… is anything around them at all. This reminds me, once again, of the mission I have defined for myself as a professor of botany: In order to help them understand and appreciate the nature … down electronic devices and experiencing nature firsthand. “Plant blindness” (an incapacity for many people to recognize the green world around them) has been bemoaned by modern botanists … are institutions like the Chicago Botanic Garden in cities around the world where people can visit, learn about, and come to love real plants. Botanic gardens are thus critical players in …
Type: Blog
… Those are complicated words, but what they mean is that these compounds are being studied for their effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancer. Most importantly, they taste great … in trying scallions, purple potatoes, or red peppers while meeting our bright youth, come visit Windy City Harvest at our community markets. Thank you to Conagra Brands Foundation for … http://www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/48446.pdf http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/antioxidants-topic-overview http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f1378 …
Type: Blog
… we can also experience negative engineering effects of plants on their environments when we visit natural areas throughout the Chicago region and beyond that have been heavily invaded by … common or European buckthorn ( Rhamnus cathartica ). Buckthorn was brought to the Midwest for ornamental use—it’s great at making hedges—but escaped from human control and is now one of … where it contributes to global climate change and instead locking it away harmlessly for potentially hundreds of years—is one such service. Steffen’s more than two decades of work …
Type: Blog
… says Joan O’Shaughnessy, the Garden’s prairie and river senior ecologist. It’s challenging for her to suggest the “best” time to visit the prairie because it’s constantly changing—every week, every month, there’s something … The Dixon Prairie is a recreated prairie. “The soils and the hydrology are the foundations for the different habitats,” she explained. “These different types of prairies are communities of …
Type: Blog
… no rain, it’s tricky to figure out how and what to water. Our experts have some watering tips for your summer garden and containers. Know what you are watering weekly A general watering rule … to evaporate quickly, too. —Cool nights or warm this week? Cool nights slow evaporation. For some gardeners, an electronic or written garden journal is a helpful tool for plotting … are available through the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District website . In Lake County, visit the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County website for plastic rain barrels. An internet search …
Type: Plant Info
… Chicago area. These gardens come in all shapes and sizes and fall on a wide spectrum of costs. For today, we’re focusing on how to create your very own home horticultural therapy garden—or … Garden, as well as off-site gardens, horticultural therapists utilize raised, round containers for planting. We recommend that you purchase a planter of decent size (24 to 28 inches in … at the Chicago Botanic Garden to instruct you on fun and simple gardening basics; just come visit us and ask! Happy gardening! …
Type: Blog
… gone forever. Then there were those species that had reached such critically low numbers that, for all practical purposes, they were functionally extinct for me. Birds like the prairie chickens, barely holding on in postage stamp-sized grasslands that … eyes to the sky and you may be rewarded with a glimpse of our national symbol. Next time you visit, don't forget your zoom lens and binoculars to catch a glimpse of the Garden’s cast of …
Type: Blog
… Carex. While they are grass-like, they differ in having triangular stems. One popular species for gardens and containers is Carex oshimensis . Most varieties of Japanese sedge have variegated … self-seeding may occur. Scope out lenten roses in the Shida Evaluation Garden on your next visit. Liriope muscari ‘Big Blue’ is green all summer—and winter—long Big blue lilyturf ( Liriope muscari ‘Big Blue’) Big blue lilyturf is a tough, drought-tolerant ground cover for sun or shade. It is a slow spreader, unlike the aggressive and commonly used L. spicata . It …
Type: Blog
… Spike brought the nation’s—and even the world’s—attention to the Garden, as we waited for our first-ever flowering titan to open up in all its stinky and colorful glory. The event—and … During those weeks, Spike became my life, 24/7, day and night…and I became “Titan Tim,” for sure. The power of one plant… Wow! “When is he going to bloom?” That was the number one … fans, and “groupies.” He had such a large following, and I often saw some of the same people visit day after day! I heard and received so many positive comments from visitors. People said …
Type: Blog
… and environmental stewardship as mentally and physically restorative practices essential for healthy living. While our summer field trips reveal the role of urban agriculture in building … and improving access to healthy foods, HEALTH’s project-based curriculum creates a context for youth to discover how the various technical skills they gain from the program empower them to … can come in and reserve a space to plant their own foods and produce,” said Guzmán. Paying a visit to a handful of community gardens, Hernandez, Guzmán, and their group were motivated to …
Type: Blog
