Home and Garden – Page 22

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...

Cool-season vegetables grow well in spring before summer's heat sets in. Their seeds can be sown outdoors once the soil is thawed and well drained or started indoors for an earlier crop.

(Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Some crops need a cool start

By Beth Botts

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

Before too long, it will be time to start planting vegetables.

A small orchid on the kitchen sink below a south-facing window that is shaded. (Kristie Webber/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Stunning new orchids need to be repotted

By Tim Johnson

March 10, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

I was inspired to try growing orchids after attending the Garden’s Orchid Show last week...

Pruning raspberry bushes in late winter or early spring will clear the way for them to bloom and bear fruit in summer. (John Hagstrom/The Morton Arboretum)

Prune your backyard raspberries yearly

By Beth Botts

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

Raspberries and blackberries are pruned in late winter or early spring to get rid of...

Shoveling after a snowstorm can be a very satisfying activity. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

How to best haul piles of snow

By Tim Johnson

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

Snow shoveling is strenuous and it’s a good idea to take frequent breaks and prevent...

When a bare-root plant is delivered, open the wrapping and make sure the roots have not dried out. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Consider buying plants with their roots bare

By Beth Botts

March 1, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

If you have chosen trees, shrubs or perennials you’d like to add to your garden...

A poly snow pusher works well to clear large areas of light snow quickly. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Choose the right shovel for heavy snow

By Tim Johnson

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

Shoveling snow is hard work and can lead to injury even if you are in...

As the first step in removing a large tree branch, make a cut on the underside about 8 inches out from the trunk. This will prevent the heavy branch from tearing away bark from the trunk as it falls. (Jeffrey Ross/The Morton Arboretum)

3 steps to safely remove a tree branch

By Beth Botts

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

To avoid danger to yourself and damage to the tree, plan carefully before you cut.

FILE – Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, speaks during South by Southwest Conference in Austin, Texas, on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, unveils new lifestyles brand As Ever

By Associated Press

February 18, 2025 at 4:28 p.m.

Au revoir, American Riviera Orchard. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has rebranded her fledgling company...

Choosing an apple variety that is resistant to common diseases will reduce the amount of work it takes to get a crop and the need for pesticides in a home orchard. (Deborah J. G. Brown/The Morton Arboretum)

Disease resistance matters most in apple trees

By Beth Botts

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

If you’re considering adding an apple tree to your home landscape this spring, it’s important...

Protect plants from cold winter temperatures when bringing them home. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

How best to gift a plant this winter

By Tim Johnson

February 16, 2025 at 9:29 a.m.

It is important to protect plants from cold winter temperatures when bringing them home.