Beth Botts – Page 34 –

Celebrate Arbor Day by enjoying all that trees bring us — and give them a little love in return

April 24, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

In these difficult days, it's good to be reminded that life goes on. One way to remember that is to look at our trees. "Trees live a long time, and...

You don’t have to social distance from your garden while coronavirus has us cooped up — get outside and dig in

April 18, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

If you have a large yard where you can work outdoors at a suitable social distance, you have a handy stress reliever: You can garden. Even if you don't have...

Sharpen your gardening tools for clean cuts and healthier plants

April 5, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

Sharpening tools is an important gardening task that can be completed indoors. If your tools are sharp, your plants will benefit, said Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic manager at The Morton...

Despite coronavirus crisis, ‘nature stays on track,’ so look out your window for signs of spring

April 2, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

Spring is coming just as it does every year. Crocuses are in bloom and daffodils are getting there. Buds are swelling on forsythia shrubs. Soon, a red or green glow...

Wildflowers are great for spring gardens — just don’t get them from the wild

March 28, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

Nothing raises the spirits like the first wildflowers of spring in the woods. "It's always a treat to see those first little blooms," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at...

Don’t let warm days fool you — gardens aren’t ready for springtime work just yet

March 19, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

The garden beckons on warm days in spring, but it's too soon for planting and many other garden tasks, said Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum in...

How to identify insect eggs early and head off springtime garden pests

March 5, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.

Before you start looking for signs of spring in the garden, look around for trouble: insect eggs. "A number of problem insects overwinter as eggs on trees and shrubs," said...

Climate change and your garden: How warmer temperatures prompt tricky guesswork for gardeners

February 24, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

The climate in the Midwest is changing, and that makes a difference for gardeners. "We haven't seen as much of an increase in storms and droughts as some places," said...

Witch hazel is a trendy skincare go-to, but it’s also a great pick for winter gardens

February 17, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.

It's a head-turning sight on a bone-chilling February day: a tree in bloom. Sparkly little yellow-and-red flowers, with petals like tiny ribbons, flutter along the branches of vernal witch hazel...

To protect them from oak wilt, a serious fungal disease, oaks should only be pruned in the winter when it's cold.

Oak trees need pruning in winter to avoid branch wilt

February 12, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.

It may seem like winter will last forever, but it won't. If you have an oak that needs pruning, that gives you a deadline. To protect them from oak wilt,...

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