… and teachers by offering some simple ideas for studying plants. A no-brainer botany project is testing germination of radish seeds in different conditions. Radish seeds are easy to acquire, … normal conditions. Testing germination does not take weeks, doesn't require a lot of room, and is easy to measure—just count the seeds that sprout! To set up a seed germination experiment, use … same way in every respect except for one thing: the condition you are testing. That condition is your "independent variable," which may also be called the "experimental variable." No matter …
Type: Blog
… a few obstacles, but discovered some positive surprises along the way. Windy City Harvest is part of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s urban agriculture program that strives to bring food, … about the situation. It really does take my mind off of it and makes me forget that COVID-19 is even a thing.” “Being at the Farm has been really calming, especially during COVID-19. It … It’s been lots of fun and it feels like a second family." Ordinarily, youth farmers work on-site and attend in-person workshops, five days a week for eight weeks. This year, because of the …
Type: Blog
… the Chicago Botanic Garden’s plant breeder. So let’s go seek out the elusive wild phlox. Phlox is predominantly a North American genus (one species sneaks into Siberia) best known for its … × procumbens ‘Pink Profusion’ PPAF Phlox ‘Violet Pinwheels’ PPAF You may ask,“And where is the plant exploration in this story?” I’m getting there! Most of the phlox species simply … on road edges where the occasional mower or bulldozer damage clears out the competitors. It is that or scramble up steep cliffs and talus slopes, or venture out on to harsh alkaline flats, …
Type: Blog
… These are all examples of stories I’ve heard through Plant Love Stories. Plant Love Stories is a project dedicated to collecting and sharing stories about the plants that affect our lives. … with all of our botanical affections, sometimes the line between Plant Love and Plant Hate is very, very thin. We have a genre of stories we call “Love/Hate” stories, tales of plants that … of pollination, the more I admire this tree. The effort it goes to ensure reproductive success is nothing short of amazing. Angry parrots, disgruntled neighbors, a conceited young botanist, …
Type: Blog
… The secret is out; visitors to the Chicago Botanic Garden have unprecedented access to plant information, … the wheels turning? The ability to access this information in real time during a Garden visit is what makes the app so special, according to Boyce Tankersley , the Garden’s director of … we had hoped.” In addition, photos and plant information are frequently being added, so there is always something new to discover. Dorothy Peck, volunteer and team leader, at work Before …
Type: Blog
… Key Sweden: The Feast of Juul was an ancient Scandinavian solstice tradition. Peru: Inti Raymi is Quechua for “sun festival,” an Incan tradition celebrated on June 24 just after the Southern … Winter Solstice. Arizona: The Hopi tribe celebrates Soyal on December 21. China: Dongzhi is celebrated between December 21 and 23 based on the celestial calendar. Rome: Ancient Rome’s Saturnalia lasted from December 17 to 24. Iran: Shab-e Yalda is an ancient Persian festival celebrated on December 21. Japan: Toji is celebrated in Japan on …
Type: Blog
… tiny external structures in their wax coating that scatter blue and ultraviolet light, which is why we see them as blue. Read on to discover more plant stories that caught our eye. … when exposed to the pulsating vibrations of hardcore rock. Wait, what? Actually, the jury is out as to whether metal is superior to Mozart for a plant-based audience. Plus, as the Garden’s Greenhouses staffers will …
Type: Blog
… for the winter, they may smother your lawn, especially if it was seeded earlier this fall and is just getting established. If the ground is too soft to push a mower over, carefully rake some of the leaves off the new grass before … leaf mulch reduces soil temperatures in the summer, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. It is a valuable soil amendment and adds a finished look to garden beds. Mulched areas around trees …
Type: Plant Info
… the tray. Use a humidifier in the room. Mist herb plants regularly—except for rosemary, which is prone to mildew. Group similar plants together, so they create their own little micro-climate … are perfect for a container, indoor window `box planter, or a large strawberry pot. The latter is a great way to create an instant indoor herb garden: place rocks or broken pottery pieces in … plenty of light. More experienced indoor gardeners Try growing annual herbs from seed. This is a good strategy for leafier herbs—basil, oregano, cilantro, dill—that germinate and grow …
Type: Plant Info
… shape of the tree or shrub. Branches should be at least 1 foot long, cut when the temperature is above freezing. Lay branches overnight in a bathtub filled with room-temperature water. Make … of deciduous trees and shrubs can be done this month, weather permitting. Heavy pruning is best done in late winter or early spring immediately before bud break. Another time to prune ornamental flowering trees is immediately after they flower. (This avoids sacrificing their spring flower display.) Fruit …
Type: Plant Info
