Establish or renovate lawns by seed or sod. Do not apply crabgrass preventatives until soil temperatures reach 55 degrees for 3 consecutive days. Core aerate only after you've mowed at least twice to be sure your lawn is actively growing. Severely prune butterfly bush, Russian sage, and caryopteris to stimulate growth. Prune spring flowering shrubs within 2 weeks after blooms finish.
Questions? Contact Brenda Dahlfors, Master Gardener Coordinator at
dahlfors@uiuc.edu
Featured Websites
Additional Websites
Illinois Master Gardeners Master Gardeners are a group of volunteers trained by University of Illinois Extension educators to provide a network of gardening programs and horticultural activities to educate the public and enhance life in their communities.
Integrated Pest Management Comprehensive approach to controlling insects, weeds, and plant pathogens with environmentally and economically sound practices.
Bug Review Pests bugging you? Check out The Bug Review.
Local Programs
Master Gardeners
If you enjoy gardening and like to learn to share your gardening knowledge, the Master Gardener program may be for you. All you need is an interest in gardening, an open mind, and a willingness to share your knowledge with others.
Extension Dimension
Once we get a few days of warm weather—whether or not it is followed by a few more days of cold—I am ready to get into my flower gardens. I usually cringe though when it is time to prune my ornamentals. I can’t remember when to prune and I worry that I have pruned too much. That being said, I realize that pruning can promote new plant growth, maintain plant size, encourage flowering, remove diseased or dead limbs and help control insect and disease problems.
The Homeowner's Column
Sandy Mason's Homeowners Column discusses hot topics in the home landscape each week.
Crop, Stock and Ledger
Crop, Stock and Ledger covers a variety of agricultural and natural resources issues.
Good Gardening
A bimonthly newsletter on yard and garden topics intended for citizens in northern Illinois.
Home Yard and Garden Pest
Provides timely information on insect, weed, and plant disease pests for landscapers, arborists, lawn care professionals, golf course personnel, and garden center operators.
Illinois Pesticide Review
Discusses the safe and effective use of pesticides and concise information on legislation, regulations, and other developments directly impacting pesticide use in Illinois.
New Agriculture Network
Seasonal advice for field crop and vegetable growers interested in organic agriculture.
