… and shrub care Ice and snow challenges Indoor Plant Care Herbal harvest Monitor houseplants for infestation Bonus Recycle holiday evergreens For Chicago-area gardeners, January is primarily a time for planning, not planting. With winter in full swing in our USDA Hardiness Zones 5b and 6a, …
Type: Plant Info
… In the calm and cold of the new year, it's tempting to hibernate and rest up for the tilling and planting to come. But January is prime time for another kind of preparation: learning all you can to make this growing season your best ever. … or spring class or workshop is a better place to start. You can ask questions, get guidance for further research, and meet other people who are interested in the same topic or have the same …
Type: Plant Info
… As gardeners use the winter months for much-needed planning, they might want to consider the delicious bramble and berry plants. … fruit, and 'Heritage' is an everbearing red raspberry with good flavor. Pruning is essential for maximum fruit, and gardeners must know which variety they have before choosing among the … of pruning. Some prune their shrubs to the ground in early spring, sacrificing the summer crop for the sake of one big bumper fall crop. Raspberry bushes send up suckering stems that must be …
Type: Plant Info
… Green roof ecosystems are increasingly used to compensate for the loss of green space and biodiversity in many cities. Their ecosystem services and the … Our results to date show that green roofs are possibly less effective than restored prairies for carbon sequestration because there are fewer aggregates (or crumbs) for carbon storage, and soil microbes appeared to rapidly breakdown any available carbon. In …
Type: Research
… Q. How do I mulch in preparation for the winter? A. There are some things to remember when preparing to mulch for the upcoming winter months. If you mulched in the spring, check to see how much mulch is … Please contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-0972 or plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org for more detailed information. …
Type: Plant Info
… one this autumn. A. Nine cubic feet, in a neat pile or container, is a good, manageable size for a backyard compost heap. Begin the layering process with a few inches of twigs, which allows for air circulation under the pile. Then add 5 to 10 inches of leaves, grass and shredded garden … less often; piles that are heating up quickly should be turned every three or four days. For complete details, order the Plant Facts publication Compost. …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. What are the current guidelines for planting trees and shrubs in the fall? A. Many trees and shrubs can be quite successfully planted in the fall. The moderate days and cooler night temperatures are ideal for planting. The warm soil and the return of autumnal rains provide good conditions for woody plants to establish their root systems before going dormant. Trees and shrubs that are …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. When is the best time of the year to spray my garden for insects? A. Before you consider using any pesticide in your garden, you must first determine … harm. Many insects found in our gardens are beneficial. Beneficial insects are important for many different reasons. Some are predators and perform natural pest control. Others are … it may not be necessary to apply an insecticide, especially if the insect will only be present for a short time during its life cycle. Applying chemical pesticides will not only kill the …
Type: Plant Info
… I received a gardenia plant as a gift. How do I care for it? You can successfully grow a gardenia ( Gardenia jasminoides ) indoors as a houseplant. However, it takes specific cultural care to trigger bud formation. For flower buds to form, the plant needs to be subjected to night temperatures of 60–65 degrees … soil. Please contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-0972 or plantinfo@chicabotanic.org for more detailed information. …
Type: Plant Info
… Members of the genus Amsonia are commonly known as bluestars for the abundant small blue flowers borne in clusters at the stem tips in late spring or early … and more than 3,5000 individual plants. A number of these varieties have been evaluated for their performance in our region; Plant Evaluation Notes can be found on the Garden's website. The genus was named for Dr. Charles Amson, an 18th century American colonist. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
