Home and Garden – Page 16

At the end of the growing season, think back on your garden through the growing season to make notes for improving it next year. For example, planting some colorful alliums might fill a gap between the last spring tulips and the first summer flowers. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Make notes now for next year’s garden

By Beth Botts

October 31, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As fall swirls toward winter, spend a little time out in the garden taking stock...

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...

Trees change color in fall as part of their preparation for winter. If some trees turn early, it’s usually because they have been under stress from drought or other adverse conditions. (Beth Botts /The Morton Arboretum)

Flashes of color hint at fall

By Beth Botts

September 7, 2025 at 11:59 a.m.

Leaf color is a sign that trees are preparing for winter by entering the sleeplike...

Check your trees for signs of the Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive insect that could be a threat in Illinois since it is present in other states. Look for deep holes in the bark, 3/8 to ½ inch wide, where the insects have tunneled out of the wood. (U.S. Forest Service)

Check your trees for invasive pests

By Beth Botts

August 31, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The end of summer is a good time to examine your trees for signs of...

Containers in the Buehler Enabling Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Bring your annuals back to life with these tips

By Tim Johnson

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

Plants grown in containers need to be watered routinely, especially during summer when the plants...

A magnolia in bloom. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Will magnolia in my garden rebloom?

By Tim Johnson

August 24, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

There’s nothing for you to be concerned about with your magnolia putting out a few...

Plants that bloom in late summer, such as phlox, are important food sources for butterflies and other pollinating insects. (Beth Botts /The Morton Arboretum)

Plant a colorful garden to invite pollinators

By Beth Botts

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

Pollinating insects, especially non-native honeybees, are important for food crops.

Rain may not actually deliver enough water to keep your plants thriving. Check to make sure there is
sufficient moisture in the top few inches of soil. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Rainfall may not be enough for plants

By Beth Botts

August 17, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Don’t be deceived by soil that looks dark and moist.

Proper watering of plants before and after planting is critical during the hot summer season. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Should I wait until next spring to plant?

By Tim Johnson

August 18, 2025 at 12:21 p.m.

There is no reason to stop planting during the summer, a garden expert says.

Sod will quickly compost if left rolled up and piled up in hot weather. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Install sod ahead of ground freeze

By Tim Johnson

August 10, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

We just finished an addition on our house and would like to quickly restore our...

Mushrooms growing in a lawn or in mulch are nothing to worry about, but those growing on a tree’s trunk or roots may indicate there is decay in the wood. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Have expert check a tree marked with mushrooms

By Beth Botts

August 9, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

When a mushroom is growing on the trunk or roots of a living tree, it...

A gall on the leaf of a witch hazel. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Leaf galls rarely cause serious harm

By Tim Johnson

August 3, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Insect and mite galls are common on trees and shrubs throughout the Chicago area and...