Home and Garden – Page 18

A monarch butterfly climbs on verbena blooms Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Oak Park. Land managers of rights-of-way throughout the area are increasingly implementing monarch-friendly practices such as installing native plants and mowing less frequently. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

As monarch butterflies head south, they’re getting an assist along utility rights of way, roadways

By Susan DeGrane

October 8, 2026 at 2:51 p.m.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, ComEd and other agencies are implementing practices along rights of...

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...

Starting weeding early in the growing season, when weeds are small and easily uprooted. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Get an early start on garden weeds

By Beth Botts

May 24, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

There’s one garden task you can never escape: weeding. “Every garden has weeds,” said Sharon...

A spike in electricity supply charges will go into effect in June for ComEd customers. An average residential customer is expected to pay $10.60 more per month beginning with the July bill. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

ComEd customers to see rate increase this summer

By Robert Channick

May 20, 2025 at 6:19 a.m.

The cost for an average residential customer is expected to go up $10.60 per month...

Callery pear, a popular flowering tree, is actually a problem because it’s invasive. Invasive plants are one of the categories of problem plants addressed on The Morton Arboretum’s website. (Sharon Yiesla /The Morton Arboretum)

Look out for plants that may be problems

By Beth Botts

May 18, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

We’re all familiar with weeds, but invasive plants are another major category to watch out...

A wheelbarrow works well for moving heavier items around in the garden. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Support your back safely when working in garden

By Tim Johnson

May 17, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

General gardening entails lifting and bending, so learning to use proper lifting techniques is important...

Indian Head Park staff gather after planting a tree April 25 for Arbor Day. The village plants a new tree each Arbor Day, but will install more than 50 new trees on public property with help from grant funding. (Village of Indian Head Park)

Grant funding supports 50 new trees in Indian Head Park

By Chuck Fieldman

May 13, 2025 at 10:33 a.m.

A $25,000 matching grant will help bring more than 50 trees to public property in...

A grab bag for prizes with every purchase will be part of the Vintage Store Day celebration at Mabel’s Market on May 17 in Lemont. (Molly Hebda Photography)

Antique, resale shops claim a holiday of their own with Vintage Store Day

By Myrna Petlicki

May 13, 2025 at 5:03 a.m.

Over 700 stores across the country have agreed to participate in Vintage Store Day on...

The time to prune spring-blooming shrubs such as forsythia, lilacs and this fragrant viburnum in within a six- or eight-week window after they bloom. If you wait too long, you will be cutting off buds that will form for next spring’s flowers. (John Weinstein /The Morton Arboretum)

After bloom, give shrubs a trim

By Beth Botts

May 11, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Make plans now to prune spring-flowering shrubs, such as forsythia, lilac, viburnum and flowering quince,...

Cutting daffodil foliage back too soon can reduce the vigor of the bulbs and flowering the next year. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Spring-flowering bulbs do not require much maintenance

By Tim Johnson

May 10, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Spring-flowering bulbs are very effective for bringing early color into the garden.

FILE – This 2009 electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a large group of Gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium bacteria that had been isolated from a pure culture. (Janice Haney Carr/CDC via AP, File)

Salmonella outbreak is linked to backyard poultry, CDC says

By Mike Stobbe

May 5, 2025 at 5:12 p.m.

Two cases were identified in Missouri, and one each in Florida, Illinois, South Dakota, Utah...

Customers shop at the Clarendoon Hills farmers market in 2017, in downtown Clarendon Hills. This season's farmers markets start May 15. (Chuck Fieldman/Pioneer Press)

Clarendon Hills farmers market to return with new produce anchor

By Chuck Fieldman

May 5, 2025 at 4:37 p.m.

The Clarendon Hills farmers market is set to return May 15 and return each Thursday...