… 2 to 3 inches of leaf mulch on flower beds, as well as trees and shrubs, keeping mulch away from the trunks. Scout the yard for next season August is a great month to plan for next year’s … herb garden. Now that the yard is at peak summer bloom, note any bare spots that would benefit from ground covers or additional plantings. Annual and Perennial Care Fruit, Vegetable, and … rarely cause for harsh pesticides. Learn More Many sucking, piercing, and chewing insects will finish feeding this month, leaving cosmetic damage but nothing serious enough to warrant chemical …
Type: Plant Info
… If left in a stand without water, the tree will form a seal across the stump which prevents it from taking up any more water. Dry trees can become serious fire hazards. Gardeners interested in … level; water well once and then allow soil to dry out before watering again. Keep the pot away from direct sun, drafts, and heating vents. As the stalk grows, rotate the pot for even growth. … stalk and flowers first. After flowering, allow the stalk to yellow and wither before removing from the bulb. When leaves emerge, continue to water the plant. After May 15, take the plant …
Type: Plant Info
… litter, well-aged manure or, of course, rich compost. At all times, gardeners must refrain from throwing handfuls of peat moss into a planting hole, especially when drainage is poor. The … ball slightly above grade, gently sloping the mix of dirt and composted organic material away from the trunk. Mulch Mulching the entire planting area with 2 to 3 inches of organic material is … and shouldn't require any other. Selecting the Right Tree You can give your tree a head start by selecting from those that are proven winners in the Upper Midwest. If you have a larger …
Type: Plant Info
… sweet smell was a great way to show many Chicago Botanic Garden visitors that vanilla comes from the fruits of the vanilla orchid (Vanilla planifolia). As a docent at that Show, I was … bacteria and fungi , showcased my ongoing experiment in Mexico. This included collecting roots from four different Mexican farms that had very different practices for how they grew the orchid. … cultivation. The fungal partners of orchids, known as mycorrhizal fungi, help an orchid start its life by providing needed nutrients for its seeds to germinate. No orchids in the wild …
Type: Blog
… air circulation. Prune to increase air circulation. Sanitize pruning equipment before going from one plant to another. Lysol disinfectant works well. Water at a time of day that allows the …
Type: Plant Info
… the leaves above your head will appear to glow, creating a natural parasol that protects you from harsh rays. As you stroll beneath the trees swaying in the gentle winds, notice the angle of light emanating from the canopy, then cast your gaze downward and take a moment to observe the ever changing … commonly written as 木漏れ日 in Japanese. Japanese has a pictograph-based writing system borrowed from and influenced by traditional Chinese, which allows for the creation of words that define …
Type: Page
… weather, tomatoes planted in June should begin bearing buckets of juicy orbs. But critters, from birds to deer to a curious chipmunk, can put a dent in the harvest. Bird netting helps protect tomato plants in the garden. Barriers, such as fencing, prevent animals from getting the goods. Chickenwire or plastic mesh fencing or lightweight bird netting … your garden, you’ll also want to bury the netting a few inches below the soil to prevent them from digging underneath. Garlic is a Gardener's Best Friend Deer and rodents are not fans of the …
Type: Page
… The plants you see from your train seat on the Metra Union Pacific North line may help conservation scientists learn … the impact of urbanization on native bees because the intensity of urbanization slowly wanes from the urban core of the city out into the surrounding suburbs. My research is focused on … bees down to the genus or species level. When we have all of the bees identified, we can then start analyzing the data for my master’s thesis and answer some of the questions we have put …
Type: Blog
… I look forward to seeing every season. In spring, I watch for “mighty plants” that emerge from the ground with enough force to heave the soil above ground. These botanical … of snow never fail to impress me. I am in awe of the strength of plants. Daffodil leaves erupt from the ground and lift the mulch in the beds around the Regenstein Learning Campus. Seeing … the process by which these facts are learned. Science is both knowing and doing. Discoveries start when you watch nature and ask questions, as I did in watching spring bulbs come up. Before …
Type: Blog
… Give the gift of a plant In December, winter officially arrives. Most gardeners get a break from their responsibilities—a welcome respite since the winter holidays often occupy a large portion of everyone’s to-do lists. Protecting outdoor plants from the consequences of winter—whether it’s snow, ice, temperature swings, or the products used … or garden compost. After the holidays in late December and early January, evergreen boughs from seasonal wreaths or small sections of Christmas tree branches may also be used as winter …
Type: Plant Info
