Home and Garden – Page 7

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...

Josie Rivas, right, of Olivaceto Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars, serves a customer at the La Grange Farmers Market opening day Thursday, May 21, 2026, in La Grange. (Hank Beckman/Pioneer Press)

Organizers ‘right-size’ La Grange Farmers Market as 30th season kicks off

By Hank Beckman

May 28, 2026 at 3:13 p.m.

Opening day of the La Grange Farmers Market was a hit with shoppers and vendors...

It’s time to start hardening off summer flowers such as zinnias for installing in your garden. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

When can summer-flowering annuals start hardening outdoors?

By Tim Johnson

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

With the last frost date traditionally marked May 15, it’s time for you to start...

As you fill your pollinator garden in springtime, be sure to include some late-blooming plants such as asters to provide nectar and pollen for insects in August and September. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Plant a pollinator garden that blooms all season

By Beth Botts

May 23, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Don't forget to plant for nectar, the food reward that entices animals to provide the...

Reed canary grass or ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea var. picta) is an example of an invasive plant that easily spreads from gardens into natural areas to choke out native plants and damage ecosystems and wildlife. Avoid planting invasive plants. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Protect wildlife by eliminating invasive plants

By Beth Botts

May 17, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

May is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Illinois. It's a good time for gardeners to...

Fragrant Bouquet Hosta and Siebold Primrose. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Which hostas will thrive in the garden?

By Tim Johnson

May 16, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Hostas — with many varieties to choose from — are great plants for a low-maintenance...

Glencoe Historical Society board members Ed Goodale, from left, Ellen Shubart and Ed Olinger discuss ongoing renovations at the Frank Lloyd Wright structure known as Ravine Bluffs cottage in Glencoe. (Daniel I. Dorfman/for Pioneer Press)

Glencoe’s Frank Lloyd Wright cottage, past home to racist lawyer and suffragette, may open to public

By Daniel I. Dorfman

May 15, 2026 at 8:15 p.m.

Glencoe's Frank Lloyd Wright cottage, past home to a racist owner and a suffragette, is...

Tomatoes, always a popular item at the Clarendon Hills Farmers Market are offered for sale at the market in 2019. The Clarendon Hills Farmers Market opens again Thursday. (Chuck Fieldman/Pioneer Press)

Clarendon Hills Farmers Market preparing to open season Thursday

By Chuck Fieldman

May 11, 2026 at 3:52 p.m.

The Clarendon Hills Farmers Market returns Thursday and continues from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m....

Hemerocallis fulva is considered invasive in the Chicago area. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Daylilies can be difficult to eradicate. Here’s how.

By Tim Johnson

May 10, 2026 at 3:14 p.m.

The daylily is considered invasive in the Chicago area and is very difficult to eradicate...

Before you buy any plant, carefully read the label for information about whether it is suitable for the place where you plan to plant it. If you buy the plant, keep the label to guide care. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Let plant label guide you at garden center

By Beth Botts

May 9, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Before you fall for a gorgeous blooming perennial at the garden center or a hot-deal...

Volutella blight on pachysandra. (Tim Johnson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Volutella blight disease can be destructive

By Tim Johnson

May 3, 2026 at 2:41 p.m.

Volutella blight begins as small, brown to tan spots on plant leaves that often go...