Untitled Document One of my favorite summer treats is a ripe, juicy, fresh-picked tomato from my garden. I think that we can all agree that the quality of produce picked from the]]> This is the time of year when flower gardens start to look tired. However there are a few plants that love the cooler temperatures and brighten the fall garden. Chrysanthemums, as]]> Untitled Document The tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and green beans in my vegetable garden are in bloom, and I’m excited. It won’t be long before my family’s mea]]> Sightings of adult Japanese beetles began in mid-June. Since then they have been seen munching on roses, crabapples, lindens, raspberries, apple trees, basil and much more. Feeding on plants generally]]> Gardens come in many colors and sizes, each reflecting a unique personality. In the coming weeks, you will have some wonderful opportunities to be inspired by what other gardeners have ]]> Untitled Document The recent warm temperatures, it seems, have caused all of our spring-blooming plants to flower at once. Some of the most noticeable bloomers right now are the ]]> Tucked away on the east side of the Illinois State Fairgrounds you will find the Hobbies, Arts, and Crafts building. During the fair, some of Illinois' finest baked goods, textiles, hobby colle]]> When I was a child, my grandmother would take the family to pick strawberries every Memorial Day weekend. We would pick at least 20 quarts of berries, enough for dessert and jelly. Grandma alwa]]> Untitled Document We’ve all heard of the three R’s — reduce, reuse, and recycle — but many people have added a fourth R: rot, the recycling of food waste ]]> The number of people growing a vegetable garden is on the rise. Some mail order seed companies are reporting a 40 percent increase in sales, while a typical year may see a 15 percent incr]]> They're back! The latest invasion of leaf-devouring Japanese beetles has begun. These half-inch-long eating machines have been found helping themselves to roses in the Springfield area, but you can ex]]> Untitled Document Fall is the best time to give your lawn some extra attention, because what is done for the turf this fall will have a big impact on cool-season grasses next sum]]> Untitled Document Gardeners are encouraged to mulch around their plants to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, reduce weed-seed germination, and beautify t]]> Untitled Document Imagine my surprise during the first week of July, when my son and I harvested 40 cucumbers from our three cucumber plants. Since then we have been blessed with]]> This week, while visiting my grandmother, I made the mistake of standing near a hummingbird feeder. Ruby-throated hummingbirds buzzed around my head on their way to the feeder. My initial re]]> This is one of my favorite times of the year — crabapples and tulips in bloom, peonies budding and perennial plants popping up all over the garden. It is also the time of year when we realize t]]> Yellow and purple crocus peak up through a dusting of snow. Nothing brightens a winter day in March more than the colors of early blooming spring flowers. Now is the time to plant your hardy fl]]> Untitled Document The fruits of summer may be nearing their end for the year, but winter squash, which comes in hundreds of varieties and a plethora of sizes, shapes, colors, and]]> School has started, cooler temperatures are just around the corner, and apple-picking time has begun. Your idea of a fresh apple may be a Red Delicious from the grocery store -- if so, expand y]]> As temperatures get colder, most gardeners are starting to have dreams of the first juicy-ripe tomato or heavenly fragrance of a garden-fresh rose. While we may not be able to garden, it is not too e]]>