Easy ways to calculate how many plants to buy for your garden
"I have trouble buying the right number of plants and amount of mulch for my garden. What is the best way to determine how many plants and how much mulch...
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This herbicide is key to taming persistent, invasive lesser celandine
"How did the Sure Power herbicide you referenced in a column last year work to control lesser celandine in your lawn?" — Will Hopkins, Morton Grove Many readers have asked...
Haunted by last year’s garden fails? Here are common mistakes with shade, soil and plant selection to avoid this spring
"I have big dreams for an improved garden this year and want to add a bunch of new plants to dress it up. What would be some advice on choosing...
Core aeration vs. power raking? Pro tips on what’s best for your lawn
"I would like my lawn to look better this year. Should I start the growing season off by both power raking and core aerating?" — Layla Thompson, Skokie I recommend using...
Spring-blooming hellebores are easy to grow in gardens
"I purchased a new home last winter and now am watching my garden come alive. There are some perennials with somewhat tattered leaves laying nearly flat on the ground that...
Early spring flower envy? Get these bulbs in autumn to get colorful winter aconite and snowdrops next year
"I have been seeing a couple different small flowering plants recently and would like to know where I can buy them, as the early season color is great. One has...
Start off gardening season reworking bed edges with help from a garden hose, rope or spade
"The edges of my garden beds never look right, and I would like some suggestions on how to do better before I start working on them this spring." — Sandeep...
Browning bottoms on evergreens likely mean deer made wintery snacks of foliage. Here’s how to treat it.
"What has happened to my 5-plus-year-old evergreens in the backyard? I just noticed that the bottoms have turned brown." — Benjamin Shapiro, Glencoe The evergreens in your photo are arborvitae...
Winter is the ideal time for heavy pruning of shrubs in your yard. Here’s how to get the best results.
"I just purchased a home with a neglected garden and have several large, overgrown shrubs that I would like to reduce in size instead of replacing. Can this be done...
Shamrock plants might seem dead, but dormant period can be deceiving
"My shamrock plant's leaves turned yellow and died back, and I have not seen any new growth over the last few weeks. Should I give up and buy a new...