Home and Garden – Page 6

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...

Summer-blooming panicled hydrangeas — named for their elongated clusters, or panicles, of many tiny flowers — are hardy and easy-care shrubs that are available in a range of sizes to fit most yards. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Take your pick of summer-blooming hydrangeas

By Beth Botts

June 20, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

These shrubs are tough, adaptable and hardy, so it’s no surprise they’re popular with gardeners.

Sue Nibeck, who helped found the Hinsdale Farmers Market 50 years ago, visits with a vendor at the market Monday, June 15, in Hinsdale. (Kim Notaro)

Hinsdale Farmers Market founder Sue Nibeck looks back on 50 years of fresh food

By Chuck Fieldman

June 16, 2026 at 5:07 a.m.

Sue Nibeck, who founded the Hinsdale Farmers Market in 1976, returned to help celebrate 50...

It’s best to water in the morning so plants’ leaves have time to dry off. Dampness on leaves overnight can encourage fungus diseases. (Jeffrey Ross/The Morton Arboretum)

Get ready now to water all summer

By Beth Botts

June 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Early summer, when plants are still green from spring rains, is the time to think...

Damage on junipers. (Tim Johnson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Disease-resistant Chinese junipers thrive in full sun

By Tim Johnson

June 14, 2026 at 2:09 p.m.

Chinese junipers need full sun and soil with good drainage to thrive.

The northern catalpa tree has clusters of large, frilly white flowers that invite pollinating insects. (Sharon Yiesla/The Morton Arboretum)

Catalpa trees can handle city conditions

By Beth Botts

June 7, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

When a northern catalpa tree blooms in early summer, it’s a lovely sight. Impressive clusters...

Star of Bethlehem grows in early spring with narrow, glossy, grass-like leaves. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Star of Bethlehem weed must be managed

By Tim Johnson

June 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Star of Bethlehem is an invasive, bulb-forming perennial that spreads aggressively in lawn and garden...

Musician Jack Antonoff and the Bleachers perform at Verizon Wireless Music Center on May 31, 2014, in Irvine, California. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

What to do in Chicago: The Blues Festival, Bleachers and bubbles at the Botanic Garden

By Jennifer Day

June 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Along with the Blues Festival in Millennium Park, the American Writers Festival welcomes visitors on...

Berries for sale at the tent of vendor Six Generations' Farmin' Local at the Winnetka Farmers Market opener on June 3, 2023 in Winnetka at the corner of Green Bay Road and Oak Street at the Winnetka train station.

These 10 north suburban farmers’ markets offer treats, music, fun, plus veggies

By Myrna Petlicki

June 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Find hours, locations for farmer's markets in Northbrook, Skokie, Evanston, Park Ridge, Northfield, Winnetka, Glenview,...

Brown carbon-rich materials such as dried leaves are an essential ingredient for home compost, although it should also include green nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings, weeds and fruit and vegetable waste from the kitchen. (Beth Botts /The Morton Arboretum)

Here’s how to make rich, healthy compost

By Beth Botts

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

Making your own compost is a great way to improve your soil, make use of...

Salvia comes in red, white, and blue. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Plant a patriotic garden to celebrate nation’s 250th anniversary

By Tim Johnson

May 30, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

You can get very close to a red, white, and blue theme using selections of...