Tim Johnson – Page 29

Haunted by last year’s garden fails? Here are common mistakes with shade, soil and plant selection to avoid this spring

April 24, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"I have big dreams for an improved garden this year and want to add a bunch of new plants to dress it up. What would be some advice on choosing...

Core aeration vs. power raking? Pro tips on what’s best for your lawn

April 13, 2021 at 1:58 p.m.

"I would like my lawn to look better this year. Should I start the growing season off by both power raking and core aerating?" — Layla Thompson, Skokie I recommend using...

Spring-blooming hellebores are easy to grow in gardens

April 10, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"I purchased a new home last winter and now am watching my garden come alive. There are some perennials with somewhat tattered leaves laying nearly flat on the ground that...

Early spring flower envy? Get these bulbs in autumn to get colorful winter aconite and snowdrops next year

April 4, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"I have been seeing a couple different small flowering plants recently and would like to know where I can buy them, as the early season color is great. One has...

Start off gardening season reworking bed edges with help from a garden hose, rope or spade

March 27, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"The edges of my garden beds never look right, and I would like some suggestions on how to do better before I start working on them this spring." — Sandeep...

Lawn tunnels likely from voles burrowing and foraging for food. Here’s how to treat it.

March 20, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"With the snow in my garden now mostly melted, I am seeing what appear to be tunnels in my lawn in a few areas. What is happening here, and is...

Browning bottoms on evergreens likely mean deer made wintery snacks of foliage. Here’s how to treat it.

March 13, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"What has happened to my 5-plus-year-old evergreens in the backyard? I just noticed that the bottoms have turned brown." — Benjamin Shapiro, Glencoe The evergreens in your photo are arborvitae...

Winter is the ideal time for heavy pruning of shrubs in your yard. Here’s how to get the best results.

March 7, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"I just purchased a home with a neglected garden and have several large, overgrown shrubs that I would like to reduce in size instead of replacing. Can this be done...

Shamrock plants might seem dead, but dormant period can be deceiving

February 27, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"My shamrock plant's leaves turned yellow and died back, and I have not seen any new growth over the last few weeks. Should I give up and buy a new...

Aphid infestation on your houseplants? Here’s how to get rid of the insects and their sticky residue

February 20, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"I have found a sticky residue on the leaves of some of my houseplants and what appears to be little bugs under some of the leaves. What can I do...

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