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Flowers, Fruits, and Frass 2015

Digging and Storing Summer bulbs by Richard Hentschel

URBANA, Ill. - Summer bulbs add beauty to the landscape when earlier spring bulbs have long faded and flowering shrubs have turned to foliage for the season, said a University of Illinois horticulture educator."However, summer bulbs must be dug up at the end of your growing season and properly...
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Arachnophilia

Arachnophilia This past month many homes are being purposefully adorned by abnormally-large, scary black spiders and their webs to hinge on the fact that a large percentage of the population suffers from the fear of spiders, known as Arachnophobia. "In contrast to most of America...
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Growing Tiny Greens at Unity Community Center

With the promise of tasty nutrition and a guaranteed quick return on my gardening efforts, I decided to grow microgreens (tiny greens) inside at the Unity Community program using seeds and soil left over from summer programming. Two 4-foot-long watertight growing pockets (pots) were placed in...
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Recycling your leaves by Nancy Kreith

URBANA, Ill. – For the typical home gardener, fallen leaves are one of the most readily available forms of organic matter and serve as a wonderful soil conditioner, said University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Nancy Kreith." After raking leaves this fall, think about recycling them...
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Snakes by Jason Haupt

I know that everyone has heard the phrase, "The only good snake is a dead snake", but have you ever really thought about what purpose a snake serves? Are the only good snakes dead? I think the phrase should be changed to, "The only good snake is a hungry snake." Many people think that snakes...
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The Secret of Great Gardening Soil

A recent popular Facebook post shows a gardener starting to prepare her soil, despite being surrounded by mounds of snow. "Once spring is here gardeners start to get excited about planting; almost too excited," states University of Illinois Horticulture Extension educator, Kelly Allsup. Experienced...
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Tips on Growing Herbs Inside for the Winter

For most gardeners, growing does not cease during the cold months of winter, but it causes them to move their growing operation indoors. Many choose to grow herbs indoors, keeping the house alive with greenery and ensuring a supply of fresh garden herbs in their home-cooked meals. Here are a...
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Tree Walk at Illinois Wesleyan Campus on June 19

Tree Walk at Illinois Wesleyan Campus on June 19 "University of Illinois Extension is celebrating the language of trees this spring and summer with a Tree Walk Series," states University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, Kelly Allsup. Join us in different locations...
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Why are trees dying in Illinois? by Phil Nixon

Numerous trees are dying across Illinois. It is easy to find dead and dying maples, oaks, walnuts, ash, and other trees. Many of the dying ash are due to emerald ash borer. Many of the dying pin and red oaks in southern Illinois are due to horned oak gall. But many of the dying ash, oak, and other...
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Too much Rain by Dave Robson

Plants need water to grow, but too much water can be as bad as too little, and in some cases, maybe even more problematic. Several things occur when there's too much moisture for plants. The biggest negative is the lack of oxygen around the roots, which need as much air as leaves. While not big...
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Seed Saving Program in Pontiac on September 17

Seed Saving & Propagation- Livingston CountyThursday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m.U of I Extension Livingston County officeUniversity of Illinois Extension Livingston County Master Gardeners will be hosting a workshop entitled "Seed Saving and Propagation" on September 17 at 6:30...
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Cooking the bale

Cooking the Straw bale Garde Straw bale Gardening has become a big hit with the recent introduction of Joel Karsten, book called Straw bale Gardening and has taken the garden world by storm and giving growers a new media to grow vegetables, herbs and annuals. If you would like...
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