Tim Johnson – Page 11

In late fall, you may need to use a rake to remove excess leaves that could end up smothering the lawn. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Can I mow over the leaves that have already started falling in my garden?

October 20, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Can I mow over the leaves that have already started falling in my garden? I’d prefer to leave them on the lawn rather than raking. — Terence Coleman, Grayslake I...

Consider using a high-quality bird seed in your feeder. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Use a high-quality bird seed in your feeder

October 12, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

The hostas under my bird feeder have been decimated. Is there another plant that I can use under the feeder? — Rebecca Gunderson, Elk Grove We have bird feeders at...

The loss of large shade trees will increase the amount of sun for your garden. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Wait for winter to remove dead trees

October 6, 2024 at 2:02 p.m.

You may be able to secure better pricing if the work is done in the winter.

A large bald-faced hornet’s nest is attached to our house very close to a grill. (Tim Johnson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Leave the hornet’s nest in your garden alone

September 29, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Hornets are beneficial insects that are good for your garden.

Branch-littered lawns have an easy fix

September 22, 2024 at 12:23 p.m.

I have some significant specimen oak trees in my front yard, and I have been finding the lawn littered with the ends of branches. What is causing this? — Allison...

Work with an experienced professional arborist when assessing whether your tree can be saved. (Julie McCaffrey/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Which trees should be rescued after storm damage?

September 15, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

The first thing to do after a significant storm is to carefully look for broken or damaged branches hanging in the crown of the tree.

Apple scab is a common fungal infection of crabapple and fruiting apple trees. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

What should I do about apple scab?

September 8, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

My crabapple trees have never looked worse than they do now. The trees appear to be mostly dead with the sparse remaining foliage looking very unhealthy. Should I remove the...

Resin from branches infected with cytospora canker. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Blue spruce in decline may need more maintenance

September 3, 2024 at 3:58 p.m.

I have a large blue spruce tree in front of my home. It is taller than my two-story home, and when I moved in eight years ago, it was a...

Plants grown in containers must be watered routinely. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

How can I improve my container plants?

August 25, 2024 at 11:31 a.m.

I thought growing annuals for color would be easy, but I’ve noticed a couple of my containers and beds of annuals are stunted and have off-green and yellowing foliage. What...

Pull the grass out of your perennial beds throughout the growing season. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Eradicating grassy weeds takes patience and persistence

August 17, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Grassy weeds are difficult to eradicate once they get established.

All Stories