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Supporting pollinators around the clock with native plants

June 25, 2026

Most people think of bees and butterflies when they think of pollinators. However, many plants receive visits from pollinators in the evening and after sunset. Moths, beetles, flies, and even a few bee species remain active in the evening and overnight hours. They help move pollen through gardens...

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Spring and summer care of irises

June 18, 2025

ILRiverHort

By Margaret Kelly, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties Springtime is the best time to focus on iris care, allowing us to enjoy a breathtaking flower display throughout the iris season.FertilizerWhen getting ready for fertilizing, here is a...

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New reading series launched focused on habitat gardens

December 17, 2024

ILRiverHort

Are you interested in learning how to take steps to create a home landscape that is not only beautiful, but also provides ecological benefits for the environment? If so, join us as we start our 2025 book study.We're excited to announce a deep dive into considering conservation minded additions to...

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Add fall bloomers to the garden

August 24, 2024

ILRiverHort

Adding flowers that bloom later in the season provides resources to pollinators into the fall. As they prepare for migration or overwintering, this is a critical season to ensure they have the required resources. Native plants are an excellent way to ensure that the blooms have the necessary...

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Spring Gardening: When is the best time to get started

March 29, 2024

ILRiverHort

By Ella Maxwell, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties The temperatures this spring have been up and down which forced some of the earliest flowering plants to begin blooming at least two weeks earlier than normal in my garden. My winter aconite and...

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Eliana' Garden memorial rock in her garden

Gardening can help you heal while grieving

March 5, 2024

ILRiverHort

In August of 2020, I received a call with the news that is every mother’s nightmare. There had been an accident and my six-year-old daughter did not survive. That week, her lovely kindergarten teacher brought us five plants to start a butterfly garden. Although I already loved gardening, at that...

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Choose native plants for ecological benefits and wildlife resources

February 20, 2024

ILRiverHort

Are you looking to select plants that support local wildlife, conserve water, and enhance the overall ecosystem in Central Illinois? Here are some steps to assist you: Research Local Native Plants Begin by researching native plant species that are indigenous to Central Illinois. Find...

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raised bed with flowers and vegetables growing together

New Hardiness Zone Map changed some of our local zones

February 13, 2024

ILRiverHort

The USDA Hardiness Zone Map has been updated to reflect temperature data collected over the last 30 years. This new map version used GIS technology and input from climate, botanical, and horticulture experts to create hardiness zones on a much finer scale.  Updated to Zone 6A Locally, the...

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Gardeners' BIG Day 2024 is a great place to learn for gardeners of all experience levels

February 6, 2024

ILRiverHort

Join us for the 21st Gardener’s Big Day 9 am to 4:30 pm on April 13, 2024 at Spoon River College in Canton, IL. Registration begins February 1, 2024. go.illinois.edu/GBD24. Keynote What do pollinators do for us? Imagine how much an apple would...

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January and February are prime time for winter sowing

December 29, 2023

ILRiverHort

Winter sowing is a cost-effective and low maintenance way of starting plants for the garden. The creator of the winter sowing method, Trudi Davidoff puts it in simple terms, "starting plants outdoors, in winter." Winter sowing works with nature to prepare seeds for growth by providing the proper...

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