… No rain, then too much rain, then...this is a challenging year for gardening. For those who garden in northeastern Illinois, Here are some tips to keep your garden in shape this summer: What do all of these moisture fluctuations mean for our gardens? The results of the earlier rain deficit may not be noticeable, but many trees …
Type: Blog
… horticulturist Lisa Hilgenberg happened to meet Aaron Keefer, the culinary gardener for the renowned French Laundry restaurant in California’s Napa Valley. At a conference in Iowa, their conversation turned to the rare Marshall strawberry, known for its exceptional flavor. Keefer mentioned that he would love to grow the plant at the French …
Type: Blog
… of transferring pollen from one flower to the reproductive system of another plant, allowing for the fertilized plant to produce seeds, which then turn into offspring. Adult butterflies feed … can be found at Butterflies & Blooms. Additionally, butterflies are an excellent indicator for the well-being of an ecosystem. Butterflies are highly sensitive to changes in their …
Type: Blog
… garden. If the soil can form a sticky ball when you squeeze a handful, it is still too wet for planting. Soil will take longer to dry after periods of cool weather. Sandy soils can be … walking in garden beds and on lawns. It can compact and damage your soil. Soil is ready for planting when it crumbles in your hand. Working the soil when it is too wet can increase …
Type: Blog
… just a bit of effort, you can make your holiday table warm and inviting—and a worthy backdrop for your meal. Nancy Clifton, former program specialist at the Chicago Botanic Garden, shared some easy, crafty ideas for harvest-inspired centerpieces. A Festive Look Here’s how you can make Thanksgiving-themed …
Type: Blog
… than 70,000 varieties of dahlia, about 1,500 of which are popularly grown. Here are some tips for growing these beautiful plants in the garden. Selecting a site Pick a sunny spot where, … tag. The tag should be stuck in the ground or attached to the support system. Dahlia bed ready for the growing season The first several weeks As the plant continues to grow, additional ties … will try to time these first blooms so they appear just before the show. A dahlia plant ready for “disbudding” During this phase, water the plant as needed. Watering should be done at the …
Type: Blog
… Also, Patino is the lead employee on the team that puts outdoor lights on the large trees for Wonderland Express, a task that takes him more than 240 hours every fall. Patino grew up in …
Type: Staff bio
… I am the Managing Ecologist for the prairie and river at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The natural areas I maintain at the …
Type: Staff bio
… Lisa Hilgenberg searched out several practical, good-looking, decently-priced solutions for bringing veggie vininess under control in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden . Forget …
Type: Blog
… hummingbird is migrating. It’s perfect timing, because the hummingbirds get energy for their journey southward by sipping nectar from the blossoms of these plants native to … outside with lichens and dead leaves. The young hatch in about 15 days, and remain in the nest for another 20 days or so as the female brings them insects. An aerial wonder , the …
Type: Blog
