… what colors they turn in fall. Then take the next step: have a critical look at your own yard. Is it time to plant a tree or shrub? If so, what kind might be right for your yard, and what fall … when there's wind in those willows. Just past the Visitor Center bridge, the Crescent Garden is lined with weeping willows by the water, which is where willows like to be. Katsura trees ( Cercidiphyllum magnificum , or Cercidiphyllum …
Type: Plant Info
… One of the most nutritious, ornamental and anticipated early spring vegetables is asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis ). This Mediterranean native has just 20 calories a serving, … century. Close up of asparagus spear Asparagus officinalis ' Jersey Shore' Growing Asparagus is a sun-loving, hardy, long-lived perennial with creeping rhizomes and upright stems that appear … years for a planting to become mature. Since asparagus plants can live for more than 20 years, site them where they can grow undisturbed, such as at the end or border of a vegetable garden. …
Type: Plant Info
… but many seeds come equipped with mechanisms that stall germination until the time is right. Without the inhibitors in the gel sack, nothing would prevent a tomato seed from germinating within the fruit while it is still on the parent plant. When a ripe tomato falls off the plant, it sits on the ground and … dry. Spread the seeds on a glass or ceramic pan and allow them to dry out completely. There is an alternate method. Put the seeds with a little bit of water in a sieve and run cool water …
Type: Plant Info
… hoe? Many garden centers now offer lightweight collapsible hoses that curl up when the water is turned off. Most gardeners could use a spare watering can, too. Wind Chimes Give the gift of … produces large showy flowers indoors during winter when the winds are howling and the snow is blowing. Discover what they look like and how to care for them. You’ll find them in garden … basic types made from rubber and brushes. Apron A garden-inspired apron for the gardener-cook is a fun gift as are gardening aprons with plenty of pockets for use outdoors. Membership A …
Type: Plant Info
… unfilled niches and open soil, allowing sunlight to directly reach the ground. Any bare soil is a welcome mat for seeds—just look at any empty lot where weeds fill the cracks. In the summer, … to improve the soil by adding organic matter. How to Mulch While a light blanket of mulch is a good thing, piling on more than 4 inches is not necessary and can be harmful. Keep all mulch several inches away from tree trunks and …
Type: Plant Info
… The cultivar 'Sir John Thouron' is valued for its showy, pale yellow flowers that form a ball-shaped umbrella well above its … star, a fashion designer, and several collectors. (The cost has dropped since then.) Clivia is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. Unlike most amaryllis, however, Clivia does not form … fertilize every two weeks in spring and summer. Move the plant back indoors in fall. The plant is one of those rare plants that actually blooms best if slightly pot-bound, but its roots are …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… escaping. 7. Daddy long legs are spiders. FALSE. A Daddy long legs isn't a spider; although it is in the Arachnid family, it's in a separate order from spiders. All spiders have two body … a Daddy long legs only has one round body part (and just two eyes, see #4). 8. Spider silk is always sticky. FALSE. Spiders can control the feel of the silk they produce—some is sticky, some is non-stick, some is thick and heavy, some is airy and light. 9. Scientists have …
Type: Blog
… found out on the Internet. The Internet knows everything. Lexi: It’s very stinky. Maxwell: It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see it. And it is very stinky. Carrie: I happened to see the Facebook post. And we were here every day for Spike … months old, as well as Susan and Jim Osiol of Mt. Prospect. Jamie: We keep coming! Third time is the charm. Susan: I’m obsessed. Our daughter called first thing this morning: ‘Mom, Sprout is …
Type: Blog
… An old friend is back in front of the Visitor Center. The Bloom Cart shows you a curated selection of what’s in … of where to find the five featured bouquets. But there’s more to it than that. The Bloom Cart is meant to introduce you to the Garden–to start conversations, to steer you to unexpected places, to introduce you to new plants (or reintroduce you to old ones). It is an old-school signpost of sorts, made of pine by the Garden’s carpenters, with handwritten …
Type: Blog
… crack clay pots.) Mint needs at least four hours of sunlight per day, so pick a sunny spot. It is tolerant of most soils and weather conditions—just be sure it gets some water every week to … julep, but it’s also perfect for any mint sauce or jelly. Banana mint (Mentha arvensis) is part of the spearmint family, but grown mostly for its incredible smell. It still maintains a good flavor in cooking, though. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is most often used for its peppermint oil. Peppermint family plants are strong flavored and best …
Type: Blog
