Tim Johnson – Page 29

Early spring flower envy? Get these bulbs in autumn to get colorful winter aconite and snowdrops next year

April 4, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"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

March 27, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"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...

Lawn tunnels likely from voles burrowing and foraging for food. Here’s how to treat it.

March 20, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"With the snow in my garden now mostly melted, I am seeing what appear to be tunnels in my lawn in a few areas. What is happening here, and is...

Browning bottoms on evergreens likely mean deer made wintery snacks of foliage. Here’s how to treat it.

March 13, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"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.

March 7, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"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

February 27, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"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...

Aphid infestation on your houseplants? Here’s how to get rid of the insects and their sticky residue

February 20, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"I have found a sticky residue on the leaves of some of my houseplants and what appears to be little bugs under some of the leaves. What can I do...

Recent snow in Chicago shouldn’t damage trees and plants, but there are some cold-weather tips you should know

February 13, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"Will the recent heavy snow damage my garden plants?" — Vanessa Goodman, Lake Forest It's been a relatively easy winter so far, with the January snowstorms being the first significant...

Improper pruning can be fatal to trees. Here’s how to do it right.

February 7, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"Can my tree be saved?" — Paul Grimes, Aurora The photo indicates that the cause of the damage to your tree was from an improper pruning cut. The top of...

How to keep fresh-cut flowers alive longer in winter

January 30, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

"I have had challenges getting cut flowers to last in my home and desperately need some color to get through the rest of winter. Are there some steps I can...

All Stories