University of Illinois Extension

Blog Posts (53)

What’s better: Gas or electric-powered lawn and garden tools?

corded electric chainsaw

Love the color and benefits of fallen leaves

Leaves piled up near a compost bin and a faded white fence

Lawn care advice for people who don’t care about lawns

A half-mowed lawn

Lawn Care and Pollinators

Ready, Set, Mow

What to do when your mole hills have turned into mountains

hills of soil in lawn

Crabgrass: annual weed, perennial problem

Selecting a turfgrass species for your lawn

hand holding lawn seed

Early spring tasks before the growing season begins

More late fall chores to keep you busy

Don't forget about these late fall yard chores

How can we better manage our nutrient applications?

Tractor pulling anhydrous toolbar

Fall watering is important

Gardening chores don't know summer is over

Garden tips to transition to fall

jumping worm

Northern Illinois dry conditions and why watering matters

Enjoying the home landscape

Repairing water damaged lawns

standing water in grassy lawn area

How to water (or not water) the lawn this summer

Adding more blooms to your garden invites more birds

humming bird feeding from zinnias

Surveying winter damage as spring emerges

Are you ready for lawn care season

Large Crabgrass

Get ready for spring by prepping the lawn and mower

green grass

Spring Lawn Care

Spring lawn care with mower in landscape

Why is my grass greener after a rain?

green grass is greener after a rainstorm

Late fall yard tasks - from mower to snowblower

Stop signs for home landscaping

sphynx moth

So MANY Leaves!

fall colored leaves

Dealing with Fall Drought: Get your plants ready for winter

dry soil in the fall

Coring and feeding the lawn this fall

Lawn Aeration and Overseeding

holes in lawn due to core aeration

Weather influences foliar disease

How plants and pests begin preparing for fall

Late summer questions to the Master Gardeners

Ideal timing for sowing lawn seed

Watering tips for hot weather

Settling into a summer rhythm

Trees deserve to be mulched the right way

My Mole Hills have Turned into Mountains

mole peeking head out of soil

Weed Now, or Forever Hold Your Peace

creeping charlie and dandelion among turf grass

How to prevent crabgrass

crabgrass in lawn

Advantages of early vegetable gardening and other spring notes

Welcome Dandelion and Violets into Your Lawn

yellow dandelions in green grass

More Early Spring FAQs: Lawns, Trees and Seeds

Socially-distanced Garden Activities

Too Early to do Much in the Yard?

Answers for Early Spring FAQs

Fall's Frequent Topic Review

Coring Cures More than Compaction

Fall is for More than Tree Planting

Time to Seed

Spring Lawn Care - What Should You Really Be Doing

Don’t seed a cool season lawn in the summer

hand sewing grass seeds

News Releases (26)

Can insects protect my garden ecosystem better than chemicals?

Grassy weeds becoming more common in lawns

7 ways to reduce your lawn's dependence on chemicals, water, and mowing

Four Seasons Gardening Series will answer homeowners' common questions

Microclovers making a comeback as lawns grow in biodiversity

Tri-County Master Gardener Help Desks open for 2022 season

How to use the 9 flower shapes to make your landscape something special

Grub attack could be just under the surface

Natural lawn care made easy with new eco-friendly guide

Armyworms march into Illinois' fields, lawns, gardens

Healthy gardens start with sensible soil testing

Fall is for feathered friends, fireplaces

Some trees weather wet soils, floods better than others

Weeds or wildflowers? It's a matter of perspective

From wish to weed: our love-hate relationship with dandelions

To water or not to water? Classic debate over summer lawn care begins

Missing Arbor Day doesn't mean you can't plant a tree

Tips for starting your spring garden off strong

Become a U of I Extension Master Gardener

Small lawn tasks now may mean beautiful lawns next spring

Controlling crab grass can be a summer-long task

Choose the right grass seed for a thriving lawn

Lawn rust and why your shoes are turning orange

Homeowner’s guide to watering summer lawns

Extension offers free webinar on natural lawn care April 18, 2020

Educator Shares Information on Weed Management

Staff (2)

Christopher Enroth

Christopher Enroth

Horticulture Educator

Doug Gucker staff photo

Douglas B. Gucker

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator