Jennifer Fishburn

Untitled Document One of the first plants a child learns to recognize is the dandelion. Its bright-yellow flowers make it easy to spot — and what fun it is to pick a “puffball” (the dandelion seed head, blow on it, and see how far the seeds will fly. The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), a deep-rooted cool-season […]

Untitled Document Spring is my favorite time of year. Daffodils are blooming, lawns turns bright green, and it’s time to plant a vegetable garden. Spring greens, such as lettuce and spinach, are easy to grow in a sunny location in your back yard or in a container garden on a patio. You are sure to […]

Untitled Document You may not be able to engage in many garden activities outdoors right now, but this is a great time of year to learn more. Here are some programs gardeners will enjoy: • Garden Basics — The University of Illinois Extension Sangamon-Menard Unit and the Springfield Civic Garden Club will sponsor this series […]

Untitled Document Though the poinsettia may be the most popular holiday plant, the holiday cactus is a tradition for many families. These easy-to-care-for cacti generally live a long life. In fact, I often hear about holiday cacti that have been passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms. Holiday cacti include the Thanksgiving cactus, […]

Untitled Document With gardening being America’s No. 1 hobby, it is likely that you have several gardeners on your gift list. Here’s a short list of items that most gardeners will appreciate. • Garden knife. A garden knife can be used for a variety of gardening activities, including digging, weeding, and cutting. Desirable features include […]

Untitled Document This Thanksgiving, most of us will join family and friends to celebrate the good fortunes in our lives and eat until we feel like stuffed turkeys. Every year since 1863 we have celebrated the traditional American Thanksgiving Day. President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November a day to give thanks for […]

Untitled Document My husband has our children trained to look for deer when we go for a drive. Watching these fascinating animals graze is enjoyable — unless it’s your rhododendrons they’re eating. The degree of deer damage on a property may vary from year to year, depending on deer-population density, the availability of food, and weather. […]

Untitled Document As I drove to work this morning, I had trouble keeping my eyes from wandering to the bright-yellow ash leaves and brilliant-red sugar maple leaves, and, as temperatures cool, leaf-color changes will become even more dramatic. This weekend, get out and enjoy the beauty of fall — but, before setting out on your […]

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, grapevines are popular among home gardeners. Grapes can be grown successfully in Illinois — if a variety adapted to our growing conditions is […]

Untitled Document Three years ago, a friend of mine spent a fall day driving around Springfield, collecting bags of leaves. Sure, it sounds crazy — most homeowners can’t wait to get rid of the leaves that pile up on their yards — but my friend was able to turn these leaves into “black gold.” She […]

Untitled Document This fall while adding daffodils to your landscape, don’t forget to plant some garlic. Garlic has been cultivated for thousands of years and is still popular today as a flavoring in food dishes and for its medicinal properties. Though a member of the onion family, garlic differs from onions in flavor, leaves and […]

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 an addition to my garden. I had to wedge my body between the fence and the shovel to get enough leverage to break the […]