from the statewide map.

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Illinois Extension

Gardeners Corner Spring 2025

Get a jump start on spring by starting seeds at home

Gardening inside with houseplants

From seed catalogs to garden: picking the right tomato seeds

Rotating crops for a more resilient garden

Ep. 199 The return of the Grow Along | #GoodGrowing