… prevailing idea is that mulch is a definitive weed barrier. I hate to be the bearer of sad news, but the answer to that one is, well…have you noticed that weeds will grow quite well from … break down or compost into smaller, organically beneficial material. But its primary benefit for trees and shrubs is threefold: To protect and optimize the root zone To protect the trunk, … laterally; branching out into progressively smaller and finer filaments that probe the soil for water, oxygen, and nutrients. Research has found that the smallest of these roots can be the …
Type: Blog
… in early. One of my winter projects is to get started on crop planning. Make a spreadsheet for the crops you want to grow in order to keep track of your planting dates. I’ve wanted to so … you want to grow and glue them to cardboard to lay out your garden beds. You can do the same for annuals you want to plant in your containers. Our website includes tips for planning small-space vegetable gardens and early spring crops . Example Crop Plan Download a …
Type: Blog
… orchids native to Asia. And we’re pampering 10,000 other orchids so they’ll be in full flower for Asia in Bloom: The Orchid Show. Lighting crews, horticulturists, and dozens of other staff … The narrative includes fairies, native headhunters, and the secret ingredient (we cannot vouch for this, sorry) in love potions. From dream to reality Here’s a peek at how we make our design ideas happen: Gabriel Hutchison’s Japanese tea house sketch illustrates his concept for the show. This idea for an entryway was inspired by a modern Japanese tea house. It started …
Type: Blog
… As early as Dracula in 1931, wolfsbane casually replaced garlic as a repellent for vampires in film. Nevertheless, the correlation of wolfsbane with the supernatural predates … was said to be used by witches in spells and potions and was one of several ingredients for an ointment that, when applied to a broom, could facilitate flight. Stories also … in mountainous areas across the northern half of the globe and are also planted in gardens for their deep purple blooms, which continue flowering long after other perennials fade for the …
Type: Blog
… disease-resistant and low-maintenance trees. Their dense canopy provides ample shade for a hot summer day, and the heart-shaped leaves turn an outstanding gold color in the fall. … central leader, and can reach a height of more than 50 feet when mature—a great landscape tree for the Chicago region. Twice a year, working carefully, twig by twig, a crew of four to five … Department prunes all 28 trees in the Linden Allée to precise measurements—once in the winter for shaping, and once in the summer for detail grooming. The design is very uniform and creates a …
Type: Blog
… Looking for a feel-good, beautiful, reasonably priced gift? Plants are all that and more. Here's a quick guide on which plants to buy—as a gift or for yourself. If you buy them at a store, wrap them up completely and get them back indoors as … it moist but not sopping wet, and give it bright light or a sunny window. And snip some stems for your culinary adventures. Orchid Forget to water? No problem. Overwatering orchids kills them …
Type: Blog
… mint, and pineapple mint. Rich in nutrients, mint is both delicious and medicinal, known for easing both digestion and indigestion. Mint can also relieve a runny nose by clearing … ground at your peril. If you do so, it will take over your yard, and you’ll be digging it out for years to come. However, if it does take over, it may help repel critters from your yard! Honey Lemon Mint Tea This tea recipe can be served iced or hot—perfect for both cooling down on sunny days and curling up under a blanket on cold, wintry ones. 3 cups …
Type: Blog
… history of the continent. “You call it corn; we call it maize.” Or so the 1970s TV ad for Mazola margarine told us. Long ago, “corn” used to be the term for any grain seed, including barley, wheat, and rye, so naturally the new world plant … known as Zea mays— was labeled as another kind of corn when it was introduced in Europe. For some reason, the name stuck, and we all think of the sweet yellow stuff on our dinner plates …
Type: Blog
… As Senior Director of Restoration, I am the team leader for the Garden's natural areas team (including the skilled team of ecologists who manage the … and restoration of native plant diversity in the Chicago region that serves as a model for work in the United States and globally. I am excited to be a part of the New Roots for Restoration Biology Integration Institute , which focuses on the overarching theme of how …
Type: Staff bio
… Horticulturists at the Chicago Botanic Garden do recommend waiting until Memorial Day for cold-sensitive plants such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash. Happy planting! … been hardened off properly before planting them outside. That means moving plants outdoors for a portion of the day to gradually introduce them to the direct sunlight, dry air, and cold nights. Avoid fertilizing newly planted annuals for two weeks. Continue to plant new perennials, ornamental grasses, and roses in containers. If …
Type: Blog
