… was astounding. Let me introduce you to what I found at the Chicago Botanic Garden recently. 1. Carpenter bee Carpenter bees are often confused with bumble 2. Mason bee Mason bees are in the … its hind legs with pollen from the eryngo, and they are now swollen and bright yellow. Pollen is also sticking to the hairs on its thorax and underside. It is a good pollinator! Carpenter … difficult time getting good picture of some of these small insects, and as a result, I didn't get enough details to identify this half-inch-long fly with white triangles on the back of its …
Type: Blog
… frying, and using fresh in salads. Squash seeds quickly germinate when the soil temperature is above 60 degrees. Once plants begin to produce, harvest the fruits two to three times a week. … about three to four weeks and then the plants are finished. Pole beans take a bit longer to get going but healthy plants will continue producing beans throughout the summer. To use as a … the soil a few inches below the surface and water thoroughly if it feels dry. Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who lives and gardens in Palos Park, Illinois. …
Type: Plant Info
… to a sunny location, and start the process all over again. As they age, amaryllis bulbs will get larger and larger, sometimes splitting into multiple bulbs. When this happens, they can be … Star-of-Bethlehem Another beautiful—but less common—plant that provides winter cheer is Ornithogalum ‘Bethlehem’ , or Star-Of-Bethlehem. These bulbs produce a 1- to 1½-foot-tall spike loaded with clean, white, star-shaped blooms. They grow best in a …
Type: Blog
… that began in Great Britain in 2019 and has spread to North America and beyond. The goal is to leave the “weeds”—clover, dandelions, violets—even creeping Charlie (gasp!) so that bees … that first June mowing, the lawn may become stressed. It may take up to three mowings to get back to the ideal height—about 3½ inches. A taller lawn grows deeper roots, holds moisture … consternation to others who view it as weedy. If you decide to leave the lawn as is until June 1, give it a tidy mowed edge around the entire perimeter, which makes it look intentionally …
Type: Blog
… in the lake, and if you looked closely, you might have noticed that there’s actually no way to get to that island. Did you wonder why that is? Horaijima, or the Island of Everlasting Happiness, represents paradise—a place inaccessible … (141-86 B.C.E.) built luxurious replicas of the Immortals’ homes on islands near his palace to get the mystical beings to come near so he could persuade them to give up the secrets of …
Type: Blog
… this year’s Words in Bloom: A Year of Haiku program, I learned that the world of haiku is an expansive one with many forms. Designed to be “one breath” poems with a focus on nature, … to share our selected poems from Garden enthusiasts everywhere for National Poetry Month. Get lost in these beautiful haiku poems paying tribute to the Helen and Richard Thomas English …
Type: Blog
… My 2-year-old son is a little too young to carve or paint his own pumpkin this year, so creating a “pump-cano” was the perfect fall fun activity for him. This is an entertaining and simple activity for children of all ages and a great way to extend … design if you like. Place the pumpkin on a tray or protected surface because this is going to get messy. Pour about ½ cup of baking soda inside the pumpkin. Squirt some dish soap over the …
Type: Blog
… We’ve officially reached planting season, and it is now safe to put in warm-season flowering annuals, vines, herbs, and vegetables. … eggplants, and squash. Happy planting! Summer plantings await in the production greenhouses. Get the best performance from your plants with these tips from the Garden’s Plant Information … Let spring bulb foliage yellow and wither before removing it. The leaves manufacture food that is stored in the bulb for next year’s growth. Even braiding the foliage of daffodils can reduce …
Type: Blog
… million people have served our country during the most recent conflicts. Approximately 1 million of these veterans have accessed the VA healthcare system for war-related injuries. Many … had success with traditional medicine often begin to seek out alternative ways to heal. That is where the Garden comes into play. We believe beautiful gardens and natural environments are … the season. I witnessed veterans—some participating in in-patient psychology programs—get a pass from the hospital to come to the Garden and learn to rake a dry garden in the …
Type: Blog
… asphalt, and masonry store heat and then radiate it — making summer hotter for plants. Rain is channeled into storm sewers and treatment plants rather than replenishing the deep reservoir … 'Tiger Eye Gold') Herbstonne rudbeckia ( Rudbeckia laciniata 'Herbstonne') Black-eyed Susan is a good candidate for gardens because it is a "pioneer plant" — short-lived, but opportunistic and able to grow in a wide variety of …
Type: Plant Info
