Beth Botts – Page 35 –

How to identify insect eggs early and head off springtime garden pests

March 5, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.

Before you start looking for signs of spring in the garden, look around for trouble: insect eggs. "A number of problem insects overwinter as eggs on trees and shrubs," said...

Climate change and your garden: How warmer temperatures prompt tricky guesswork for gardeners

February 24, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

The climate in the Midwest is changing, and that makes a difference for gardeners. "We haven't seen as much of an increase in storms and droughts as some places," said...

Witch hazel is a trendy skincare go-to, but it’s also a great pick for winter gardens

February 17, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.

It's a head-turning sight on a bone-chilling February day: a tree in bloom. Sparkly little yellow-and-red flowers, with petals like tiny ribbons, flutter along the branches of vernal witch hazel...

To protect them from oak wilt, a serious fungal disease, oaks should only be pruned in the winter when it's cold.

Oak trees need pruning in winter to avoid branch wilt

February 12, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.

It may seem like winter will last forever, but it won't. If you have an oak that needs pruning, that gives you a deadline. To protect them from oak wilt,...

It’s time to design your spring garden — here’s how to get started

February 3, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.

You know you need to rethink your garden plan this year. But with so many plants and ideas to choose from, where do you start? It's tempting to start picking...

How to handle trees when they grow too tall

January 13, 2020 at 12:18 p.m.

When a tree grows taller than expected, casting unwanted shade or colliding with buildings or other structures, it may seem obvious to just cut off the top. "That's not a...

Wait for spring to prune evergreens — and be careful with those hedge trimmers

December 26, 2019 at 3:00 a.m.

When you're outdoors pruning bare-branched trees and shrubs in winter, it may seem obvious to prune the evergreens too. That's not a good idea, according to Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic...

Everything you need to know about pruning shrubs in winter

December 23, 2019 at 11:11 a.m.

Many gardeners know that winter is a good time for pruning shrubs but hesitate because they're not sure how to go about it. Since different shrubs have different needs, pruning...

Don’t worry about how your plants will handle winter — but watch the salt

December 19, 2019 at 3:00 a.m.

When you're coping with harsh winter weather that lashes your face, makes driving treacherous and batters your house, should you also worry about your trees, shrubs and other garden plants?...

‘Winter beauty is subtle’: How to bring cold-weather color into your garden

December 20, 2019 at 10:14 a.m.

On a December night, colored lights disarm the darkness. But even in the gloom of a winter day, the colors of a walk in the woods can lift the heart....

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