University of Illinois Extension

Blog Posts (37)

Pruning tomatoes and peppers for healthier plants and a stronger harvest

Hydrangea Care

How do you bring an office plant back to life?

Shade Tree Pruning

This young red maple could benefit from corrective pruning to establish a central leader that is free of competition from adjacent limbs.

How Woody Plants Grow

Trees and other woody plants grow from buds at tip of each limb which release hormones to suppress growth of other buds lower down the stem.

History and helpful hints for Christmas trees

evergreen tree with red ornaments

Fall Tree Planting

Hackberry Gall

Ice Storms and Tree Damage

Boxwoods

Weeds

Strategic Garden Plantings

Prescribed Burning

Emerald Ash Borer and Other Species Eliminating Pests or Pathogens

Spotted Wing Drosophila

Poinsettias

Christmas Tree Selection

Holiday Cacti

Home Composting

Natural Lawn Care

Black Walnut

Organic Pest Control

Sycamores

Garlic Planting

Cabbageworms

Pruning Spring Flowering Shrubs

Dividing Perennials in Spring

Flowering Crabapples

Winter Damage to Evergreens

Orchids

Gardening with Natives

2018 Gardening Goals

Plant Pathogen Spread

The alien-looking fingers protruding from these crabapples release spores that can infect trees in the juniper family to perpetuate cedar-apple rust disease.

Japanese Beetle Emergence

Japanese beetles emerge each June to feed on a variety of host plants, like this rose.

Sycamores and Anthracnose

Sycamores across central Illinois are late to leaf out this year due to a commonly occurring fungal infection.

Native vs. "nativar" - do cultivars of native plants have the same benefits?

This non-native, kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Klipka’) was bred for variegated leaves which may greatly affect insect leaf feeding.

How to overwinter house plants

Houseplants provide beauty as well as a plethora of human health benefits during winter although indoor plant care can often be challenging this time of year.

News Releases (13)

Six ways to keep your hosta foliage looking great

Should you make your garden tidy in the fall or spring?

Healthy gardens start with sensible soil testing

Backyard landscape or garden got you stumped? Request advice from Master Gardeners

Livingston County Master Gardener Help Desk Open

Bring office plants neglected during pandemic back to life

Tips for starting your spring garden off strong

Four Seasons Gardening webinars return in 2021

Keep houseplants happy with simple solutions

Keep Poinsettias plentiful long after the holidays

When to worry about needle drop on white pine trees

Unsightly black spots on maple leaves won’t harm trees

Emergence of downy mildew threatens Illinois basil crop

Staff (2)

Gemini Bhalsod

Gemini Bhalsod

Horticulture Educator

Richard Hentschel

Richard Hentschel

Horticulture Educator