… Chicago Botanic Garden, and the research project had me sitting on the side of a road at dusk in Pueblo West, Colorado. I sat there in front of a group of plants that produce lovely-smelling flowers, waiting for their impressive … they continued asking question after question, developing hypotheses and gathering data to test them, with their answers pushing them forward, sometimes down unanticipated paths, and …
Type: Blog
… I experienced when I was younger. People, places, time—all are recalled with great fondness in a single whiff. Also among the list are a number of annuals that are perfect for containers, … Lincoln’, with deep velvety red petals and incredible tea rose fragrance, has stood the test of time. Both Honey Perfume™ ( Rosa ‘JACarque’) and Rosa ‘Apricot Nectar’ reflect the desire to combine fragrance with beauty and disease resistance in a hardy shrub rose. The Chicago Peace rose ( Rosa ‘Chicago Peace’) earned a place at the top …
Type: Blog
… have evolved along with the bees themselves, offering up both nectar and pollen as food in exchange for the movement of pollen from plant to plant. Flashback: Why are insects pollinators? In a word, efficiency. Plants that rely on the wind are at the mercy of the wind: much of the … Pollak says that they didn’t collect much of the bright yellow, talc-like powder—just a few test tubes’ worth (further proof that Spike ran out of energy). The pollen will be mixed with …
Type: Blog
… Green lawns can also be "green" (as in ecofriendly) lawns. In fact, some of the best tips for lawn care actually reduce our carbon footprint. For example, … of good, fertile soil. If you don't know your soil's composition, you may wish to run a soil test . Here are some tips to address soil problems and create a healthy growing environment. …
Type: Plant Info
… As days grow longer in early spring, gardeners get itchy. And for vegetable gardeners, late March is not too soon to … just anything Only a few crops, mainly greens and root vegetables, have seeds that will sprout in cool soil — and to a seed, it's the soil temperature, not the air temperature, that matters. A brief spell of T-shirt weather in late winter or early spring may bring a gardener out of hibernation but won't do much to warm …
Type: Plant Info
… A favorite flavoring all over the world, pepper is used in a different way by each cuisine: Caribbean chefs flavor their dishes with habanero; in Thailand they prefer prik kee noo; in Ethiopia they enjoy piri piri; and the Brazilians use … forget to save those seeds! Looking ahead: sowing your own seed Most home gardeners prefer to buy peppers in pots at their local garden center—and let's face it, not everyone wants to start …
Type: Plant Info
… Mending Wall by American poet Robert Frost (1874-1963) Who doesn’t like a little privacy? In urban areas, some homes are so tall, narrow and close together that homeowners feel like they’re living in a fishbowl. Fences corral suburban backyards, often blocking views of the neighbors’ back … with spring-blooming bulbs, like daffodils and snowdrops, is icing on the hedge. Before You Buy (Or Plant) First, note the location of your property lines. Call JULIE (dial 811) to …
Type: Plant Info
… need for a vase or two. Got Sun? A little sunny spot along a garage wall, a deck, patio, or in a side yard could be used exclusively as a cut-flower garden. I’d start with annuals, because they typically bloom from June right through the first frost in fall. Zinnias , dahlias, cosmos, carnations, snapdragons, celosia, sweet peas, sunflowers, … sow seeds directly into the soil in mid-May (after the danger of spring frost has passed) or buy a mixed flat of flowers and transplant them at that time. (Dahlias are sold as tubers or …
Type: Plant Info
… them, you probably don't look closely at your orchids all that often when they're not in bloom. Spring is the time to examine each plant with a critical eye to assess the need for … re-potting? Orchids need both the nutrients from the chunky, loose bark mix they're planted in and the air space in between the pieces. As the mix breaks down to particle size, it compacts … to work it all the way down and between the freshly separated roots. Water thoroughly. Then test your patience: wait a full week or two before watering again—that break stimulates root …
Type: Plant Info
… Here’s a science project students can do at home! Try tomato seeds. As I’ve stated before, we in the education department of the Chicago Botanic Garden are committed to helping parents and … off the cutting board. As you will discover (if you didn’t already know) the seeds are coated in a gelatinous substance that makes them slippery and difficult to handle. So the first question … try a treatment of your own. After all, three tomatoes are going to give you a lot of seeds to test. My daughter tried soaking some of her seeds in vinegar. Perhaps regular dish soap or …
Type: Blog
