University of Illinois Extension
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As we hunker down for winter, some may begin longing for summer’s warm, sunny days. Perhaps it’s the cold weather or the desire to return to gardening. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of opportunities to continue our gardens indoors. While we often associate citrus with warmer climates (and possibly Christmas stockings),…
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MACOMB, Ill. — I thought I was doing better this holiday season. I made a list, checked it twice and then awaited Cyber Monday deals. Here’s the problem about Cyber Monday, I had to work that day! Not only was I at work, but I also had a calendar full of boring work stuff that…
Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — According to songwriters and composers Edward Pola and George Wyle, this is the most wonderful time of the year, but research indicates it may be that and more. According to the American Psychological Association, two in five adults experience an increase in stress levels between November and January. A nearly equal number…
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QUINCY — “Your Land, Your Legacy” is a landowner workshop series on conservation programs and techniques. According to a recent Illinois Extension survey, western Illinois landowners want to learn more about establishing pollinator plots, managing their forests properly for ecological and financial benefit, controlling invasive plants, prescribed burning and restoring streams and ponds through skill-based,…
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MILAN, Ill. — As the holiday season approaches, many of us will indulge in an alcoholic beverage or two as a part of the celebration. My preferences vary depending on the season, but during the winter I strongly favor a bottle of red wine. If you are like me and enjoy the vino, let’s explore…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The leaves are dropping off trees, and many of us are putting our gardens to bed for winter. While preparing the garden for winter, spend a little time preparing your trees and shrubs. Doing a few things this fall can help protect our trees and shrubs from winter damage. Watering doesn’t stop…
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MACOMB, Ill. — On Saturday, Nov. 4, several Illinois Extension offices will be offering pumpkin smashes with local partners in communities across the state. A pumpkin smash gives a community an option to turn their spooky Jack-o’-lanterns into compost. In western Illinois, the nearest pumpkin smash will be in Macomb at Veterans Park in partnership…
Read Full Article MILAN, Ill. — Two separate serendipitous events occurred recently that brought a plant back to the forefront of my attention. First, a few weeks ago a colleague asked me to confirm the species of a tree growing near a public garden. The garden was struggling to grow, and a cursory identification of the tree marked…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — With the arrival of color temperatures and shorter days, plants have begun the process of preparing themselves for the coming winter. One of the most notable ways this happens is the changing colors of our trees. From yellows, golds, oranges, reds, and purples, our landscapes will soon be, or perhaps already are,…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — With the arrival of fall, many of us will be heading outdoors for various activities, from visiting the local pumpkin patch or apple orchard, attending football games or enjoying fall colors. People aren’t the only thing on the move, though. As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, uninvited house…
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MILAN, Ill. — This week marks the official beginning of autumn as far as our calendar is concerned, but the natural world began the transition toward fall weeks ago. I recently had the pleasure of sharing a part of this transition with my son when I was able to join him on a prairie seed…
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MACOMB, Ill. — As summer transitions to fall, many Illinoisians are looking forward to everything pumpkin-spiced, hoodie weather and the fall color of our trees. However, even at the tail end of summer heat, there are trees already rewarding us with some fall color. But is it a reward or a call for help? Some…
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MILAN, Ill. — As the day lengths shorten, our family has been spending the last fading moments of sunlight on our patio, trying desperately to hang on to summer amid the start of the school year. During these last moments of daylight, I am reminded of the beauty found at the edges of our landscape.…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — As summer transitions to fall, our landscapes also transition. The bright-colored flowers of summer begin to fade, and many plants begin to look ragged. Goldenrod and asters often provide much-needed color to the landscape. However, another plant that can add some color to our landscapes is Tithonia, also known as Mexican sunflower.…
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MACOMB, Ill. — It is late August. Do you know what that means? Apples! Yes, our apple trees are beginning to yield their bountiful fruits. A few days ago, I walked over to a friend’s apple tree and pulled down on a low-hanging apple with no signs of blemishes or damage. The fruit slipped off…
Read Full Article JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Lady beetles are widely considered a gardener’s friend. Sure, multi-colored Asian lady beetles can be a nuisance when they enter our homes during the fall. But they are all predatory, beneficial insects that feed on various pest insects such as aphids and mealy bugs, right? Two species of lady beetle, the Mexican…
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MILAN, Ill. — On a recent family vacation, I revisited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As I return to places I was privileged to visit as a child, I prepare for the trip, in part, by trying to dig deep into my memory bank and recall as much as I can about the place…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Mention wasps to someone, and you’ll likely get a negative reaction. Wasps are often seen as scary, angry insects that are dangerous and likely to sting. While some wasps can be aggressive at times, and some pack a powerful sting, they are good insects to have around. They are the unsung heroes…
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MILAN, Ill. — As the summer days pass by, garden harvest becomes a regularly performed task of our Master Gardeners. The demonstration gardens that were so thoughtfully planned, plants or seeds so carefully planted, and growing plants lovingly tended to for the past few months are producing delicious, nutritious crops. The vegetables grown by Master…
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URBANA, Ill. — Farming is stressful, and the Illinois agriculture community faces unique challenges every day that take a toll on mental health. A new program from University of Illinois Extension gives farmers and their families access to professional mental health care for free. The Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program broadens access to care…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Following a series of windy days and storms with high winds in central Illinois, we have received reports on large sections of trees lost, gashes left in the trunks of trees, and large splits in tree trunks. What do you do when a severe windstorm damages your landscape trees? Obviously, during an…
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MILAN, Ill. — Nature is an incredible artist and evolution has produced an overabundance of diversity. Plants in every form from spreading to climbing, vase-shaped, columnar, leaves in various shapes, colors, and arrangements. The two species featured in this article are about as opposite as plants get. One likes moist sites, the other prefers dry…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — I met a good farmer today. In recollection, I don’t think I’ve ever met a bad farmer, but this encounter was different. Immediately we hit it off. The conversation turned from the windbreak I came to look at to our former dogs. We talked about marriage and kids. It seemed like I…
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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Peonies are a common sight in many yards. They are typically grown for their showy blooms in the spring but also have attractive foliage that can act as a backdrop in landscape beds. While peonies are relatively problem-free, a few diseases, powdery mildew and leaf blotch, show up fairly regularly on plants…
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QUINCY — The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists welcomed 21 volunteers to its ranks on May 16. Adams County will benefit from 13 new Master Naturalists, Hancock County with four, Pike County with two and Schuyler and Peoria counties each with one new volunteer. Students within the class successfully completed nine weeks of training…
Read Full Article December 19, 2024
FRANKIE SAY: MACY FERGUSON-SMITH
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