Planting a fall vegetable garden URBANA, Ill. - Planting a vegetable garden doesn't just happen in the spring. "Many of the vegetables that we grow in the spring can be planted in late summer or early fall," says University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ken Johnson."By the time...

Originally published by Kelly Allsup on September 28, 2016. Praying Mantis may be stalking prey in our gardens and startling our young but they are a good sign of a healthy ecosystem. Praying Mantis get their name from a Greek word meaning "prophet," "seer" or "diviner." How they...

It was the second week in September, and he saw the robust sweet potatoes sticking their spuds out of the soil. He had planned on harvesting the sweet potatoes later just before the first frost. However, like many vegetable growers, Reid Young, changed his harvest plan and freed the sweet...

Learn plant propagation techniques at Sarah's Garden BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Propagating plants can be one of the most exciting tasks a gardener can do. The University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners invite you to learn about propagation techniques at the historic Sarah's Garden....

BLOOMINGTON, IL. — The Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference (ISCAOC) will be held January 11-13, 2017, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The conference, which features nearly 100 speakers and 60 trade show exhibitors, will again host four concurrent preconference...

Fertilize your spring flowering bulbs with a slower-releasing granular of one to two pounds of 10-10-10 per 100 square feet when shoots first appear in spring and ideally four to six weeks before bloom. Adding fertilizer in spring produces healthy and robust foliage which consequently allows bulb's...

Woodford Master Gardeners win state awardsEUREKA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension would like to congratulate Woodford County Master Gardeners, Barry Ankney, Karel Kaufman and Karen Kaufman-Dixon for their 2016 Outstanding State Master Gardener awards. The Outstanding...

The popular tree pruning workshop is back, and this year will be led by Illinois State University's own Patrick Murphy. Patrick is a horticulturist and curator of the Fell Arboretum that boasts thousands of trees, including 154 different species. Patrick will demonstrate the correct pruning...

Would you like to try growing something new in your vegetable garden this year? "These unusual but elegant vegetables are sure to give you restaurant-quality meals throughout the summertime," claims University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, Kelly Allsup. Haricot verts...

Manage pests on your favorite trees URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Kelly Allsup cautions to watch out for insect pests on favorite landscape trees this late summer and fall. "If you don't take necessary management actions at the appropriate time, the battle...

Originally published by Kelly Allsup on June 4, 2016. Pollinator gardens are on trend whether you are novice or a professional. University of Illinois Extension has developed a program called Pollinator Pockets giving homeowners resources to start their own pocket gardens. They have...

Add A Fresh Evergreen Centerpiece to Your Holiday Table BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Simplify the holidays by purchasing an evergreen centerpiece created by University of Illinois Extension-Livingston County Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners are celebrating the holidays with rich,...

The University of Illinois Extension Livingston County Master Gardeners and the Yost House Museum are partnering for a program about herbs on Saturday, August 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Yost House. The house will also be open for tours from 1 to 5 p.m. on that day. The program...

Home, Lawn and Garden Day The 14th annual University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardener Home, Lawn and Garden Day will be hosted at Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, Illinois on Saturday, March 5. It is an all-day gardening...

Sign up today for the Master Gardener training and volunteer program BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Would you like to learn about growing vegetables, landscaping, trees, insects or turf grass from the University of Illinois Extension? The Livingston, McLean and Woodford County Master...

A new invasive species, jumping worm (Amynthasspp.), was identified in Illinois in 2015. By the end of the year these worms had been confirmed in three northern counties: Cook, DuPage, and McHenry. A worm from far southern Illinois in Williamson County was examined at the University of...

With damaged lawns in the news lately, I thought I would share tips on renovating lawns this spring from fellow University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Chris Enroth. Spring is a time when we must go into landscape rehab mode. Mother Nature has shown her friendly side with the warmer...

URBANA, Ill. – Plant enthusiasts should check out tillandsia this holiday season, according to University of Illinois Extension educator Kelly Allsup. "Even if you describe yourself as a brown thumb and are allergic to soil, you are going to love growing these super easy plants. The strappy...

It's a Culinary Delight in the Courthouse Garden University of Illinois Extension Woodford County Master Gardeners celebrate this summer with the sweet aroma and culinary delight of herbs from the garden in a program entitled "It's a Culinary Delight!" Learn how...

Kitchen Gnats "The major houseplant migration, along with the bananas that are ripening on my counter have caused fungus gnat chaos in my kitchen," states University of Illinois Horticulture Educator Kelly Allsup. Flying gnats have not only populated my home but...