… Description: This flycatcher is a breeding species that is most often found calling from willow thickets around the Dixon Prairie. …
Type: Birding
… Q. How do I determine the pH of my garden soil and why is it important? A. The pH of garden soil can be easily determined by using an inexpensive kit that can be purchased at hardware stores and large garden centers. Proper soil pH is particularly important to plants such as birch trees and hydrangea shrubs. Often, plants … exhibit nutritional deficiencies that can be addressed by a pH adjustment. The symbol pH is used to express a level of acidity or alkalinity. A pH reading of 7.0 is considered neutral, …
Type: Plant Info
… for a range of insects, small mammals and birds, and even bison. Bad Hair Day switch grass is an upright grass of about 6 feet in height and 7 feet in width. The most notable feature is the upright stems, topped by the heavy pendulous panicles appearing in summer that are responsive to even light breezes and give rise to its name. Spring foliage is grayish-green, which turns a light yellowish-brown by summer and persists throughout the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Many homeowners do their lawn renovation in spring, but in fact this work is better done in fall once summer's heat and drought have passed. In fall, cool air temperatures … grow less vigorously in fall than in spring, when they compete with grass seedlings. Fall is also a good time to assess your lawn. Before you do anything, ask why your lawn is not doing well. Do you have grubs? Too much shade? Compacted soil? You should address the …
Type: Plant Info
… Description: This rare southern visitor is the largest warbler species in the area and is often heard before being seen. …
Type: Birding
… Description: This migrant species is very common throughout the Garden, but is often seen with yellow-rumps in open areas. …
Type: Birding
… of the mint family (Lamiaceae), with its silvery foliage and tall lavender flowers, this herb is an attractive addition to any perennial bed. Add lavender's characteristic scent that is stored in oil glands embedded among its flowers, leaves and stems, and the result is a plant … to encourage vigorous new growth. It is imperative to provide lavender with a well-drained site if it is to survive the cold and damp of winter. Lavender is indeed a versatile modern plant …
Type: Plant Info
… In the face of increasingly unpredictable winter weather, what is remaining constant, what is changing, and how is nature affected? Use winter-based phenomena to drive investigations around these questions. …
Type: Item Detail
… This tree is another snake skin maple that is native to China. It can grow up to 30 feet high with full sun to partial shade and moderate moisture conditions. Its bark is green with pale green and white stripes which contrasts beautifully with its fall colors of …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The silver maple is native to eastern North America. It can reach a height of 80 feet with a spread of 50 feet. This tree requires full sun, but is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and conditions. It gets its name from the silvery … of its finely dissected, five lobed leaves held on slightly weeping branches. Fall color is yellow and bronze. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
