… from the food we eat to the cycle of life. Unfortunately, native pollinators are declining and that brings up lots of questions for researchers, including Garden scientist Amy Iler, Ph.D. Learn more about native pollinators found here in Illinois, pollination, and why it’s important. Then Nancy Clifton, horticulture program specialist, guides you in making … 20. Pre-registration required. This workshop is suitable for ages 8 (with accompanying adult) and up; adults only may also register. Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center …
Type: Item Detail
… Q. I would like to enrich my garden soil this spring and wonder about using manure on my flower beds. A. Composted or aged manure is a wonderful soil … composted, it contains all the organic matter without any of the weed seeds, soluble salts and ammonia present in fresh manure. Like most natural fertilizer products, aged manure has lower concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium than synthetic fertilizers. It can be turned into the soil this spring or applied …
Type: Plant Info
… number of tomatoes. What can I do? A. Tomato transplants are extremely sensitive to weather and moisture. They will often drop their blossoms if temperatures drop below 55 degrees, if there … plants in your garden too early. The Garden recommends setting transplants out after May 25 and keeping an eye on the thermometer at night. Plastic sheeting and upturned baskets are all good protection for unexpected inclement weather. …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. How and when should I divide my spring-blooming bulbs? A. When spring-blooming bulbs exhibit a diminished floral display and show a decreased amount of vigor, it is usually time to divide them. Dig the bulbs up with a spading fork after the leaves have dried and turned brown. Pull the clumps apart or separate them with a spade, detaching any bulblets …
Type: Plant Info
… drinks for easy entertaining. Learn the art of batching cocktails, smart party-planning tips, and creative ways to use up those final herbs from your outdoor garden. Sample a variety of beverages made with fresh ingredients, complete with recipes and step-by-step instructions. As a bonus, leave with a new herb plant to kick off your own … will be served; participants must be 21 years of age or older. Sonja Kassebaum, co-founder and co-owner, North Shore Distillery ITW Kitchen 3, Learning Center …
Type: Item Detail
… surround the central pincushion mass of fertile flowers throughout the cooler months of spring and fall. It also performs well if the summer months are cooler than normal. Deadhead (remove old … in moderately moist, fertile soils. The petals can be used as a coloring agent in drinks and desserts. Pot marigolds are in a different genus than the American marigolds and are native to Europe. They have been cultivated since Medieval times. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… has a bushy habit, reaching over three feet tall with numerous branches. Dahlias like warmth and can be planted when all danger of frost has passed. They can be started indoors in pots to … at least eight hours of sun to be at their best. Dahlias are ot hardy in the Chicago area, and tubers must be dug, cleaned, and stored for the winter. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… plate-sized, red-orange flowers to 11 inches in diameter feature yellow edges to the petals and undersides to make a very striking addition to the flower garden or bouquet. The flower shape … with a spread of 2 feet or more, depending on how it is staked. Plant this dahlia in full sun, and in moderately fertile, moisture-retentive soils. Stake it to keep the plant upright in strong winds (and with the weight of the flowers). …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This is a deciduous shrub or small tree that will grow to about 15’. It suckers and can form colonies. The compound pinnate foliage is deeply dissected, growing to 2' long, … the shrub a fern-like appearance. Its green leaves turn attractive shades of orange, yellow, and red in autumn. Greenish-yellow flowers bloom in terminal panicles in early summer. Only … gradually aging to maroon-brown. These persist through the winter, providing some interest and food for wildlife. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… center of the flower. This is another of the really tough shrub roses to be released by Iowan and noted breeder Griffith Buck. It has good resistance to fungus and mildew on a bushy habit that reaches 4 feet high by 3 feet wide. This color range is more typically found in hybrid tea roses and is a real treat for USDA Zone 5 gardeners (like those in the Chicago area) who prefer not to …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
