… “Feed the soil, not the plants.” We kicked off the May article with the same quote, a thought from organic gardening expert Robert Rodale. It is a reminder that soil needs food in order to … diseased leaf, twig, or branch you can see, and clean up plant materials and crop residue from the ground before amending your beds. A thorough cleaning means less opportunity for disease … until killed off by cold temperatures; then it acts as a blanket over the soil, protecting it from wind and water erosion. It’s easy to till under in spring. One favorite source: Johnny’s …
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
… peonies ( Paeonia ) for botrytis blight or other foliar fungal problems. Peonies that suffered from botrytis or bud blast last year should be sprayed regularly with a fungicide, following label directions, starting when plants are just beginning to emerge from the ground and when they are approximately 2 to 4 inches tall. Cage or provide support for … populations of jumping worms resembles coffee grounds. For more information, a a fact sheet from Cornell University provide additional information to help you distinguish jumping worms from …
Type: Plant Info
… 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
… this woodland habitat. In 2013, these efforts were recognized with a “Gold Accreditation” from the Chicago Wilderness Excellence in Environmental Restoration Program. McDonald Woods is located along Lake Cook Road from the Garden entrance east to Green Bay Road. Hiking trails are accessible from parking lots 2 and 5; 5-minute walk from the Visitor Center. Spring ephemerals put on quite … this woodland habitat. In 2013, these efforts were recognized with a “Gold Accreditation” from the Chicago Wilderness Excellence in Environmental Restoration Program. McDonald Woods is …
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… all plants. The titan arum story relates directly to the following Disciplinary Core Ideas from the Next Generation Science Standards: Grade 1 LS1.A: Structure and Function All … Grade 5 PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life The energy released from food was once energy from the sun that was captured by plants in the chemical process that forms plant matter (from … all plants. The titan arum story relates directly to the following Disciplinary Core Ideas from the Next Generation Science Standards: Grade 1 LS1.A: Structure and Function All …
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… of the peculiar conditions. “We’ve had botrytis on tulips that were planted last fall—it’s from the very wet winter. And in May, all the leaves on daylilies looked yellow.” “A lot of … time to adjust. Plants that are fooled by mild spring weather may break winter dormancy and start moving water into to their buds. A late spring frost can cause damage to de-acclimated … Thinking ahead In fall, prepare newly planted trees by wrapping the trunks to protect them from sunscald or frost cracking—vertical cracks in tree trunks that are caused by alternating …
Type: Plant Info
… specialty catalogs and retailers often recommend and stock the best varieties for forcing. To start an indoor bulb garden, use shallow pots 4 to 12 inches wide with drainage holes. Partially …
Type: Plant Info
… winding path, rather than a straight sidewalk. "Found" Objects Small gardens can also benefit from "found" objects, like ornamental ceramic tiles placed on the ground or on a wall, or a small … Walled Garden Enclosed by walls and hedges, it offers a variety of different garden styles from formal to informal. Buehler Enabling Garden Features raised beds, dramatic containers and … Growing Organic Fruit and Vegetables at Home by Diana Anthony Fast, Fresh Garden Edibles: Quick Crops for Small Spaces by Jan Courtier Vertical Gardening: Grow Up, Not Out, for More …
Type: Plant Info
