… One of the most nutritious, ornamental and anticipated early spring vegetables is asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis ). This Mediterranean native has just 20 calories a serving, … century. Close up of asparagus spear Asparagus officinalis ' Jersey Shore' Growing Asparagus is a sun-loving, hardy, long-lived perennial with creeping rhizomes and upright stems that appear … years for a planting to become mature. Since asparagus plants can live for more than 20 years, site them where they can grow undisturbed, such as at the end or border of a vegetable garden. …
Type: Plant Info
… but many seeds come equipped with mechanisms that stall germination until the time is right. Without the inhibitors in the gel sack, nothing would prevent a tomato seed from germinating within the fruit while it is still on the parent plant. When a ripe tomato falls off the plant, it sits on the ground and … dry. Spread the seeds on a glass or ceramic pan and allow them to dry out completely. There is an alternate method. Put the seeds with a little bit of water in a sieve and run cool water …
Type: Plant Info
… hoe? Many garden centers now offer lightweight collapsible hoses that curl up when the water is turned off. Most gardeners could use a spare watering can, too. Wind Chimes Give the gift of … produces large showy flowers indoors during winter when the winds are howling and the snow is blowing. Discover what they look like and how to care for them. You’ll find them in garden … basic types made from rubber and brushes. Apron A garden-inspired apron for the gardener-cook is a fun gift as are gardening aprons with plenty of pockets for use outdoors. Membership A …
Type: Plant Info
… unfilled niches and open soil, allowing sunlight to directly reach the ground. Any bare soil is a welcome mat for seeds—just look at any empty lot where weeds fill the cracks. In the summer, … to improve the soil by adding organic matter. How to Mulch While a light blanket of mulch is a good thing, piling on more than 4 inches is not necessary and can be harmful. Keep all mulch several inches away from tree trunks and …
Type: Plant Info
… Field trip workshops must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance; full payment is due at time of scheduling. Select a workshop topic at checkout. Please call our field trip … questions: (847) 835-6801 Maximum class size per program: 25 students, 8 adults (1:5 ratio is preferred) Grades preK – 12 Learning Center Workshop Offerings: Grades preK – K: Discovering … you to figure out why. NGSS: K-ESS2-2, 1-LS1-1, 2-LS2-1 Grades 2 – 4: Flower Lab What is the reason for a flower, and how does it do its job? Become scientists, doing a guided flower …
Type: Item Detail
… Native to the southeastern United States, blue star ( Amsonia tabernaemontana ) is a herbaceous perennial member of the dogbane (Apocynaceae) family that is hardy in the Chicago area. Often found growing streamside in sandy or gravelly soils, blue … has pale blue flowers in summer, followed by golden-yellow fall color. This species of amsonia is the most widely grown at the Chicago Botanic Garden. How can a native of the Southeast be …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Some outdoor tasks can be undertaken, but resist the temptation to work outside if the soil is too wet or extreme weather is on the horizon. Garden To-Do List Spring cleaning On dry days, remove winter debris from lawn … turf, that might be in the path of salt spray from salted roads. Prune trees and shrubs March is an ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs. Make sure garden tools are sharpened and you …
Type: Plant Info
… to harvest fresh berries from your own backyard? If so, this class will show you how easy it is to successfully grow berry fruits. You will learn how to choose the best varieties, select and prepare a site, and use proper planting and pruning techniques, as well as understand other maintenance …
Type: Item Detail
… spinach, and garden peas—and learn a bit about paper engineering along the way. No experience is necessary, but bookbinding or paper craft skills will speed your progress. All tools and …
Type: Item Detail
… Vanilla, the most widely used flavoring in baking, is the pod fruit of a vine in the orchid family. Learn how to use fresh vanilla beans and vanilla …
Type: Item Detail
