PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION It’s time to plan for a new home orchard or to consider replacements for aging fruit trees in an existing home orchard, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “There are several different kinds of fruit trees to consider: apple, cherry, peach, pear and/or plum,” said Richard Hentschel. In […]
U of I Extension
Posted inSpecial Issues
Top 10 reasons to garden
PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION In our hurry-up, busy world filled with electronic gadgets such as iPhones, tablets and android devices, where does gardening fit in?, asked a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “The gadgets of gardening aren’t flashy – a shovel, pruners, hoses and bags of seeds,” said Martha Smith. “All are simple […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Pansies brighten up a spring garden
Pansies are making a comeback in the garden world, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “According to the Garden Media Group, pansy and violet sales were up 6.4 percent in 2011,” said Rhonda Ferree. “Since then, pansies have been in high demand for both spring and fall sales.” In the fall of 2011, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A new generation of fruit and vegetable farmers
The age of farmers in this country is top-heavy, with older farmers far outnumbering the younger farmers, particularly that of fruit and vegetable growers. University of Illinois crop sciences professor Rick Weinzierl and co-workers recently received a grant from the Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a three-year project to […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Fall gardening activites
Although summer may be drawing to a close, gardening time is far from over, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “Fall is the ideal time for some kinds of planting and for preparing for next year’s garden,” explained Candice Miller. She suggests several fall activities that can be done to lengthen the summer […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Cool color from cabbages and kales
The summer growing season has not been kind to gardens, noted a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “Hot temperatures, dry soils, pots that needed watering two or three times a day, and flowers that just did not look their best,” said Greg Stack. “Would you look your best if you had to put up […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Soil test this fall
Testing the soil in a vegetable garden is quickly done, and the benefits are long-term. University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Richard Hentschel said that if the soil is right, gardeners should be able to produce fresh vegetables all season long. “Gardeners can test their soil anytime,” he said. “Fall is best because the applied […]
