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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

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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Make your plants part of your family: Indoor kitchen gardens

November 10, 2022

ILRiverHort

Growing food is not limited to outdoors in the summer. With some planning, you can grow food indoors throughout the year. Make a plan Before starting your indoor kitchen garden, it is essential to think about what you want to gain by growing food indoors. You might wish to have herbs to give...

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Dry herbs for winter use

October 23, 2016

ILRiverHort

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator I recently harvested herbs from my garden. They are drying in my kitchen so that I will remember to use them regularly. I add them to my evening tea or as added flavor to our meals. Here are some of my favorites. Lemon balm is true...

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Wild Parsnips

July 6, 2016

ILRiverHort

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Parsnips are not only a root vegetable, but also a common weed in Illinois. Unfortunately, wild parsnips also cause allergic reactions in some people. Knowing how to identify wild parsnips can help prevent skin problems later. Wild...

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Annual herbs as landscape plants

May 27, 2016

ILRiverHort

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Herbs taste great, but they also make great landscape plants. I think that herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. They have very few pest problems and grow in many types of gardens, from formal herb gardens to small patio...

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The Edible Indoor Garden

February 20, 2015

ILRiverHort

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Many of us have vegetable gardens that provide us with delicious, fresh produce all summer long, but do you also grow food indoors in the winter? Gardening is not limited to outside in the summer. I'll teach you how in my upcoming...

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