Wood rot could hide your tree’s decayShelf-like fungi growing from your tree could be "the tip of the iceberg," plant experts say. August 06, 2023
Spotting black patches on your leaves? It may be anthracnose. Anthracnose rarely kills a tree or seriously affects its health, but it will probably weaken it. August 05, 2023
Clamping down on crabgrass should be top of mind this summer The best way to prevent crabgrass is to maintain a healthy, thick lawn that outcompetes and excludes crabgrass, according to plant expert Tim Johnson. July 30, 2023
Collecting roadside blooms can sprout chaos in your gardenTaking home beautiful wildflowers can also bring major problems to your garden. July 29, 2023
After moving back to her family home in Beverly, a gardener restores an oasis in the city to 1940s glory “I’m trying to make my garden as much like a farmer’s open space as I can,” said Beverly homeowner Meredith Horn, who moved from Steger just before the pandemic. July 28, 2023
Former teacher teams with Sauk Village church in Victory Garden effort to connect people and healthy food Just Roots Chicago, which operates the It Takes a Village Community Farm in Sauk Village and the Saint James Community Farm on Chicago’s South Side as way to expand access to local, sustainably grown food. July 27, 2023
Trees trunks come in all shapes and sizes The line between trees and shrubs can be murky, plant experts say. July 23, 2023
Liquid fertilizer can help get your plant’s color backIt is likely that your containers just need to be fertilized, Tim Johnson of the Chicago Botanic Garden writes. July 22, 2023
Grow hibiscus to get double takes on your yardLooking for a plant that will knock off socks with showstopping bloom, while supporting pollinators and other native wildlife? Consider hibiscus. July 16, 2023
Put a stop to aphids sucking the life from your gardenCrumpling leaves and bending tips at the tops of plants are indicators of damaging aphids. July 09, 2023
To deal with drought in your garden, water with precisionMost of Northern Illinois is in moderate or severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor website. July 08, 2023
Hardy clematis vine can climb high in your gardenThe most familiar clematis blooms are the big purple saucers of Jackman’s clematis, a common sight in summer in Chicago-area gardens. July 02, 2023
Garlic is an easy and delicious crop for home gardenersYour garlic shoots should be ready to harvest by late July. July 01, 2023
To safely operate gas-powered lawn equipment, start with No-Spill gas cans Avoid filling gas in a hot piece of equipment and never add fuel to any machine that is still running. June 25, 2023
Getting hydrangeas to bloom is a risky business “‘Why didn’t my hydrangea bloom?’ is one of the questions we get most often at this time of year,” said Sharon Yiesla of the Morton Arboretum. June 24, 2023
Tips for treating destructive Japanese beetlesHow can you battle the beetles? Here are some tips from the Plant Clinic. June 18, 2023
How to handle dead tree removal in your yardYou can wait a while to remove a dead tree if it doesn't jeopardize your safety. June 17, 2023
A dry spring means it’s time to waterIt’s not just whether you water your garden that makes a difference to plants. It’s also how you water. June 11, 2023
What’s the best way to irrigate new plants?Though it has been a dry spring, overwatering can stress or kill plants. June 10, 2023
Best bet for drought conditions: Water plants, soak trees and let grass go dormant, experts say Even with the rain that could come this weekend, property owners are going to need to water their plants and trees this summer to avoid damage from the moderate drought conditions the area's experiencing. June 08, 2023
Prep your lawn for summer with these mowing tipsMaintaining a taller lawn height will help it withstand stress caused by hot and dry weather in summer. June 04, 2023
You can cultivate gorgeous peonies this JuneHere are some tips from the Morton Arboretum on how to maintain beautiful peonies. June 03, 2023
How to know if you can revive thinning, off-color plantsDiscolored or “burned” foliage will start to appear on the plants in spring as the weather begins warming up. May 28, 2023
Water helps dried tree leaves recover from dry spring, cold weatherRainfall has been short in much of the Chicago area, but you can help your trees recover from the dry spring. May 27, 2023
Freezing spring nights can endanger tender plantsSome kinds of plants are vulnerable to the colder temperatures that can occur in late May. May 21, 2023
Fido and your garden can be friendly with some precautionGardening with dogs is generally not a big deal other than being a little more challenging at times. May 20, 2023
What can gardeners do to combat invasive plants? Know your enemy. The choices you make in your garden are critical in the fight against invasive plants. May 14, 2023
Invasive goutweed competes for attention in your garden, but you can fight backConsistent removal from month to month over a period of years is critical to get control of goutweed. May 13, 2023
What do Trader Joe’s flowers really need to stay alive? (Hint: Not the latest TikTok hack)The short answer is that for most flowers, you really just need fresh water in a clean vase. But there are still some things to consider around buying, displaying and tending to your new bouquets to help the blooms last. Here’s what you should know. May 07, 2023