… Watching out for migrating birds One of my favorite parts of spring is seeing all the songbirds return. In the … you cannot usually find in Illinois, as they pass through on their way north. Keep an eye out for birds—visitors and locals. Before you get started, try a pair of binoculars using two empty … paper rolls. Don’t forget to decorate your binoculars! We use decorated hand-made binoculars for exploring the Garden during camps and birthday parties . If you have real binoculars, dust …
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… via Wikimedia commons [ CC BY 2.0 ] Red Norland Potato The Garden has featured potatoes for about a decade. “We harvest about 40 to 50 pounds per variety,” Hilgenberg says. That 40- to … potatoes that are certified as disease-free,” Hilgenberg says. Planting Methods Potatoes grow best in fertile, well-drained soil. Before planting the seed potatoes, dig in compost, finely … Fiber grow bags allow excess water to drain away, but other pots must have drainage holes. Place about 4 inches of soilless potting mix in the bottom and set about eight seed potato pieces …
Type: Plant Info
… as gifts during the holidays but aren’t sure how to transport them. Do you have some tips for purchasing and transporting holiday plants? A: Flowering plants such as poinsettia, … freezing. Plants should never be transported in a cold trunk or allowed to sit in a cold car for any length of time. To unwrap a holiday plant, it is best to set the plant on a stable surface and carefully tear or cut the wrapper from the bottom …
Type: Plant Info
… Mushrooms for People and Planet Ancient Allies for Modern Maladies Paul Stamets Lecture Saturday, May 9, 2015 10 a.m. – noon Alsdorf Auditorium, … the longest-living mushroom in the world—and that’s all within the first ten minutes. “Brace for impact!” Part 1 of 6 Part 2 of 6 Part 3 of 6 Part 4 of 6 Part 5 of 6 Part 6 of 6 … Ancient …
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… Q. Is there anything that I can do to prepare my trees and shrubs for winter? A. The best thing that can be done to prepare your plants for winter is to make sure … unless your plants are exhibiting signs of nutrient deficiency. In this case, fertilizing is best done in the spring as the plants begin to actively grow. Applying a 2-3” layer of compost …
Type: Plant Info
… show you how easy it is to successfully grow berry fruits. You will learn how to choose the best varieties, select and prepare a site, and use proper planting and pruning techniques, as well as understand other maintenance requirements. Dress for the weather, as part of the class will be outside. Glenn Grosch, horticulturist and …
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… in an excellent pruner. (Find a variety of garden tools at The Garden Shop! ) Order seeds for heirloom tomatoes so you can grow your own. Try a new plant combo that pleases you. (See our Terrific Trios Smart Gardener for some ideas!) Prune a crabapple or pear tree into an espalier. Ask your grandparents what they … tree…or two. Start a compost pile. Test your soil. (For a list of Illinois soil testing labs, visit extension.illinois.edu ) Plant flowers in Pantone’s color of the year : rose quartz and …
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… and ornamental grasses should be cut down after a few freezes rather than left standing for winter interest. Eliminate convenient nesting areas for rodents through proper sanitation. If ornamental grasses are planted next to crabapple trees, … not keep out voles. Keep snow loads from piling up around tree trunks. Rodent activity takes place both above and below the snow line. Avoid using evergreen boughs as mulch on the perennial …
Type: Plant Info
New! Pruning and deadheading are well-known techniques in ornamental gardening, but much less well understood concepts in edible gardens. Participants will learn about how pruning and trimming edible plants not only keeps them looking great but can also greatly improve their productivity. We will also discuss which plants benefit most from pruning and the tools and techniques needed to maintain …
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Q. Quite a few trees on my property are chlorotic. Is there a particular fertilizer I can use to eliminate this problem? A. Chlorosis, the yellowing of leaves with the tissue near the veins remaining bright green, can be caused by a deficiency of iron or manganese in the soil. It also can be caused by alkaline, compacted or waterlogged soils, pollution and other environmental causes. The plants …
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