… a Christmas tree this month, select one with firm needles that don’t drop off when the tree is raised up a few inches and dropped to the ground. The bottom of the stump should be moist with … are the balsam and white firs; red, white and Scots pines; and Douglas fir. Once the tree is at home, cut another 2 inches off the stump and immediately plunge the tree into a bucket of warm water. It’s not necesssary to add preservatives to the water. Make sure the stand is full of water each day. A freshly cut tree can take up as much as one gallon of water in a …
Type: Plant Info
… since the Winter Solstice on December 21. While plants are pushing out new growth, this is a good time to consider whether they need replanting, dividing, pruning, fertilizing or a … leaves and flowers droop, it may signal not enough water or too much water. One way to check is to pop the plant out of the container and look at the soil. This works well with small pots. … can’t provide moisture that keeps stems, leaves and blossoms turgid and upright. Dividing This is a good time to divide or repot indoor plants. Providing fresh soil-less potting mix and a …
Type: Plant Info
… and hummingbirds. Some serve as host plants for egg-laying butterflies. For example, pipevine is the only host plant for the pipevine swallowtail butterfly. Hops vines are host plants for the … and vanilla. Flowering jasmine, which can be grown in a pot and brought indoors come fall, is highly fragrant as are sweet peas. Climbing Hydrangea Twining and Clasping Vines grow by … annual and perennial vines like medium-moist, well-drained loamy soil. If your planting spot is mostly clay, amend it first with compost so the roots can easily travel through the soil to …
Type: Plant Info
… “There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) A dozen years … Soulsby, senior horticulturist for the Rose Garden, Heritage Garden, and the Linden Allée. Tom is responsible for curating and maintaining a collection of more than 5,000 roses in one of the …
Type: Plant Info
… frying, and using fresh in salads. Squash seeds quickly germinate when the soil temperature is above 60 degrees. Once plants begin to produce, harvest the fruits two to three times a week. … the soil a few inches below the surface and water thoroughly if it feels dry. Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who lives and gardens in Palos Park, Illinois. …
Type: Plant Info
… flowers, when juices start to flow and gardeners' ambitions are highest, drudging in the dirt is not the way most of us want to spend our Saturday. Yet good soil, whether purchased for pots or created in the garden by adding organic matter, is the absolute foundation for plants' success. All those fabulous flowers won't have a chance … the roots aren't rotting in an underground puddle. Soil Size Matters A crucial quality in soil is the size of the particles. Bigger particles pack less closely, leaving more space between for …
Type: Plant Info
… Garden's director of horticulture, choosing the right plants becomes more critical when space is limited. "If you're planting a hedge, consider plants that are more narrow in habit. For example, Techny arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis 'Techny') is popular, but for a small area, pyramidalis arborvitae ( T. occidentalis var. pyramidalis ) may … Growing Organic Fruit and Vegetables at Home by Diana Anthony Fast, Fresh Garden Edibles: Quick Crops for Small Spaces by Jan Courtier Vertical Gardening: Grow Up, Not Out, for More …
Type: Plant Info
… as pin frogs), as an alternative to single-use, petroleum-based floral foam. Chicken wire is easy to bend and shape to fit your container. Something to keep flowers fresh To keep … arrangements fresh, use some sort of floral preservative or hydrating treatment—alum powder, quick dip, or even those little preservative packets that come with bouquets of flowers from the … and elegant. An analogous color scheme using similar colors—such as red with orange and yellow—is a safe bet and can coordinate nicely with your table decor. And adding a complementary color …
Type: Blog
… For Chicago-area gardeners, January is primarily a time for planning, not planting. With winter in full swing in our USDA Hardiness Zones 5b and 6a, January is a great month to prepare for the gardening season ahead and to tend to the indoor plants … be pruned in dormant winter months to minimize the risk of oak wilt disease. Heavy pruning is best performed later in winter or in early spring just before bud break. However, immediately …
Type: Plant Info
… in your garden last year —and the year before that. Hard to conjure up? That's because memory is simply unreliable when it comes to the hundreds of details that make for a successful garden … (what gardener doesn't?) and remain fond of the arts of pen and paper, a garden journal is quick, easy, non-electronic, (basically) free, portable, and low-tech. A journal can be as simple … The venerable Mother Earth News has a wide-ranging app that's free : motherearthnews.com Smartgardener.com (no relation to our monthly column!) has a free online journal that looks …
Type: Plant Info
