Garden – Jennifer Fishburn

Fall leaf colors, pumpkins and cool temperatures are all signs of fall. As the temperatures become cooler, leaf color changes will become more dynamic. So, why do leaves turn from green to vibrant red, orange, yellow or purple? Leaf color comes from pigments. There are three pigments that color leaves: Chlorophyll are green pigments. Carotenoids […]

The most important test a gardener can take is a soil test. A soil test is used to determine the level of nutrients and pH in the soil. Soil tests can reveal why some plants aren’t growing well in a particular area. Soil sampling can be done any time of the year. However, the ideal […]

This is the time of year when flower gardens start to look tired. However there are a few plants that love the cooler temperatures and brighten the fall garden. Chrysanthemums, asters, pansies and ornamental kale are some popular fall selections. Ornamental kale, Brassica oleracea var. acephala, adds a splash of color during the fall and […]

Plant recommended perennials and trees this fall. “Plant the Town Red” is the official theme of the AIB beautification effort. There’s still plenty of time this fall to add a splash of red to your spring and summer gardens with dozens of Red Oxford Tulips or Pardon Me Daylilies. Nearly any perennial in your garden […]

Fall can be a good time for planting trees and shrubs. To increase your chances of success significantly it is important to use proper planting depth, supplemental watering and good mulching practices, says University of Illinois Extension’s Nancy Pollard. As you select a tree or shrub, keep in mind the landscape purpose, available space, soil […]

Just when you think that the perennial garden is starting to fade, fall-blooming anemones add a splash of color to the garden. These prolific bloomers will continue blooming for up to five weeks. As a group, the genus Anemone consists of 100 species of plants, including spring, summer and fall blooming flowers. The fall flowering […]

One of the biggest joys of summer is eating a juicy ripe tomato. Nothing beats the flavor of a garden fresh tomato on a hamburger, on a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, or cherry tomatoes in a salad. Tomatoes are relatively easy to grow, but sometimes it’s a challenge to produce the picture-perfect fruit. They […]

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced on July 18 that the emerald ash borer had been spotted in McLean County. In the past six years this pest has killed millions of ash trees in Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, as well as Ontario, Canada. Since the emerald ash borer began knocking at […]

It is hard to believe that children will be going back to school in less than three weeks. Every year it seems like summer goes faster, but I guess it’s just because we are busier. Summer baseball, camps, swim lessons . . . the list goes on and on. What’s missing? Some time for relaxation. […]

Untitled Document The word “pruning” actually means “to cut in layers” — something to keep in mind when you start whacking away at your shrubbery. “We prune to make selective cuts, to maintain the natural form of a plant by preventing overgrowth, rubbing branches, and to direct future growth,” says Richard Hentschel, a horticulture specialist […]

Untitled Document Japanese beetle adults are munching on roses, lindens, raspberries, and apple trees in your neighborhood. These voracious foliage and fruit feeders, which dine on nearly 300 species of plants, are busiest from late June until mid-August. The Japanese beetle, Popilia japonica Newman, is metallic green with coppery wing covers. The half-inch-long beetles chew […]

Untitled Document The tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and green beans in my vegetable garden are in bloom, and I’m excited. It won’t be long before my family’s meals will consist primarily of garden-fresh produce. In recent weeks my children have enjoyed eating sugar snap peas fresh from the plant. Soon they will be just as excited […]