This weekend the anticipation became unbearable. I finally had to dig a hill of sweet potatoes in our garden. They looked beautiful and tasted great. Soon, we will dig all 50 plants and surely have an]]> Every summer, gardeners envision a beautiful lush green lawn and flower gardens abounding with color. Then along come four- and six-legged creatures to dine on the smorgasbord provided for them]]> Native grasses can be welcome additions in the landscape, adding beauty, movement and sound. Let’s define “native” plant. The only truly native plants are ones that sti]]> As a group, culinary herbs are my favorite garden plants. Easy to grow, they require little care, are subject to few insect and disease problems, and generally prefer moderate soil fertility levels. T]]> As you taste your first garden-fresh tomato of the season, thoughts of planting your next vegetable garden may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, now is the time to extend your s]]> The typical jack-o'-lantern pumpkin weighs 15 to 25 pounds, but pumpkins can range in size from less than one pound to more than 1,000 pounds. How big is a pumpkin that weighs half a ton? The distance]]> 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 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]]> Judging from the heat and humidity, the appearance of fresh-picked zucchini on the table, and the arrival of certain insects, summer is here. Imagine my dismay, while eating a freshly]]> The highlight of my job as horticulture educator for Sangamon and Menard counties is providing direction for the master-gardener volunteer program. I have the pleasure of working with 125 individuals ]]> Bulbs are a good way to add color to the garden from Feburary into June. Most gardeners are familiar with such spring bulb flowers as the tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth, but there are many mo]]> Untitled Document It’s hard to believe that children have returned to school and another summer vacation has met its end. As I reflect on this summer, I wonder what my chil]]> Master gardeners with the University of Illinois Extension receive hundreds of calls each month from homeowners worried that their prized plants have suddenly taken a turn for the worse. A t]]> Untitled Document Did you know that the grapevine is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world? Whether as a source of grapes or as an attractive addition to the landscape]]> Untitled Document Sad at the thought that your cheery geraniums will soon fall victim to the dropping temperatures of autumn? It’s possible to beat the frost and save the p]]> Untitled Document The crisp, cool air has been a welcome relief from the 90-degree temperatures, but we have not been as blessed with rainfall. Last week I dug a hole for]]> Untitled Document Japanese beetles have invaded our gardens again. The first beetles were noticed around June 15 in the Springfield area, and the phone at the offices of the Univ]]> 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]]> If you haven't already started a Christmas tradition of purchasing a real tree, this is the year to begin. Real evergreen trees are renewable resources, making them a more ecologically sound ch]]>