Good Growing 2025

Are you daydreaming of future cobblers, crumbles, jams, jellies, and pies? If you grow your own cane fruit/brambles in early spring, while the plants are still dormant, it is an important time for plant pruning and care. These tasks need to take place before plants leaf out, which means if you...

This past week, right around mid-June, I received my first question about Japanese beetles. Throughout a growing season, plants, insects, diseases, and many other natural processes emerge, develop, and complete their life cycles. How do we know when to expect Japanese beetles to emerge? Or squash...

During my time as an Illinois Extension educator, I have run across many garden myths. Too many to keep track of. But some myths keep on coming up in teaching and talking with Illinoisians. Some myths are more localized, while others are widespread and often touted as garden “hacks” online. ...