… make an all-butter crust as well as a vegan crust. These delectable foundations pave the way for flawless pies that will satisfy a variety of guests. Emily Paster, cookbook author and …
Type: Item Detail
… with unseasonably milder weather that may confuse and potentially harm plants. Monitor plants for signs of damage from animals, ice, snow, and/or wind. Try to avoid walking on your lawn and … and other heavy objects on branches risks cutting the bark, creating a possible point of entry for infection and insect attack. Monitor for rodent or animal damage, especially if this has been a problem in the past Problems to look …
Type: Plant Info
… well as plants into venturing out too soon. Winter still reigns in February, making it a month for gardeners to respond to the season’s challenges, plan for the growing year ahead, and tend to indoor plants and seed starting. Garden To-Do List De-ice … Keep planning Continue to peruse seed, bulb, and nursery catalogs to help you plan your garden for the upcoming year. Another great source are the plant sales sponsored by local garden clubs, …
Type: Plant Info
… cultivars acquired a greater cold hardiness, a tolerance to alkaline soils, and a preference for sunny conditions—ta-daaa, a perfect summer-blooming shrub for Chicago gardens. Today’s gardeners are finding that the new varieties satisfy a number of landscaping needs, including shade tolerance, extended bloom time, and winter interest. And for the adventurous gardener, willing to push the horticultural envelope, there are some exciting …
Type: Plant Info
… plant bugs, cucumber beetles, spongy moths — the list is legion. And all are ravenous for something green. Good and Bad Bugs Before you act, remember that not all bugs are harmful. If … from one another. In late fall, many homes are invaded by the Asian ladybird looking for a place to spend the winter. They like walls that have been painted white or face south, … after first dampening the area around the aphid-infested plants. The ladybirds settle down for the evening and in the morning wake up to all that wonderful food. As an example, a Garden …
Type: Plant Info
… Pole as far away from the sun as it will be all year, and we experience our shortest day. For the natural world, the Winter Solstice represents a moment of quiet and dormancy. After the … and with the returning sun comes the promise of new life. The solstice actually only lasts for a moment . But the day, and sometimes beyond, marks a celebration for cultures all over the world. Those extra minutes of sunlight, which were especially important …
Type: Blog
… allowing moisture to penetrate deeper. And the very same organic matter makes it easier for naturally fast-draining sandy soils to retain more life-sustaining moisture. Adding a layer … on top of the soil reduces evaporation and keeps fast-growing weeds from winning the battle for scarce moisture. But mulch also makes it less likely that rain-saturated soils will become … Midwestern native plants have already adapted to these challenges, and have a head start for adapting to greater extremes. Many herbs such as Berggarten sage produce a protective haze …
Type: Plant Info
… more budding new stars. Over time, the true classics will endure, but the process of looking for a beautiful new plant is something gardeners anticipate at the start of each new growing … Toad lily ( Tricyrtis sp.) Shade Garden Stars Toad lily ( Tricyrtis sp.) What a curious name for such a princely perennial that offers orchidlike flowers in autumn! Position this arching … appear in tones of dark purple, burgundy, pink, green and yellow. They are wonderful plants for moist shade gardens. Golden Japanese hakone grass ( Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola') This yellow …
Type: Plant Info
… folklore, rabbits often appear as sympathetic creatures. Of note is that several occupations for those who are born in rabbit years include horticultural grower and breeder, agriculturalist, and gardener. May this be a good year for our gardens and our relationship to the creatures who share our planet. At the beginning of each month this year, consider saying rabbit rabbit rabbit for additional good luck, and enjoy a happy prosperous new year! Rabbits & Gardening For …
Type: Blog
… kale in celebration of autumn. Take a stroll through one of our 27 beautiful display gardens for inspiration and ideas. Here are some things to do now before your garden winds down. Time to … ask an expert before planting. Think Ahead This is the month to start planning and planting for a spring display. Daffodils, snowdrops, crocuses, tulips, grape hyacinths, and … turf had trouble this summer, now’s the time to address it. Cool air and warm soil are ideal for grass seed germination. Seeds have a better chance of thriving at this time of year because …
Type: Plant Info
