… in a light soilless mixture. Water the bulb thoroughly once, then again only when the soil mix is dry to the touch. Amaryllis bulbs can tolerate dryness but not soggy conditions. Place the … flowers will last for weeks. Place the plant in a cool area and water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Avoid splashing water on the leaves. Fertilize with a dilute 10-10-10 … the soil evenly moist and punch holes in foil liners to allow for proper drainage. If the soil is allowed to dry, the plants will wilt and lose leaves. However, saturated soil conditions can …
Type: Plant Info
… the autumn palette, especially when it announces itself gradually, very gradually. Change is good, we say, as we bid farewell to lavender, frothy pink, cerise, and soft yellow, and … pleasantly with the richer, darkening tones of the landscape, and their delicacy of blossom is quite irresistible. Autumn windflower, Japanese anemone, and fall-blooming anemone are common … them. They do tolerate partial shade but not poor drainage, whether in summer or winter, so site your plants carefully. Their bare, round stems are often compared to waving wands with …
Type: Plant Info
… that emerges in spring. Tree and Shrub Care Pruning tips Weather permitting, late February is an ideal time to heavily prune large woody plants that are fully dormant. The absence of … amounts of water, such as elms, maples, and birches. Prune these trees only when the weather is consistently cold and the plants are fully dormant, if possible. As always, immediately prune … evergreens require little pruning. But because evergreens bleed heavily when pruned, this task is best done in the winter months when they are not in active growth. Juniper ( Juniperus ) can …
Type: Plant Info
… Own Rewards Taking an active part in the work of the garden can be therapeutic, as long as it is something you enjoy doing. What could be more exhilarating, for example, than raking leaves on … be a chore, but for him it's enjoyable and therapeutic. One of the garden's more tedious jobs is weeding, but with a little imagination, I've turned it into a game I call "Good Guys Against …
Type: Plant Info
… View Classes Carlson’s Outdoor Photo Tips Light Controlling light in photography is important. “Often the snow looks gray or blue in winter photos; this is because there’s an enormous amount of light bouncing around from snow—it’s highly … ‘squints’ just as we do in bright light. The old photo cliché “when it’s bright, add light” is certainly true in these conditions. Open your camera’s aperture or extend the shutter speed to …
Type: Plant Info
… leaves, cutting back perennials, and pulling out the last of the vegetables. But fall is the season for addition as well as subtraction. In fact, for smart gardeners, fall is the best time of the year to add to and improve your soil. In the May 2015 edition of Smart … the May article with the same quote, a thought from organic gardening expert Robert Rodale. It is a reminder that soil needs food in order to produce healthy plants. Without the continued …
Type: Plant Info
… Frost or Freeze? The typical average date for the first fall frost in the greater Chicago area is October 15. In some years, the first frost happens in September or as late as November. Frost … advantage of the soil’s heat before it chills at night. Cold Frames A useful season-extender is the cold frame, which you can see in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Cold frames are … plants will be damaged sooner than plants that are in protected spots. Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who lives and gardens in Palos Park, Illinois. Photos by …
Type: Plant Info
… or deck, in beds surrounding a patio, or on a sprawling suburban lot, the gardener’s goal is often the same: create a serene, peaceful retreat—one where you can relax, meditate, read, … pruning, mulching, or mowing and just sit, recharge, and enjoy your creativity.) “A garden is a sort of sanctuary, a chamber roofed by heaven…to wander in, to cherish, to dream through … a rejuvenating oasis, offering respite from the pressures of day-to-day activities. The garden is also a place where you can reflect on your day—or your life—and be one with nature. Here are …
Type: Plant Info
… When working with a single material, look for uniformity of size and color. The idea is to show a subject off to its best advantage en masse. Direction Attach materials … or wooden wreath base in one direction, clockwise only—the look of an “endless” wreath is much simpler to achieve than a wreath that travels in opposite directions. Dried grasses … inspired wreath The idea started at the grocery store, where corn husks for tamales were a quick and inexpensive purchase. But it took Sarah Harlow's creative eye (she works in Visitor …
Type: Plant Info
… Mites are often difficult to see without a lens. Scale — Characteristic sticky, clear honeydew is produced on leaves by these small, immobile, rounded insects usually found on stems and veins … light fixture can be set as close to the plants as possible — a few inches above the plants is best. Keep the lights on for 14 to 16 hours a day. Start seeds for early spring annuals …
Type: Plant Info
