home gardens - Chronicle Media

Now’s the time to think about summer salsa

— September 3, 2020

When tomatoes and peppers are ripe and plentiful, folks will wonder what to do with all that produce. Salsa is one good option. How hot the salsa is depends on the kind of peppers that…

How to prolong shelf life of home garden produce
— August 20, 2020

Soon, more summer fruits and vegetables will be ready for harvest. As gardeners, overplanting is a common problem, and it is a struggle to get the longest life out of the harvest. “Most…
Growing basil in your backyard
— July 12, 2020

Nothing says summer like enjoying freshly harvested herbs from your garden or patio. “One of the easiest, most prolific, and flavorful herbs to grow is basil,” said Brittnay Haag,…
Wildlife-friendly gardens add more enjoyment
— April 19, 2020

Do you enjoy watching bees buzzing around your flowers, butterflies resting in the sun, or a fat toad sitting in a shady spot? Making your garden wildlife-friendly starts with knowing…
Go fresh and grow your own strawberries
— June 9, 2018

Have you had fresh strawberries yet this year? They are great when eaten fresh from the garden, and it is easy to grow your own. If you don’t grow them yet, consider planting some…

Find beauty in your home garden during ‘dog days’ of August
— August 1, 2020

Summer gardens are entering the hot days of August when watering needs dramatically increase and many plants experience stress from the heat. “Every year, we notice that certain…
Project acts on protecting Illinois’ monarchs  
— June 12, 2020

Each spring, Illinois honors the state insect, the Monarch Butterfly. But, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Kelly Allsup says “Illinois residents should be…
Once a tree is planted, then the real work begins
— October 18, 2019

George Monbiot, environmental activist, says “there is a magic machine that sucks carbon out of the air, costs very little, and builds itself. It’s called a tree. […] A natural…