… my worms have generated some nice castings (worm poop) from the food I fed them. My compost is ready to harvest! If you started a worm bin or are planning to do so, you will know your bin … scraps. This might take a week or so. View all parts Vermicomposting for Beginners view part 1 Tips for Managing Your Worm Bin View part 2   This worm bin still has a lot of bedding … undecomposed material from the bucket of castings back to the worm bin. It is not necessary to get every piece, as these will continue to decompose over time. You can screen the material by …
Type: Blog
… Sensitive plants such as magnolias will particularly benefit from mulch. A good rule of thumb is to spread the mulch as wide as the reach of the branches. Do not pile it against the trunk, … they need a larger supply throughout the winter than deciduous trees. The second priority is any trees or shrubs planted within the year, followed by plantings of the previous three … fall. Take a tram ride for a broad perspective of the variety of hues from red to gold. Or, get up close in the Sensory Garden for an upfront look at the magical transformation of quaking …
Type: Plant Info
… says Tom Tiddens, supervisor of the Garden’s Plant Health Care department. “Companion planting is an interesting technique and organic growers swear by it, but you need to have all-around good … Aphids Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA , CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons  Tiddens is big on having plant and environmental diversity in the home landscape. “Rather than using … scouting or monitoring the Garden for pests, Tiddens says, “When I see my first aphid, I don’t get too worried. I’ll come back in a week and look at the plant. Often a beneficial insect is …
Type: Plant Info
… seed to harvest of the crop) are coming into their own. The vines are laden with produce that is not only beautiful but also positively delicious. The Chicago Botanic Garden's Fruit and Vegetable Garden is ripe with treasures at this time of year.  The historic bed known as "The Three Sisters" had … Americans. The sisters are squash, corn and pole beans–staples of a settler's diet. The corn is planted first since it requires the longest growing time. Pole beans are planted around the …
Type: Plant Info
… Voilá! 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 perennials in spring also allows the roots to become well established throughout the summer. Hostas looking a bit crowded last year? Split them now and get two to three times the plants! Rejuvenation Dividing helps breathe new life into crowded …
Type: Plant Info
… Nothing is better than a daffodil-filled spring view. Bird Island in peak daffodil bloom. Antique Lace … that with two simple planning steps this spring and some assistance from technology. Step 1: Snap pix at home First, head out to your yard at the first sign of spring and assess the … is not heavily shaded in spring and early summer. Avoid full shade or wet areas in the yard. Get out your camera or smartphone and take photos of daffodil-friendly spots now, before …
Type: Plant Info
… garden, and kitchen waste? Make your own compost—it can do magic for your garden. Compost is simply a mixture of soil and pieces of plants that have decomposed to the point of being … under the pile. Then add 5 to 10 inches of leaves, grass, and shredded garden debris; 1 to 2 inches of manure or synthetic fertilizer; and finally, 1 to 2 inches of soil. Repeat the … decompose, make a compost pile smell bad, and often attract animals. How hot does it have to get to kill fungi, insect eggs, or other pests that may be on the garden debris? Most fungi, …
Type: Plant Info
… For many of us, part of the joy of spring is heading out to the forest preserves and seeing the wildflowers in bloom. But for Susanne Masi, … flower admits only tiny green bees, which are their pollinators. Other insects fail to get into the flower or become stuck between the sticky anthers. Sometimes called the "Queen … its three white, flared petals, it rivals the orchids of the tropics for beauty. It grows from 1 to 3 feet, in fens or bogs. Two other lady slippers, also rare in the Chicago area and …
Type: Plant Info
… Garden instead. If you’re in Chicago this weekend, that means—like most of us—you didn’t get an invite to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a graduate of Northwestern University. Get in the spirit of the occasion anyway by visiting the English Walled Garden at the Chicago … I have given birth to perhaps a thousand gardens.” The English Walled Garden in May The garden is divided into six “rooms,” and one was made as a nod to the working class. The least formal of …
Type: Blog
… tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus ) has silvery leaves and an anise-like flavor, but basil is the king of herbs, beloved by all. It’s such a crowd-pleaser that we’re giving away Napoletano … volatile oils have antibacterial properties that could come in handy,” says Tankersley, “if I get injured and need to dress a wound.” The savory herb also wins a vote from Lisa Hilgenberg, … A Mediterranean standard, don’t underestimate parsley—it’s more than a garnish! It will get stuck in your teeth! Parsley is the choice of horticulturist Ayse Pogue, who says it reminds …
Type: Blog
