… fly over in one night alone. You might not see them right away, but at dawn and dusk, they put on a great performance with myriad melodies and courtship calls. Invite them in You can … Some birds (sparrows, juncos, towhees, cardinals, mourning doves, and others) often feed on the ground or on a slightly elevated feeding platform. Woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches, … roam your garden, do not place bird seed on the ground.) Spring is an important time of year for bird feeding. That’s because the seeds in many natural areas and forest preserves are often …
Type: Plant Info
… led to its demise at the turn of the twentieth century—when these and other waders were hunted for their feathery plumes that women wore in their hats. Since then, the great egret, standing … other large waders including the great blue heron. During breeding season, a patch of skin on the bird’s face turns green, contrasting with the bright yellow bill. Males perform fancy … is doing well in Illinois; however, habitat loss and water pollution may threaten its future. Visit Baker’s Lake in Barrington to watch the great egret during breeding season and McGinnis …
Type: Birding
… same thing — creating a place of their own, making something beautiful. It is a powerful pull for those of us who consider ourselves gardeners, whether by profession or avocation. Many of the … How to garden with your children Start small and keep it simple. You don't need the latest, most expensive gadgets. Plant a few seeds in paper cups, make a label with a popsicle … garden with surgical gloves and say their parents told them not to touch anything dirty. Put on gloves if you must, but realize that dirt happens and that it's perfectly natural — maybe even …
Type: Plant Info
… narcissus, gazette—but all are members of the genus Narcissus —the Latin/botanical name for all daffodils. According to the American Daffodil Society, there are between 40 and 200 … sold in garden centers and by mail-order sources from September through November. If you buy several bags of bulbs, you can stagger the bloom time by potting a few each week. Didn’t buy … tumbled glass balls (sold in hobby shops and dollar stores); or marble chips. Place the bulbs on top of the stones and add water until the bottom half of the bulbs are covered. The roots will …
Type: Plant Info
… containers pop. Those boxes and bottles of blue granules were in the garage. I’d bought them on sale years ago and they were still good. Why not use them up, I pondered? Well the plants in … pots, window boxes and borders. That should help tamp down the overwhelming feeling of what to buy and where to put it. And, it should help your budget. ( Helpful hint: Never show your credit … holds moisture. Over time, it can soften the bark and cause it to rot. Don’t try this at home. Visit a volcano in Iceland instead. Know What’s Down There There’s nothing worse than stepping on …
Type: Plant Info
… multiple color and bloom effect. In the Landscape Gardens, four kinds of clematis are planted on the wooden tuteurs in the traditional border, among them the violet purple 'Etoile Violette' and the wine red 'Madame Julia Correvon'. Most clematis varieties require a support for their best display. Growth is rapid in late spring and early summer, and gardeners must be … and lawn mowers. As the vine grows, it requires sunny conditions for best flowering. As you visit the Garden this summer, take note of the many clematis varieties. The Garden's Plant …
Type: Plant Info
… eaten right out of the garden, as do these beautiful green stems. The Romans were responsible for taking wild asparagus and cultivating it into an edible form 2,000 years ago. Asparagus … between 4½ to 6 feet tall and the plant will form ferny leaves. The next year's crop depends on the foliage staying healthy during summer and fall. Mulch and water these plants during dry … white. These sweet, soft stems are very popular in Europe (and very expensive at the market). Visit Visit the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden in early to mid-April to see the different …
Type: Plant Info
… Sunshine is the latest corpse flower at the Chicago Botanic Garden to bloom. A member of the Aroid plant family … where Sunshine’s family can be seen throughout the Garden. Many are grown ornamentally for their attractive leaf shape (philodendrons, anthuriums) and colorations (elephant ears, … illicit a mechanical gag reflex in people. Calcium oxylate crystals look like glass shards on steroids under a microscope and play havoc with the soft tissues of the inside of the mouth, …
Type: Blog
… Some gardeners who grow vegetables rely on heat-loving, summertime favorites, like tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers. They … you’re missing out on cool-season edibles that can be grown in the spring and again in summer for an enjoyable fall harvest. Cool-season crops include lettuce, spinach, collard greens, … for Thanksgiving,” Hilgenberg says. Whether you sow cool-season crops from seeds, or buy transplants from your local garden center, they should be placed in fertile, evenly moist …
Type: Plant Info
… a knockout punch to some plants this year. (You may recall that the Garden was closed for two consecutive days in late January due to extreme weather conditions.) Japanese maples and … 1-foot line. That’s how deep the snow was.” In spite of the terrible winter, with temperatures on some days that were more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit below freezing, the 12-inch blanket of … Malott Japanese Garden, the azaleas are green, but as Tiddens notes, “The flowers only opened on the bottom 1 foot of the plants. It was much more devastating than we thought.” Tiddens is …
Type: Plant Info
