Garden “To Do” List
I've been writing this weekly column for the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette for 14 years now; actually for 14 years and 20 weeks. That comes to 748 columns and 748 frantic flashes of frenzy when I shriek, "What am I going to write about this ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Be On The Lookout For Hosta Diseases
Try to keep leaves as dry as possible by using soaker hoses or watering the soil rather than the plants. Improve air circulation as much as possible by dividing plants or selectively thinning trees. If anthracnose ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Fireflies - A Light Show In The Garden
Fireflies control the light by how much and how often they let oxygen into their light organs. Now you may ask why do fireflies go to so much trouble. Finding a mate and finding food make the world go round so that's ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Sorting Soil Amendments
Generally you can't go wrong by adding organic matter. It adds important nutrients and microbes to the soil. It helps to add drainage to clay soils. Think of feeding the soil rather than feeding plants with ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Learn To Grow In 2007
January 20, 2007: Herb Day 2007, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Holiday Inn, Urbana, IL, Herbal experts from around the world present five educational sessions to inspire herb gardening and use in the coming year. There will be ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Christmas Cactus – What Do I Do Now?
Getting them into flower requires a little understanding of what makes them tick. Holiday cacti are short day plants meaning they bloom when nights are at least 15 hours long. Holiday cacti will also flower if ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Bats In Your Belfry
Ok, so why are bats so feared? Maybe it's from watching way too many vampire movies. Despite what the movies tell us vampire bats are only found in Central and South America. They actually do not suck blood but lap ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
The Wonders Of Woodland Wildflowers
Virginia bluebells, wild sweet William and blue-eyed Mary are never disappointing. The pink buds of Virginia bluebells open to blue bell-like flowers dangling in arching clusters on the two feet tall plants. Look close and you will see a few ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Eastern Tent Caterpillars Are Feeding
Ok, what's the bottom line here with tent caterpillars. Most of the time the feeding damage is cosmetic but it can weaken young trees or trees under stress for other reasons. The best time to control caterpillars is ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Excessive Water Causes Rot Problems
The first indication of root rots or crown rots is the plants may be stunted, growing slowly, or may wilt easily on a warm day. Sometimes the plants seem to recover as the weather cools. Wilting is not always an ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
Make Room For Lettuce
Crisphead varieties or iceberg types so commonly found in grocery stores are adapted to northern conditions and require the most care. In our area they are best started indoors and transplanted in the spring as soon ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
What To Look For When Buying Tillers
Rear tined tillers also do not compact the soil they just worked as front tined tillers do, since the wheels don't pass over the cultivated soil. Rear tined tillers can cost twice as much as front tined tillers. ... [... more]
University of Illinois Extension |
