… stage plants indoors. They can go near the entryway to greet guests. Or place them on tables in the kitchen, dining room, or bedside. How about that awkward, empty space that you don’t know what to do with? Accessorize it with a tall plant in a large attractive pot. For the vintage enthusiast, there are Victorian wicker planters for … you can’t choose a houseplant the same way you choose a bedspread or curtains. Most people who buy plants want to keep them for the long term. If you’ve got the most perfect spot indoors to …
Type: Plant Info
… Japanese beetle Japanese Beetles These metallic green insects emerge from the ground in July and for the next four to six weeks will feed on more than 300 types of plants. Clusters of beetles with voracious appetites can do extensive damage, … control the beetles is to knock them into a bucket of soapy water. A good time to do this is in the early morning when the beetles are slow to move. Aphids Another common garden pest, the …
Type: Plant Info
… The end of summer and the entrance of autumn can produce astounding color in the natural landscape. While some plants tone down as they prepare to "go gentle into that … are native to North America. Twenty-two different species alone are found growing naturally in the Chicago region. While the sunny meadows and former prairie lands carry the majority of the species, there are others quite at home in the partial shade of the woods — Solidago flexicaulis (the zigzag or broad-leaved …
Type: Plant Info
… Tomatoes are already one of American’s favorite vegetables, but with the renewed interest in homegrown food, their popularity is growing through the "green" roof. Considered a warm-season … in soil with an organic content of less than three percent, as measured by a commercial soil test. Because tomatoes are heavy feeders, they need a midsummer boost of organic fertilizer when … of yellow, pink, black, and even striped. ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) tomato varieties L. e. 'Beam's Yellow Pear' – Abundant 1½ inch pear tomatoes with great taste. Ideal for salads. …
Type: Plant Info
… It smells and tastes of sun and soil, acid and sugar, and is one of the most delicious foods in the world. All by itself, it achieves greatness. Of course, a touch of salt and pepper, a … cherry-shaped, ribbed, round, and oval varieties often developed for specific purposes, e.g., canning, stewing, slicing, or saucing. Favorites Gardeners have good luck with both the … months before you put the small plants outside, usually at the end of May in our area. If you buy small transplants, you'll have to look a little harder to find a good selection of heirlooms. …
Type: Plant Info
… and pepper plants, on the other hand, have both male and female reproductive parts present in the same flower. A light breeze rocks the flowers and moves the pollen from the male to female … if you do not see fruit forming.) Bees and other insects will visit tomato and pepper flowers in search of nectar and while doing so, they’ll also aid pollination. Rain or cold weather can … water them. Once they’ve germinated, keep the ground moist but not sopping wet. You can also buy flats of blue salvia for transplanting into the garden. Once the flowers start to fade and …
Type: Plant Info
… ago, certain plants became part of midwinter celebrations because their evidence of life in the bleak midwinter was a promise of spring to come: holly, ivy, berries, pine trees. Plants … Forage under evergreens and you may find cones. Boxwood or snippets of ivy offer a contrast in leaf shape and texture to evergreen needles. Prune branches from inconspicuous parts of your … might consider making your own wreath. Clifton is expert at the technique: At the craft store, buy a wire wreath frame and a package of 22- to 24-gauge paddle wire — thin, flexible …
Type: Plant Info
… Break the cycle When you bring home a containerized plant, you notice that the roots grow in a circular direction. That cycle must be broken before planting or the roots will eventually … shrubs and small trees, take a sharp pair of pruners and vertically score the root mass in at least five passes, top to bottom. These clean cuts will promote root growth, and circling … of showy imports that can actually harm your plantings. Look for organic, composted types, and buy in bulk to save money. Though they are often free for the taking, avoid using wood chips over …
Type: Plant Info
… The winter holidays are over and cold weather has settled in. It’s that time of year when a gardener’s thoughts turn to spring, but planting season is … of blooming tulips.” Pollak and his team have planted more than 11,000 spring-flowering bulbs in 1,665 pots, many of which will be displayed outdoors at the Garden come April. But right now, for a little winter cheer in your home or office, you can buy pots of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other bulbs at garden centers, stores, and online. …
Type: Plant Info
… " In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. " — Mark Twain, … feels like a roller coaster. Hot, cold, rain, sun, snow, frost, freeze—all are possible in the greater Chicagoland area—sometimes in the same week. In the meantime, the lawns are … vegetable plants this month. They’ve been coddled in a warm greenhouse up until now. If you buy warm-season crops (like tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash) wait to plant them until after …
Type: Plant Info
