Master Gardeners will begin office hours in April. They will be available to answer home horticulture questions on Tuesday afternoons through Septemeber. Please call the office or stop by to see them.
Featured Websites
Additional Websites
Groundcovers to Know and Use Everything you ever wanted to know about groundcovers including a directory of 35 different groundcovers.
Lawn Talk Learn what grass varieties are best for your lawn, how to deal with shady areas, when to fertilize your lawn & more!
Bulbs & More Bulbs & More teaches you all about selecting, planting and landscaping with bulbs.
Ornamental Grasses Learn how to select the right ornamental grasses for your landscape.
Master Gardener's Training Starting in January 2010 The University of Illinois Master Gardener program is a prestigious designation to those enthusiastic individuals who have completed a minimum of 40 hours of training and agree to volunteer at least 60 hours back to the local University of Illinois Extension office. The program is open to anyone with an interest in plants and a desire to share that with others. Master Gardeners are a dedicated group and many choose to return year after year to share their knowledge with others.
Extension Educators and State Specialists with the University of Illinois provide the training for Master Gardeners. Classes are conducted during the day, for an average of 6 hours per day (40 hours total). Classes will be held for 12 weeks. Master Gardener training covers various home horticulture topics including: vegetable gardening, tree and small fruits, insects and control, integrated pest management, wildlife control, turfgrass care, flower gardening, plant diseases, tree and shrub care, soils and fertilizers, basic botany, and houseplants.
In exchange for training, participants are asked to volunteer 60 hours of time to their local University of Illinois Extension. A major part of the volunteer commitment is answering horticulture questions from local homeowners.
You will work with the local Extension Unit Leader to determine how your volunteer time can best be spent.
If interested, call the McDonough County Extension office at 309-837-3939 no later than December 1. A completed application is required, and due to space restrictions and limited class size, interviews may be necessary. A fee will be charged to cover the cost of materials.
Illinois Pesticide Review
The Illinois Pesticide Review provides concise information on legislation, regulations, and other developments directly impacting pesticide use in Illinois.
