Beth Botts – Page 20 –

To protect a tree's roots from damage during a construction project, surround it with a protection zone marked off by highly visible fencing.

Make sure construction plans include your plants

February 25, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Do you have your sights set on a room addition, a new patio or a wider driveway? Make sure the plans include protecting your trees. Any construction project, large or...

To preserve the bright bark color of shrubs such as red-osier dogwood, prune out the oldest stems to leave the younger, more vivid ones.

Prune your shrubs to keep the color coming back

February 19, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Some shrubs are planted mainly for their bright winter bark: vivid streaks of red or yellow that defy gray weather and seem to spark against a background of snow. "They...

If plants sprout in late-winter warm spells, they may be killed or damaged when the cold returns.

Choose hardy plants to preserve your garden this winter

February 11, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

One of the greatest risks for plants in the garden in late winter is not cold but warmth. "We often get short warm spells in February, right up into the...

Snowdrops, which may bloom as early as February in favorable weather, are an early sign of spring.

Look for possible signs of spring in your garden this Groundhog Day

February 6, 2023 at 1:37 p.m.

In a long, dreary winter, one of the indications that spring will eventually come is Groundhog Day. The day became a catchphrase due to the 1993 movie comedy, but buried...

In any garden plan, one of the most important considerations is the way sunlight and shadows fall in different parts of the yard at all times of the growing season.

Use these simple tips to plan your spring garden in advance

January 28, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

One of the most important tasks for a successful garden is perfect for gray, gloomy winter days: planning. "Doing basic homework now will prepare you to work effectively once spring...

To rejuvenate a dormant shrub, cut back one-third of the oldest, largest stems near the ground.

Midwinter ideal time to prune most shrubs. Here’s what you need to know.

January 22, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Midwinter is an excellent time to get outdoors and prune shrubs. "You can prune shrubs any time, but it's often easier when they are leafless and dormant," said Julie Janoski,...

A blanket of snow is good insulation for plants' roots, but snow cover is unreliable in Chicago's increasingly variable climate.
- Original Credit: Beth Botts

Mulch helps plants withstand winter’s warmth and chill

January 15, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

This winter season has been up and down like a clown on a pogo stick. Should you worry about how dips in the polar vortex and 50-degree temperature swings will...

Winter is the best time to prune and inspect your trees

January 7, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

The gray, still days of winter are the perfect time to prune trees. In fact, winter is the only recommended time to prune some species, such as oaks. "If you...

How to dispose of your live Christmas tree

December 31, 2022 at 5:00 a.m.

Your Christmas tree's days in the spotlight are nearly done. But if you dispose of a live tree properly, it can live on in a new way. "A tree that...

If all you want fir Christmas is the perfect tree, do your research first

December 24, 2022 at 5:00 a.m.

A live tree sparkling with lights and ornaments is the heart of many holiday celebrations. Most of us expect that Christmas tree to have a particular look, which requires that...

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