Home and Garden – Page 17

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...

A stray saucer magnolia bloom in July, rather than April, means the tree has been confused by hot summer weather. It will still have plenty more buds to bloom next spring. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Blooms out of season are a trick of the weather

By Beth Botts

August 3, 2025 at 10:49 a.m.

Some weather anomalies in summer or fall, such as a stretch of hot days or...

Mealybugs are soft-bodied, wingless insects that appear as white, cottony masses on the leaves and stems of houseplants. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Mealybugs on your houseplant? Here’s how to get rid of them.

By Tim Johnson

July 27, 2025 at 11:06 a.m.

My uncle, who is an avid gardener, noticed mealybugs on some of my houseplants and...

Nitrogen is the nutrient that promotes leafy green growth. Plants get most of the nitrogen they need from the soil, so fertilize them only when necessary. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Which nutrients do your plants really need?

By Beth Botts

July 26, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Gardeners are often told how important nutrients are to plants. But what is a nutrient,...

A site surrounded by paving or walls — whether a narrow parkway or a garden bed next to a driveway — is harsh for a tree or any kind of plant because it limits root space and the masonry heats up and dries out the soil. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Plants near paving need extra help

By Beth Botts

July 20, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Placing plants near masonry is a source of stress, especially if they aren’t getting enough...

Learn more lawn care techniques at the Chicago Botanic Garden. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Yellowing, thin grass? It might be rust disease.

By Tim Johnson

July 19, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Rust is a disease that affects slow-growing turf

Lecanium Scale on a bald cypress tree. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

For a tree under stress, lecanium scale can be unwelcome guest

By Tim Johnson

July 13, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Lecanium scale attach themselves to the leaves and twigs of trees and feed on plant...

Replacing a small front lawn with native plants, shrubs or ground covers can reduce maintenance, create a wildlife habitat and improve the soil to reduce storm runoff. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Find a better use for that tiny lawn

By Beth Botts

July 12, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Ground covers, perennials, shrubs or even a slender tree would be easier to care for...

Storm damage to a tree may reveal hidden rot that weakened it. Call in a certified professional arborist to inspect a storm-damaged tree and make it safe. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Be ready if storms damage trees

By Beth Botts

July 6, 2025 at 2:05 p.m.

Here’s some advice on how to safely deal with a storm-damaged tree.

Branch tips that fell from the oak tree in my backyard. (Tim Johnson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Is there something wrong with my tree?

By Tim Johnson

July 5, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Damage caused by squirrels, twig pruners and twig girdlers is nothing to worry about.

Planting cultivars of blue anise sage (Salvia guaranitica) has been very reliable in attracting hummingbirds, especially when planted in masses. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

How can I attract hummingbirds to my garden?

By Tim Johnson

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

Look at the big picture for your garden and make sure there are plants that...