… offered in a bag of mixed seed, you'll see many different birds gathering at the feeder. This is the seed of choice for many because it's reasonably priced and does the job, but unfortunately … rarely eaten and lie scattered under the feeder. To keep things neater, a pricey alternative is a "no-waste" mix, which offers hulled peanuts, sunflower seeds, white millet, and corn pieces, …
Type: Plant Info
… training to help patients with diet-related diseases who are also food insecure. VeggieRx is a partnership among the Chicago Botanic Garden, Lawndale Christian Health Center, and the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion, and is headquartered at the Farm on Ogden in North Lawndale. Williams goes to the VeggieRx program at … bags Williams brings home, too. Williams also visits the Farm on Ogden retail store for half-price produce on weekends. Carrots are one of his favorites. “I feel blessed that the Farm on …
Type: Blog
… the eastern United States, ranging from Minnesota to Massachusetts. Like all bumblebees, it is a superb pollinator of some of our favorite foods like tomatoes and blueberries, but also of … range shrank by over 90 percent in less than a decade. The most concerning part of this story is that we don’t know what caused the decline. Insects like bumblebees face myriad threats … including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change—but identifying a single culprit is often difficult. Even worse, basic parts of the rusty patched bumblebee life cycle remain a …
Type: Blog
… $8 to $10. A packet of seeds can provide dozens of the same plant for about one-third of the price. Each seed holds an embryonic plant that’s resting and waiting for the right conditions to germinate. One of the most satisfying things a gardener can do is plant a seed, nurture it, and watch it grow. It’s an enjoyable way to connect with nature. And … adventure for children and adults. Here’s another reason to think about sowing seeds: a seed is a tiny time capsule connecting the future to the past. In 1812, Thomas Jefferson grew Painted …
Type: Plant Info
… a worldwide celebration of conservation success held annually on February 7th. Reverse the Red is a global movement that brings together a diverse coalition of leading scientists, advocates, … endangered orchid of inland cliffs and mountain peaks in Malaysia. Conservation of Cucharillo is done in partnership with Fundación Jocotoco and Atlanta Botanical Garden . Seed of this species is very difficult to collect due to rugged terrain, so collections, and the resulting …
Type: Blog
… await you at nearly every turn. A perfect way to experience the lush abundance of the season is with a walk around the Garden’s 2.6-mile perimeter. Whether enjoying panoramic scenes or … a prairie, and a river. So put on your walking shoes, and let’s begin! A good place to start is on the north end of the Garden by the Learning Campus, conveniently located near parking lots … or, at midday, resting in the shade. Nearby is a service road with a gate that bars all but official Garden vehicles; follow this road as it curves, becoming the Garden’s westernmost road. …
Type: Walks
… Madame Dahlia, like her name, is a very stately dame; Her family is so polite, it is a joy to meet them, quite. —Elizabeth … varieties. Their perfect petal arrangement dazzles. The American Dahlia Society recognizes 14 official classes with names describing the flower form—including cactus, collarette, orchid, … Dahlia Demands Plants that produce such show-stopping flowers do have demands. A full-sun site is best, but some afternoon shade will be tolerated. Dahlias prefer rich soil, amended with …
Type: Plant Info
… of color in all gardens. In addition to the true kings and queens of the bulb garden, there is a very interesting group of smaller bulbs, perhaps not as well-known, but containing many … checkered lily, spring beauty) and most will naturalize over the years as long as the foliage is allowed to yellow and wither naturally, thus providing food for the blossoms to come. Winter … of 4 inches to the tip of the bulb and watered well after planting. Since root development is crucial in the fall, sprinkle bulb booster or bone meal over the top player of soil. These …
Type: Plant Info
… forsythia bushes began unfurling their flower power in shades of bright yellow. " Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party. " — Robin Williams, American Actor While I’d like to … Weather Service ( NOAA.gov ) states that the “normal” April snowfall for the Chicago area is 1.3 inches. That’s nothing compared to the 7.9 inches of snow the area received in 2019. But … ground. The temperature near the soil surface can be colder than that just a few feet above. Official Illinois weather monitoring stations are placed five feet above the ground. At that …
Type: Plant Info
… One of the most delightful and perhaps underused smaller trees is the native American pawpaw ( Asimina triloba ). Large, dangling leaves give the plant a tropical look. But it’s the fruit—the largest in North America—that is most noteworthy with its almost indescribable flavor—a mix of banana, apple and hints of … trees. Several midwestern states hold Paw Paw Festivals in late summer. The native range is incredible—it’s found across 25 states. In its native habitat, pawpaw is an understory tree …
Type: Plant Info
