Vegetable Gardening Blogs

Spring has officially sprung in Northern Illinois, and with it comes the excitement and opportunity of a new gardening season. Before seeds and transplants make their way into the ground, taking time to properly prepare your garden bed can set the stage for healthier plants, higher yields, and...

Peppers are a staple for many summer gardens, yet high heat combined with humidity can challenge plant performance. While peppers are often considered heat‑loving crops, extreme or prolonged high temperatures can cause more problems than productivity. Recent growing experiences highlight how...

From decorating and carving pumpkins to visiting a pumpkin patch, pumpkins bring excitement during the fall season for people of all ages. Carving jack-o’-lanterns is a common tradition amongst families for fall fun, but where should they go after they start to deteriorate? Pumpkins thrown into...

Once fall hits, I feel myself starting to lose interest in my garden. As I pull the last few tomatoes out and look at the squash with their dessicated, powdery mildewed leaves, I long for the fresh new promises of spring. But, like it or not, there are a few chores left before shutting down for the...

Sometimes a walk to the mailbox can yield pleasant surprises—a birthday card from Grandma, a letter from a faraway friend.  But sometimes there are not-so-nice surprises. Reports are starting again from area residents about mystery seeds they didn’t order showing up in their mailboxes....

Did you have a pest issue in 2024 and did not know how to treat it? Insect pests can cause cosmetic challenges, disease concerns, and edibility issues in fruits and vegetables, which leads to product loss. Developing a pest management strategy for garden and farm systems is important to combat...

Apple cider and crisp fall air call for Halloween festivities and of course, you can’t forget about pumpkins! It would not be an Illinois Halloween if pumpkins were not involved. Jack-o’-lanterns are festive gourds that make great decorations, but what do you do with them after Halloween? Instead...

Hot summer days may be slowly coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the growing season has to! Fall crops are a staple in the Midwest, which helps farmers and gardeners prolong the short growing season in Northern Illinois. Cool season crops like broccoli are commonly grown in the Spring and Fall...

Hot summer days may be slowly coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the growing season has to! Fall crops are a staple in the Midwest, which helps farmers and gardeners prolong the short growing season in Northern Illinois. Cool season crops like broccoli are commonly grown in the Spring and Fall...

As the growing season continues, squash vine borer has made its way to the tri-county area. Squash vine borer typically emerges in late June and can decimate entire fields of cucurbit crops in a single season. In this article, you will learn how to identify and control this troublesome pest for...