Home and Garden – Page 13

By simply raking fallen leaves onto your garden beds, you can provide your plants with a healthy, protective, soil-building layer of free mulch. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Don’t let fallen leaves go to waste

By Beth Botts

October 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Nature never wastes a leaf.

Fall tree color at the Chicago Botanic Garden. (Jeff Carrion/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Peak fall color in Chicago area now on display

By Tim Johnson

October 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

When you understand the basics of fall color and monitor the weather, you will be...

Rats walk through an alley on the 1900 block of North Halsted Street Tuesday Aug. 12, 2025, in Chicago. The village of Franklin Park is seeking input from residents via an advisory referendum on if it should ban fruit trees in residential neighborhoods to help reduce rodent populations that might feed on fallen fruit. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Franklin Park seeks voter input on potential fruit tree ban to combat rodents

By Alicia Fabbre

October 23, 2026 at 2:13 p.m.

Franklin Park voters are being asked in an advisory referendum if the village should ban...

The magnificent trees that grace our communities from spring through autumn provide a host of ecological and human benefits. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Give thanks for all that trees give us

By Beth Botts

November 30, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

When we list the things we have to be thankful for -- family, friends, home,...

Tillandsia can be grown in a container filled with glass spheres or pea gravel without any growing medium. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Consider Tillandsia for unique plant gift

By Tim Johnson

November 29, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Tillandsia are relatively inexpensive, adaptable plants that tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions.

Oak trees, like elms, should be pruned only after their leaves have turned and they have entered dormancy for the winter. Winter pruning reduces the risk of infection by serious diseases

spread by insects. (The Morton Arboretum)

Protect oaks and elms by pruning only in winter

By Beth Botts

November 23, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Trees should only be pruned during winter, when insects that could spread dangerous diseases aren't...

Tropical hibiscus perform best if left in a container through the summer and then brought inside to overwinter. (Sue Kach)

Where should I plant my tropical hibiscus this winter?

By Tim Johnson

November 22, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Tropical hibiscus likes hot weather and provides vibrant flowers in summer, but it will not...

White pines drop lots of needles, leaving an attractive pine needle mulch on the beds under the trees. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

White pine needle loss no cause for worry

By Tim Johnson

November 16, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The sandy loam soil often found in Evanston gardens is great for growing white pines.

A layer of mulch insulates the soil around plants’ roots so they wait for the right time to sprout in spring. Spread mulch in an even layer and never pile it against the trunk of a tree. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Make sure plants are cozy in mulch before winter sets in

By Beth Botts

November 15, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Before winter closes in, do one last thing for all the trees, shrubs and other...

Shining sumac is a large shrub, native to the Chicago region, that has spectacular red foliage in fall. (John Hagstrom/The Morton Arboretum)

Add pops of autumn color with native shrubs

By Beth Botts

November 13, 2025 at 1:48 p.m.

This autumn, think about places that could use a touch of red, orange and gold.

Oak leaves on a lawn. (RJ Carlson /Chicago Botanic Garden)

Can I leave leaves in my garden beds?

By Tim Johnson

November 8, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Leaving fallen leaves where they are saves time on cleanup while benefiting the environment.

A grassy expanse near Crete photographed in September is part of a nearly 500-acre acquisition by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The Book family property will be added to Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, making it the district's second largest preserve. (Forest Preserve District of Will County)

Forest Preserve District of Will County’s 500-acre purchase is second largest land buy in its history

By Michelle Mullins

November 7, 2025 at 5:05 a.m.

Forest Preserve District of Will County buys 500 acres near Crete, makes Goodenow Grove Nature...

Removing the seeds of trumpet vines by regularly deadheading can help control the plant. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Trumpet vine can be a demanding plant for your garden

By Tim Johnson

November 2, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Trumpet vine is a high-climbing, aggressively colonizing, woody vine that is cultivated for its attractive...