Tim Johnson – Page 18

If you are watering with a sprinkler, check that all the plants are getting adequate water by monitoring the soil and spot checking the plants' root balls.

What’s the best way to irrigate new plants?

June 10, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

I installed a new garden last year and I am wondering if I should start watering the plants installed last spring. My contractor installed some more plants in early April...

Maintaining your lawn at a taller height will encourage a stronger root system.

Prep your lawn for summer with these mowing tips

June 4, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

I just purchased my first home and now will start mowing my lawn. I need some advice on best practices. —Javier Alvarez, Highwood An easy way to improve the quality...

Signs of winter injury include golden or brown needles and foliage that has developed a yellowish or off-green color.

How to know if you can revive thinning, off-color plants

May 28, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

I noticed that three of my boxwood shrubs are looking thinner than normal with browning foliage. Some of my yews have a yellow cast to the leaves. This seems to...

Grow vegetables in raised beds surrounded by chicken wire to keep dogs from disturbing them.

Fido and your garden can be friendly with some precaution

May 20, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

I plan to adopt two small dogs and would like some advice on how to garden in my fenced backyard where they will be able to run about. — Kelly...

Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) is a vigorous, invasive perennial with green foliage and white flowers.

Invasive goutweed competes for attention in your garden, but you can fight back

May 13, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

A gardening friend told me that I have a weed called goutweed in my garden. Now that I have looked closer at the beds, it is spreading throughout my shaded...

There are many different mowers to consider buying to use for your lawn.

Mulching mowers work well for the low-maintenance lawn

May 7, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

I just bought a new home after living in an apartment for many years and would like some advice on how to pick a good mower for a mid-sized, low-maintenance...

If in doubt as to whether there are utility lines present, err on the side of calling to have the utilities located for your property.

Avoid damaging utility lines when digging up your garden

April 29, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

I think there are phone and cable television lines buried underneath my new house. I see where the lines enter the house in the back. How can I avoid damaging...

Spring annuals such as pansies grow less due to the short season, so if you want a full bed, plant them closer together.

Don’t waste money designing your garden — here’s how to calculate exactly what you need

April 23, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

I need some help calculating how many plants to buy for my garden beds as well as how much mulch to buy. — Leonard Valenti, Chicago Many gardeners are out...

As with any type of plant, taking proper care of the stock before planting, siting it appropriately in the garden, and planting properly are important to achieve success.

How to bear planting bare root shrub

April 15, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

I ordered some bare root shrubs by mail and would like some advice on how to achieve the best results in planting them. — Ed Reilly, Warrenville Bare root plants...

Tulips are a favorite plant for deer to to eat at this time of year.
- Original Credit: RJ Carlson/ Chicago Botanic Gard

Don’t leave your tulips for deer to eat — a good repellent helps

April 10, 2023 at 12:33 p.m.

Deer have been eating my tulip leaves as soon as they poke out of the ground, and I am worried that I will not get any flowers this year. They...

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