Blog Archive

Fairbury farm family finds purpose in land stewardship, community connection, and faith 

June 10, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The next stop in my tri-county farmer interview series brought me to Garden Gate Farm in Fairbury, Illinois, to talk to the Rinkenberger family. On the way up the driveway, I smelled freshly blooming lilacs, saw a handful of pigs in their pen, witnessed many vegetable...

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Tackling invasives, restoring natives

May 24, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Eliminating honeysuckle from Hedge Apple Woods has been a persistent challenge. However, this invasive shrub is not the only species causing issues as wintercreeper has also invaded certain areas in Hedge Apple Woods. Jack Muirhead, Master Naturalist and project liaison for the...

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Your Guide to Growing Shiitake Mushrooms at Home

May 17, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Shiitake mushrooms are a world-renowned delicacy that are beloved by food enthusiasts. Their rich, earthy, umami flavor and meaty texture make them a sought-after ingredient in countless dishes. But did you know that you can easily cultivate these gourmet mushrooms in your...

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Grow annual flowering vines for vertical interest in the garden

April 5, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Vines add height and color to a garden by elegantly climbing an arbor or trellis, creating a lush green backdrop to the space. If you would like to add height to your garden quickly, along with interesting and colorful flowers, consider planting annual flowering vines. All these vines are easily...

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Incorporate ornamental grasses in the landscape for natural movement and sound in the garden

March 15, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

As the gardening season approaches, many gardeners are starting to think about potential changes to their landscaping or flower beds to make them more eye-catching or easier to maintain. Consider adding ornamental grasses to your landscape to captivate your garden visitors while establishing a...

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Grow your houseplant collection through propagation!

March 1, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Many indoor gardeners find that just one houseplant is simply not enough. What starts as an admiration of a cute or quirky plant, quickly develops into a desire (or even need!) to fill every nook and cranny of your house or office with something green and growing. An easy and economical way to...

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black currant berries and leaves on a mature plant

Enhance your Garden with Edible Landscaping Shrubs

March 27, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Enhance Your Garden with Edible Landscaping Shrubs The integration of edible landscaping shrubs into Bloomington-Normal area gardens, sidewalk strips, fence lines, and elsewhere can add beauty, ecological function, and food security to our area. Four standout shrubs should...

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Houseplants to grow on your kitchen counter

February 26, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

The kitchen is often the heart of every home. Whether it is time spent there preparing a family-favorite recipe, sitting around the table with loved ones, or resting at the counter as you enjoy a hot cup of coffee and read the morning news, many memories are made there, and countless hours are...

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an overgrown established apple tree in need of pruning

Get a jump on your tree fruit pruning before spring arrives

February 20, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Thoughts may not naturally gravitate to pruning fruit trees in February, but they should – especially this year! Thanks to above-average temperatures for much of the winter season, fruit trees in Central Illinois are showing signs of waking up early. So, like it or not, it is time to get out there...

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Yarrow earns top honor as Herb of the Year

January 5, 2024

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Grow a champion garden with award-winning plants. A plant showcasing a long season of showy blooms that is also drought tolerant, deer resistant, and visited by native pollinators is a prized addition for any garden. Yarrow, the International Herb Association’s 2024 Herb of the Year, earned the...

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Blog Archive

Flowers, Fruits, and Frass 2024