ILRiverHort 2014

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Time for our next gardening trend of 2014: Think Gardens. This trend is all about how plants make us smarter, more productive and less stressed and is why we need them in our offices, schools, hospitals, and more. Green is...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Time for our next gardening trend of 2014: Young Men Get Down and Dirty. According to the 2014 Garden Media Group report, men aged 18 -34 are spending $100 more than the average gardener. They are grilling, growing their own...

During a program today I was asked for a listing of horticulture social media sites. Here is what I came up with. This features most of our Extension sites, plus a few more. Enjoy! Blogs Current Extension...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Many plants are holiday symbols, but few say Christmas as well as the poinsettia. Did you ever wonder why this came to be? If you've done much traveling, you've probably noticed that poinsettias grow naturally as large shrubs in...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator "Fire Blight symptoms were observed on several Callery Pears this past week," says Travis Cleveland, University of Illinois extension specialist. "The symptoms were more severe than those observed during the 2013 growing season."...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Recent discoveries of Emerald Ash Borer in Peoria and Tazewell counties underscore the need for communities to be proactive against Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). University of Illinois Extension held an Emerald Ash Borer Community...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator African violets are houseplants that most people recognize. They are very popular and easy-to-grow. Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension, says "African violets add a welcome splash of color...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator University of Illinois Extension horticulture programs inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. Here are a few examples of how our programs impacted the residents of Fulton,...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator I was recently asked to identify a hawthorn tree growing on the Bradley campus in Peoria. Hawthorns are among the groups of small trees that are noted for their wintertime berries. Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator The emerald ash borer (EAB) continues to move across Illinois, devastating ash trees in its path. It was most recently found in Peoria and Tazewell counties. Rhonda Ferree, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, says...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Unfortunately, the winter has taken a toll on many plants. Evergreens are especially impacted, many showing significant winter desiccation or even death. The severe cold winter compounded plant stresses already inflicted by recent...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Once the Christmas holiday is over, the chore of taking down and disposing of the cut Christmas tree remains. Today, because of solid waste regulations, most communities will no longer permit the used Christmas trees to be hauled out...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Trees and shrubs are popping up at retail sales areas throughout Illinois. "Retailers sell a variety of plants in a variety of packages or market forms," says Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois...

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Peoria and Tazewell counties. On July 25th the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced the detections occurred in residential areas of the two central Illinois counties. In Peoria County, arborists discovered the beetle first near Dunlap and...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Thanksgiving always makes me think of beautiful fall decorations. In addition to flowers, stems, and leaves that may be dried indoors, there are many materials that can be collected in the fall and used almost directly in...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator If you are like me you likely have a lot of dead plants or plant parts in your yard. Last weekend while walking around my yard I noticed that one of my redbud trees in the front yard is completely dead. Today as I drove to work I...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Every year I try to provide ideas for those of you who are searching for the "perfect" gift for a gardener in your family. This year I'm highlighting some new gardening books that I recently read. Entomologist Doug Tallamy has two...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Hedge apples seem to be if great abundance this fall. I've also had some questions about using the hedge apples and the tree's wood for various purposes. This article by retired extension educator Bob Frazee, originally published in...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator May brings us our fifth gardening trend for 2014: Bee-neficials: It's all about the bees this year. News on bee and other pollinator populations is everywhere this spring. Obviously, pollinators are an essential requirement...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator I taught a Whimsical Garden Fun series for Bradley University's OLLI program this month. This one was a bit different for me because I combined the science of gardening with a bit of art and culture. The first day, during ...