University of Illinois Extension

Events (8)

Unique Plants for the Holidays | Good Growing

3 PM CST

Wed, 12/01/2021 - 12:00

Online

unique plants for the holidays

Holiday Huddle - Livingston County Master Gardeners

12 PM

Thu, 12/02/2021 - 12:00

Livingston County Extension Office - 1412 S. Locust St. Pontiac, IL 61764

Holiday Huddle - McLean Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists

10 AM or 2 PM

Fri, 12/03/2021 - 12:00

McLean Extension Office - 1615 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704

Lee County 4-H Handmade Holidays

9:00 AM- NOON

Sat, 12/04/2021 - 12:00

Amboy Community Center

Going Nuts Over Tree Nuts! | Good Growing

3 PM CST

Wed, 12/08/2021 - 12:00

going nuts over tree nuts

Horticulture for The Holidays Workshop

9 AM to noon

Sat, 12/11/2021 - 12:00

Lockwood Park - Cookhouse, 5201 Safford Rd. Rockford, IL

Horticulture for the Holidays with pointsettia background. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 Lockwood Park - Cookhouse 9 am to noon.

Wonderful Winter Interest | Good Growing

3 PM CST

Wed, 12/15/2021 - 12:00

Online

wonderful winter interest

Dealing with Winter Wildlife Damage | Good Growing

3 PM CST

Wed, 01/12/2022 - 12:00

Online

dealing with winter wildlife damage

Blog Posts (28)

New Poinsettia options are a modern twist for an iconic holiday decoration

Buy a live tree, support a family farm, wake up to the smell of Christmas!

evergreen tree in field

Helpful tips to cope with grief this holiday season

black box with garland, text reads the bittersweet season

Eight food ideas for your holiday charcuterie board

Array of fruits, meats, nuts, and cheese on a charcuterie board

Enjoy your holiday chili with a few healthy alternatives

Bowl of red-colored soup with a spoon and green garnishes set on a black table.

More tricks than treats this Halloween

More Tricks than Treats this Halloween

Dealing with pumpkins after Halloween: Debunking social media advice

rotted pumpkin

How to make homemade seed cards for Valentine’s Day

pink seed cards made for Valentine's Day

Why buy flowers if they're just going to die?

assorted cut flowers in a wide mouth jar. credit:

Houseplants for Valentines

Snake plant is a very common houseplant that is easy to care for making it an excellent plant gift for your Valentine this year.

What to do with live Christmas tree after the holidays

tree cookies hanging from woody vine

Many ways to recycle the Christmas tree

Holidays at home

Poinsettia Myths

Poinsettias are one of the most popular holiday plants in the US.

Salud y Bienestar Durante las Fiestas Decembrinas

Kissing under the mistletoe – A holiday favorite with a dark side

European mistletoe with green leaves and white berries on a wooden table

History and helpful hints for Christmas trees

evergreen tree with red ornaments

Give the gift of gardening

LEGO sculpture of adult and child gardening together

Harvesting evergreens for holiday decorations

holiday decor harvested from backyard

Christmas Tree Selection

Christmas trees

Holiday DIY: Gifts from the kitchen

gifts from the kitchen including pomander balls, chai, homemade tea bags and roasted nuts

Selecting a Christmas Tree for the Holidays

Fresh cut trees provide some wonderful indoor greenery for the Holiday Season.

Keep poinsettias vibrant with grower's tips

red poinsettia with green tips in foreground of brilliant white holiday lighting

Caring for favorite holiday plants

red poinsettia

DIY dried flowers for Thanksgiving

Dried flowers in vase

An attitude of gratitude this Thanksgiving

Give Thanks pumpkin decoration hanging on front door

Local foods offer a cornucopia of fresh Thanksgiving options

Beets, parsnip, squash and apples

Help your Valentine’s Flowers Last Longer

red roses

News Releases (24)

Master Gardeners Host Make-and-Take Holiday Event

Bring homegrown foods to the table this Thanksgiving

Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants

Winter brings new opportunities for plant care

Give Christmas trees a second life after the holidays

Poinsettias add a rainbow of color options to holiday décor

Low-maintenance, winter blooming holiday cacti are gift that keep on giving

DIY bottle terrariums make great holiday gifts

Don’t dump Halloween pumpkins; donate or compost them

Blooming plant ideas to gift this Valentine’s Day

Keep Poinsettias plentiful long after the holidays

Picking the perfect Christmas tree starts at home

Grow a living Christmas tree with Norfolk Island Pine

How to care for a living Christmas tree

Learn strategies to manage the holiday stress

Put thankfulness in your Thanksgiving holiday season

Be creative with your Thanksgiving meal

Deck the halls safely this holiday season

Make some holiday treats with 4-H and Barclay Public Library

Smaller turkeys, lower prices on Thanksgiving menu

Local foods offer a cornucopia of fresh Thanksgiving options

Don't get sick from your holiday turkey

Learn from home with Good Growing Winter Webinars

How to pick the perfect pumpkin