Brighten up your dreary winter days with this easy-to-grow houseplant
Could you suggest a flowering plant that will be easy to grow and will provide a few weeks of color to brighten up my home for these dreary winter days?...
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Deer going buck wild on trunks? How to save a tree after antler rub damage
I just discovered some damage from deer rubs to the trunks of a couple of my trees. Will the trees be OK, and what can I do to protect them...
How to choose the best plants for your garden
I am starting to consider some modifications to my garden and would like some advice on how to minimize my failures. We had an addition put on the house about...
How to take care of the Christmas cactus you got as a gift
A friend gave me a Christmas cactus, and I would like some advice on how to grow it. — Jasmine Anderson, Lincolnwood Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a popular, long-lived,...
Tips on using wood from the garden in your home’s fireplace
My new home has a fireplace, and I would like to be able to use wood from some trees that I need to remove in my garden. Will this be...
Tips for growing amaryllis: Be patient, and don’t overwater
I need some advice on how to grow amaryllis at home. I am looking for some winter color. — Anna Schuett, Highland Park, Illinois The hybrid amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is a...
How to buy a healthy poinsettia and care for it through the holidays — and beyond
I would like to use some poinsettias for my holiday decorations this year and need some advice on how to get good results. — Sidney Knudson, Glencoe Poinsettias are traditional...
Everything you need to know about buying and taking care of a cut Christmas tree
I need some advice on purchasing and caring for a cut tree to decorate for Christmas this year. — Jerry Johnson, Lake Forest There will generally be a few different...
Putting your roses to bed for winter doesn’t necessarily mean adding a mound of compost
I noticed my neighbors were mounding compost on their roses last week. Should I be covering my roses too? — Jeff Anderson, Highland Park You likely do not need to...
Doing less in the garden will help pollinators over the winter
I want to attract more pollinators to my garden in the coming years, and I heard that delaying the cleanup of beds until spring is a good idea. Will this...