Home and Garden – Page 11

Even spectacular bulbs such as these peony-flowered tulips are most effective groups. Plant them in fall for spring bloom. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Plant bulbs now for spring bloom

By Beth Botts

October 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

There’s no more satisfying way to spend a crisp fall day than planting bulbs for...

Ageratum is a sun-loving annual that can provide color in gardens that are challenged by rabbits. (Jeff Carrion/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Rabbits nibbling your garden? Here’s what to do.

By Tim Johnson

October 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The best way to prevent rabbit damage in the growing season is to exclude them...

Geno McKenna, director of the indoor garden at The Hope Center in Blue Island, speaks about hydroponic growing systems on Sept. 29, 2026. (Elena Tittel/Daily Southtown)

Blue Island group harvests hope year-round for those facing food insecurity

By Elena Tittel

September 30, 2026 at 4:56 p.m.

Blue Island's Hope Center is closing in on its goal of donating 2,000 pounds of...

After your holiday tree has filled your home with light and cheer in the dark of winter, make sure it goes on to do more good. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Christmas tree can live on if you dispose of it properly

By Beth Botts

January 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As this holiday season wraps up, make sure your Christmas tree comes to a good...

Sugar maples can be a good replacement for invasive Norway maples. (Jeff Carrion/Chicago Botanic Garden)

New year, new gardening to-dos: Edit your garden to fit your unique taste

By Tim Johnson

January 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

I take possession of a new home in early January, and wonder how to approach...

The Chicago Botanic Garden currently uses sand on roads and walks to control slippery conditions once the snow is removed. (Jeff Carrion/Chicago Botanic Garden)

How can I best keep my sidewalks safe during winter?

By Tim Johnson

December 28, 2025 at 1:43 p.m.

Winter has gotten off to a fast start this year, with lots of snow along...

Even when branches are bare, plants in midwinter are already preparing for the leaves and blooms of springtime. (Hailey Hoffman/The Morton Arboretum)

Plants are looking for the light

By Beth Botts

December 27, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Even in cold, dark times, life goes on and spring will come.

A plastic spiral tree guard can help deter deer from rubbing their antlers on the bark of a young tree, but the best protection against animals that rub or eat bark is a barrier of wire mesh. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Itchy deer, hungry rabbits can threaten young trees, shrubs

By Beth Botts

December 21, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Hardy trees and shrubs are naturally well armored against winter weather, but they have fewer...

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgessii) is a popular, long-lived, winter-flowering houseplant. (Jeff Carrio/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Christmas cactus can flower time and again if cared for

By Tim Johnson

December 24, 2025 at 6:40 p.m.

Christmas cactus does well with average home conditions and moderate care.

Shrubs with bright bark, such as this blood-twigged dogwood, have the most vivid color on newer branches. Pruning out some of the oldest branches regularly will keep the shrub colorful. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Regular pruning keeps color coming in dogwoods

By Beth Botts

December 14, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

For the best chance of color, certain shrubs need regular pruning, garden experts say.

The lady palm is a small fan palm that can perform well indoors. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Lady palm can perform well in your living room

By Tim Johnson

December 14, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The lady palm is a small fan palm that can perform well indoors due to...

Choose poinsettia plants with dark green foliage all the way down to the top of the pot. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Choose your holiday poinsettia carefully

By Tim Johnson

December 7, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Poinsettias are traditional Christmas plants that will last throughout the holiday season and beyond, as...

Any gardener would appreciate a give of a really high-quality pair of hand pruners. Choose bypass pruners, which have blades that slide past each other like a pair of scissors. (Jeffrey Ross)

Good tools make good gifts

By Beth Botts

December 6, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

There’s no better gift for a gardener than a good, high-quality pair of pruners.