… record (there were 9 days above 80 degrees), which signaled to the trees that it was time to start growing. April’s subsequent sharp drops to freezing temperatures caused tissue injury and … The Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden’s 34 apple varieties have chill requirements ranging from 600 to 1200 CUs. Chicago’s weather historically can meet those requirements, barring extreme …
Type: Blog
… Cover these bulbs. If you are adding another layer of smaller bulbs, leave 1½ inches of space from the top of the pot. Add the small bulbs in this layer, leaving 1/2 inch of space between … refrigerator. In ten weeks, your plants can be moved to a warm, sunny location. You should start to see growth within a week. (If you don’t want to bring your plants out at this time, they …
Type: Blog
… “I was excited to learn different things and to get a box of veggies I don’t normally get from the grocery store,” said Jackie Sanchez, who discovered the VeggieRx program to help her … calcium, and vitamin C, making them a nutritional powerhouse. But what do you do with them? Start off with this kale and roasted beet salad (below) that won over the Sanchezes. “I tried … every 20 minutes. They are finished when you can easily pierce them with a toothpick. Remove from oven to cool. Once cool, cut the rough tops off beets, peel roasted beets, and cut into …
Type: Blog
As Managing Ecologist, Woodlands, Heather leads ecological stewardship, training and mentoring, and communications and engagement related to the Garden's woodland habitats, including McDonald Woods . She works collaboratively with our team of ecologists to manage the Garden’s natural areas while helping to train the next generation of land stewards through the Garden’s Stewardship and Ecology of …
Type: Staff bio
… the early American settlers. In time, a fruitful garden became a common symbol of independence from foreign imports—highlighting a new American pride in agriculture. The farm-to-table movement … Strawberry flowers are susceptible to frost. Here, a transparent plant cover called a cloche (from the French word for bell) is used to protect plants if frost is expected. Plan to plant … as one grown in your own yard. An easy starter crop, strawberries are self-fertile, so you can start small if you like—plant just one variety or only one plant—and still reap a reward. Choose …
Type: Blog
… across. Small, Medium, or Large? There's a waterlily to fit every water garden: sizes range from pygmy (with flowers an inch across) to giant (flowers more than a foot across). The most … five- to seven-gallon pot? A good-sized fountain or pool? A small pond on your property? Start with one or two rhizomes of an appropriately sized waterlily to see how it grows in your … a personal choice. Our horticulturist's suggestion? Plant one of each. A few more smart tips from our horticulturists: All rhizomes need to be planted in soil, either in a pot (a shallow, …
Type: Plant Info
… replicate that will help the children in your care understand why taking home a leaf or stick from a forest or park or other natural area affects animals and natural habitats. Avoiding … a natural space off-campus with their senses, and then, after learning elements of dance from dance artist Donna Mandel, created movement pieces to demonstrate their learning. This is a … Greeley Elementary School, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Kohl Children’s Museum, Natural Start Alliance (a project of the North American Association for Environmental Education), North …
Type: Page
… soil samples on a dry day. It’s best to test turf soil and garden soil separately. Refrain from adding synthetic fertilizers or other chemicals to your soil until you know what it lacks. … of soil-testing agencies. Follow agency instructions on where and how to collect soil samples. Start a compost pile If you didn’t start a compost heap in the spring, September is a good time … fertilizing Wait until October to fertilize any tree or shrub that looks like it might benefit from extra nutrition—signs include stunted growth, failure to fully flower or leaf out, …
Type: Plant Info
… You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to fashion this charming star-shaped wreath from branches, raffia, zip ties, and a little duct tape. Heather models the finished star wreath. Just follow these step-by-step instructions from Heather Sherwood, one of our very creative senior horticulturists, to get your own star … and shorter bundles of branches, zip ties, raffia, floral wire, and optional Christmas lights. Start with the longer bundles of twigs: Lay the first bundle along a base branch, positioning the …
Type: Blog
… forms turning pendulous at their branch tips. In autumn, the serrated triangular leaves change from golden to orange or copper, depending on the species. Betula nigra Many birches are native … northern and eastern ranges, with the exception of Betula nigra , the river birch. When taken from their preferred home (where the soil is moist, acidic, well-drained, and cool), and planted … out the moisture they favor), stress is bound to occur. With stress, insects and disease are quick to follow, most notably the bronze birch borer, leaf miner, and chlorosis. But if the …
Type: Plant Info
