How to winterize your vegetable garden for a thriving crop next year
"I had great success with my new vegetable garden this year and would like to prepare for another good season in 2021. Are there some things I can still do...
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Knowing when to prune clematis vines depends on which type your garden has
"We have several clematis vines in our garden and do not know their names. Do you advise cutting them this fall or leaving them alone?" — Laura Anderson, Deerfield Different...
Uproot delicate dahlia tubers now so they can overwinter indoors
"I have enjoyed growing dahlias for the first time this summer and would like some advice on saving them over winter and growing them again next year with even better...
Falling leaves can be a pain during yard work, but mulching mowers make it easier to handle
"I am already tired of raking leaves and was wondering if I can just mow over them and leave them on the lawn?" — Jacob Burlington, Highwood Leaf drop has...
Dark blotches on leaves of pachysandra are sign of Volutella blight. Here’s how to treat it.
"My bed of pachysandra has developed dark blotches on the leaves. I'm wondering what this problem is and what I can do to improve the health and appearance of this...
Deer rubbing can be fatal to trees. Here’s how to protect yours as bucks look to mark territory this fall
"I was at the Chicago Botanic Garden last week and saw some trees with what looked like plastic fencing around their trunks. What is this for, and should I do...
9 timely gardening and lawn tips for fall, whether you’re a pandemic gardening newbie or a seasoned pro
Getting outside to soak up some sun and tend to living things was restorative for many during the stressful pandemic-plagued summer. But as the weather gets colder, it'll be time...
Holes in lawns could be from critters digging for grubs — here’s how to get rid of the source of the problem
"Some of my lawn was dug up last night. There are a bunch of small holes in about a 20-foot-by-20-foot section of my lawn — it looks almost like someone...
Lawn with yellowed patches leaving orange powdery residue likely sign of rust disease. Here’s how to treat it.
"I recently noticed a couple of sections of my lawn that were off-color and very stunted in growth. When I walked through these areas, my shoes got covered with what...
Black, raised tar spot on maple leaves is caused by fungi. Here’s how to keep it from coming back.
"I have a couple of maples in my garden that have lots of black spots on the leaves, and some leaves are falling off the tree each week. These are...