… remnant of the oak woodlands once common in northeastern Illinois, Mary Mix McDonald Woods is, in conservation terms, a restoration — an example of an ecosystem that is being brought back to healthy former conditions. Because of the constant efforts of scientists … Glen — a landscape of water-loving plants that absorbs rainwater runoff in this often-wet site. Because the plants filter pollutants naturally, the water that eventually reaches the lake …
Type: Walks
… Find a host of garlic cultivars for your garden online. Garlic is a member of the genus Allium , which includes chives, onions, shallots, and leeks. It’s an … and the color of their papery wrapping. Elephant garlic, found in stores and garden catalogs, is not a true garlic, but a type of bulbing leek. Snap off curly scapes in spring and use as you … Garlic generally falls into two categories: hard-neck and soft-neck. Soft-neck garlic is named for its soft stem. It’s sometimes called silver-skin garlic in a nod to its white papery …
Type: Plant Info
… natives are great for crafts, decorations and food. A member of the squash family, pumpkin is high in beta-carotene, potassium and vitamin C; low in fat; and high in fiber. Smaller, three- … 85 to 115 frost-free growing days, depending on their size. The Chicago area's last frost is approximately May 15 and then frost isn't expected again until October 15, theoretically … after the last frost) to give the soil enough time to warm up to 60 to 70 degrees. Spring is unpredictable in Chicago, and the seasons often go from winter directly into summer. Sow three …
Type: Plant Info
… Nelumbo lutea , the American yellow lotus, is the only lotus native to the United States. Hardy from Zones 4 to 11, it grows naturally in … and lakes as far north as Ontario and south to Texas and Florida. Our true American native is not to be confused with the Old World lotus, Nelumbo nucifera , the sacred lotus of the Nile, which was introduced to Egypt in 523 by the Persians. This species is revered by Buddhists and Hindus alike, and the seeds, rhizomes, and leaves are an integral …
Type: Plant Info
… have become so ubiquitous in shaded suburban gardens that one species, Hosta lancifolia , is actually known as "the Winnetka weed." But because they are so easy to grow and so adaptable … the more colorful, pest-resistant introductions. While many hostas have attractive flowers, it is their foliage that makes them indispensable for adding shape and substance to a shady garden. … inches high. Since gardeners grow hosta more for their foliage than their flowers, leaf color is of primary importance. Plain green is a thing of the past. Leaves are now blue, blue green, …
Type: Plant Info
… a drawer or door front, this collection of dried plant leaves, flowers, seeds, and barks is a must-have in American kitchens: full spice racks are prized as wedding gifts and … us are working with outdated, past-their-prime products instead of fresh flavorings. January is a great time for smart gardeners—and smart cooks—to assess, re-assort, assemble, and plan for … meats and stuffings. But what lies deeper at the back of the cupboard? The first thing to do is easy: pull everything out of the drawers and cupboards for a freshness exam. Check the jars …
Type: Plant Info
… A tall-grass prairie native that adds beauty to gardens and nurtures wildlife, switchgrass is now being considered as a potential new fuel source. Divided into two types, upland and … the risk of global warming by replacing fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and oil). The process is a bit complicated, but agronomy professor David Bransby of Auburn University has elegantly … of turning to switchgrass for fuel. When fossil fuels are burnt, explains Bransby, carbon is removed from below ground (gas and oil wells and coal mines) and released into the atmosphere …
Type: Plant Info
… This approach implies flowers are to look at and vegetables are to eat. And fraternization is frowned on. But things are changing. To see what's happening in today's gardens, one has only … of every kind, including pots, window boxes, hanging baskets, and wall planters. The idea is to use plants in completely new ways. Color As for ornamental vegetables, who would have … and eggplants would be grown for their vibrant color as well as for their taste? Color is the big news in vegetables these days, and the catalogs offer some real surprises. There are …
Type: Plant Info
… widely. The longitudinal cracks occur from the expansion and contraction of the bark that is warmed by the sun and then rapidly cooled by cloud cover or nightfall. The resulting crack may … be quite large during the winter months, but will usually close during the growing season. It is common for these cracks to reopen the following winters and close again in the summers. While these cracks can allow diseases and other organisms to infect the tree, there is no treatment specifically for frost cracking. Keeping the tree healthy is the best way to …
Type: Plant Info
… and how should I plant bare-root roses? A. Bare-root roses can be planted as soon as the soil is workable in the spring. Remove the wrapper and packing material and soak the roots or entire … the roots of the plant. Make a cone of soil in the bottom of the planting hole. If the soil is especially dry, fill it with water. When the water completely recedes, set the plant over the cone, and spread the roots out evenly. If the rose is grafted, place the plant so that the bud union is at soil level. Fill the hole with the …
Type: Plant Info
