University of Illinois Extension

Events (1)

Pumpkin Smash

Sat, 11/05/2022 - 12:00

Multiple Locations

carved pumpkin being smashed by a bat

Blog Posts (19)

More Seasonal FAQs from the Master Gardener Help Desks

Don't forget about these late fall yard chores

How to use all those fall leaves

Dealing with pumpkins after Halloween: Debunking social media advice

rotted pumpkin

Fall is a good time to start composting

Gardening chores don't know summer is over

Be wise when watering

Two garden tasks to do in January

Vermicomposting: A Composting Option for the Winter

worms feeding on food waste creating compost

Late fall yard tasks - from mower to snowblower

Fall cleanup continues: beware of weed seeds

compost bin open with contents showing

Handling pumpkins, mums and other fall decorations

pumpkins and mums

Frequent fall topics: soil, compost and bulbs

Grow your own vegetables to benefit your health and the environment

women working in garden

A Beginners Guide To Worm Composting

Fruit and vegetable scraps for composting

Kitchen Scrap Gardening: Regrow Your Fruits and Vegetables!

base of celery stalk sitting in water

Holiday Gifts for the Gardener in the Family

Pick the Christmas Tree Right for You - Artificial vs. Real

Vermiculture Composting: Worm Aversion Conversion

News Releases (24)

Composting for the Homeowner

Understanding three different types of organic-based soil fertility

Learn more about the benefits of compost during International Compost Awareness Week

Turn your food scraps into a valuable resource to support the environment

Keep worms warm for winter vermicomposting

Don’t dump Halloween pumpkins; donate or compost them

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by composting pumpkins after Halloween

Composting can help mitigate climate change and enhance the quality of our environment

Don't rake fall leaves, recycle them

Exchange your food scraps for compost: an easy way to help our environment

Enrich your knowledge and your soil at free composting event

Free event to tour Crossing Garden and learn about composting

Bring your food scraps to help our environment and learn about composting

Turn your food scraps and yard waste into a valuable resource

Log on to the McHenry County Virtual Gardenfest on April 10

Extension is here to share in your gardening triumphs and woes

Use fall leaves in home compost

Put fall leaves to work as compost

Turn kitchen scraps into food for your garden

Find nature in your backyard with environmental webinar series

Worm digestion helps feed soil

Revive your compost pile after winter

Thermal composting speeds process

January Master Gardener Column

Staff (5)

Sara Farley

Sarah Farley

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Extension Educator

Zachary Grant

Zachary Grant

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Nancy Kuhajda

Nancy Kuhajda

Will County Master Gardener, Master Naturalist & Master Composter Program Coordinator

Kathryn Pereira

Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator

Sarah Vogel staff photo

Sarah Vogel

Horticulture and Natural Resources Educator