Urban ProgramsEn Español
Urban Horticulture & the Environment
Tips for the Yard & Garden
Reduce or stop fertilization of houseplants. During the late fall and winter, houseplants go into a dormant period because of lower light levels.

Questions? Contact Ron Wolford, Unit Educator, Urban Horticulture and Environment at rwolford@illinois.edu

Simply Green Tips
As you mow leave grass clippings in place. As the clippings decompose, they will add nitrogen to your lawn.

Questions? Contact Ron Wolford, Unit Educator, Urban Horticulture and Environment at rwolford@illinois.edu

Featured Websites
Successful Container Gardens Living with Wildlife in Illinois Gardener's Corner Garden Calendar Hort Answers Watch Your Garden Grow
Additional Websites
Local Programs
Ask A Master Gardener Q & A

Ask A Master Gardener Q & A
What is A Master Gardener? Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by University of Illinois Extension educators who provide a network of gardening programs and horticultural activities educating the public and enhancing life in their communities. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are "Helping Others Learn to Grow".

Cable Show: Helping You Put Knowledge to Work

Cable Show: Helping You Put Knowledge to Work
Watch us Thursday's at 6:30pm on Comcast Cable's channel 19!

Cook County Master Gardener Program

Cook County Master Gardener Program
Do you enjoy gardening and would like to learn more? Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? The Cook County Master Gardener Program may be for you. All you need is an interest in gardening, an open mind and a willingness to share your knowledge with others. The Master Gardener adult volunteer program is nationwide. Master Gardeners are a vital link in getting horticulture information to the public through University of Illinois Extension offices.

Master Gardeners in Chicago

Master Gardeners in Chicago
Do you enjoy gardening and would like to learn more? Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? The Chicago Master Gardener Program may be for you. All you need is an interest in gardening, an open mind and a willingness to share your knowledge with others.

Master Gardeners in North Suburban Cook County

Master Gardeners in North Suburban Cook County
Registration is now open for the 2010 North Suburban Cook County Master Gardener program. Read below for more information and how to apply.

Master Gardeners in South Suburban Cook County

Master Gardeners in South Suburban Cook County
Apply to become a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener. Make a difference by bringing beauty and knowledge to your community. Learn and share your love of gardening.

Master Naturalists in Cook County

Master Naturalists in Cook County
Learn how to appreciate and understand the natural world, how to protect and restore your local environments, and how to share your passion, knowledge and appreciation for nature with others. Become a Master Naturalist.

Reports
Urban Horticulture & the Environment Resources
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Online Forms & Surveys

Ask A Chicago Master Composter

Ask A Chicago Master Food Preserver

Ask A Cook County Master Gardener

Chicago Master Composter Application

Chicago Master Food Preserver Application

Chicago Master Gardener Application

Master Naturalist Application - Cook County

Program Registrations

Wheat Workshop (Matteson)
Register by February 13, 2010

4 Seasons Telenet - Ferns in the Landscape (Matteson)
Register by February 22, 2010

4 Seasons Telenets - The Elusive Morel- ID, Bio & the Hunt (Matteson)
Register by March 8, 2010

News & Updates
A Gardeners Place
Garden news from Chicago Extension.

Awesome Plant Profiles
Profiles of spectacular plants.

Chicago Master Gardener Blog
A blog for Chicago Master Gardeners providing information on volunteer opportunities, training, workshops and resources.
Chicago Urban Gardening Blog
The day to day experiences of a University of Illinois Extension Urban Horticulture Educator in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Master Composter Blog
A blog for Chicago Master Composters providing information on volunteer opportunities, training, workshops and resources
Master Food Preserver Blog
A blog for Chicago Master Food Preservers providing information on volunteer opportunities, training and resources
Garden Clicks Blog
A blog providing reviews of gardening websites by Ron Wolford, Chicago Urban Horticulture and Environment Educator
Chicago Green Blog
Green news, events, education and resources
Master Gardener Spotlight Blog
Get to Know your Chicago Master Gardeners
What's on Your Plate Blog
Join the discussion about local food, food buying, and how to provide nutritious meals for you and your family
Smart Home Vegetable Garden Blog
Follow the development of the vegetable garden at the Museum of Science and Industry throughout the growing season
Cook County Sheriff's Garden Blog
Follow the development of the garden at the Cook County Jail
Urban Gardening Summer Intern Blog
Follow the experiences of our summer intern working with the Chicago Urban Gardening Program
Chicago Emerald Ash Borer Central Blog
Latest Emerald Ash Borer Information
Chicago Cicada Central Blog
News and information about the 2007 emergence of the periodical cicada in Chicago

News Releases

Hort Happenings
News from the North Suburban Master Gardeners.
The Green Line
News on gardening, health and nutrition.
Good Gardening
A bimonthly newsletter on yard and garden topics intended for citizens in northern Illinois.
Upcoming Events

Chicago Master Gardener Training - Herbaceous Plants with Greg Stack
Chicago, Illinois (Cook County)
February 10, 2010

Body Smart Gardening
Tinley Park, Illinois (Cook County)
February 18, 2010

4 Seasons Telenet - Ferns in the Landscape (Matteson)
Matteson, Illinois (Cook County)
February 23, 2010

Full event calendar >>

Photo Galleries
Going Green at the Taste of Chicago
Cook County Sheriff's Garden
Master Gardener Activities
Contact Us
For more information about these programs, please contact:

Ron Wolford
Unit Educator, Urban Horticulture and Environment
Cook County Unit
3807 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
Phone: 773-233-0476
FAX: 773-233-0910
rwolford@illinois.edu

Nancy Pollard
Unit Educator, Horticulture
Cook County Unit
5527 Miller Circle Drive
Suite A
Matteson, IL 60443
Phone: 708-720-7500
FAX: 708-720-7509
pollard@illinois.edu

Matthew Kostelnick
Extension Unit Educator, Horticulture
Cook County Unit
3rd District Court House
2121 West Euclid, Room 251
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Phone: 847-818-2901 x202
FAX: 847-818-2904
mkosteln@illinois.edu

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