Beth Botts – Page 30 –

Those cracks in tree bark are called frost cracks. Here’s how to lessen the damage.

January 31, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

When we spend time outdoors in deep cold, we often get red noses and chapped cheeks. In a young tree, sudden, deep cold can cause more severe damage: cracks in...

Removing deadwood makes for happier, healthier shrubs and trees — here’s how to know if branches are still alive

January 17, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

The first step in pruning a shrub or tree is to remove branches that are dead. "Any plant will accumulate a certain amount of deadwood over time, due to harsh...

Pruning shrubs in winter can pay off big for gardens come spring

January 12, 2021 at 10:22 a.m.

Midwinter is an excellent time to prune deciduous shrubs. "Because they've lost their leaves, it's easy to see the structure and judge which branches to remove," said Sharon Yiesla, plant...

With a new year comes new plans for your garden. Here’s how to get started.

January 4, 2021 at 1:49 p.m.

As the old year passes, it's time to prepare for spring. The first step in planning for a new season in the garden is to think back, according to Julie...

Like dormant plants that emerge and rebuild in spring, we can wait out this cold, dark winter

December 26, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

Perhaps this year more than most, winter is going to be a cold, dark time. We've retreated to shelter, waiting for a dangerous season to pass. If we were plants,...

Yew shrubs, hardy and attractive, are the stuff of ancient legends and a great addition to Midwest yards

December 19, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

At a time of year when we often decorate with holly, mistletoe, pine, fir and spruce, it's easy to overlook some of our most common evergreens: yews. In many Chicago-area...

Frozen soil is fine for gardens in winter, but mulching is important for another reason

December 13, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

Frozen margaritas: yummy. Frozen toes: bad. Frozen soil: just fine. Many gardeners are afraid their plants will be harmed if the soil freezes in winter. Often they see spreading mulch...

Gardening gifts and trusty tools for the discerning green thumb

December 6, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

New to gardening? Don't be daunted. "You especially don't need to be confused by the tools," said Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. "A few...

Acorns are in short supply this year — here’s why

November 28, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

If we were squirrels, doing our best to stash food away for the winter, this would be an anxious autumn. Acorns — the nuts of oak trees and a favorite...

T-shirts are the perfect tool to help protect arborvitae evergreens from snow damage

November 22, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

Sooner or later, there will be a big snow. When heavy snow is caught in the needles of evergreen shrubs, it can sometimes bend their branches alarmingly. Usually, the alarm...

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