Ask Extension - t123 (Money) (2024)

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What is the best way to control cucumber beetles? Each year about this time just when we are to begin harvesting cucumbers, we get overrun with beetles. It is almost like they appear overnight. I have read that they over winter in th soil. Is there some product that can be used in the off season to help with this problem and what is the best method of control during the season? They also attack the beans, swiss chard, and basil.

Does the UI Cooperative Extension have speakers for events?

I have our end of season meeting for the Evanston Community Gardeners in November and would love it if I could get an expert to speak to us about controlling the Western Corn Root Worm Beetle and/or the Cucumber Beetle.

We have over 200 gardeners in our program at four different sites and all of our sites suffer from the Beetles.

Thank you.

What is supernatant?

Hi, I am a trustee on the De Land board. I was at a meeting in Monticello lastnight where I learned that you offered "Mapping & Strategic Planning with Economic Development". We in Deland are extreamly interested in this service, we are a dieing community reaching out for help. Is there anyone who can send us information on Mapping & Strategic Planning with Economic Development? We love our little town and would like for it to stay on the map. Thanks so much, Pamela

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Can this material be made available for classroom use?

I would like to start a small boysenberry farm but, do not know if they can grow well in the midwest. Can you tell me where to start on research?

A couple of years ago I purchased an abundance of PINK rose hip as filler for bouquets. Where would I find these and how do I grow them. Thank you

The Gardener's Choice catalog features an Eskimo raspberry (rubus x stellarcticus). It says it is a bush that is prolific, thornless, super fruit) that costs $7 per plant.

Does anyone know anything about this plant?

Our preschool has an area on the playground for a flower bed. What would be a safe plant/s to use that is non-poisonous as a plant and flower?

I found asparagus on sale for 99 cents----can I freeze them? If so how do I do it? Thank you for any help you can give me.

Liz W

need some solutions for soil erosion

I am looking for a list of flowers, roses, shrubs ,anything that thrives on neglect. A sunny area and a shady area. I appreciate your advice. Thank you, Angela

I AM SURE THIS IS NOT SPELLED CORRECTLY BUT MY FATHER HAD ONE OF THESE PLANTED IN OUR FRONT YARD NEXT TO THE HOUSE. I WAS GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE HUNDREDS OF SEEDS AND SUCH THAT HE HAD COLLECTED OVER THE YEARS AND FOUND SOME SEED POD FROM THIS TREE. THE TREE WAS BROUGH HERE FROM VIRGINIA .MYQUESTION IS HOW DO I START ONE OF THESE TREES FROM SEED ( THE SEED PODS ARE ABOUT 6" LONG AND EACH HAVE 5 KIDNEY BEAN SIZED SEEDS IN THEM) ALSO WHAT IS THE CORRECT NAME FOR THIS TREE. THANKYOU

I want to make a raised bed out of untreated cedar, for vegetable gardening (beans, tomatoes, carrots, radishes). I would like to preserve the wood's color, or at least keep the wood in good shape. Are there products I can apply to the exterior walls of the bed? The interior walls?

And is there something I should use to prevent termites from attacking?

The plan is an 8Lx4Wx2H-foot container, with 4x4-inch posts sunk 3 feet into the ground.

Mr. Hort Corner: I have a well established English Ivy, bed 10ydsX5yds, that is over run with weeds. I keep pulling them out but they always return. Is there a weed killer I can use to controll them? Is there a good fertilizer that I can apply to my ivy that will produce robus growth to strangle the weeds? Any help you can give will be appreciated. Regards, Rolly

Hi, I want to grow the following plants at home. Their scientific names are: 1) Mesua Nagassarium 2) Dalbergia Sissoo 3) Anthocephalus Chinensis

Can you please tell me their common names and where can I buy these?

Thanks

Abhi

I would like to know if brocolie, as cauliflower, is hign on putines???

Thanks

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I've got two types of maple trees, one being a sugar maple. Can I prune the trees anytime of the year?

I'm noticing an awful lot of white type small moths on the grass in the early morning hours. I've been told they could be laying eggs in the grass. Is there a safe way to eliminate the problem as I have dogs and do not want to put anything on the grass that could cause them - dogs - harm.

I have a very large, very old (50-60 years) elm tree that lost a significant branch in October 2000 when we had snow while the leaves were still on. The branch split from the main trunk and left a 2-3 foot slash-like wound in the side, about 20 feet or more up the trunk. It seemed to heal, and the canopy and branches seem ok. However, I noticed a large black shelf-like fungal growth last winter. It is now larger, and creamy in color. There appear to be 2-3 'shelves' and they are larger than before. Is there anything to be done? Will this invasion kill the tree? (Sorry - I initally posted this under Bulbs accidentally...)

I recently moved into a home, and immediately realized that the lawn, which is approximately 3000 square feet, was 90% weeds (broadleaf, crabgrass, and other weeds). The remaining 10%, which is grass, isn't enough to give it a nice look.

Here's my question:

I need to kill the weeds, but I'm not sure if I should overseed first, and get the grass seed to beging growing, then treat the lawn for weeds, or do I use a weed killer first, which would wipe out the 90% of the lawn, then seed afterwards.

Is there a system with steps for revitalizing a lawn? I know Scotts is one of the biggest lawn care companies and that they do have a 4 step seasonal application, which strenghtens an already existing lawn, but basically, I need to wipe out 90% of my lawn, and I'm not sure how to approach it.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Joe from Philadelphia

I have 5 chickens, that are pinned. I am not letting my children near them because I am afraid they will contract the flu before we realize they have it. I know the symptoms, I think. I have read up on web sites, WHO, and CDC and msn had a helpful timeline. We are still collecting eggs to eat. Because I have read that the flu doesn't get in their eggs or their meat. They have no symptoms but I am so worried that I have even considered getting rid of them. Regular birds, (no ducks) get in and feed out of the feeder. I am worried that with the birds going south that we will end up with it from Canada.

Do you have any thoughts, or suggestions? I don't want to over-react but don't want to just ignore what's going on.

Thanks Marilyn I can also be reached at 217-763-6282 eve 217-875-1440 #308 9-5

I have 5 chickens, that are pinned. I am not letting my children near them because I am afraid they will contract the flu before we realize they have it. I know the symptoms, I think. I have read up on web sites, WHO, and CDC and msn had a helpful timeline. We are still collecting eggs to eat. Because I have read that the flu doesn't get in their eggs or their meat. They have no symptoms but I am so worried that I have even considered getting rid of them. Regular birds, (no ducks) get in and feed out of the feeders. I am worried that with the birds going south that we will end up with it from Canada.

Do you have any thoughts, or suggestions? I don't want to over-react but don't want to just ignore what's going on.

Thanks Marilyn I can also be reached at 217-763-6282 eve 217-875-1440 #308 9-5

why dont we get rid of our bills and start using coins for all our currencys?

hello, i have been asked to help in the weed control on 6 baseball diamond infields, which are all crushed lime... is there a pre-emergent that could be used to suppress the weeds in these areas? or am i limited to round-up every so often? thank you for your time, rick

About 4 years ago, we planted Bradford Pears for their beautiful blooms in early spring before the tree leafs out. The trees we purchased had flowers on them, are healthy, growing and oding well, but I have not had a single flower since. Is there something we need to do to them to get them to bloom or is because we are so far down south and do not get enough cold weather or what???

I just had my soil tested for lead and was given a result of 120 mg/Kg-dry for my tomato bed and 71 mg/Kg-dry in my herb bed. What is an acceptable level of lead in the soil of a vegetable garden?

I am pregnant and have a small child, so I'm worried about the presence of any lead at all.

my daughter used to be in 4-h before and found it was not for her then... now she is into horses and would like to enter 4-h shows this summer and needs to enroll to be able to participate. could you please send me the info on this.

thank you, claire barnhouse

Hello. Last year I purchased Monical Discount card through the 4H program. I was just wondering if you are selling them again this year. If so, I would definately be interested.

Thank you for your time.

ash tree with carpenter ants how to get rid of them

how long will it take to come up

i keep getting mail addressed to my ex-wife and adult children. i am re-married and live in a different town. they have never lived here. my wife and i have lived here for 3yearsand just started getting this mail.

i am afraid that they are using my name for something that will ruin my credit. what do i do?

I planted three green ash trees about two weeks ago and have watered them about once a week, unless it rains. Since then, they've been losing their leaves from the bottom up - browning and falling off. The trees are about 6-8 feet tall.

Is this something to worry about, or is this typical transplant shock?

Thanks!

i remember our teacher telling us that strawberries are not berries, botanically, but belong to nuts, is that true?

I make cornhole/bean bag games as a business and use small kernal,white popcorn to fill the bags ($1.00 per pound). I want to use a cheaper corn purchased by the bushel but heard that mice will eat field corn. Can you help me? What is the difference between white and yellow corn,processed corn,dried corn....etc,etc. Thanks Curt

i am looking for a highly palatable recieving ration for stressed calves weighing 300 to 350 lbs. i would like the ration to contain a yeast culture. i would also be feeding dry grass alfafa mix hay. thank you terry funston

will someone please answer my last question? thanks terry funston

How can I make a mandovilla vine survive in a north location -especially over summer periods. It is in a pot with good drainage, watered daily. ??

It's a time old question, when to start pansies/violas inside. I'm thinking February but is that too soon? They also say on the packages to start them in cooler temperatures, would the basem*nt work until they sprout and then move them to a slightly sunnier spot?

I have 5 - 30 year old rhododendrens which are about 8' tall with trunks at least 6" in diameter. I need to move them to place a patio there. How, when and can I move them before May of 2007?

How make beehive in easy meotheds. I am INDIAN,Please send message

I have a new pond dam that was seeded @ 400#/ac with turf-type tall fescue last October. The soil is heavy clay. A thin stand of grass germinated during the fall. The pond is about three feet from being full. I would like to use vegetation to hold the soil on the face of the dam. What steps should I take (fertilization, seeding the same or other varieties of vegetation, etc.) to acheive well-established vegetation down to the water line?

Several years ago I planted a Latham red raspberry bush. It has grown and spread tremendously, but it has never produced berries. What do you suggest?

I am looking for a list of plants that would be suitable for planting in a windy or very open site. Thanks so much.

I was in 4-H a quite a few years ago and had a recipe in the yeast bread book for swedish tea ring and I won a ribbon for it and I was wondering if anyone can send me that recipe please and very much appreciated.

I have a (long- sorry!) question about canning Salsa Verde (tomatillo salsa). I have been using the Tomato Salsa recipe I got from the local U of I ag extension office for over 20 years, putting up over 100 jars of mild and hot versions per year. In the past few years, my wife and I have grown tomatillos for the sole purpose of making our own version of the Salsa Verde that we love from our local Mexican restaurants . The base ingredients to our recipe are not that different than what we use in the "safe canning' tomato salsa recipe, but we have always put the finished product into the freezer. One reason is because we have also used the few "safe" Salsa Verde recipes we have found from various canning sites. These all call for a larger amount of acidification than standard salsa- Ball companies site (Homecanning.com) asks for 1/2 cup of bottled lemon juice and 4 tablespoons of lime juice for just 4 half-pints of canned tomatillo salsa! I made this one once, and the end result was more like tomatillo pickle relish, without the sweetness. We couldn't find anyone who like the Ball version, and we never made it again.

My real questions is this- if the average ph of a tomattillo is around 3.5, and a tomato is around 4.5(from research I have done on the Internet, using only government studies and the like), why can't we use the Tomato Salsa recipe and substitute our tomatillos for the tomatoes? As much as we enjoy eating the frozen stuff, we are going to need a bigger freezer if we can't find a safe recipe for water bath canning our green salsa ( I plan on doubling the amount of tomatillo plants I grow this year)!

Thanks you for your time,

Todd Wilson

We have found aproximately fifty small flying insects by a kitchen window today. While they are in the kitchen there is no food in that area or plants, just cabinets holding dishes or pans etc. There is also other windows in the kitchen but I have not seen any of these insects by them or anywhere else in the house except by that one window, I have tried to see where thay are coming from but to no avail. They seem to appear magically in the air about six inches away form the counter top.The insects are about 3/8 of an inch long. winged with a very slender very short waste going into a heavy tail. There bodies are very soft and perhaps short lived. I am not certain of that as there is probably much residue spray on the window and counter top. Can you please help with an idenification and perhaps a plan to rid the house of them.

Thanks ever so much

Dave Wonfrey

We have noticed hundreds of little worms on our evergreen bushes. They are dark grey with a black head. They seem to be "sucking" the bushes dry needle by needle. Will they eventually kill our bushes? Is there anything we can do to prevent this?

Can you tell me when is the best time to plant asparagus roots? And any information on asparagus patch?

thank you

I HAD A LAWN SERVICE THAT I HAD CANCELLED. I DECIDED TO DO MY LAWN MYSELF. I USED SCOTTS TURFBUILDER 29-2-4 ON MY LAWN AT THE SETTING OF 3 RATHER THAN 3 1/4 AS THE BAG SAID . IT WAS A 15 POUND BAG AND AT THIS RATE IT HELD OUT FOR MY WHOLE YARD. I DIDN'T WATER AT ALL RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET RAIN THE NEXT DAY. I CAME HOME THE NEXT DAY TO FIND THAT THE LAWN COMPANY I HAD CANCELLED HAD CAME ANYWAY AND ALSO FERTILIZED MY LAWN. I WAS EXTREMELY MAD. NOW I AM WORRIED MY GRASS WILL DIE BECAUSE IT WILL BE BURNED. THE COMPANY USED A LIQIUD FERTILIZER. WHEN I GOT A HOLD OF THE MANAGER HE SAID THAT THEIR PRODUCT HAD A NITROGEN RATE OF 17 PERCENT.HE SAID MY LAWN SHOULD NOT BURN HE FELT THAT THE COMBINED RATE OF NITROGEN BETWEEN THE GRANUAL I PUT DOWN AND THE SPRAY WAS 46 PERCENT. HE TOLD ME NOT TO WATER. I AM WORRIED MY LAWN WILL BURN . I FEEL THAT I SHOULD GO OUT THERE AND BE HEAVY DUTY WATERING. WE HAVE HAD NO RAIN TO ACTIVATE THE GRANUALS I PUT DOWN . HELP. THE BAG OF TURF BUILDER WAS TO COVER 5000 SQ FEET.BELIEVE YOU ME I AM NOT DONE WITH THE LAWN COMPANY!

THIS TYPE OF GRASS IS ZOYSIA GRASS.

we have red cedar mulch around the perimeter of our house. i was wanting to plant flowers and a watermellon vine will the mulch harm these items i want to plant? ty

What can I do to stop futher damage from rabbits eating my petunias and also cilantro I recently planted ? (They were chewed down and looked like something stomped on them. I have seen rabbits in the neighborhood. It was alot of hard work not to mention the cost , and I would appreciate any advice)

Are there 4-H sewing instructions books available for beginners? I'd like to start teaching my daughter to sew.

I have a plant outside at my mail box post. It seem to be going limp and losing its blooms. What fretilizer should I use or not.

Do you recommend a "natural" cure for voles in yards, gardens, natuarl areas, etc.

My mandavilla which I've had since mid-May is beautifl - full of bright, shiny leaves, vines and lots of flowers buds. But, not one single bud has opened. planit is on a covered deck, receives good sunnlight and water. hat can I do to get buds to open?

What was the first state to start 4-H, and how did it get started? thx.

I am interested in starting a technology based after-school program. I am new to the non-profit sector. Do you know of any training programs or workshops i could attend?

i have 3 beautiful hydrangeas plants and i would like to make them a beautiful indoor bouquet but each time i do it the seem to wilt and droop what can i do to prevent that from happening?

I have large weeds in my crown vetch. Folks around here call them "horse" weeds. They grow tall with a woody stalk and large leaves. I have seen them a lot this year in nearby farm fields. Is there a chemical I can spray on them (to kill them) that will not also kill my crown vetch.

my trees are dieing how do i find out why

Are the perennials referred to in your perennial gardening section native to Illinois?

why do japanese beettles smell?(what causes the odor?)

I have a flower with green petals and a yellow center. Last year I found them in my garden and threw them in the woods. Now there is a huge patch where I threw them. I do have a picture I am sending to gstack@extension.uiuc.edu. Thank you very much

Hello On our property off the Mississippi river, we have a creeping black slime/mold and would like to know what it is and how we can get rid of it. It is mostly in the driveway area which is rocked - when it is very dry (no rain) the black substance dries up - but as soon as it gets wet, it becomes extremely slippery. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

I'm from Ontario, Canada. I have something on our wave petunias, however it can't be dung or seeds since they move around. They are as tiny as an aphid (even smaller), they're black, & my petunias are infested with them. Originally I thought no damage was being done (just looked awful), however, these little tiny bugs have not only moved on to our potato vines, but they're now causing damage on our potato tree . We've sprayed with insecticidal soap, but it hasn't helped any. These bugs are as tiny as (maybe even tinier) fleas / lice. I don't think they're a flea-beetle (they aren't hard & they don't "spring" [jump] away when you touch them). Any help would be appreciated.

I purchased bulk seeds from my local gardening supplier this spring. My plants have done well and produced a lot of fruit. unfortunatly the cucumbers are bitter. It is the same whether we pick small fruit or large ones. Is it something in the soil or the type seed? I don't want to plant another crop I can't eat.

I planted pumkin seeds (as an experiment); two vines are growing and one already has fruit! They are the giant variety. The roots are Ok but the vines have to travel through a patch of Impatient flowers that are also thriving. Do I need to cut the flowers back? THe package says "thin", but I am not sure how. Should I just cut off any fruit that forms after the first 3? Do I trim the big leaves anywhere? Thanks!

My tree is approximately 8 -10 years old and is about 25 -30 feet high, it gets full sun until around 6pm in the summer. We water the yard periodically and I feel it is probably getting enough water. The past two years the tree sprouts new green leaves and flowers. Soon after most of the leaves turn reddish as if it is going into fall. I really didn't think it would come back after last year. The leaves are still on the tree, but are red. Any suggestions? Thank you.

I bought a mandavilla last summer and kept it outside at home where it was very healthy with lots of blooms. In the fall I brought it to my office to a large window sill which faces south. It has continued to be be extremely healthy, growing like the proverbial weed, but without a single bloom. It is about six feet tall and growing so much that I think it's going to choke itself out. The only food I have given it is African Violet (liquid) food that is supposed to be for all blooming plants. I've tried nipping all the growing ends but it just sprouts dozens more. P.S. - I was surprised that the tag that was on it when I bought it said it "prefers partial shade".

I live in Long Beach CA and my tuber roses have never bloomed. What am I doing wrong? What do I need to add to the soil? I have very alkali, clay soil. Thanks

Hello

Looking for the name of a perennial. Zone 5, 6ft tall notched opposite green leaves, small blue flower, whate stamen, musty scent. Blooms July/August

Help!!

i live in northwest illinois.i want to prune my mapel tree.when is it the best time.thank you

I would like to start a new mandevilla from my old one. Can I do that, and if so, how? Thanks.

I believe i have mutinus elegans or elegant dog stinkhorn mushrooms in my yard. boy are they ugly and boy do they stink. i understantd that they spread by the slimmy film on the tips of the mushrooms. if you scrap the dirt around the mushroom they will be very many white balls just waiting to sprout. how can i get rid of them. you can smell them from across the yard. help!!

i have a arrowroot viburnum that was getting too large. i just trimmed it back to about two feet. after i did this i remembered something about never trimming more than one/third of a bush at once. will it come back?

Can I safely add tomatillos to the pot when I make and can stewed tomatoes? If so, how many can be added?

I am looking for a source for local dairy products - local being mercer county illinois. Do you know of family dairy farm operations that make their dairy products available for retail sale?

I have a 5th floor 15' balcony facing south overlooking a major street with lots of traffic. To provide a bit more privacy (and possibly cut down on the traffic noise) I recently bought two evergreen plants - a small juniper and a "Little Giant Arborvitae" - which I repotted into larger pots with drainage holes and saucers, and two dwarf fountain grass plants in 1.6 gal pots with drainage holes & saucers - and a small blue fescue. I have a few concerns regarding keeping these plants healthy and alive on my balcony, especially through the winter:

1 - As these are in the weather (sun, rain, and soon to be cold), I am watering them generously twice a week, and I also plan to fertilize them and/or use the fertilizer steaks. Should I be doing anything different?

2 - I was told to wrap the plants in bubble wrap and put mulch on top to help them make it through the winter. Do you agree?

3 - I was wondering if I leave them outside on the balcony, would placing them near building, perhaps in front of my sliding doors, is best?

4 - or would it be a good idea to bring them indoors - most likely close to the balcony doors but inside - once it gets really cold?

Pam

Hi there, I am looking for some plants that are unscented, quite leafy with only small yellow or blue flowers but am having a hard time finding any. Ideally they will be potted and left outside throughout the winter here in England which is quite wet and cold. Do you know of any plants which match this criteria? Thanks

where is the local mulch recycle in champain county? also: what are the prices ,and how much does it cost thanks for any info kevin

my grass yellowed the completely died.Should I dig in manure ect. this fall to improve the chance of the new sod thriving in the spring.

Please advise: I need to know if the "Crimson Century" variety of Acer Platanoides (Norway Maple) is poisonous to horses. The leaves in the pasture where I board my horse are falling, and the concern is these wilted leaves may be toxic. I know this variety is not the Acer Rubrum, nor the Acer Saccharum, which are both known as highly toxic. I spoke with Dr. Robert Wright (DVM) in Ontario, and he said the affects of the Norway Maple are unknown, but to err on the side of caution, and to remove the horses from this pasture until the leaves have fallen and then rake up the leaves and depose of. Please confirm this finding.

Where/how would I go about having my home well water tested?

I have a yellow Mandavilla and i brought it in the house and it started to drop the leaves. They turn brown to black and die and fall off. Is it sappose to do this or is it sick?if sick what do i do to heal it. my red one is just fine.

Can you give me an idea of what the range of cash rent is in Warren County?If not where is the best place to get this information. Thanks, Jerry Morris

I'm looking to get the 30 hour OHSA 511 training for General Industry and/or Construction Industry. I thought that I heard the University of Illinois provides this training. Do you know anything about it or where I can go to recieve this training?

I have noticed about 2 months ago I start have yellow spots over my lawn and some sport are becoming dry and dying. I have put fertilizer and iron on it but it seen to be getting worst and spreading. I am wondering if I have SAD. What can I do. Thank you.

Hi! Don't let my address deceive you - my children have been a member of Boone County 4-H in Illinois for a long time. Our youngest son is now on the new Tech Team in Boone County. We are not quite sure how to "get off" the ground. I saw your pictures on SET workshops. How do you go about setting up workshops like that? We are having difficulties finding people with technological know how up here - and it would be great to somehow offer our Tech Team workshops like that. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Margaret Darnall lassie21@msn.com

My children are in Piatt Co. Prairie Kids 4-H, and I thought that you might have links to other resources or clubs that would know of people interested in adopting our "pet" goats. Due to outside activities, we do not have time to devote to these animals and are looking for other homes that may be interested. We have 3 goats, 2 were raised since birth. 2 are de-horned, one is not. 2 males are neutered. The female is not. She is a milk goat and has never been bred. Can you suggest resources or links for finding them a new home?

At what time of year does sap fall from pine cone trees, and does it fall during the freezing cold of winter.

I am having problem with Brown Patch every year in the same spots. Would it be easier just to remove the turf grass in those areas and replace it with new grass?

Hello, Wondering, do you know if you can use Tuber Rose essence in cooking...to flavor a rice pudding like jasmine? Or do you know how I can find out? Thanks, FireFly Creative Chef

I'm investigating pasture leasing. The price examples I've found are without any or all the necessary units for complete understanding. Through the extension website I've found leasing costs listed from $41-$100+ none specified the term...is that assumed per month? year? I'm assuming they are all per acre even though it's not usually specified either. Can you clarify? Thanks!

Where can I find farm machinery custom rates online?

I have been told that you could take pecans in the shell and place in boiling water for a short period of time and when you remove them they are very easy to shell. I don't know how long to boil them or if this is even true. Do you know the answer to how long or a better or easier way of shelling the pecans. Thank you, Donna

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, MY LATE MOTHER-IN-LAW, MARGARET HILTEN, FROM SMITHSHIRE, IL GAVE ME A RECIPE FROM HER NEWSLETTER FROM YOU FOR CREAMY VEGETABLE SQUARES. DO YOU STILL HAVE THAT RECIPE IN YOUR FILES? I HAVE MISPLACED MINE. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT AGAIN. THANK YOU, CHERYL HILTEN

Quicken for farm operation manual

What all is entailed in starting a Farmer's Market, on the Roadside and in a Community? Are there state regulations, paperwork, etc that need to be completed? Not sure where to start with this issue.

I hope that you can make some recommendations for our community, or suggest someone who can. Our village, Thornton, Illinois, just south of I-80 near the Illinois/Indiana border, is planning to put in a large berm. This will be to beautify an area that separates a busy road from an expanse of grassy field used for festivals and a farmer's market. Our committee's plan suggests a berm that will run east/west for approximately 290 feet, then turn north, for another 240 feet. Our question is this...What type of materials would you suggest for the foundation (i.e., good soil/growing medium on the top few feet, with less expensive material for good drainage underneath)? Secondly, what plants are recommended for this structure (including ground covers, bushes, trees, etc.)? We are concerned about costs of course, but our overall goal is for a one-time expenditure that will last, and look good. I am hoping for a structure that will be drought resistant, erosion resistant, and still be attractive. Can you help us? Thank you very much for your time and expertise.

K.A., Member, Planning & Development Commission Thornton, Illinois

I NEED TO KNOW THE CUSTOM FARM RATES FOR 2008

My husband and I just sold our home for a substantial sum of mone and we need to know where we should put it to get a good return on it? We are retired and own our new home free and clear and don't owe anybody any thing.

Do you have any suggestions?

Marjorie Seaman mscorray@hotmail.com

I have had a large portion of my lawn reseeded every fall for the past three years. This past fall, several inches of organic top soil was mixed into the existing clay, a fescue/blue grass seed combination was set down, and a layer of hay added to keep area moist. The seed took off, and the lawn looked great into late fall. This spring, the lawn is just a large area of mud, with no indication any of the seed that grew last fall will grow now. What am I doing wrong?

I am looking for a master gardner, to help me in my garden. I recently lost my gardner, who had worked for me for the last 5yrs. to a full time job. I will pay up to $20. per hr. for the right person. I will need someone for approx. 15hrs per month. They must have good references and be able to work independently. Do you have any leads for me? Thank you

I just purchased a strawberry bag kit, being a first time strawberry grower, i need to know when should i start planting these? and do i hang in direct sun or semi sun? just a warm place like tomatos? how often should i fertialize etc? just some quick help for a ever lasting strawberry filled season.. thanks

I planted hollyhawk tubers last year. This year I know they are supposed to bloom and I can see the blooms on top of the stems, but they are vertical not horizontal is this normal or are they lacking something? Please help I have waited a long time for these and the ones around town that I see don't look like this. Thanks, Lin

I have a trumpet vine that is right next to my vegetable garden. The runners are a night mare! They wind around everything. If I use Round Up on the runners, will it also kill the main plant? the neighbor might not be pleased.

I have heard of a plant called "morning, noon & night" plant (brunfelsia[?]) that is extremely poisonous to cats and dogs. Do you have any information about it? Thank you!

I bought this cactus at the Mom's Day Horticulture sale this past weekend: http://courseweb.lis.uiuc.edu/~mnewton2/images/cactus01.jpg

Can someone help me identify it?

Thank you.

I am surprised at how many white Amaryllises I have ...and I don't know what's happened to all my Minervas. Can Bulbs cchange colors?

what can we spray with that will keep the bugs down in our petunia beds we have a large project and our bed are about 4 feet by 12 feet we have 25 of these. weeds too....???

My amarilla blubs have a red that looks like rust at the top where the leaves come out. Is there any solutions that you can soak the bulb in to get rid of this? Thank you

Hello,

I have 13 Austrian Pines in my rear yard. Last year, I noticed 1 had been infested w/ a wood boring insect. I’ve attached a picture of the bore holes which contain sap and wood dust. I treated vigorously with a product called Carbaryl throughout last summer and the boring seemed to abate.

This spring (Mid March) I inspected all trees and found no further deterioration or boring. Last week, I went out to inspect my mulch beds and noticed that the trunk boring had gotten much worse. Then I went to the next tree . . . and the next. In all I think about 9 of the original trees have some degree of infestation or bore holes. This seems to have happened literally “overnight”

All my trees were planted in the last 3-4 years. I have yearly used tree spikes to fertilize and have kept watered during very dry times. All the trees are in a large mulch bed in the rear of my property (100 X 60).

I’ve read horticulture articles which indicate the use of a product called Dursban (chloropyrifos) or Lindane. Not sure where these products are available.

I am not prepared to start cutting down all my trees in the back. As anyone could imagine, this would be depressing and very expensive.

My wife and I spend an inordinate amount of time and effort in this garden and try to do the right things with respect to mulching, fertilizing and watering.

The pictures I’m sending of the bore holes are from last year, as are the overall “impression “picture of the rear yard.

I would appreciate any direction and/or advice regarding reducing the impact of the beetles, and fertilization of the trees. Most articles state that the tree’s resistance to borers is increase with healthy plants. With our recent winter/spring trauma, I’m not sure how much more we can do to keep the trees healthy.

Thanks for any help or guidance you might provide.

Jim and Audrey Matt 8691 Tapper Street Saint John, Indiana 46373 219-588-2249

I am located in Western Mass and at the beginning of the fall I had a beautiful lawn but now it is full of holes. Also I have a lot of yellow spots and bare ground. My lawn was treated with fertilizer and some of it greened up but it still doesn't look as it should. What should I do?

I received an Amaryllis plant in a pot at Christmas time. It has bloomed and is now in a dormant stage. When should I plant it outdoors? Should it be in sun or shade? Thank you.

I just read that milk (dry or liquid) is good for the garden and is an effective fungicide. Do you agree? I wonder if it could improve my tomato bed...

why have my amarilla bulbs deterated this year--I've had them for years--they have orange colored rusty areas and rotted places--puncher holes in the bulbs----no insects found--I do not dig up every year--could it be a fungus in the soil??

The Extension website recommends the Seckel and Moonglow varieties of pear tree for our area. I am having a difficult time finding these varieties locally. I would prefer not buying a bare root tree through the mail. Are there any tree nurseries in the area that sell these varieties of tree?

Hi,

Does anyone know why my climbing America would have tons of buds for weeks and never seems to progress to blooming. The buds are still pretty small. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

I moved about 100 bulbs from my family home after my mom died and I water and fertilize as needed. I have had them two seasons now and since I live in Florida I leave them in the ground year round. I have beautiful plants but they don't bloom. I have others that I have in a window box all year round and they bloom so what is the difference.

Do Bulbs eveer change the color of their flower?

i havent planted my elephant ear bulbs.should i plant them right away and how deep should i plant them

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME HOUSE PLANTS. WHAT KINDS OF PLANTS SHOULD I GET FOR LOW LIGHT AREAS?

I cannot find concentrated spray for home fruit trees. Always before it was easily found in any large garden center, even Walmart. Now I cannot find it any where. This is under different brands and used on most fruit trees beginning at bud swell on some and continued every 10 days up to nearly harvest. What's up?

I am helping a girl scout troop restore a bed at their school in West Chicago. Du Page County. The bed was made in an open area between two large pine trees and a another large tree. I think the site is mostly shaded with sun only on the outer edges of the bed. Can you suggest any low maintenance plants for this site? Native plants for would be nice but I don't know if they can take some shade. Are there any grasses or other tall plants can take shade? Would Hosta, Sedum Autuum Joy and Cone Flowers be a good choice? Thank you!

I received a new mandevilla plant for my birthday, but there was no instructions for caring for it. I have never had one before, can you give me advice for the So.West Mo.area? Does it need to be brought inside before frost?

I have a maple tree(40 yrs. old) in the front yard. When I bought the house 8 yrs. ago, there was grass growing under the canopy of the tree. 3 yrs. ago the grass died. The tree was trimmed to lift the canopy, then I tried reseeding, didn't take. Last year I put down top soil and planted grass specifially for shade. The grass grew until the 1st mowing then it died. I have a small area of Blue Rug planted below the tree, 10 feet away. What might be causing the grass not to grow?

my grass started beautiful green. the lawan care people cut it for the first time this season and then it all has started turning red and yellow at the ends. they did not cut it short, as i was here to make sure it was left long. can you help

just planted a new lawn, how long does it take for grass to start showing, and when should the straw be removed

How can I get rabbits from feasting on my flowers, and vegetables? This year they're worse then ever, and I hate to see all my hard work going into their tummies. Is there a safe way to remove the pesky critters. Thank you.

what can I use to rid my strawberry plants of grass and broad leaf weeds and not harm the plants?

I would like to know how I get my kids involved in 4-H? Do they sign up somewhere? Anything would be helpful. Thank You Lori Watson

Our neighbors have found the same grey worms with black heads feeding on their evergreen bushes. There are hundreds of these little worms or larva and perhaps even thousands. What are these things?

Why do families and restaurants keep using styrofoam?? It is filling our landfills. www.gogreenstarfish.com

Casandra, I was wondering if you found out what the red bugs are. It sounds like the same problem I am having.

HOW DO I CARE FOR TAME BLACKBERRIES? PRUNING? FERTILIZING. STARTING NEW PLANTS FROM OLD

THANK YOU SO MUCH MARK

do all roses have thorns on them!

Is there a group/ organization of people that share healthy plants by the means of trading? I have got many plants to trade and would love to get more in return.

I purchased approx. 6 acres and currently it has tall grass in some areas, quite a few weeds and some really over grazed areas. Sandy soil, one small wooded area of brush, small cedars, oaks, cactus and poison ivy.

I have 2 horses and a mini donkey.

What is the best way to get adequate grass to let them graze approx. 12 hours per day?

I don't intend to harvest any hay since it is such a small acreage.

Should I have it tilled up and replanted? Should I mow it off and spray to kill weeds, then overseed?

What is the best pasture mix to plant?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dena McCulloch

I had St. Augustine Grass planted in my back yard by a landscaping company on April 29, 2008. Initially, it started out fine (getting green & growing real nice) and all of a sudden within a couple of days, it was thinning (brown). I had ChemLawn to come out and look at and they said maybe it was too much early on watering, etc?? DO NOT DO ANYTHING right now but start watering no more than 45 minutes one day a week (preferably in the AM). I was watering after 6 PM every other day for about 30 minutes and of course we had several rain showers during this time.

Could this be the problem?? I have noticed in the past when I sod back there it was the same problem. Landscape company checked for grub worms and there were NONE present.

Help

Do you know of a herbicide spray that you can use on green beans to kill weeds & grass or especially grass. I have used Seven for the little black bugs. Any information you can give me would be appreciated. My phone # is 217-756-8641 or cell 217-855-6616. Thank you!!!!

Hello there,

Here at Holliday Park we have a Purple leaf Japanese Maple that we've had for 8-10 years now, 12" up from the ground the trunk is 3.5" - 4" thick. It was a very healthy tree when we purchased it years ago. This year it seems to be dormant though. It shows sign s of life, as in it has budded this year but will not bloom. I can not detect any signs of insect damage There is evidence of frost damage on one side of the truck closer to the ground, could this be playing a role in the trees dormancy? Also last year the tree did absolutely fabulous as well as every year before.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as we have no idea what is wrong with out beautiful tree. Thank you in advance for any help.

Brandon Holliday Park

I have worms on several of my large evergreen bushes. They are about 3/4" long, greenish gray with a black head. They seem to wave in unison. They do not have a sack-type nest. What can I do to get rid of them? Will they kill the bushes?

This will be my fourth season of st augustine grass after orginally pulgging my lawn. Last year I experianced a deep green thick lawn.

This year, a mostly faint green color has evolved in an area of the lawn that has a somewhat steep grade down hill to the sidewalk. The contrast between the grass on top and on the declining hill are most apparent.

What could have caused this and how can I return the hill area to it's deep green color?

Where is DelMonte picking June peas in cental IL?

Hi, We use a friendly Chemlawn service and the attendant was applying a spray during the rain to our bushes and shrubs. I questioned him and he said this is fine. Won't the rain (which was moderately heavy) just wash the chemicals off? Chems were for mites and scales we live in a suburb of Chicago. Chems used were Tempo,Pre-M,Forbid Thanks

I just planted a 18 Golden Privet plants to create a privacy screen. Will they make it in FULL sun. It's not too late to move them if I need to.

Thanks

My St Augustine lawn appears to be seeding? Is this normal? I don't see the same thing next door. It makes the lawn even more stiff instead of the lush green we all desire. Can I, (should I) do anything to prevent it?

Thanks

I have an 80ft tall Oak tree very close to our house and it appears as though the base of the tree (approx. 7'-0" up) has been infested with some type of bug. The tree in many areas has discolered and it has a very bad odor. It looks like there are bugs going in and out of puss like areas. Do you know if there is anything I can buy to kill these bugs and is the tree in any danger? I appreciate any assistance you may be able to give. Thank you

How do I control or get rid of the japanese beatles that are destroying my fruit trees?

I live inzone 5. Can I planted in my garden and keep it all Winter out side?

I have a possum and maybe a baby or two hiding out on my porch that has tarps covering my extra home goods. Will spreading moth balls around the area get rid of them?

Hi, Last week I saw some ants eating my roses in groups. I searched online and found that they are most probably Japanese Beetles. What should I do in order to protect my roses from these pests? Please help.

i am makhdoom ahmad from pakistan,lahore.i want to harvest glad flower on my land.kindly provide me all information regarding seed,harvesting procedure,how much time it takes to be ready for market,regarding market of glad flower,how much profit we can earn and what are precautions for this crop?

I would like to plant flowers around a new fountain being installed. We live in the desert of southern arizona. The rabbits are eating everything.

Do you have information about anyone growing these items for fuel usage? Does anyone pelletize it for use in a corn stove for example?

We have noticed worms that are making webs in some of our fir trees. What would be the best insecticide to use to get rid of the worms. Also, will they eventually kill the tree?

I put out 9 blackberry plants this spring and they have done really well. I was told to clip the top end of the berries when they reach about 5 feet tall. I did that, now it is putting laterals out (one to two per stem). Do I just let the laterals grow or do I trim them back after they get so long. Some are already 3 to 4 feet long. Thank you, Steve

I live in florida and have this yellow plant,it has been really beautiful with blooms,now it is being attacked by catapillars.What can i safely spray it with not to damage the plant,thank you

Hi..I have planted a 10' Mimosa tree this summer and I need your help..All the flowers have fallen off and the limps are dry & cracking.. I have a water bag on it thaT it fill almost every day because the nursery told me they need lots of water...what can I do to assure a healthy mimosa tree? thanks helen

Is there a service in the that can show me where pipes and wires are buried on the lot of our recently-purchased house?

I've been enamored with the idea of putting in a geothermal heating/cooling system to replace the existing natural gas furnace and conventional heat-pump, but I know this is often infeasible on an existing home. Knowing where I can and can't dig would help to settle the question. :-)

Thanks, -Luke

Hi I am a college student looking for some community cooking classes to learn to prepare food. Do you know of any 4-H club in the university area that addresses this type of home ec. education I am lacking?

Dear Sir, What will be the total cost of setting a plant for ethanol production from sugar molases(60% sugar content,75tons/day) . Already existing sugar producing plant of 3,000tons/day

One thing I don't see mentioned in ANY of the replies here is that amaryllis are very heavy feeders and forcing them really stresses the bulbs for indoor bloom in winter. For this reason, see to it they are adequately watered while outside in the summer, and use "bulb booster" or bone meal to nourish the bulb (scratch it in around the bulb once planted and place a teaspoon in the planting hole to mix in before placing bulb. Get them out EARLY and make sure they are located where they get the MOST sun so take advantage of the heavy feeding they will do with the water and fertilizing. This WILL make a difference in whether your bulb blooms in subsequent seasons. I've been culturing them for 20+ years and this is the most important and best recommendation I can make. ALSO -- the rest period IS indeed an important element of the re-blooming cycle. Good luck to all; feel free to contact if you have questions!

I have become enthralled with the varieties of CLIVIA plants; there are several varieties of bloom and of green leaves. They are a bit exotic and purchasing a blooming size plant can easily run $75 and up. I've purchased mine at around $20 (younger) and my patience has paid off with glorious blooms that last a long time. My question is how to best propogate. They have extremely unusual wormlike roots; yet I see lots of items on eBay for seed. How successful is propogation by seed and what recommendations can you offer using this method?

When we cleaned up our trial garden, we noticed the bulb-like roots on the snapdragons. What are they? Are they just food storage facilities. Can those be saved and planted next year?

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I saw you on TV tonight and would like to track the amount of snow or rain in our area. How do I do about getting the weather gage and how do we report what we get?

i need to know custom farm rates for 2008

is it safe to marinate mushrooms overnight with onions, tomatoes,peppers?

Hello,

I am a math and science teacher, and I have been reading about the trials growing miscanthus as a biofuel.

Besides being a teacher, I have an Agricultural Economics degree and worked at the UC Davis Agricultural Extension office many years ago. I also have a number of acres available in a climate that sounds like it would be conducive to growing miscanthus or some of the other new biofuel plants being researched. I thought it would be interesting to participate if possible.

My questions: Are there any studies being conducted where individual growers are trying out these new plants? Is there any information for the individual grower on how to start planting them? Is there a role for small growers to get invovled in these studies?

Please let me know if you have any information. I would be interested in joining the effort if possible.

Thank you very much for your time,

Karen Lopilato

What is the steer weight in date for junior steers at the stock pavillion

My name is Elizabeth Martinez, I am 20 years old and am studying environmental Science. I'm currently starting a project where i turn empty lots into green gardens. My first question is what kind of trees do you recomend for a garden that gets partial sun and what time do you recomend the planting time. For example early spring etc. Also,if there is anyone who would be interested in helping my project voluntarily i would gladly appreciate it. I have one lot where an abandoned church was demolished and now i plan to make the city more green and fruitful so people can enjoy green again.

Thank you Sincerly Elizabeth Martinez

How do I fertilize tame blackberries? How do I lime tame blackberries?

Can you tell me about an apple which I believe is "Tinata"? Cooking/eating, etc?

Thanks.....Rita

Will you be sponsoring the Moonwalk in 2009; if so do you have the dates set?

Will there be a Moon Walk event for the Spring of 2009?

Hi. I used to prune my spirea, potentilla, etc (summer flowering shrubs) in late Feb. The past couple years, tho, they've been buried in snow. So I pruned them late last year (March), and they put up all kinds of sucker growth and were just leggy and weird all season. Coincidence? Or was that from all the water we got?

I wonder if I should dig them out of the snow to prune them! Or prune in November next time maybe? Thanks.

Can you tell me if it is legal to keep chickens in your backyard in the city of Urbana? If it is, can you tell me the number of chickens allowed and if roosters are also allowed? Thanks for your help.

Is hakone grass poisonous? My cat ate some and became very sick. Thank you.

Hello, and thank you for having being so accessible and helpful.

My wife, Amanda, would like to plant fruit trees in the zone between our house and our neighbor's house.

The zone is about 12 ft wide and 40 ft. long, and has full sun on the south side of our house. Both houses are 2-story brick bungalows.

It would seem that the trees would provide shade and privacy in the summer and fall; fruit for eating and baking; and not create too much shade in the winter.

We want an absolute minimum of spraying chemicals.

Is it possible that there would be room and proper conditions for apple, pear, and peach trees?

If so, what varieties would you recommend? And what could be plant under the trees that would be beneficial to the trees and minimize water and maintenance?

Lastly, we have in our back yard a space for planting grapes. The garage's south wall spans 25 ft of back yard; I've had a small strip of garden along the wall. I think i can plant some grape vines to grow up from the garden and along the wall. What varieties of seedless grape do you recommend?

Thank you again for your generous time and expertise.

Michael

My mother has a beautiful mandevilla that just went dormant inside, I noticed over the weekend I was removing dead leaves and tons of ants started coming out of the pot, is it ok to put it outside while it is dormant, should I repot?

We have sprayed a large blue spruce for bagworms for the last two years. As we begin this season, there are many bags attached that will need removal, or sprayed. We have a member of the family who is pregnant, and I need to know if there is a product that is safe to be used near the home. I plan on removing all I can reach by hand, but many are up very high. HELP Thanks

Which flowers are more ozone tolerant?

ARE ANY BASIS CLASSES BEING TAUGHT NEAR MONEE, ILLINOIS FOR BEEKEEPING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS?

We would like to repair and maintain two parkways which have gone to weed for many, many years. Our thought is to begin now when nothing has yet grown, but we need a plan. How can we best get rid of those deep-rooted weeds in an environmentally safe and economically prudent way? What kinds of low maintenance alternatives are there to beautify those parkways and keep them weed-free? We are not experienced gardeners so any information you can pass on to us would be most helpful. Thank you.

I have seen trees offered in some catalogs that have multiple fruits on them. Are they for real? If they are for real ; how long before they bare fruit?

my cherry tree that has produced well in the past started having a mildew problem a few years back and last year was a total loss --the tree still seems to be thriving but all the fruit bunches are covered with a gray mold and the descriptions for blights as coryneua and botyutis don't seem to exactly fit --any help would be welcomed

Do you know if Warren County has any social service or interagency meetings on a regular basis? If so, do you know who a contact person would be?

thank you.

I have a 4 year old Mimosa tree - it survived flooding from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (brackish water) also sustained flooding from Hurricanes Gustav & Ike (also brackish water) it now has some sort of fungus (gray in color in a bristle-like flowery form) growing on its upper branches - some branches have died but there appears to be some life in it. Can you offer any suggestions? Sure hate to lose such a wonderful tree!

I would like to find out what the requirments are to sell a home food product, to stores ect. in Champaign County Il. it would be made in my home. If this is not the right place for this question please let me know who to contact. Thank you.

I recloated to KY from FLA a year ago and have been anxious to try my green thumb at planting impatients here. I grew beautiful ones in FLA but now the conditions here are different. I noticed that where I want to plant these impatients, the soil is extremely moist (not good drainage?); the sun shines in the spot in the morning but not in the afternoon. I used to plant the impatients in their containers straight into the ground and they grea beautifully... shall I try the same in this very moist spot? Thank you in advance!

Could you send me a vegetable planting chart/table too for 61088? I'm interested in what a family of 4 needs to plant, & yields, not all the spacing info., etc. Thanks, Karen Montgomery

I would like information about requirements for special use valuation for a farm in Champaign County.

I've recently moved into a house that includes a two acre pasture in the back. When we moved in, there were overgrown weeds and various brush. The brush made it almost impossible to even walk back there, let alone enjoy it with my family and pets.

I'd like some suggestions for what I can plant back there that will require little maintenance, but still allow us to walk around and enjoy the space. I hope to one day plant several dozen trees in this space to create my own little arboretum, but that will probably be a few summers down the road.

Aside from that, I have no real restrictions on it. I already have plenty of mowing with our main lawn, so I definitely would like to avoid something that would require weekly mowing or maintenance. Ideally, I'd like something I mow maybe once a month at most and mow a little path through it regularly for us to walk along.

Thanks for your help!

Currently our yard has Bermuda grass. How difficult is it to replant Bentgrass seed in a section of the yard that will be designated for a putting green. This is what is recommended from golf enthusiests? Any other suggestions?

when do i trim back? how much do I trim off? how do I start new/from older plant's?

Hi, I am interested in enrolling my 2 daughters for the Movin and Cookin class in St. Joe, beginning June 19 through July 31. Can you please advise if I am able to register them online? I spoke with a person at the 4-H Office today, they are mailing me a form but I would like to register online if possible. Thank you, Cheryl Long 333-9859

For the Austin Texas area, particularly west of Austin, what are the best grasses to plant for a grass fed beef operation? What rotation ideas might work the best?

How often should I water it and how much light does it need?

I received two fots of tulips , in bloom for Easter, can I store these in basem*nt and then plant outdpprs in fall or should I chick them? Thank you

I have two magnolia bushes in my yard. They acutally bud out in the spring with no leaves but just small shaped magnolia flowers. They then grow the leaves after blooming and grow rapidly upwards to about 20". They die out each fall and come back each spring. The flowers are white and about 4-5" in diameter. Would you happen to know what kind of magnolia bush this is. Also, would you happed to know how I could root some pieces for a friend?

Thans

I also have the same worms that you described. Wondering the same questions. Will they damage the bushes? Do we need to get rid of them?

Are there any 4H cookbooks for sale? If so, please provide the price and the way to obtain a copy. Thank you

How can we get our private well water tested for nitrates, phosphates, pesticides, herbicides, etc.? Also, how would we go about checking/replacing water filter?

Thank you,

Jim Nixa

When is the State Homemakers Camp in Monticello in July - also any info you have about the camp. I am the HCE Chatter editor and would like to put the dates and info in the June issue which I will be taking to printer on Monday or Tues.

Thanks Carol Froeschl

How do we keep pigeons away from our 8th story condo (near West Side Park and downtown) deck? Recently a pair have frequented our deck and they are trying to make a nest. Thanks in advance. NLJ

I want to plant some narrow, moderate sized (10-15') evergreens as a privacy screen, preferably ones that attract birds. Red Cedar might be good except that I have a few apples that are vulnerable to apple cedar rust. I have not been able to find a comprehensive list of cedars that are hosts. I know the Juniperus species are hosts, but I'd like to know if I will be safe with Thuja or Chamaecyparis. In particular, I was thinking one of the Thuja occidentalis cultivars such as Emerald or Techny would be good. Do you know if these can serve as hosts for this disease? Thanks!

my mandovilla is getting rather large and i am wondering if i can trim off a stem and replant it and will it root and grow another mandovilla plant?

How can I get rid of carpenter ants in a mature ash tree? Thanks

Something is killing my Black Hawk raspberry plants. The branches and leaves are eaten from the top down and the berries died. I don't see anything. I thought I would get a good crop this year but now I don't think I will get many.

Thanks

I am a nursing student at Vermopnt Techinical College taking a microbiology course. The multiple choice question was asked:Looking at a white cottony growth on a culture through a microscope revieals it is muticellular. What conclusions CAN NOT be made: 1 has cell walls & plasma; 2 has DNA; 3 is microscopic; 4 is bacterium. I chose # 1 (not all microorganisms have cell walls. Do you agree?

we recently noticed alot of leaves dropping from our otherwise healthy looking ash tree. We have treated it in the fall with myochrodate and spring with a root fertilizer ~ and have had a plentiful wet spring ~ any ideas ~ thank you !

I noticed small furry yellow, red, and orange balls on the leaves, they are very hard. also i found large white furry balls a little larger than a golf ball, with little spikes seeming to poke out of them, when i took one down and cut into it, it looked like large tan eliptical seeds attached to a stem which was what was poking up through the furry white mass, it was a stiff mass, not watery or moist at all, i have never seen anything like it, do you have any idea what it might be? thank you,,, tina branco

When should one prune the blackberry vines and how much to cut off,d

The leaves on one of my (5) lilac bushes are turning yellow and wilted. Is this a disease, and should I be concerned that the others will get it, if so?

what would be a fair replacement cost be for a 30' norwegian maple tree

Could you identify what pest is attacking my tree? You can see tiny grey bugs on second photo. We have three so I would like to get rid of it as soon as possible. We try not to use chemicals so if there is any less harmful solution, I'd love to know.

As ever, thanks.

http://cityplanters.com/kwanzan-cherry-pest/

I came across an old bottle that was filled with turpintine. I'd like to keep the bottle, but it has such a strong oder of turpintine. Is there anything that I can wash or soak this bottle in to get rid of this smell?

Hello, I'd like to know what veggies I can plant in my backyard this late into the summer. I'm just getting around to planting this year, so I'd like to know what I can plant from now through Fall and get some reasonable returns. Last year, as a first time gardener I had decent yields on tomatoes, spinach, peppers, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, cilantro, mixed greens, carrots, squash, etc., but I started planting much earlier in the season. Thanks, Sam

We are new to the area and were wondering if you had a Cloverbud program? Thank you!

When do I trim my tame berries after they quit bearing. I have a lot of new runners. I need any information that you can give me on them

My daughter is going to be 11 in September. Can you tell me when you will have the next babysitting clinic?

Thanks!

Jean

I have a constant battle with purslane in my vegetable garden. To dig them all out and carry them out of my garden is getting to be impossible so need a better way to combat them. Hope you can help me.

Joyce

Our grapefruit tree has a brown scale infestation. We have battled it for years with malathion spary in the past and more recently with systemic insecticide. This summer, though giving systemic treatment, a new infestation has appeared and looks severe. What would be the best treatment while it is onside on our patio for the summer?

What are accepted products and procedures for treating moss in small farm. I want a product that is safe to the fish and the environment. We have numerous mosquitos and the only stagnant water is that where the moss is. I hope that eliminating the moss will also help eliminate the mosquito population.

DO THEY LIVE INDOORS? MY EVERGREEN BRUSH HAS SO MANY OF THEM. I SAW ONE GOING UP THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE. AT FIRST I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE UNTIL I LOOKED THEM UP. IT SO LATE IN THE YEAR WILL SPRAYING THEM HELP.

The majority of crock-style pickle recipes I have seen (and many for the "canned" type) call for grape leaves to keep the pickles crisp. I don't know where I'd find grape leaves locally, but I've been told that hops are very closely related to grapes, and I have hops growing in my yard. Can you tell me if I can substitute the hop leaves for the grape leaves in these recipes?

It appears as though the leaves are edible as there are recipes for hop-leaf-tea and stuffed hop leaves on the Internet. I know finding the proper amount to use might take some experimentation, but I'm willing to try as long as I know it is safe to do so.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

With the resent downpour, we had water in our lower level. We had Servpro come the same day and pull up the carpeting and they dried it out and sprayed the bacterial spray. It still smells a little musty to me. What can I wash the floor with before we lay new carpet. Walls were dried with little to no moisture damage.

I have a lot of Rhododendron wood that has been cut for my use in the fireplace.

I have read in different places that burning this is dangerous as it is toxic.

What is the real answer?

This year our Amercian Basswood is yellowing and loosing leaves very early, starting in August. We planted this tree 25 years ago, it's been doing very well. How can we investigate if this early leaf loss is a symptom of some underlying problem that we need to fix?

Thank you very much for your help.

I just planted my first Crepe Myrtle. I've always wanted one, and I love how beautiful they are when in bloom. My question is my Crepe Myrtle is still small about waist high. I was walking around it and my leg brushed against one of the branches. My leg immediately started stinging and burning. It became very painful. Also my friend brushed against it and the same thing happened. What would cause this, I have grand children who play in the yard and would not want this to happen to them. Right then I considered digging it up and trashing it. Would love to keep it, but want to know why it burned my leg. My leg is still burning, even after I washed it, and it's been several hours since I came in contact with it. Now when I planted the crepe myrtle did not bother me. Of course I had on long sleeves, pants and wore gloves.

In my basem*nt right below sliding glass doors on the first floor, I am continuously finding medium brown granules. A pest control company was not able to definitively identify the cause upon visual inspection. Can I send a specimen to U of I for analysis?

I work for a utility that has farm land that we rent out in your county. I am looking for a site where I can find out what the current rental rates are in Champaign County. Can you help. Thanks

Can you help me identify an annual weed that is prolific in the Rockford area. I contacted a master gardener but her identification was not correct. I have two clear photos if are allowed to receive e-mail attachments. If not, here is a brief description. The plant is an annual. It has a very shallow root system. It grows to about two feet on a slender stem -- just one stem per plant. The alternate leaves are so similar to those of phlox, that I find it difficult to distinguish them until this weed develops distinctive little whorls of tiny jagged green "leaves" in each leaf axil. These aren't leaves because they contain the seeds, so I guess they are green flowers. No other flower structure appears. I'd appreciate your help. I'm very curious.

thank you for your suggestions and i will follow up on them.

I grew some small pumkins(pie size) that are triangle in shape. The edges are rounded off but they are a triangle shape. I found the plants growing in my compost pile and have never seen anything like them.None of my gardening friends know what they are either. My whole neighborhood is wondering about these. thank you.

I would like to find the recipe for the following. In 1979, These pork chops won First place, Brad's Peanuty Stuffed Chops.

Thank you

Tammy nietfeldt

I have a pink one, it was doing great then all of a sudden it was starting to turn brown like it was dying. So I re-potted it to a much larger pot and started to fertalize it, still nothing. It was never outside since I just got in July. And in Wisconsin its not always above 50 degrees, so I have kept it indoors. It sits by my patio door so it does get sun light. I just dont know what to do for it? Should I keep fertalizing bi-weekly?

what time of the year do i prune my blackberry bushes? how much do i prune them?

I am desperate for someone to demonstrate a double crown wall knot. Willing to pay for services. Do you know of any knot tying experts that know this knot and can teach others?

Can you identify this plant? It's surrounded by oak and hickory trees and receives part shade/sun. I'll send pictures to Greg's email.

Greetings! I am a Library and Information Science Grad student at UIUC, and am working on a fictional collection of special diet cookbooks to aid the nutritional programs at the extension office.

I was wondering if you could provide me with any resources that give the history of the extension office and/or its nutritional health programs. Thank you!

I have a red banana tree, Ensete maurelii with is about 8 feet tall. I brought it in the house to winter it, but it is taking over the dining room. Can I cut it all the way back to the ground in the pot and put it in a cool basem*nt area? Thanks

I used too much lemon juice in a Moraccan soup recipe, how can I mellow out the lemon taste? Thanks

Can you tell me which Lilac Grows best in Alaska? Thank you In love and light Char

What do I put on the aspargus patch to keep the grass out, I have heard of a spray, but can't seem to find out what it is. Thanks

Can calla lilies be grown hydroponically indoors? What nutrients would they need.

Hello,

Can I successfully grow a fruiting pomegranate shrub/tree in a large pot that I bring indoors for the winter? I live in Georgetown, IL. Is there anything special I need to do to get it to fruit? How often does it produce fruit and about how many per shrub/tree? Does it fruit in the first year?

Thank you!

TEst message

I planted 2 mugo pines about 11 years ago. At the end of last summer that one had white lines going around the needles in stripes. Alot of the needles have since turned brown and fallen off. What is the problem and can it be fixed. Thank you in advance for your help.

do you have any composting classes coming up?

I have a large holly bush near an excavation for a home addition. Can I prune it, how far can it be cut back, can it be moved at this time.

Do you know of any county resource that distributes seeds native to the area for homeowners? I have about 6 acres I don't want to mow so I was hoping to grow some grasses and flowers instead.

TRYIN TO SEE IF THIS IS THE TOM SCANO WHO I USED TO LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM - I AM BOBS SISTER AND LOVE YOU!!! WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU PLEASE EMAIL joannieblue@yahoo.com or call us 702 545 0911 we miss you guys and wish you would come visit- so much to tell you- best neighbors we ever had!!

What can be done to keep rabbits from eating garden plants such as tulips, etc.?

What can be done to control moles and mice other than trapping?

Is it OK to use pine needles as a mulch in a vegetable garden?

how can I control ground moles & or voles

Seem to have a lot of very large "bee type" looking insects. Yellow on top with black bottom. They are at least 1 1/4" long and they seem protective of their territory. I have a picture if there is a way I can send it. Do you think they have a ground nest--I can't find one and they don't seem to be zeroing in on any one spot. They like the various pollens. Thanks

How far away from each other does one need to plant seeded grapes from seedless grape varieties?

Any guidance on canning flavored (mint/lavender/vanilla) simple syrup? I've read that the sugar/water ratio should be increased to 2:1. Do jars need to be kept refrigerated following hot water bath processing? Shelf life if not? Thanks!

I have rust disease on my blackberries what do I do,

I need a quick growing ground cover for areas by retaining walls, on slopes in the yard, etc to eliminate some of the weed eating. We mow and trim 2 acres so any help I can get would be appreciated. I was thinking of something in an evergreen variety.

our neighborhood lawn service sprayed for bagworms on our evergreen trees today. less than an hour later we had a 1/2" downpour. I personally think that we paid for nothing but would like an opinion on whether that chemical will still be effective, my logic button tells me NO.

Hello: I read online that I need to spray my Bradford pear every 7-14 days--do you recommend a specific fungicide? Also, how do I spray the entire tree when it's 25 feet high? I have two other Bradford Pears that are planted about 10 and 20 feet away, and their canopies are fairly close, one close to the infected tree. Please, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. JB

I need help determining what is happening to my strawberries plants. THey start out looking wonderful, green, growing vibrant plants. Then I start finding leaves dying. It appears the stem has a small area on it where it looks like it has been burnt half way across, then the stem dies. This even happens to the new runners. What is happening and how can I stop or control it?

Our privet hedges, 100ft in length, 4ft high and 40 years old, have lichens growing on them, and are becoming thinner each year. Other than fertilizing, can something be done to save them? Should we severely cut them back/down to stimulate new growth? Thank you!

Hello,

I have several citrus (grapefruit) trees grown from seed that are six years old and between one and three feet tall. I am unsure of how to prune/train them. Given that they are potted, would trimming the roots be beneficial for them?

Thanks,

Julie

Can I use Poast on my ivy beds. Thanks

i have a 15 year oak tree and it has some round hard thorny balls on the limbs of the tree, never have seen these before..is this normal or do i have a fungus growing on my tree and if so, is it harmful..or could it be acorns forming???

what do I have to do for my fair project

I'm viewing the EAB University program on the use of pesticides. They suggest using a soil drench as soon as the EAB appears in the county; has it appeared in Champaign County? Would you advise beginning the use of a drench? Would you recommend a product such as Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control? Is there a downside to the use of such a product? Thank you for your help.

what causes holes in my hosta leaf. they just started getting holes in the lesf. they are in full sun

While all of these comments are valid, they ignore one GLARING issue. Killing bacteria in the washwheel is only the first step in reducing the incidence of cross-contamination in the healthcare setting – which is the overall objective. Medical textiles begin the recontamination process virtually the instant they are removed from the dryer. They are placed in to potentially contaminated carts, handled by workers wearing contaminated garments, staged in hallways where patients roam – and finally put in to service where they will be contaminated with every imaginable form of bacteria, virus and spore. In this contaminated state they will be collected – by hand. Frequently stored temporarily in hallways, elevators, storage rooms … and then ultimately transferred back in to the laundry – by hand. The opportunity for cross-contamination is greatest here – not in the washwheel. You need protection at the use-sites! It has long been known that the use of an EPA Registered textile sanitizer with residual, self-sanitizing capabilities will create a ZONE OF INHIBITION on the surface of the fabric. This will kill 90.9% (at minimum) of newly acquired bacteria. Using a product like this, in addition to good and hygienic laundering practices, will insure that you are not only getting clean textiles out of the dryer but that you are significantly reducing the incidence of cross-contamination for patients, visitors and employees, during the use-cycle of these textiles. For further information see; http://www.edmarchem.com/products_sbm.asp

Can you tell me the maximum salt tolerance palmetto st.augustine sod can handle from irrigation water.I have 1400 ppm in my well water.Thanx,Joe

My friend has one of these shrubs & needs information on proper pruning, ie, when how much etc.

this is Doug Glosser I have june 26th marked on my calendar and it says goat show in Il and that is all I have not recieved any thing in the mail and I usuallly get something 2 weeks before a 4-h show on the ABGA web site I am not down for a show that weekend hope you can help Doogie4557@yahoo.com

how can i keep ants off my hummingbird feeder? i have it hanging from gutter on house with long wire. thank you HELP!

I planted a white flowering dogwood tree this spring. I have noticed some of the leaves are yellow or pinkish in color with the ends of some are turning brown. Also they are curling. I don't know if the tree is getting too much water or not enough or if there is a fungus. Any suggestions as I would hate to lose the tree.

What is the recommended control for Japanese beetles? They are eating up my apple tree and my hibiscus.

What can I use to control wild violets in my yard? Weed-B-Gon works well for almost everything else. How about for clover too?

Something is girdling the stem daisy and coneflowers about 2 inches below the bloom. Can't find a borer inside. Any ideas of what might be causing this and how to control it.

I have a 1/4 acre lot and I need some shade. Can this size lot accomidate 3 weeping willow trees. Half of the lot is taken up by our home. Thank you

I was at the Golden K meeting today when the Master Gardner talked about needing a list of people for another rain barrel class. I would like to take the next rain barrel class.

Is it possible to freeze watermelon for winter use? If so, how is it done? Thank you.

Does East-Central Illinois currently have any two-stage dithes installed?

I am the leader of the Bits N spurs 4-h club. I am wondering who is the 4h person for us to contact on that Myla is gone? I would like to know when the next leadership at night is. I was new last year and missed the leader meeting due to other problems. I do not want to miss any this year. I need to understan who thing are done.

bugs killing plants within days? Thanks

First off, my pumpkins are jack-o-lanterns, so the females are VERY obvious. Problem is, I only have female flowers. For sure. Great big orange pretty flowers with beautiful babies right behind them. But no males. I am so confused. I planted my pumpkins near my zucchini. They are producing male flowers blooming at this point. I know cross pollination is supposed to be a bad thing. If this does happen, what’s so bad?

How to kill it from my yard ?

I have a pear tree which had good fruit last year, This year however some limbs have died completely and others just the ends are dead. Most of the pears are rotting on the tree before they have a chance to ripen even on the live limbs. Thanks in advance for your help.

For a couple of years I've been dealing with a thorny issue in late summer/early fall. I've got some sort of grassy plant that comes up around the same time as regular crabgrass, only when it produces a seed head, instead of the regular crabgrass type of seeds, it produces little spikeballs. They look kind of like the ancient mace weapon - a round ball around 1/8" in diameter with little straight spiky thorns on it. The thorns are incredibly sharp, they'll go straight through a regular leather work glove, and just brushing it against them with bare skin will end up with them stuck in your finger/foot/whatever.

Do you have any idea what they are and how to control them? So far I've just been trying to be very vigilant about pulling them out whenever I see them and disposing of them so they don't reseed. A couple of my neighbors' yards have them as well. I've tried putting down Scotts with Halts but that doesn't seem to really help.

After reading an excerpt from The Tree Doctor: a guide to tree care and maintence, I realized that I lionized my three crabapple trees. Their trunk sizes are 3 & 1/2, 4 and 6 & 1/2 inches in diameter. They are three different varieties. The branches of the smallest tree are sagging the most. Is there anything I can do to correct my error?

Thanks, David

Last Jan. I received a beautiful azalea in full bloom. It continued to thrive the rest of the winter although it did not bloom again. In the spring I repotted it and put it outdoors. It did well all summer, although some of the leaves turned brown from time to time. Now, in the cooler weather it is putting on new growth. Shall I trim it back before returning it to the house? Is there hope it will bloom again this winter? Shall I repot it into a larger container? What about fertilizing? I have not fed it this summer. Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

I have never been in 4-H and neither have my children. I have started raising rabbits that meet arba standards, 2nd gene mane Lionheads, New Jersey Woolies and Netherland Dwarfs in which I breed and sale, if anyone interested in looking to buy they can contact me through email(dminteer68@yahoo.com) and I am also looking for info on how to register myself and children into 4-H and gather information on rabbit shows and horse shows for the surrounding area. Any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Deanna Minteer dminteer68@yahoo.com

Hello,

I recently came across your website while doing some gardening research. I happened to notice you had an "additional websites" section and wanted to suggest another site for the list that I've used in the past to connect with gardeners/get help with issues - http://www.roguevalleygardener.com. I thought others might benefit from it as well.

Thanks for the the great info!

10 year old pecan trees have black spots on the nut. Some nuts are completely dried up.

I had a white pine die this summer. It is in a section of yard that is pretty wet and has clay soil. The other plants nearby are red twig dogwood and a red maple which are thriving. I think it may have been too wet this year with all the rain we had.

What evergreen could I plant there that would be ok?

how can I get rid of the ants in my staghorn fern without killig it

During the normal growing season I use rainwater for my vegetable garden from which I collect from Two 55 gal. barrells. My question is that I have drained one into a 55 gal barrell in my basem*nt, will the rainwater be "good" to use throughout the winter or should I find another source. Maroa has softwater. Thanks Bill Zombro

What are the custom farming rates for Piatt County and surrounding counties?

Why hasn't anybody ever designed a three sisters planting head for corn production?

Why hasn't anyone ever designed a three sisters planting head for corn?

have asked many companies why our well keeps going dry. Different answer from all ranging from bad pump,pump ok, no aquafer, plenty of ground water. Need to know who has an answer.

Thank you for your previous post on sanitizing laundry. Do you know if Lysol can be used in a high-efficiency washer?

David Robson had a horseradish article in the Peoria Journal 2/5/11 edition in which he states that 80-90% of the world's horseradish is processed around Collinsville. He should Google Silver Spring Horseradish to see that SS is the largest grower and processor of horseradish in the WORLD at Eau Claire, WI,

Please forward this info to him. Thank you.

Would any one be able to tell me if there is somewhere local to buy pullets. I understand if that is not an allowed question but would appreciate an answer just so I know. Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

Fairly new to Campaign, would like to start a small garden. First of all what zone are we in? I wish to plant a vegetable garden but would like to include herbs that would be compatible with my tomatoes, peppers, peas, onions etc. that may help with natural pest control. P.S. I wish to use some of my herbs for cooking as well. Thank you.

What is the best thing to do for soil erosion around water? Is rif raf, retainers and we do not especially want plantings? What is the best thing to do?

What are the Illinois state laws regarding selling home canned goods to the general public?

How should I treat an Arbor Vitae with needles which have turned brown over the winter?

How should I treat an Arbor Vitae (evergreen) which has turned brown over the winter?

I have yellow spots on my parsley plants. I used used it to make meatballs. Is it okay?

Saw an early spring flower at the Cherry Valley library and want to know what it is. IT is very low growing...has small star like shaped blooms that are yellow and white. It almost looks like it could be a ground cover? Long thing leaves lay on the ground. What is it? THANKS

I have a rather large garden pond (approximately 12' in diameter) and have an algae problem. I need assistance in identifying the algae so that I can treat it appropriately. Can you offer any assistance? Thanks. Mark Briggs

I started tomato seeds @ a month ago and t seeds have germinated but only one set of leaves have developed. I'm using grow lights for 12 hours on 12 hors off in my basem*nt. Any ideas why no other leaves are forming?

I would like to know what to do with a spent flower on an Amarallo plant? Should, I cut it off or cut all of the stem off or leave it alone. What the heck is that ball at the base of the flower or where the flower was.

Bryan

I planted 3 dwarf fruit trees last summer, 2 apple and one peach. They were doing well until this spring when something, (I assume rabbits) ate the bark all the way around the trees above the bark wrap. Now there seems to be no life above the wrap. Should I leave the wrap on and cut the tree off at that point? Can these trees be saved?

I was told the Extension Service has a week long short course in vegetable gardening. I believ it's called Master Gardener. Can you tell me when this will be offered in Brown or Comanche County ?

Hello,

I am a Master Gardener in Northern Cook County. At a presentation I gave on Square Foot Gardening someone asked a question about citrus peels not being good in your compost bin/pile. I did not know the answer.

Since I want to give an IL Extension answer, thought I should ask here.

Thanks,

Cheryl Besenjak

Can you recommend what soils and organics I should put into the container for growing hot peppers ? Thanks Jeff Varda

Japanese beetles are more than plentiful in my dad's house and when it is warm outside they are all over the outside of his house. He is wanting advice regarding what to use in the house. We are not talking about a few we are talking about overrunning his house.

I was driving north on Highway 51 from Decatur to Bloomington Sunday 4/24/2011 and noticed purple flowers blooming in between corn rows in several corn fields - the flowers looked like low growing heather. Very pretty purple color - I have never seen that before. Do you know what it is?

Our plants are 3 years old in the ground. The first year we let them grow, the second year we had a great yield, this year we have had almost none but skinny. What are we doing wrong? We fertilized with Gurney's asparagus fertilizer.

We have 20 acres south of Viola that is infested with multiflora Rose. We would like to get rid of it without harming anything else. What can we use, and where can we get it? Thank You Hank Hanson

Will you be sponsoring Moonwalk 2011?

I have a lawn of st Augustine. It's been thinning and now it's dying out completely in patches. I had thought it was a sprinkler problem but isn't. It's getting worse fast. How do I cure it

can you please suggest some organic farms that we can visit to learn about organic farming/bee keeping, and also pick our own organic produce?

Thanks Vicki Browy

Hello, I work at Catholic Charities and every year they treat their employees to a retreat. I am on the retreat committee this year and we have to fill the day with fun activities and some team building activities as well. I wanted to try to find someone that would be willing to help us with a small cooking course or something similar to a cook off. We will have about 20 employees and our budget is slim. Richland has a cook off course but we can not afford it. Is there anything that you could help us with?

Hi there, I live in Southern Ontario, near Niagara Falls. I've transplanted 3 ft Hicks Yews along my driveway to start a hedge. I've spread a think layer of pine mulch. The conditions are full sun. A couple of the plants are starting to change color. Not the tips of branches, but the whole plant - it is getting lighter in colour. I beleive it will turn brown in a few days. Would this be the result of too much water or too little? Thanks!

We have a vine all over the place, that is a volunteer. It has five white petals for each flower and it just smells delightful, but is rather hard to control as a vigorous climber and pops up all over. this happens yearly in many gardens in our town. of course, my bees adore it! but it climbs other plants and thoroughly entwines them. any ideas? thank you in advance, Leslie :)

I live in the Chicago area, and I have a 5' by 5' area of my lawn that I plan to patch with grass seed.

I am looking for recommendations on a brand and type of grass seed to use. The area in question is in the sun almost full-time and sees very little (if any) shade.

Thank you, Matt

Can you recommend or point me to an appropriate website for a seed mix for a wet detention area of several acres size in central Illinois? The detention area is mostly sunny (a few trees).

I just bought a flower seed mat for spring,how can I store them till spring. Thank you

,

I recently found your site when researching the red fox I was shocked that you allow the red fox to be hunted down and slaughtered for their beautiful fur, God takes care of his creatures and had a perfect way of keeping each animal population down by nature the animals do that among themselves by hunting each other for food,, That is God way, yet man still believes he has a better way Just take a good look at this world and all the problems ,, the unpredictable weather,,, the balance of nature has be disrupted so much,, it would be very hard to turn it around Man is destroying this land and all the creatures in it,, You are suppose to protect, not charge for a permit to kill those beautiful red foxes I am appalled to say the least

Hi, I am requesting a green tomato chutney recipe WITHOUT apples and raisons that I can can in a water bath canner. I hav found many recipes but they all contain apples and raisons. Please help.

Thank you,

Michelle Connor

I have several Douglas Firs,Blue pruce and arbovitae that are slowly turning brown and dropping nedles. Most of these trees are 12-14 tall and have been established for at least 4 years. The arbovitae were recently planted last spring. I can't see any insects, but is there something I should look for? Is there something I can treat them with? I've seen several dead pines in the area, is there an epidemic? I have thousands of dollars into these guys, can you help me save them? Thank you!

We have some large shrubs in our yard, and have no idea of what type they are. in the spring, they have clusters of small white flowers. After the flowering, small white berries form. By fall, they have turned purple. I was wondering if you could give me an idea as to what kind of shrub we have.

I have raised oak trees from last years mask crop. They have done very well untill recently when some have developed a white mildew or cob web substance on the under side of the leaves. In some cases the top side of the leaves appears to be oily. What is it and how do I treat?

Can excessive water kill a magnolia tree? I know they like a soil with a PH of 5 but after watering the sod under the tree with well water for many weeks, the PH is now 7. The installer of the sod said the sod had to be so wet that when we stepped on it the water would run over the top of our shoe. When we expressed concern when the tree started showing stress he said it wouldn't hurt it and to keep watering. This tree is 60 years old and just beautiful. Every spring the whole tree is filled with huge pink blooms and it was nice and green until the watering continued. It is now brown and the leaves are mostly all gone. Could the water have done this.

leaves on my 5 year old citrus plant, which i maintain indoors, is producing a waxy like subtance on the leaves. This has not occurred before. I always place it outside during the summer months. please let me know if you have any advice. allen

Good Afternoon- I installed 5- 4ft Picea pungens 'Fastigiata' Columnar Colorado Blue Spruce this past spring and four have since died. This is a special tree that is only developed and grown from Bizon Nursery. www.bizonnursey.com . The home owner siad they watered regulary and didn't notice any bugs that may have been attacking the trees. I looked at them today and they where dead as they could be. They where all installed in the same area and one of them seems to be doing just fine. The home owner has had aver 12 other Bizon CO Blues installed all over the property in the past 10 years with no issues. My question to you is with these trees being extreamly expensive the last thing I would want to happen is to remove the old and install the new and this to happen all over again. Is there any chance I would be able to send you a few branches some being bare and some having needles and you could do some research and maybe have some luck at gathering information? I do know that one of the dead trees had a bag worm. Thanks very much in advance for any infomation you can gather for me. If you can send you or someone else the branches please let me know how to go about it. Thanks again! Justin

Will cutting back my 4ft. Endless Summer Hydrangeas in the late fall ruin my chances of flowers for next year? I am aware that ES hydrangeas bloom on old and new growth however they have become very tall and leafy. I usually cover them with burlap to protect them from the winter and hungry deer but will not be able to this year unless I cut them back.

Given ongoing climate change, what large evergreens are now recommended for the Chicago Area? I have heard the list is changing based on global warming.

I am a K/1 teacher at a small lab school on the U of I campus. I am looking for an expert to visit our classroom and share information about local burrowing animals. The students have discovered several holes around the building and by a nearby creek, and wonder what animals might be living there.

How do I harvest and prepare lavender for use in saschets etc.?

How do my fall crop of peas get pollinated? The seed packages say "Plant in late summer for a fall crop." For the third year, now, my pea plants have a good number of blossoms, but no pods. Some have suggested using a soft brush to hand-pollinate each blossom. Still nothing. Is there a preferred time of day to do that? (It seems that four-o-clocks and morning-glories prefer certain times of the day.) Do I wait for a certain color of each blossom? Other characteristics to consider? There were still blossoms on my plants today. Thanks for any help. Ed

I own 120 acres in Lee County, IL. It has been leased out for many years, starting with my great aunt and grandmother and then when my parents owned it. According to documents I have located the rental income has been the same since the 1980's. I would like to know what the current rate is for rental property in that county.

There are no buildings on the property and it is strictly farm land.

Thank you.

Hi - I have a beautiful patch of Lysimachia/Creeping Jenny/Moneywort in my front yard. By the end of the summer, all that remains are the long, creeping stalks bc the leaves have been devoured by some insect. It looks as if I have tossed cooked angel hair pasta noodles all over my garden. I have been told that it is caused by the black vine weevil, a caterpillar called Monostegia abdominalis or a beneficial beetle called Galerucella pusilla.

Last summer, my Aster divaricatus and my upright Lysimachia punctata 'Alexander' were decimated in the same way at the same time.

Can you tell me what might be the problem and how to solve it? Thank you!

Most of our 2 acre "yard" is native grasses and trees. However, in one strip, everything we plant seems to die. We wonder if it gets runoff from a neighbor's pool (chlorine) - and if so what to do about it. Is there a soil test for this (as well as other characteristics that might be culprits)?

Hello, I have a weekend home near Rock City, IL, and would be interested in exploring offering an area of my land for a beekeeper who might need a place for more bees. I don't know if this is something beekeepers care about, but if so maybe you can direct me to a starting point? Thank you for your time Tera

What information does the Ext. offer for beekeepers?

I have a 20+ Jade plant that is dropping leaves and branches. The branches arehollow inside when they fall off - like a drinking straw. I haven't changed location or care. What's wrong?

p.s. to be clear, I mean other than your coyote info. page.

Is there an e-newsletter that includes suggestions for when to perform Hort actions (fertilizing, insect nest spraying planting, pruning, tilling...) and local calenders of events? If so, how can subscribe to it?

My lot is sloped from the adjoining 127th Street. During a heavy rain, water rushes under my fences and makes crevices in my garden and strips some of the dirt out of my garden. I read that junipers are good for erosion problems. Can you recommend any other low shrubs or plants with a good root system to use to help with the erosion. Thank you.

When do geese begin to build a nest in central Illinois. I have put up a box that, taking into consideration the lake is down 2 feet, may be too high(44 inches above current pool) and wonder if they will fly up into it. TIA

What is the ideal low - night temparture & the high temperature for days that produces the best tight crown broccoli.

I am being overrun by gnats. They are not only thick in the yard, but now they are in the house, thousands of them. I dont have any food laying out and I emptied the trash, they are swarming the windows and doors near light and getting in. What can I do to eliminate them from home, and reduce the number in the yard??

I usually mulch my clippings, but thought I heard that the first mow of Spring should be bagged? Concerns of weed seeds?

I am going to mow, and then apply pre-emergent fertilizer (crab grass halter).

Thank you!

I have a beautiful Rose of Sharon tree that fills with so many buds the tree almost topples over but never actually blooms. No signs of pests and this will be its 3rd summer. Full sun Thanks!

I have a white/scotts pine that died due to bark beetles. Can you suggest an evergreen that is resistant to bark beetles? It will go next to 2 other white/scotts pines so they should look similar. Thank you.

We have a snake living under our house that we cannot ID after looking through various IL snake websites. Can you please help us determine what type of snake it is. We took pictures that we are going to email to you directly.

I have a long driveway that I want to plant ornamental flowering trees alongside. I would like to find a tree that has deep roots (that won't tear up the driveway), and is pretty all year round. It should be disease and insect resistant, winter/weather hardy, and long-lived. I would also prefer one that didn't bear fruit that would create a mess. Is there such a "perfect" species of tree? Thanks!

We have a tall, multi-cane bush which is showing what appear to be whitish splotches on the branches. I don't know the name of the bush, but it is common in the Chicago area. This bush, which starts out in spring with white buds and then leafs out in green, now has many leaves which are turning brown. We thought it was a lack of water problem, but that does not seem to be the case. How to deal with this? Thanks in advance.

I have a 18 year-old Hibiscus in an indoor container. It recently started dropping leaves - very quickly. I thought it might be root-bound, so I repotted it. While repotting, I noticed a sticky, clear substance (maybe insect honeydew?) a the the point where the leaf connects with the stem. Emerging leaves appear to be mis-shaped and stunted in growth. Is there an insect I can't see?

We had 3 healthy burning bushes planted 5 years ago. For the first 3 years, all was fine. Then last year one of them spouted few leaves in the spring. This year, the other two have done the same. I prune them significantly each fall. Also this year, I noticed a black sooty substance all over below one that had not spouted many leaves. Any suggestion? I have sheered off all branches with no new leaves.

Hello, I found your water gardening area very useful, but there are references to plant lists that I couldn't find. I would love to see these plant lists (for example, for marginals) if they are on your website somewhere. Thank you! I'm a master gardener and garden book author in Maine. Sincerely, Lee Schneller

My plants are very large, they have lots of flowers on them but they don't produce any zucchin. I have grown zucchin s for many years and for the last two years I have had this problem. Am I over watering? Are they lacking a mineral..I do use a 10-10-10 futilizer.Is there a disease?

Could you please tell me how much to charge to custom bale net wrapped round bales?