University of Illinois Extension

Blog Posts (61)

Extend the vase life of your fresh flowers with a little care

Yellow, orange, white and pink flowers

Holly: A native holiday decoration

Keep your Poinsettia looking great and boost your post-holiday mood

A red and green Poinsettia against a brick wall

Slow down this Winter Solstice, learn to love winter like the farmer

Sunset behind evergreen trees on a snowy banked river

How to identify and care for holiday cacti and get them to rebloom

Holiday cacti - Identification, care, and getting them to rebloom. Red tubular flowers of a Thanksgiving cactus emerging from green, toothed stems.

Christmas tree selection, sustainability and identification

assorted cut evergreen trees and wreaths for sale at a market

Give someone a green holiday season with the gift of plants

Close up of a red and green poinsetta

What is the Most Sustainable Christmas Tree Option?

Family Holidays…not always merry

Make your Thanksgiving gathering special with the perfect herb additions

a mix of green herbs sit on a chopping block next to a large kitchen knife

Find joy in holiday gift giving while supporting your local farm community

A holiday wreath hangs on red barn doors

Purchase more than pumpkins this season: Discover the savory side of cucurbits

Red kuri, delicata, and acorn squash in wicker baskets with pie pumpkins.

Three simple techniques transform prized flowers into beautiful home decor

Bundles of white and pink flowers hang upside down to dry

Blue flowers for your patriotic plantings

Blue flower on green leaves

Give your garden a rest; tend to Mom this weekend

Two shovels laying in dirt

Gift a Flowering Houseplant this Valentine's Day

A row of cyclamens with red, white and pink flowers

Find oranges at their peak during winter months

A sliced orange in front of a whole orange

Add some color to your winter landscape by growing holly

Add some color to your winter landscape by growing holly. Red holly berries and green holly leaves.

Sugar and spice make everything nice

plate of Christmas cookies

The origin of frankincense and myrrh add to their special meaning

bowl of myrrh resin

Is your glass half full or half empty?

glass half full with water, block with the word half

Keeping Your Poinsettia Alive Through the Holidays

red poinsettia bracts

The shapes, sizes, and stories of holiday cookies

Star-shaped cookies sitting on a table

How to identify common holiday evergreens

How to introduce kids to the joys of cooking, baking this holiday season

Christmas tree traditions and care practices

How to take care of amaryllis and get them to rebloom

How to take care of amaryllis and get them to rebloom! Amaryllis flower with red on outer part of petals and white center

Take time for self-care during the holidays

Recycling Your Real Christmas Tree

Recycle Your Real Christmas Tree

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

Raising Reindeer

herd of reindeer

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

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

Holly for the Holidays

Hollies are symbolic of the holiday season, providing beauty in the landscape as well as abundant berries for native birds. Photo Credit: Diane Plewa, Illinois Extension Plant Clinic

Prevent tantrums during the holidays

pouting little girl

Sugar-n-Spice and Everything Nice

News Releases (26)

Fundraiser to benefit Ag in the Classroom will make holiday shopping easy

Remember electrical safety when decking the halls

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