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A person holding a dahlia clump that has just been dug from the ground.

Tips for overwintering tender bulbs

October 24, 2025

Plants like caladiums, cannas, dahlias, elephant ears, and gladiolus bring vibrant color and tropical flair to summer gardens. Unfortunately, they’re no match for our Midwestern winters. These plants, commonly referred to as tender or summer-blooming bulbs, will be killed by...

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Big bluestem seed heads against a clear sky with sun hazy in the background

The big three: dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie

October 17, 2025

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Illinois, nicknamed the Prairie State by early settlers, was once dominated by a tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Prairies are characterized by deep, fertile soils that are the result of thousands of years of supporting a diverse ecosystem of primarily herbaceous grasses and forbs, a few trees,...

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three packets of different seeds spilling out on a wooden table with a notebook to record the seeds

Open-Pollinated vs. Hybrid: An important distinction when saving seeds

October 10, 2025

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Each year, I try to grow a few different fruits and vegetables. Sometimes the unknown crop turns out to be a dud that produces a lackluster harvest, a pitiful yield, or simply proves to be poorly adapted to my garden. But now and then, we discover a real gem. A plant that thrives in our local...

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child planting tree in lawn area with older adult guiding the childl

Autumn is for tree planting

October 3, 2025

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Autumn is a time for apple picking, pumpkin spice everything (yes, I’m on that side of the debate), final garden harvests, and tree planting. While April gets a lot of attention for being Arbor Month, let’s consider autumn as another great time to plant trees.Advantages of autumn plantingRegardless...

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Separating fact from fear: Kissing bugs in Illinois

September 26, 2025

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Kissing bugs are present in Illinois, but the risk of contracting a disease from them is low. While Chagas disease has been confirmed in animals, there have been no cases of humans acquiring Chagas disease while in Illinois as of September 2025. When you hear the term...

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Redbud tree with fall webworm webbing over foliage

Webs in trees: The life and impact of fall webworms

September 12, 2025

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There are many ways we mark the 'end of summer'. Some refer to the beginning of school or the closing of the pool, while others view Labor Day as the 'unofficial end of summer'. Another way, if you're more entomologically inclined, is the appearance of fall webworm.Fall webworm (Hyphantria...

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Understanding cottonwood

September 5, 2025

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A recent family trip westward to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks offered a chance to observe the changing landscapes of the Midwest. While Iowa’s familiar fields of corn and soybeans resemble much of Illinois, the transformation across Nebraska—from tallgrass to shortgrass prairie—...

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Goldenrod soldier beetles on goldenrod blossoms

Fall flower visitors – Goldenrod soldier beetles

August 22, 2025

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As fall approaches, our landscapes begin to transition. Summer bloomers like purple coneflower, prairie blazing star, and milkweeds begin to fade while fall bloomers like asters and goldenrod begin their colorful displays. These plants are commonly covered in pollinators, one of which is the...

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Nature by design: Naturalistic landscapes

August 15, 2025

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In recent years, landscape design trends have migrated toward naturalistic aesthetics- a style that equally prioritizes ecological function, native plant selection, and beauty. For some, this may seem like an abrupt turn from the more familiar formal landscape design often employed in home...

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A fungal leaf disease on maple leaves in the form of dark spots caused by the pathogen Rhytisma acerinum, tar spot

Sick plants? Rotate fungicides to prevent resistance

August 8, 2025

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We have hit the other side of the precipitation pendulum. In 2023 and 2024, we experienced drought conditions. Now in 2025, the sump pump sales have surely hit a high note. For instance, Macomb's total July 2024 rainfall averaged around two inches. In 2025, many Macomb rain gauges recorded over ten...

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