Over the Garden Fence 2025

There are a number of animals that feel very exotic to me, here in Northern Illinois: platypuses, lions, capybara, and armadillos. At least one of those may not be so exotic for much longer.Nine-banded armadillos are mammals that are closely related to sloths and anteaters. The name “armadillo”...

This summer season has been hot and dry with scattered rain events in Northen Illinois, which makes it difficult to regulate plant growth and quality of vegetables in the garden. When temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, vegetable crops may not perform as anticipated. Excessive heat can cause...

Sometimes a walk to the mailbox can yield pleasant surprises—a birthday card from Grandma, a letter from a faraway friend.  But sometimes there are not-so-nice surprises. Reports are starting again from area residents about mystery seeds they didn’t order showing up in their mailboxes....

While Halloween might be a few months away, it’s already spooky season in the woods!  Today, I’ll be introducing you to Monotropa uniflora, also known as Ghost Pipe or Ghost Plant, a plant that is ...

May is finally here, when Spring has sprung and homeowners are rushing to get the garden ready. As gardeners start their season, consider something new this year: edible flowers. Integrating edible flowers into gardens and cuisines are growing in popularity amongst home gardeners and chefs and can...

If you have pets, chances are they spend time with you outside.  If you have a yard for them to play in and explore, you’ve likely caught your pet chomping a plant, sniffing a flower, or chasing a critter.  But have you stopped to think about whether something in your yard could make your...

From homemade pesticide applications to adding eggshells to the soil, gardeners are always looking for natural alternatives to current gardening practices. Over the past few years, there has been an influx of gardeners adding eggshells, coffee grounds, and dish soap to their gardens to improve soil...

This spring, you may be thinking about starting a new pollinator or wildflower garden or looking for a quick way to add a few more species to an existing garden.  As you browse the seed aisle, a colorful packet announcing a “wildflower mix” catches your eye.  This would be an easy way to...

Did you have a pest issue in 2024 and did not know how to treat it? Insect pests can cause cosmetic challenges, disease concerns, and edibility issues in fruits and vegetables, which leads to product loss. Developing a pest management strategy for garden and farm systems is important to combat...