… sprout with a few ferny leaves. Now this sprawling monster, barely contained by its cage, is overwhelming you with tomatoes. What are you to do with them all? Or with the rampant zucchini … your front porch. Never fear. There are many options for coping with the harvest. One option is to donate surplus produce to food pantries or homeless shelters, as the Garden's Windy City … check out the recipes from the Garden Café . Pesto A classic way to use up buckets of basil is making pesto. A simple internet search will make it clear that there are many opinions about …
Type: Plant Info
… disease- or pest-resistant. As ground covers, some can be used in place of turf grass, which is difficult to grow in shade. Others, like ferns, complement nonnative perennials in shady beds, … no serious insect or disease problems. Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) This is one of the most fascinating North American ferns and one of the easiest to grow. Give it a site with average, well-drained soil in part to full shade. It spreads slowly by creeping, …
Type: Plant Info
… Celebrating the Garden in Autumn "Wild is the music of the autumnal winds amongst the faded woods." – William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850) This is the time of year when we can stand in our gardens, take a step back, slowly inhale the spicy … of a leaf dancing in an autumn sun, and brilliant shades of crimson glowing when the day is done." — Hazelmarie Mattie Elliott Oak Trees Some oak trees are holding the last of their …
Type: Plant Info
… a bite of a warm, homegrown tomato. It smells and tastes of sun and soil, acid and sugar, and is one of the most delicious foods in the world. All by itself, it achieves greatness. Of course, … A favorite at farmers' markets for its flavor, purple-to-red color, and medium size is 'Cherokee Purple'. A large orange tomato with sparkles of red inside the flesh is 'Striped German'. 'Green Zebra' is exactly what the words connote, and 'Black Prince' features …
Type: Plant Info
… ready for harvesting. Maintenance tasks continue. With autumn on the horizon, August also is the month to begin planting cool-season vegetables. Garden To-Do List Water judiciously In … hot, dry weather and/or water restrictions may create challenges. Some tips when water is at a premium: Established trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetables, and roses should receive 1 … grass, or lay down sod. Some tips: When seeding lawns, use grass seed appropriate to your site. If seeding in a shaded area, purchase a shade-tolerant mix. Cultivate soil down to a few …
Type: Plant Info
… types of poppies, especially those in containers. Which are best for Chicago? A. Early spring is a fine time to appreciate poppy species, since quite a few are considered cool-season annuals … series. The Shirley poppy ( Papaver rhoeas ), found naturalized throughout Europe, is considered an annual that can self-sow. Fat, furry buds open to single, double or semidouble … 2 feet and bloom in spring to early summer. The California poppy ( Eschscholzia californica ) is the famous orange California native that grows 12 to 15 inches. The beautiful ‘Thai Silk’ …
Type: Plant Info
… kept in a bright, cool location away from direct sunlight. One to two hours of direct sunlight is acceptable in the winter months as long as they do not become too warm. Temperatures of 60 to … are ideal. The soil should be kept slightly moist at all times. When watering cyclamen, it is important to water near the outer rim of the pot to avoid the center of the plant which can … returned to a cool, bright location. Plants should produce new foliage when regular watering is resumed and a diluted fertilizer is applied monthly. New blooms should be produced in …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. What sort of spring care should I provide for my roses? A. April is the appropriate month for some basic and necessary pruning. Pruning not only promotes improved flowering, it is essential for good overall plant health. Timing is important. Begin pruning when dormant roses begin to leaf out in the spring. It is best to …
Type: Plant Info
… Said Crocus: "My this wind is cold! Most wish I had not been so bold; here the fields are still all brown; glad I wore my … are good for naturalizing. The grass-like foliage will die back by late spring. An added bonus is the ease with which these plants can be forced. Plant the bulbs 4 inches deep. “Very reliable, and this species (Crocus tommasinianus) is squirrel-resistant." —Boyce Tankersley, director of living plant documentation “This …
Type: Plant Info
… number of genera, each with its own unique characteristics. A common characteristic, however, is the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals—often … nights—though the absolute temperature range (cool, intermediate or warm) varies by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom … sustain the plant through dry periods. Other varieties are monopodial, meaning upward growth is from a single growing point. There is an exception to almost every general statement one can …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
