Beth Botts – Page 29 –

Diversity is key in any garden or tree planning, encouraging more species to visit and lessening impact of decimating ills

April 5, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

As you research the trees or shrubs you might plant this spring, keep one important idea in mind: diversity. "It's always better, in the garden and in the neighborhood, to...

Soil tests are important for new gardens and big changes to your yard. Here’s what you need to know.

April 3, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

The start of the gardening season, before you start buying plants and digging holes, is a good time for an important checkup: a soil test. "The chemistry of your soil...

Spring is here, and weeds are already sprouting. Here’s how to get a head start on weeding to lessen the spread.

March 28, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

It's spring, and that means it's time to start weeding. "Weeds are among the first green things we see in the garden," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at The...

12 dos and don’ts for early spring gardening

March 21, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

You may be extra eager to get outside and start gardening this spring — just be careful which tasks you start with, according to Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at...

Impatient for spring blooms? Branches of early-budding trees can be forced into flowering inside

March 14, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

In a few weeks, the first flowers will appear on trees and shrubs, and spring will be here for sure. Can't wait that long? Try forcing branches into bloom to...

Sick of all the snow this winter? There’s one big benefit: It’s great at protecting your garden.

March 6, 2021 at 7:59 a.m.

People who have had to shovel this winter's heavy snow may be glad to see it melt. But from your garden plants' perspective, it's been a good thing. "Winters with...

Bright dogwood bark gets its most vivid coloring with frequent pruning

February 28, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

A cheery glimpse of color on a gray and wintry day: That's why we plant shrubs with bright bark. Colorful bark is a main feature of red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea...

Arborvitae plants are popular, cheap evergreen shrubs found all around Chicago. Here’s how to pick one that’s right for your yard.

February 21, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

If you don't have an arborvitae tree or shrub in your yard, chances are your neighbor does. Arborvitaes are among the most commonly planted evergreens in Chicago-area landscapes. Many yards...

When trees suffer cracks or damage, experts have a toolbox full of ways to save them, from steel rods to guy wires

February 14, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

A major crack has appeared in your favorite big tree. Is it doomed? Not necessarily. There are ways to reinforce trees that are in danger of failing, according to Jake...

What’s in a botanical name? How Latin words help gardeners tell a rose from a Portulaca grandiflora

February 6, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

Are you waiting for your snowdrops to bloom? Or do you prefer to call them Galanthus nivalis? "Nearly every kind of plant has more than one name," said Julie Janoski,...

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