Vegetable Gardening

Cover crops have been used for ages in agricultural systems, but their use in a garden setting is on the rise as home and commercial vegetable growers realize their value on the smaller scale. What Are Cover Crops, and How Long Have They Been Used?Unlike traditional crops, a cover crop is...

At this point in the growing season, ripe produce is typically coming out of the vegetable garden daily since most warm-season crops are in full swing. From ripe tomatoes and peppers to the many cucurbits in peak production right now, the early-season work to establish and care for these...

This time of year, when most vegetable gardens are teeming with fresh produce, it is hard to think about starting additional plants. However, right now is the perfect time to start a fall garden and continue your vegetable production until the first frosts of the year, or possibly beyond with...

It’s that time of year again. The time when spring weather is warming, we are all starting to get active in our gardens to plant things. However, lots of folks are wondering if the time is right yet. Last week’s warm weather generated quite a bit of gardening activity, and Illinois...

Based on our updated frost-free dates, most of the risk of spring frost has nearly passed, and it's time to start thinking about planting cold-sensitive vegetable crops.  Tomatoes are perhaps one of the most popular warm-loving plants in the home vegetable garden.  With their time in the...

Fall is nearly upon us, and while many gardeners lament the end of the growing season, plenty of work remains to be done before winter sets in. I actually enjoy fall gardening tasks as they are a way to end the year with a bang and get all set to hit the ground running in spring. Here is a short...

Occasionally, a weed pops up that commands attention due to its aggressive habit.  Action must be taken quickly to avoid its establishment in the landscape, or years of control efforts will ensue.  Knowing when a tiny invading plant should be taken seriously can be difficult for a...

The past few weeks, we’ve had spectacular weather for gardening, which has really ramped up efforts across central Illinois in preparation for the growing season to come.  This early spring warmth combined with garden centers packed full of new plants creates the irresistible impulse to plant...