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  • … Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) outline the core science and engineering principles for students and teachers across Illinois public and private schools. Our hands-on workshops … across all offered ages, making our field trips valuable educational experiences year-round for any curriculum. Below is a list of our Guided Programs and the standards codes that are met … Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) outline the core science and engineering principles for students and teachers across Illinois public and private schools. Our hands-on workshops …
    Type: Page
  • … Read the Label All deicing products have advantages and disadvantages. No matter which product best meets your needs, carefully follow label instructions to make sure it is used effectively at the lowest rate possible. Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is generally considered the best deicer for plants and from an environmental standpoint. But since high concentrations can reduce oxygen …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … March’s weather proved too cold and/or wet. April also is a good month to help emerging plants for the growing season ahead. Garden To-Do List Continue to remove garden debris left over from … material. Amend soil with compost Compost is a superb soil amendment, top dressing, and mulch for gardens, borders, and lawns. In April, work compost several inches into the existing soil. In … review what’s blooming in your garden this month. Early spring can be a challenging time for bees, moths, and other newly emerging pollinators that play a crucial role in our ecosystem. …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … orchid—a star at London’s Chelsea Flower Show and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—was set up for success by an international conservation team. The unexpected call came in mid-February. … pictures so she could track the bud’s progress. Finally, a few days later, Hutchins got the news that she had been hoping for—the ghost orchid was in bloom. The BBC, The Times of London, … orchid had come from the Chicago Botanic Garden.     In the end, everything worked out for the best. The ghost orchid captivated an audience at Chelsea and another one at Kew. And the Orchid …
    Type: Blog
  • …  $25 members/$30 nonmembers Day-of:  $30 members/$35 nonmembers Parking is per car; free for Garden members By purchasing tickets for this event, you agree to terms and conditions stated below. * Must be 21 or older to purchase … enjoy tastings of tequila, specialty cocktails, Mexican beers, and savor and learn about the best of Mexico’s food and beverage traditions. Local restaurants will sell dishes originating …
    Type: Event for Calendar
  • … many forsythia species and cultivars. A cultivar is a plant developed through breeding for particular characteristics such as color, scent, size, or shape Girald forsythia ( Forsythia … shrub is finished flowering. If you wait too long, you’ll remove the buds and the flower show for next spring. Don’t prune the shrub into a circle or a rectangle or you’ll lose the graceful … to about 8 inches above the soil. This can be done in early spring; flowering will take place the following year. To keep the plant looking good, prune 1/3 of the oldest canes at ground …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … At the end of fall, it is easy for people to think that nature has shut down for the winter—this could not be farther from the truth. This thought is particularly true of … manner of crawly things on the woodland floor. Although most of the vegetation does go dormant for the winter, there is still a myriad of life to be found, even though it might be more …
    Type: Blog
  • … Urban Agriculture Toolkit Tools for Urban Agriculture Programs Designed to support public gardens and other organizations … Good Handling Practices, and food safety Sales targets and crop planning Staffing Fundraising for Urban Agriculture Programs Meeting funder expectations Collecting data for fundraising Cultivating support Potential sources of public and private sector support Social …
    Type: Page
  • … Winter is actually the best time of year to prune your deciduous plants. Wait for a relatively mild, sunny day, get out your pruners, and take a critical look at your trees … From mid-November to mid-March, you can shape and thin your deciduous plants in preparation for the spring season ahead. Note an exception: Evergreens, in most situations, should be pruned …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … bluish-green, and not pure white. The pigments that give all leaves their color are essential for the plant’s ability to harness energy from the sun and make sugars in the process we know as  … You need: A container that will hold soil at a depth of at least 2 inches; drainage holes are best, but not necessary Variegated cat grass seeds (sold as “cat grass, variegated” and available … are covered. It’s all right if you can see some of the seeds through the thin layer of soil. Place in a warm, bright location. The seeds will sprout in a few days, but may take a week …
    Type: Blog