… window so they can recover in a few weeks. A common concern when bringing plants indoors is how to deal with insects. “You want to be proactive,” Tiddens said. “If you don’t do anything, … the label instructions when using any insecticidal product—organic or synthetic. One chemical-free option is to simply dunk the entire plant, pot and all, if possible, in a bucket of water … also chew on tender plant parts. In large numbers, they can be a nuisance. Sticky traps will get some of these jumpers. Water the plant from the saucer and let the top inch or two of soil …
Type: Plant Info
… Explore the Bonsai courtyards Among the Chicago Botanic Garden's world-class plant displays is a specialty collection of close to 200 priceless bonsai — trees that have been trained to grow … spend winters in carefully controlled environments suited to their species. Outside, each tree is displayed on a granite bench with a frosted glass backdrop. The benches have edge lighting so … Advanced technique As visitors remark on the beauty before them, what they do not see is the intense work required to train a small sapling into a mature tree, which appears almost …
Type: Walks
… leaving prairies with fewer species and fewer relationships. “A diverse prairie restoration is more resilient to challenges like climate change,” said Andrea Kramer, Ph.D., senior director … all impact whether they will germinate and grow. When you consider where to collect seeds, the site conditions of the restoration, and how all these factors influence genetic diversity—things get complicated. “As we developed best practices for reintroducing violets, we started thinking …
Type: Blog
… and amazed us,” said senior horticulturist, Davina Bowman. “It was like knowing your child is waking up from a nap! We can go and take care of the plants right away and know they will look … The brains of the system, a computer that the horticulturists have nicknamed, “Hal-lie,” is located in an office at the south end of the Garden. Each morning, the supervisors check in with Hal-lie and get a download of messages from the plants in their gardens and a list of chores. This saves the …
Type: Blog
… like cheese, according to Lisa Hilgenberg, the vegetable garden's horticulturist. Their flesh is thick, dense, meaty and mildly sweet, begging to be roasted. This is just one variety in the bewildering tumble of what we call pumpkins . The very name "pumpkin" … zucchini (or your neighbor's). Buying new seeds each season is the best way to make sure you get what you expect. Beth Botts is a garden writer and speaker who lives and gardens in Oak …
Type: Plant Info
… arrive at the Roberti Community House in nearby Waukegan. From grower to giver, this lifeline is set in motion each Wednesday to help feed the neediest families. “Many of our families are … to paycheck and fresh foods, fruits, and vegetables isn’t something they can afford or that is regularly available at a food pantry or soup kitchen,” said Maribeth Roberti, who founded the … added, “being able to rely upon the high-quality produce from the Garden is something we all get excited about.” This year, all produce grown at the Chicago Botanic Garden, which is roughly …
Type: Blog
… cups of flavorful tea. And you control the quality—you’ll know that the herbs you grow are free from pesticides, preservatives, and artificial flavors or colors. Hold the Caffeine All commercial tea, such as black, green, and oolong, is made from Camellia sinensis , which is an evergreen bush that is native to Asia and not hardy in Illinois. Caffeine occurs naturally …
Type: Plant Info
… Yellow Flame') Planted in the Enabling Garden, Double Zahara Fire ( Zinnia marylandica ) is part of the series that is powdery mildew-resistant. Zahara™ Coral Rose zinnia ( Zinnia Marylandica ) is an outstanding … butterflies. (Same goes for hummingbirds.) Try tall zinnias with red or hot pink flowers to get the biggest draw. Karen Zaworski is a garden writer and photographer who lives and gardens …
Type: Plant Info
… Staff Britt Calendo Program Director, Windy City Harvest @email Britt Calendo is the program director for Windy City Harvest. In this role she oversees our Apprenticeship, … produce program from 2018 to 2021. Calendo has a master’s degree in social work and is excited about combining her background in social work and public health with sustainable urban … with Windy City Harvest in 2021, when he began as a grower for the Washington Park farm site. He went on to work with a program alumni farmer, Chicago Urban Farm Solutions, before …
Type: Page
… winter, the males look a lot like the drab-olive females. But come spring, the male begins to get blotches of yellow on his body until he finally molts into his golden spring and summer … uses thistle down, which isn't available until midsummer, to construct its nest. Thistle down is a soft, feathery material that protects the fruiting part of a thistle plant. Many varieties … wings and give high-pitched sounds to attract their parents' attention. The American goldfinch is a true acrobat when it comes to feeding. Watch as it flies to a thistle, clings to the stalks …
Type: Birding
