… are appropriate. Hold off on doing any detailed cleanup of garden beds as the mulch and leaves in the beds will provide some protection to any early growing perennials when the weather … off the lawn and cutting back perennials are all fine to do now providing your garden soil is not too wet. Early flowering bulbs like snowdrops at the Chicago Botanic Garden are very … to take any special maintenance steps to protect these plants. If you have some perennials in a warm area of the garden with more pronounced growth, they might benefit from a light layer …
Type: Blog
… to prepare against winter burn, or scorch . Three simple steps will make a big difference in preventing winter burn. A burlap screen on the Esplanade path protects young boxwoods in this … Choose the right plant for your garden’s growing conditions and design goals. A plant that is well-adapted to your site will perform better and have fewer problems. Proper siting makes a big difference for some …
Type: Blog
… and manages it today. The roots of the Chicago Botanic Garden run deep. Ground was broken in 1965 and the Garden opened in 1972, but its underpinnings can be traced to 1890, when the … Horticultural Society was founded. To celebrate the Society’s 125th anniversary, the Garden is featuring two special exhibitions, lectures, and the launch of a commemorative book, Chicago … Fire of 1871 to the victory garden era through the present.” A view looking south from the site of the future Chicago Botanic Garden; low in the horizon is the city of Chicago (click on …
Type: Blog
… Gabriela Rocha Alvarez is the plant recorder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Gabriela started working at the Garden as a volunteer, working in the Production and Plant Documentation Departments. During that time, she learned everything … and monitored the technical and financial aspects of the projects; she performed technical on-site verification, conducted interviews with scientists, researchers, farmers, suppliers, …
Type: Staff bio
… As director of horticulture, Tim Johnson oversees and directs operations in the Horticulture division, which includes 27 display gardens, plant production, plant healthcare, and general grounds. Johnson graduated with a bachelor of science degree in horticulture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1984. He worked as a foreman for … supervisor, and grounds manager—before he became the director of horticulture in 1996. Johnson is an instructor at the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden. He writes a …
Type: Staff bio
… The ever-creative Nancy Clifton is putting the finishing touches on her fun and fragrant project. She’s making more than 400 … Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden teacher. This project is “baking” in name only, as the dough is simply mixed, rolled, and cookie-cut—the ornamental “cookies” then … cinnamon until achieving the feel and sheen of pie dough). If too many hairline cracks form in dough, add a bit more applesauce and mix until glossy and smooth. Prep Prep your rolling …
Type: Blog
… What better way to celebrate spring and keep kids busy than with mud? All you need is a muddy buddy, a few basic supplies, and a sprinkling of imagination to try these fun, … work space for your child and makes clean up a breeze. 2. Grab a small pail to make the mud in. Let your child spoon some dirt into the pail. 3. Add a small amount of water and stir. This … the liners. 5. Decorate the top of the "cupcake" with herbs, leaves, beans, etc. 6. Place it in a sunny spot to dry. Parent Tip: Remember to have some damp towels or wipes nearby for messy …
Type: Blog
… In the Chicago area, record-breaking weather was recorded in 2016 and 2017: For the first time in … the hottest year since global temperature tracking began in 1880. If that sounds familiar, it is: It was the third record-breaking warm year in a row. And the warmth continued into 2017. “Is … on any of our target species. If you want to make more of a commitment, you can create a site location—your backyard, for example—that will allow you make observations on the same plants …
Type: Blog
… Add a little brightness to your family's day—play with food, make rainbow dough—and get in some nature play, too. Ready to turn ☹️ into☺? Nature Rainbow Scavenger Hunt Lace up your … preserve, or go off the grid. See if you can find something that was not made by a human in every shade of the rainbow, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. It's extra … away behind the dirt. When you do find something colorful, snap a picture! The end result is a gorgeous collection of nature's treasures that just may help us remember that there is …
Type: Blog
… simple rules of evergreen thumb. Get it? Here's how to get the most life out of your tree in a few easy steps. Pick a fresh tree If you’re shopping for pre-cut live trees at a nursery or retail lot, never buy a bagged tree. It’s harder to know whether the tree is fresh if it’s wrapped in netting. The best way to tell which pre-cut tree will last longest is to do the “shake test.” …
Type: Blog
