Know which plants are dangerous and protect your family, pets, and animals.
There are many poisonous plants in Illinois, some are native plants and others were introduced into the state.
Poisonous woody plants and flowers found in home landscapes
Azaleas and their relative, rhododendron, cherished for their beautiful spring flowers,...
A properly constructed and maintained water well can provide many years of trouble free service, but a well can deteriorate or become damaged allowing surface contaminants to enter the water in the well. In addition, groundwater can become contaminated. The safety of a family’s drinking water is very important, so important that public water systems must monitor their water’s safety at least monthly. However, if you have a private well, regular testing is your responsibility.
Annual...
In the past three weeks, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected wild birds in the central U.S. flyway. The HPIA strains being detected are Eurasian H5 and Eurasian H5N1. Confirmed cases of HPIA have been confirmed in commercial and small flocks in Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Michigan, so far none in Illinois.
Protecting your Flock
First, keep infected wild waterfowl (ducks and geese) and gulls from interacting with your poultry flock. Avian flu circulates in the wild...
With spring right around the corner and seed catalogs pouring in, many gardeners are anxious to get their hands in the soil, myself included. It may currently be a little early and damp to put shovel to ground, but it’s never too early to plan what vegetables and herbs you might grow. Gather your materials now and start planning your growing space. You may choose to forego the indoor jungle and winter sow seeds that...