U. of I. Extension

Untitled Document Every fall, people get upset when their evergreens undergo dramatic changes in color. “People are convinced that their plants must have some type of virus or fungus and want to know what can be done,” says Martha Smith, a horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension. “There is really nothing to be […]

Untitled Document Controlling and eradicating poison ivy can be a challenge, but for many people elimination of this noxious plant is imperative because it can cause nightmarish rashes and itching. Not everyone is sensitive to the plant’s resins, but in some the allergy develops over time and even the leafless winter and early-spring stems can […]

Untitled Document Shade has always posed a challenge for gardeners. “Trying to find something unique and different, let alone being able to tolerate and perform well in the shade, often led to the old standbys of hosta, fern, and lily-of-the-valley,” says Greg Stack, a horticulture educator for the University of Illinois Extension. “Well, fear the […]

Untitled Document There’s a lot of science behind the observation that homegrown tomatoes taste better than store-bought ones. “It’s not very hard to taste a tomato and decide whether you like or dislike the flavor,” says Jennifer Schultz Nelson, a horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension, “but what do you really taste? Tomato […]

Untitled Document As the line between urban and rural settings continues to blur, human beings will undoubtedly encounter the wildlife they are displacing. Some, especially rabbits and whitetail deer, have adapted well to their human neighbors and may remain in close proximity. Fragmented forest areas, such as parks and forest preserves, may have contributed to […]

Untitled Document Each vegetable has a critical time during its growth when lack of adequate moisture can be a serious problem.  “Hot, dry weather leads to high moisture deficiency in vegetable gardens,” says Maurice Ogutu, a horticulture educator with the University of Illinois. Unless vegetables get adequate moisture throughout the growing season, he says, gardeners […]