… Sow seeds in March and April for a fast, flavorful harvest. It will be a few months before we can safely plant tomatoes, … greens, Swiss chard, and kale as soon as the soil thaws. Lettuce and Swiss chard seeds, for example, start to germinate when the top inch of soil reaches about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. (This is when an inexpensive soil thermometer comes in handy. Look for one at your local garden center or online.) Swiss chard Leaf lettuce Spinach Grow leafy …
Type: Plant Info
… from the ones in which they evolved. Prairie plants behave differently in our gardens for a number of reasons, according to the Garden's prairie and river ecologist. Soils and many … fire-resistant oaks. Since then, numerous wetlands have been drained and filled. Oaks were cut for lumber or to make way for roads. Prairie was peeled away and the soil plowed. Then, many of … will support native insects, birds and microorganisms. That's one reason ecologists stress buying plants that are locally grown from seed that evolved in the vicinity. Strains of the same …
Type: Plant Info
… inspired by the bright, high-held flower spikes of the tall species, comes from the Greek word for "flame." Although some species have become common garden plants all over the world, nearly … leaves shriveled, brown, and dusty-looking. Finding a better phlox has been a years-long goal for Richard Hawke, manager of plant evaluations. In his sunny outdoor laboratory, the Bernice E. … Plant Evaluation Garden, Hawke has been conducting his second trial of garden phlox, looking for plants with the best resistance to powdery mildew so that gardeners need not fume at the …
Type: Plant Info
… collected by the National Weather Service ( NOAA.gov ) states that the “normal” April snowfall for the Chicago area is 1.3 inches. That’s nothing compared to the 7.9 inches of snow the area … becomes dew or frost). Discover More Weather Information Spring Bird Migration Five Essentials for Any Garden Cold Weather Feeding the Birds Frost or freeze? These two terms are often … ground. At that height they record a temperature threshold of 32°F to indicate frost and 28°F for a hard freeze . According to the National Weather Service, the “normal” date for the final …
Type: Plant Info
… few native plants to your garden. They can offer food, shelter, nesting material, and a place for insects and birds to lay their eggs. They tolerate the vagaries of an ever-changing climate. … nearly three billion since 1970, a number that scientists have called staggering. The reasons for the decline are numerous, but habitat loss and the resulting lack of food plays a significant … pears or rhododendrons. A lack of insects—especially caterpillars—means little or no food for hatchlings. Adult birds must spend energy flying longer distances from the nest looking for …
Type: Plant Info
… More plants! Although several perennials can be divided in late summer, spring is a good time for this task. That’s because temperatures are cool and the soil is usually moist. Dividing … such as yarrow (Achillea) and beebalm (Monarda). It’s also a fun way to increase plants for your garden or your gardening friends. Achillea Monarda For Siberian irises, dig up the … perennial gardening courses and much more. Get more information on perennial topics . Visit our Plant Information Service and find information on common pests and problems, and more. …
Type: Plant Info
… best given a head start inside where it's warm, beginning in late February or March for some plants. Expert greenhouse growers carefully fine-tune conditions for different species and varieties, as outdoor floriculturist Tim Pollak does when he supervises hundreds of thousands of annual, perennial, and vegetable seedlings every year for the Garden's displays. A beginner can start with a dozen plants on a windowsill. Seeds are so …
Type: Plant Info
… , the stark white trunks of native sweet birch (Betula lenta) stand out on overcast days. Look for paperbark maples (Acer griseum) and Peking lilacs (Syringa pekinensis) and discover the … cedar (Thuja plicata) has dark green, scale-like leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Look for the delicate brown cones near the tips of the branches. The deeply furrowed bark of dawn … be cut back in early spring. So grab your coat, hat, gloves, and scarf and come out for a visit. There’s much to see. Written by Nina Koziol, garden writer and horticulturist who lives …
Type: Plant Info
… keeps the wheels turning? The ability to access this information in real time during a Garden visit is what makes the app so special, according to Boyce Tankersley , the Garden’s director of … that people like to find other things at the Garden, so we created a new second database for the app. It has points of interest at the Garden, like water fountains, classrooms, … leading to ‘secret spots’ such as the quiet bench atop the Waterfall Garden where birds visit early in the morning. “The GardenGuide app was designed to deepen the visitor experience …
Type: Blog
… muddy boots and thorn-snagged pants, giving back to the landscapes they love. “I think caring for the natural world brings out the best in people,” said Stevens. The swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Source: Doug McGrady. And that care leads to wins for elusive rare species. Take the swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Once classified as … than 550 rare plant populations stretch across the forest preserves—far more than staff can visit annually. Volunteer finding the white lady's slipper orchid ( Cypripedium candidum ). Its …
Type: Blog
