ILRiverHort 2025

 flower garden in bloom

Planting for honey bees

By Trudy Yazujian, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell countiesI used to tease that I was a public-school teacher to support my gardening habit. While there was a little truth to that, I loved being a teacher and had wanted to be a teacher since I was in...
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Local OPAL logo

Celebrating 5 years of Local OPAL website

By Julie Robinson, Extension Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell countiesIt is hard to believe that 2025 finds Local OPAL’s (Local Outdoor Playing and Learning) website celebrating its fifth birthday.  What began as a mere (and somewhat crazy) idea during 2018...
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hummingbird at a zinnia flower

Welcoming hummingbirds to your yard

By Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell countiesThis past weekend I pointed out to my grandkids the first goldfinch of the season I spotted at my feeders.  Bird watching is enjoyable for many of us – I had an uncle...
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