Tim Johnson – Page 13

If your garden soil is made up of heavy clay, a raised garden bed made from untreated wood is a great solution. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Healthy soil starts with full sun

May 25, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

My goal this year is to plant a vegetable garden in the ground. What type of soil should I get and where do I buy it? Or is the soil...

Thatch is a loose, mixed organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots that develops between the zone of green vegetation and the soil surface. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Don’t worry about thatch buildup, garden experts say

May 20, 2024 at 3:09 p.m.

Do I need to collect the grass clippings when mowing my lawn to avoid thatch buildup? This practice created a lot of extra work for me last year. Can I...

A nesting block is something you can buy or make yourself. (Maria Rebelo / Chicago Botanic Garden)

How can I attract native bees to my garden?

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

A few members of my gardening club have installed nesting blocks for native bees in their gardens. This sounds like something that would help me with more sustainable gardening practices....

Common red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) tolerates wet conditions and is easy to grow. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Plants not performing well? Consider your garden’s growing conditions.

May 5, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

I would like some general advice on how to be successful with my new plantings after having lots of problems over the last couple of years. Some of the plants...

Microgreens at the seed leaf (cotyledon) stage. (RJ Carlson/ Chicago Botanic Garden)

Seeding microgreens simple work for at-home chefs

April 27, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

I am interested in using more microgreens and would like some advice on how to grow them at home. — Rissi Melecio, Highland Park We could all use some tips...

A declining Douglas fir tree. (Bert Gaide)

How can I rescue my declining tree?

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

I have this 35-year-old tree in my front yard in Lake Zurich that is not doing well. Do you think the ivy is causing the demise of the tree and...

Bare root trees and shrubs are shipped and planted in early spring. (Chicago Botanic Garden)

How should I plant my bare root tree?

April 14, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

I received some bare root trees and shrubs as a gift and would like to know how to plant and care for them. — Jerry Rosen, Skokie That sounds like...

When two sets of true leaves develop, transplant small seedlings to larger pots. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Start your annuals indoors this year

April 7, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

I would like to try starting some of my annual flowers at home and would like some suggestions on how to do this. — Alberto Gonzalez, Waukegan This is such...

Aphids are tiny, pear-shaped insects that come in a range of colors including pink, black, yellow, green, orange, red and brown. (Julie McCaffrey / Chicago Botanic Garden)

How can I get rid of aphids?

March 31, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

There is a sticky residue on some of the leaves of my houseplants and what appear to be little bugs under some of the leaves. What can I do to...

A proper pruning cut starts at the top of the branch collar and ends at the bottom. (RJ Carlson)

Prune while you still can to prevent damage

March 23, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

My trees have a few low branches hanging over my patio and I would like to prune them to avoid bumping my head. Is this an acceptable time to do...

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