Beth Botts – Page 33 –

Parkway gardening requires careful consideration for plants to flourish amid car exhaust, dog droppings

August 2, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

What do you call that strip of ground between the street and the sidewalk? A hell strip? Parking strip? Tree strip? Most people in the Chicago area call it a...

Poison ivy isn’t just out in the wild — here’s how to spot it in your own backyard

July 19, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

In the sanctuary of your yard, danger may lurk in the form of poison ivy. This woody vine, which can cause a nasty rash on contact with bare skin, is...

‘Rain can be deceiving’: How to figure out if you need to water

July 15, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

Thunder rumbles, lightning flashes, rain rattles against the window. It certainly feels as though you won't need to water the garden tomorrow. But are you sure? "Rain can be deceiving,"...

Cool, rainy spring could leave maples, oaks and other trees with disfiguring, ‘ugly’ fungal disease

July 11, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

If your maple or oak has some shriveled leaves with brown, dead splotches, or if your sycamore was especially late to open its leaves, you may be able to blame...

Staying home this summer? Take advantage of extra time to track your garden’s sunlight patterns

June 29, 2020 at 4:58 p.m.

As more gardeners stay close to home this summer, they can get to know their gardens in a new way. "You have a chance now to really notice how things...

A garden’s microclimates can be tricky to figure out, but they’re key to helping plants thrive

June 24, 2020 at 2:39 p.m.

Every region has its own climate, and every garden has its own microclimates. "A microclimate is an area where the weather is slightly different than in the rest of your...

Keep an eye on climbing vines to prevent damage to trees

June 16, 2020 at 12:26 p.m.

Some gardeners like the look of ivy twining up a tree trunk. However, vines that twine too far can be bad news for the tree, according to Sharon Yiesla, plant...

Beware impulse buys as you head to garden centers amid COVID-19 reopening. Here’s what to consider before shopping.

June 13, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

All those colorful flowers, graceful branches and intoxicating aromas: It's hard to resist impulse buying when shopping for plants, especially when many haven't been able to shop for awhile. "It's...

Does your outdoor plant need fertilizer? It’s less critical than you’d think — and can be damaging if used wrong

June 6, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

Good soil, sunshine, water: These are critical ingredients for healthy plants and a beautiful garden. Fertilizer? Not usually, said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle....

Garden experts can help identify your plants — but first, get the right photo angles and details ready

May 31, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

If you want to know how to care for a plant, the first question always is: What plant is it? Different plants need different care because they come from a...

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