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  • … finished blooming. Trees are going dormant and preparing to drop their leaves. But this beauty is just getting started. The only thing that isn't lovely about this plant is its name: the toad lily. You can see why the mottled coloration of the flowers might remind … also has its green leaves intriguingly streaked with gold. Tips Toad lilies need soil that is rich in organic matter, part- to full shade and consistent moisture, according to Boyce …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … 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
  • … Field trip workshops must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance; full payment is due at time of scheduling. Select a workshop topic at checkout. Please call our field trip … questions: (847) 835-6801 Maximum class size per program: 25 students, 8 adults (1:5 ratio is preferred) Grades preK – 12 Learning Center Workshop Offerings: Grades preK – K: Discovering … you to figure out why. NGSS: K-ESS2-2, 1-LS1-1, 2-LS2-1   Grades 2 – 4: Flower Lab What is the reason for a flower, and how does it do its job? Become scientists, doing a guided flower …
    Type: Item Detail
  • … a bit of a kick (and who doesn’t need a little jump-start during the holidays?). The recipe is simple enough to get the whole family involved. Think butter…pumpkin…toasted pecans—what’s not … nonstick cooking spray, and seasonal cookie cutters (and get the camera ready—not that anyone is going to lick the spoon…). This is going to be delicious.   Bourbon Pumpkin-Pecan Fudge 1¾ cups sugar 1¼ cups brown sugar ¾ cup …
    Type: Blog
  • … yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) in my lawn. How do I get rid of it?  A. Yellow nutsedge is a warm-season perennial weed in the sedge family. The leaf blades are grass-like and triangular. It is usually a lighter green than lawn grass.  Nutsedge thrives on moist, poorly drained sites, so …
    Type: Plant Info