U of I Extension

Do you give flowers to your loved one on holidays and birthdays? Flowers are a great way to communicate your love and affection, and some can convey a specific message, according to a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension. “Flowers can represent everything from friendship to true love,” says Rhonda Ferree. “For example, chrysanthemums […]

As the season warms up, many gardeners begin looking forward to their first rhubarb harvests. Although it was first cultivated in central Asia more than 2,000 years ago for its medicinal properties, rhubarb is best known today as an ingredient in our early-summer pies. Rhubarb forms thick red, pink or green stalks – or petioles […]

Like many life skills, gardening is often learned directly from family members. Grandparents might recruit the grandkids to help water transplants or drop in seeds, setting the stage for a lifetime love of gardening.“Gardening is classified as a life skill because it not only allows you to grow food for yourself and family, but it […]

PHOTO BY ERIK CAMPOS/TNS With the change of seasons, there are many different activities that take place in the garden during this time of year, according to University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “In addition to planting spring-flowering bulbs, it’s also time to plant garlic,” said Ken Johnson. “Because garlic requires a cold period to […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Taking a walk in cool, crisp weather, attending football games, picking apples and choosing the perfect pumpkin are some quintessential activities for the fall, said University of Illinois horticulture educator Ron Wolford. “Planting bulbs is probably the number one garden activity that takes place in the fall, but there are […]

Have you ever admired the vibrant colors of spring flowers and wondered how to create this beauty in your own landscape?  “The time to plant for spring bloomers is now,” said University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Jennifer Nelson.   “Every spring at least one person asks me where they can purchase spring flowers for […]

Do your eyes glaze over as you read home composting recipes? Do you wonder if an advanced degree in chemistry is necessary to make respectable home compost? “Home composting is no more complicated than baking a cake,” said University of Illinois Extension educator Sandy Mason. “Once a gardener understands the basic principles of home composting, […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Lawn care questions in the wake of last summer’s drought are now pouring in, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. Rhonda Ferree listed the following as her top 10 tips ranked in order of importance. 1. Fertilize at the proper time. Most homeowners only need one application per […]

Mesclun is a mixture of assorted small, baby salad leaves also known as a mesclun mix. You can purchase mesclun bagged in cellophane at your grocer. Yet freshly harvested from a few square feet in your patio, garden or front stoop, mesclun is an easy tender treat, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. […]

PHOTO BY ANNE CUSACK/MCT New gardeners often ask, “What is compost and do I need to buy it?” When starting a new garden, it is hard to imagine we should initially spend more time, money and energy on compost than on plants, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “It is plants we want,” […]

A Creta stone raised garden is a perfect way to make an accessible garden for all to enjoy. PHOTO COUTRESY DESIGNER LANDSCAPES, INC The idea of putting in a raised-bed vegetable garden can be confusing if you’re not sure where to start, said a University of Illinois horticulture educator. It can be especially difficult for […]