… a prescribed burn in Dixon Prairie. Fire burns through dead leaves and stems, opening space for native plants to grow from seed, nourished by the charred plant material and increased … areas.” That’s because periodic fires—ignited by lightning and set by Indigenous Peoples for hunting, managing resources, and more—shaped the Chicago area’s woodlands, wetlands, and … against them,” said Jim Jabcon, prairie ecologist at the Garden. Fire is an effective tool for keeping natural areas healthy because, over time, the cycle of burning, spreading native …
Type: Blog
… at the Chicago Botanic Garden. “It’s really cool to see how there’s a cult-like following for this plant.” The scientist’s mail bins overflowed with leaves of native pawpaw trees. … from the seeds Pawpaw trees in Ithaca, New York, in the fall The plant has been around for millions of years, and has been used for centuries by Native Americans and others as food and … but can be found as far west as eastern Nebraska. Learn more about the pawpaw growing range, visit the related Plant Information page. “It will be interesting to see where our research …
Type: Blog
… I sat there in front of a group of plants that produce lovely-smelling flowers, waiting for their impressive pollinators to show up. And when they did, I snapped some of my very first … volume and sugar content, floral scent, who pollinates and when (hawkmoths come at dusk and visit overnight; bees generally visit in the morning), how populations grow and shrink over time, which other plant species are …
Type: Blog
… As the days get shorter, you might be looking for off-the-beaten paths where you can soak up the rest of the season. I’ve got just the place for you—the Barbara Brown Nature Reserve. Tucked away on the Chicago Botanic Garden’s southeast … I’m always puzzled that so few people have discovered it. Here are just a few reasons to visit: The color purple—and more The fall colors are amazing—purple asters, yellow goldenrods, …
Type: Blog
… is also said to be redolent of lavender. British seed company Thompson & Morgan is one source for its seed. 'Tender and True' dates back to 1897 and sports wide shoulders and strong flavor. … Garden, we experimented with parsnips in 2013 and had such a fine crop of 'Albion' ( see here for our blog post about it ) that we added two more varieties this year. 'Albion', like most parsnips, is disease- and pest-free, and also resistant to the cankers that can affect some other varieties. 'Lancer' has the …
Type: Plant Info
… I started vermicomposting (composting with worms) in April for Earth Day. It has been four months and my worms have generated some nice castings (worm poop) … and airy, not wet. (Note: If your worm bin is soggy, open the lid and let the bin dry out for a week or so. Do not add any food scraps before moving to the next step.) When you have a … in municipal water supplies kill microbes. While this keeps our drinking water safe and free of harmful bacteria, it also kills the microbes that are necessary for waste decomposition. …
Type: Blog
… cups of flavorful tea. And you control the quality—you’ll know that the herbs you grow are free from pesticides, preservatives, and artificial flavors or colors. Hold the Caffeine All … didyma), rosemary, parsley, sage, dill, and thyme are some of the other herbs suitable for tea. It all depends on what flavors you enjoy. Lemon-tasting herbs can be paired with slices … while savory herbs like sage and rosemary are good on their own. (Never use a plant part for a tea unless you know it is safe to consume.) Most teas that use herbs are prepared by …
Type: Plant Info
… as echinacea and milkweed, there is an overabundance of blooms, making it a joyful month to visit our gardens. It would be easy to draw parallels between the rainbow of summer colors and … sometimes a moth, fly, or even the wind. The diversity of pollinators might be the very reason for the diversity of flowers; more interactions beget more diversity. Regardless of the cause, … that, like flowers, people also come in all types, forms, and expressions. June was chosen for Pride Month to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1969, which happened during a …
Type: Blog
… to name a few. Plus, winter has the bonus of birds that actually migrate to our area just for the winter. Some migrants you will see every year are juncos, tree sparrows, and a variety of … what you will find on any given day. That is why I go out every chance I get! Before your next visit check out our list of birds that you can expect to see at the Garden each season. A … of birds—especially woodpeckers—in the McDonald Woods. If there is open water, check there for ducks and geese. You might be surprised at just how many birds you can find in winter. What a …
Type: Blog
… knew you’d say, “Share.” From a Fruitful Garden Web designer Christina Weisbard has a weakness for fruit trees…which explains the bounty of mulberry, quince, and crabapple jellies that she’s made for holiday gifts this year. Of the pickled green tomatoes that she also canned, she says, “They … wool felt and cotton sachets can scent drawers, shelves, and suitcases for many months. Feel free to compliment Lynn on her sweetly modern design next time you see her at the Information …
Type: Blog
