Are you wondering what to do with your fresh-cut Christmas tree now that Christmas is over? How about recycling it? If you have a landscape recycling center or compost facility nearby, take it there and it will be converted into a renewable mulch or compost. Before you recycle your tree, it must be undecorated – no ornaments or lights or tree stand.
In the Macon County area, people can drop off their undecorated trees at the Macon County Composting Facility. For more information, call the...
When temperatures start getting cold in late fall, it's time to make those last-minute preparations that help your bees have the best chance of surviving the winter.
Check for Varroa mites
This is your last chance to treat for Varroa mites. In the late fall, your Varroa mite sampling should show less than 1 mite per 100 bees, otherwise, you need to treat. A very useful tool for determining the best strategy for managing Varroa mites is the Honey Bee Health Coalition’s (HBHC)...
I have been noticing tree frogs for the past month and a half. First, I saw a green one back in September on the porch door and then several on the kitchen window in the evening. This past Sunday, I noticed a gray tree frog sitting inside a storage shed. Locally, I have heard reports of people seeing numbers of them on the side of their houses.
As I have learned, the gray tree frogs come in many colors and they range in size from 1.25 - 2.5 inches in length. The juvenile gray tree frog is...
This is the “wheel bug.” While it resembles something out of a horror movie, it is actually one of the “good’ insects. The semi-circle crest of this bug resembles half of a cog wheel, hence the name. It is a member of the Assassin bug family and they feed on soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars, moths, aphids, and leafhoppers.
Do not pick them up, they can bite. Just leave them alone and let them feed on some of...
With frequent summer thunderstorms, we should be diligent in scouting for tree issues that could become a larger problem. Proper preventative care can greatly increase a tree’s longevity.
Important first steps
Preparing a tree for weather-related disasters happens before the tree ever goes in the ground by making wise site and species selections. A tree in an unsuitable site can take years to fail, often time by which it’s a costly removal or worse- damage to persons or property.
Consider...
Trees and shrubs are valuable elements in both public and private landscapes, and the wise investment of time and careful selection will only increase their value. Though there are several non-native species that do well in our fertile Illinois soils, we encourage the use of native species to promote disease resistance, suitability to native soils, and mitigating the spread of invasive species (even unknowingly).
Factors to take into consideration when choosing a tree species
light...
Judging by the weed pressure in my garden, the growing season is in full force! Staying vigilant about weed control in the garden is necessary as weeds will compete with desirable species for moisture and nutrients. There are several ways to approach weed management, and an integrated approach is one that uses more than one method.
Factors that determine control measures
Timing
Species
Type of landscape
For instance, ridding a lawn of broadleaves requires different methods than in a...
Roses have a long and vibrant history and have even been recognized as a status symbol. Because roses come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, they allow gardeners a great deal of variety from which to choose. New rose gardeners may be tempted to jump headfirst into growing hybrid tea or floribunda roses only to be discouraged by the lack of blooms or amount of maintenance encountered. Shrub roses like Knockout® serve as a wonderful compromise for those who want roses in the landscape but aren’t...
These few weeks in April bring an onslaught of spectacular spring colors from blooming tree and shrub species. As many forsythia, quince, and magnolia blooms fade and leaves appear, some redbuds, dogwoods, and crabapples are just beginning their performance. A very common spring flowering tree species is the Callery or ‘Bradford’ Pear (Pyrus calleryana). It comes under different cultivar names including ‘Aristocrat’, ‘Cleveland Select’, and ‘Chanticleer’.
Interesting facts to...
If you're like me, while performing spring clean-up around the yard, you may realize some lawn care is also needed!
Here are some helpful tips for the season:
As grass begins to grow, make sure your mower is serviced and blades are sharpened.
Set the deck at a height of 2 to 2.5 inches for cutting. Any shorter allows weeds to germinate. Anything taller can prohibit grass from drying completely and promote disease.
Remove no move that 1/3 the turf height in one session....
