University of Illinois Extension
MACOMB, Ill. — Welcome to astronomical winter. Our calendars mark the beginning of winter as Dec. 21 (sometimes Dec. 22) because of where Earth is in its orbit around the sun. Is it too much of a leap to say that gardeners and those who work outdoors are particularly connected to this astronomical event? I…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — During the holiday season, plants often play a central role in our decorations. While poinsettias, Amaryllis, holly, holiday cacti and evergreens receive much of the attention during the holidays, paperwhites also appear in many stores. These easy-to-grow plants with delicate white blooms make them a popular choice for holiday decorations. What are…
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MILAN, Ill. — Three of my most prized trees are the oaks we planted in our front yard shortly after we moved. They share our front yard with a black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), red twig dogwoods (Cornus sericea), witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) and apple (Malus spp.) trees. Our adopted oaks have become established and have…
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MACOMB, Ill. —Thanksgiving is an American tradition. We get together with family or friends to celebrate a successful harvest and recognize what we are grateful for. Thanksgiving has been a part of American culture since the beginning. While Thanksgiving Day is a tradition, millions of Americans will spend an entire weekend with family and friends.…
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QUINCY — Plat books are a reference tool for landowners and business owners. They serve as essential guides for agriculture, land development, hunting, real estate, utilities, municipal government and more. The latest edition, the 2025 Adams County Land Atlas and Plat Book, is now available with the Adams County Bicentennial logo on the front cover. The…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us start planning our holiday meals. While turkey, cranberries and pumpkins may get most of the attention, herbs also play an important role in our Thanksgiving meals. Herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley and chives provide flavor and a pleasing aroma to our meals. They can also…
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MILAN, Ill. — As the autumn leaves fall from our trees, the trunk and branching structure become more prominent and visible. This transformation can add new dimensions and interest to a landscape, but it can also draw our attention to tree health challenges we might have overlooked in other seasons. As we observe the trees…
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MACOMB, Ill. — If there is one certainty for all humans, it is that we are drawn to natural elements. Two of the best examples are how we can become transfixed when looking at fire or water. Scientists have studied this effect and shown that our brains reduce stress chemicals when we are staring at…
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MILAN, Ill. — The natural process of trees shedding leaves in the fall is the most visible sign of trees preparing for winter dormancy. Shedding leaves is a tree’s way of self-preservation, reducing plant material that require resources that become scarce during the cold days and short daylight of winter. While the rainbow of colors…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Autumn is a time for … life? This may seem perplexing, as we often link fall with plants dying, wildlife migrating and us retreating indoors. However, this is when conservationists managing prairies get excited to sow new life. Managing prairies, forests or wetlands often involves battling nonnative invasive plants via cutting, pulling,…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Annual geraniums (Pelargonium) are among the most popular flowering plants grown in gardens. These easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plants provide color to landscapes from May until the arrival of frost. While they are often treated as annuals, they can be successfully overwintered indoors to be enjoyed again next year. Preparing geraniums for overwintering Geraniums…
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MILAN, Ill. — During this first week of October, many of the plants blooming in our landscape are mums, asters, goldenrods, sedums and ornamental grasses. But what if your lilac is blooming? A lilac blooming in autumn is unusual unless you have planted one of the new varieties bred to bloom once in the spring…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Habitat was once thought of as something outside of town in the countryside. Today incorporating habitat into home landscaping in and around towns and cities has become a top trend across the United States. However, a naturalistic style of landscape design does not always fit our homeowners association covenants, city codes or…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — When it comes to bulbs this time of year, much of our attention is focused on getting ready to plant spring-blooming bulbs, and rightfully so. From crocus and daffodils to tulips and alliums, these plants provide a burst of color early in the year before many of our landscape plants begin blooming.…
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MILAN, Ill. — The recent turn in the weather has me feeling all the fall vibes. I’m ready for leaves to turn, for pumpkin spice to be in everything, and for sweater weather. Although as a kid and young adult, Halloween hasn’t traditionally been my favorite holiday, but my kids love it which means I…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Recently, chilly mornings have me grabbing my hoodie before loading the kids into the car for school. Apple orchards are starting to advertise cider and donuts. Mums are starting to adorn front porches. And that smell…could it be? Pumpkin spice! I will continue to lie to myself and proclaim summer still has…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Despite the bad name they get, yellowjackets are beneficial insects. The larvae are meat eaters, consuming caterpillars and other insects that adults have captured and brought back to the nest. Adults, on the other hand, primarily feed on flower nectar and other sweet liquids. However, as the calendar creeps closer and closer…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — If you’ve driven along any interstates or highways in Illinois, there’s a good chance you’ve seen tall plants with spiky flower heads. Teasels have become an increasingly common site across Illinois. While they may appear attractive, especially for cut flower arrangements, these troublesome plants can form large colonies that outcompete and choke…
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MILAN, Ill. — The time of year is nearing when the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) fruit will ripen and those lucky enough to have access to the fruit (and beat the wildlife to the ripened fruit) will enjoy a once-a-year delicacy. Those who have never been able to enjoy the fruit have time to search for…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Finding interesting insects is fun. At least for me. I enjoy observing the intricacies of most insects. However, there are a few creepy crawlies I do not want to see, especially in my house. What insect has been on my “Most Un-Wanted” list? Termites. When we bought our house a few years…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Magnolias are popular trees and shrubs in many landscapes. Their large, showy flowers can range from white to pink to yellow and provide a burst of color in the spring. While they are relatively pest-free, one of the biggest pests is the magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum). What does magnolia scale look like,…
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MILAN, Ill. — Generally speaking, native plants are considered desirable since they support wildlife, are can improve water quality while requiring less water themselves, are beautiful in the landscape, are generally more tolerant of climate conditions and soil types and much more. However, from time to time a native species is not as appealing as…
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MACOMB, Ill. — We are stuck with the trees planted by those who came before us. At least I am at my house. Mostly because they are so expensive to cut down. One species I am left dealing with is Norway maple (Acer platinoides). Am I referring to the maple with purple leaves? Yes, that…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — There aren’t many things more satisfying than going out to your garden and harvesting your produce. All the digging, watering, and weeding you’ve done in your vegetable garden suddenly become worthwhile when you’ve picked your first tomato. One of the advantages of having a garden is that you can pick your vegetables…
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MILAN, Ill. — Summer, for many, it means melon season. According to the UDSA, in 2022, approximately 21.1 pounds of melon was available per U.S. consumer. Of the melons available and enjoyed by consumers, the three most popular melons ranked, in order of availability: watermelon (14.1 pounds), cantaloupe (5.3 pounds), and honeydew (1.6 pounds). A…
Read Full Article December 19, 2024
FRANKIE SAY: MACY FERGUSON-SMITH
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