Home and Garden – Page 24

A monarch butterfly climbs on verbena blooms 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 9, 2026 at 9:52 a.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...

Gift plants such as poinsettias are grown to be short-term pleasures. They may or may not be worth keeping after the holidays, depending on the species. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Gift plants are often a short-term joy

By Beth Botts

December 8, 2024 at 11:40 a.m.

Can gifted plants continue to grace your home after the holidays?

You’ll find a selection of three to four different types of trees when shopping for cut Christmas trees. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Cut your own Christmas tree for best quality

By Tim Johnson

December 8, 2024 at 11:21 a.m.

Cutting your own tree and bringing the tree indoors as close to Christmas as possible...

Cut buckthorn stumps should be promptly treated with a stump killer after cutting. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Battling buckthorn in your garden? Here are some tips.

By Tim Johnson

December 1, 2024 at 9:17 a.m.

This is a good time of year to cut your buckthorns down and treat the...

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is a good choice for a Christmas tree because it has excellent needle retention, branch strength and fragrance, as long as it is kept watered and well cared for throughout the holiday season. (The Morton Arboretum)

Pick a tree that will light up your holiday

By Beth Botts

November 30, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Oh, Christmas tree! We want you to stay green and safe through the holidays. That...

Hire certified professional arborists who have tree knowledge and safety training for winter tree pruning to keep large trees healthy. (The Morton Arboretum)

Winter checks and pruning make big trees safer

By Beth Botts

November 24, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Before the holiday bustle becomes all-consuming, consider arranging to have your large trees inspected and...

The Thanksgiving cactus has stem segments or sections that have edges that resemble crab claws. (Julie McCaffrey / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Why is my Christmas cactus in bloom?

By Tim Johnson

November 23, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

The plant in question could be Thanksgiving cacti, plant experts say.

Tim Norris tries to catch a chicken named Chipmonk in his backyard on Nov. 15, 2024, in Chicago. Norris currently has 16 chickens. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Why did the chicken with a broken wing cross a Chicago road? To be rescued, it turns out.

By Rebecca Johnson

November 23, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

While Karen Olenski was driving down Western Avenue after work on Oct. 30, she spotted...

This 1914 prairie style home is among the six that will be featured this year in the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Holiday House Walk. (Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society)

Homes in Oak Park, River Forest get head start on holidays for house walk

By Steve Metsch

November 22, 2024 at 5:12 a.m.

Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society’s Holiday House Walk offers inside track on decorating...

Chicago firefighter Markeith Jenkins douses a burning turkey fryer during a safety demonstration at the Quinn Fire Academy, Nov. 20, 2024. A frozen turkey was lowered into a too-full pot of hot oil, which caused the fire. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Chicago Fire Department reminds Thanksgiving cooks to remember one crucial ingredient: Safety

By Peter Breen

November 20, 2024 at 3:31 p.m.

Using a pulley and standing a safe distance back, a Chicago firefighter dropped a frozen...

A recently planted ginkgo tree. (RJ Carlson/ Chicago Botanic Garden)

Is it too late to plant trees this year?

By Tim Johnson

November 17, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

There is still time to plant deciduous trees and shrubs, though you will find mixed...