The Garden Scoop 2019

The green foliage in this picture is bush honeysuckle, which is an invasive species that dominates forest understories in Illinois. If not weeded out...

Weeding out Invasives

The management of Illinois’ forests has become an increasingly difficult task for landowners focused on maintaining and enhancing native plant diversity. I have often thought of it as a similar process to weeding a vegetable garden, with a diverse mix of our native forest trees as the vegetable...
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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

Holly for the Holidays

Broad-leafed and evergreen holly species have long been a symbol of Christmas and other winter holidays and traditions.  The dark green, prickly foliage combined with contrasting bright red berries can really be a show stopper in the winter landscape providing both ornamental beauty and food...
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Poinsettias are the quintessential holiday house plant with nearly 30 million sold each year.

Houseplants for the Holidays

Are you searching for the perfect holiday gift for that plant lover on your list?  Hoping to inspire a new plant enthusiast with the ideal plant-related gift? Houseplants are one of the best and most affordable gifts for someone interested in a plant-themed gift this holiday season. ...
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The sweet potato produces more biomass and nutrients per acre that any other food crop, making it a globally important agricultural crop. Photo Credit: Andrew Holsinger, Illinois Extension

The Amazing Sweet Potato

So many foods are epitomized by their annual appearance in Thanksgiving feasts, with sweet potato often right alongside the turkey and stuffing. This plant also has an interesting world history as both a food-security and subsistence crop in developing countries as week as a delicacy if...
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Many herbs, such as this sage plant, are cold hardy perennials that still may be harvest for fresh use despite the early Halloween snowfall this week.

Harvesting Hardy Herbs

Although our Halloween snow provided a beautiful wintry accent to autumn leaves, it marked a stark end to the growing season for most plants. Many area gardeners were tuned in, harvesting the last of their still-viable vegetable crops ahead of the snow. Herbs are one crop that is often overlooked...
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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.

How to overwinter house plants

Winter is a stressful time for many plants in the landscape, given the drought conditions brought on by freezing temperatures and the effects of extreme cold. Although these stressors typically don’t impact our houseplants the same way, indoor plants experience their own form of winter stress,...
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This young swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) has retained its leaves while the maples on either side have already dropped theirs. Many of our native oaks keep their leaves all winter as young trees.

Why do some trees retain leaves over winter?

Not all trees shed their leaves in coordination during fall. You may have noticed that some trees are still holding their leaves this week, and many of those will likely hold them until spring. Each winter, I get a number of questions on this topic as folks ponder the “not-so-deciduous” deciduous...
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Finding more ways to make our urban forest look like a natural forested ecosystem can really benefit wildlife by provided a greater heterogeneity of habitat. Consider less fall cleanup this year and go with the “natural” look.

Lighten the Load of Fall Garden Cleanup

Ready for some tips to lighten the load with fall garden cleanup?  Breaking a few old habits can make a big difference for native wildlife by leaving some winter habitat elements in place.  Although leaf raking can really spruce up the landscape this time of year, consider leaving some...
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Winter Injury to Fruit Trees

Winer injury is a common problem among fruit trees grown in our area and this year's up and down spring temperatures resulted in damage to flower buds across central Illinois. Cold weather in some years can bring damage to many ornamental tree species as well, impacting much anticipated spring...
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Spring Beauties: A True Sign of Spring

Last week the spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) in Lodge Park, near Monticello, were absolutely stunning. These tiny, ornate wildflowers adorn the forested trails at Lodge and other woodlands throughout central Illinois providing us with a sure sign that spring has arrived each year. Spring...
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A Closer Look at Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are one way for homeowners to use garden design as means to mitigate storm runoff by capturing and detaining water before it leaves our properties. Although these carefully designed gardens function as tiny rainwater detection areas, you wouldn't know it unless they were inundated with...
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beet growing with title "it's hard to beat a good beet"

It's hard to beat a good beet

Mentioning the ripe beets coming out of the ground this time of year doesn't get much excitement out of my kids, but they are certainly a favorite of mine. I have such fond memories of fresh beets from my grandmother's garden. She served them pretty regularly as a side, fresh when possible,...
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