Large numbers of syrphid, or flower, flies are being seen. They are small flies, usually 1/4 inch or shorter, with yellow and black or brown bands on the abdomen. They hover around your arms when you have been perspiring and land to lap up the sweat. This hovering also gives them the name of hover...

Spring Sweetness: Strawberries Strawberry Facts 1. It takes 15-60 visits from pollinators for one plump strawberries. Adding pollinators to the garden can increase yield by over 500%. 2. Strawberry plants decline in quality and production after a few years so...

One of the most prolific birds of prey seen in Illinois is the Red -tailed Hawk. They are frequently seen along roadsides perched in trees, on light poles, and fence poles. When you see a hawk, you are most likely seeing a Red -tailed Hawk. Red-tailed Hawks are large hawks with rounded wings and...

Woolly aphids typically feed on two hosts during a 1-year period, with most species apparently having to switch hosts. This host-switching occurs in various species from late June to late July, and fuzzy adult females that look like flying lint seemingly drifting on the wind are their means of...

Top Tree Diseases & Insects Workshop Please join University of Illinois Extension Horticulture- Livingston, McLean and Woodford County for a series of workshops designed to teach the community how to grow. The workshops will be sure to teach both novice and avid gardener's...

EUREKA, Ill. – Please join University of Illinois Extension Woodford County Master Gardeners at the Eureka Public Library on September 12 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Whether you want to sit and talk about gardening or ask about a specific issue that you would like them to research, please visit the...

Join the McLean County Master Gardeners to celebrate the 2016 Herb of the Year BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – And the 2016 Herb of the Year is – peppers! The University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners are ready to celebrate! Join them 9:30 a.m. on July 16 at the Illinois State University...

One thing I constantly get asked when assisting with the Master Gardener help desks, is "How do I grow grass under a tree?" The answer usually is, "You don't grow grass under trees." It can be very difficult to create a nice-looking stand because most grasses need sun to grow and the roots of...

Kokedama String Ball Garden Workshop EL PASO, Ill. – Due to its recent successes at the Eureka Library, the Kokedama String Ball Garden Workshop is back by popular demand. This exceptional make-and-take workshop, presented by the Woodford County Master Gardeners,...

Few people like 90+ degree temperatures. Plants aren't far behind. On hot days, plants can lose water faster than roots absorb it, even if sufficient soil moisture is available. In these conditions, you can watch the plants wilt, leaves droop, and stems seem to flop. If the soil is moist, the...

Two gardening tasks for autumn BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Kelly Allsup recommends two essential gardening tasks to do this fall: fertilize your trees and refrain from cleaning up your perennial garden. Fall is a great time to...

Peas, leafy greens, potatoes, Swiss chard, tomatoes and numerous herbs have thus far been harvested from my straw bale garden this year, states University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, Kelly Allsup. The bales are lined up in pairs standing just east of her driveway, close to a water...

Four Seasons Gardening Program Offers Spring Series The spring series of University of Illinois Extension's Four Seasons Gardening program, which focuses on environmental stewardship, home gardening, and backyard food production gets underway this month. The first session of the...

Ella Maxwell of Hoerr Nursery to Present at 'A Day in the Garden Patch' Please join Ella Maxwell and the Livingston County Master Gardeners in welcoming spring with an educational workshop entitled 'A Day in the Garden Patch' from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 9 at the...

Staghorn Fern: A Growing Work of Art BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Do you have an empty spot on your wall that is just screaming for a touch of green? "Create a unique art installment this winter in the form of a beautifully mounted Staghorn Fern," states University of...

Kokedama String Ball Garden Workshop Livingston County Master Gardeners would like to invite you to an exceptional make and take workshop entitled "Kokedama String Ball Gardening." The class is on Saturday, October 22 at the Livingston County Extension Office. A small registration fee of $15 is...

These dangerous carrots cause photo-dermatitis. Cow parsnip, wild parsnip, and giant hogweed contain an allergen that is activated by sunlight to cause rash, blisters, or other skin irritations in susceptible people. Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) is a native plant that can reach eight...

Holidays, Simplified The University of Illinois Extension is here to help you have a less stressful holiday season! Learn how to make and use evergreen swags, create healthier desserts and discover ways to stick to a budget at our "Holidays, Simplified" workshop. The workshop will...

Woodford County Master Gardeners accept new members University of Illinois Extension Woodford Master Gardener program welcomes nine new interns to the county. The interns participated in the first Master Gardener training conducted here in Woodford County. They join a group of...

The University of Illinois Extension would like to congratulate McLean County Master Gardeners Diane Boeck, Lenore Clark, Tom Creswell, Pat Epsicokhan, Lucy Kelly and Sharon O'Neall for being recognized with the 2016 Outstanding State Master Gardener award. The Outstanding State Award was...