Home and Garden – Page 31

A bed of lily-of-the-valley that recently died back. (Tim Johnson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Anthracnose is not a fatal plant disease

By Tim Johnson

October 10, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

This disease is not usually fatal, but it does weaken the plant.

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...

Hinsdale 6-bedroom home with elevator, temperature-controlled wine cellar: $5M

By Saleema Syed

May 21, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Address: 327 S. Oak St., Hinsdale Price: $4,995,000 Listed: April 4, 2024 This six-bedroom home...

Consider the weather forecast and the needs of each type of plant before deciding when to plant them outdoors. For example, tender annuals such as these tuberous begonias should not be planted until the danger of frost is well past. (Beth Botts / The Morton Arboretum)

Planting time depends on forecast, plant type

By Beth Botts

May 19, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Is it time to plant the garden? Maybe. “Spring weather is so variable that it...

Thatch is a loose, mixed organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots that develops between the zone of green vegetation and the soil surface. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Don’t worry about thatch buildup, garden experts say

By Tim Johnson

May 20, 2024 at 3:09 p.m.

Do I need to collect the grass clippings when mowing my lawn to avoid thatch...

This retaining wall was rebuilt by recycling all the original stone.

Ask the Builder: Tips for building a small retaining wall

By Tim Carter

May 24, 2024 at 6:19 p.m.

You may not have granite where you live, so make use of any suitable durable...

A nesting block is something you can buy or make yourself. (Maria Rebelo / Chicago Botanic Garden)

How can I attract native bees to my garden?

By Tim Johnson

May 12, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

A few members of my gardening club have installed nesting blocks for native bees in...

To make sure you get plenty of glorious daffodils and other colorful delights next spring, don’t cut back the leaves of spring-flowering bulbs after they bloom. The plants need their leaves to build next year’s flowers. (Beth Botts)

Let bulb plants keep their leaves to make next year’s flowers

By Beth Botts

May 11, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Most spring-blooming bulbs are now finished flowering. To ensure you will have a nice bulb...

Romy and Sergio Matushek play with dandelion blossoms in their Homewood yard. The Matushek family is participating in No Mow May in an effort to help pollinators by not mowing down dandelions and other early spring flowers that are a food source for bugs. (Jessica Matushek)

Pollinator effort promoted in Homewood, but May is time to mow, expert says

By Susan DeGrane

May 7, 2024 at 3:18 p.m.

Homewood officials gave the OK for residents to forgo mowing lawns until June to boost...

Common red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) tolerates wet conditions and is easy to grow. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Plants not performing well? Consider your garden’s growing conditions.

By Tim Johnson

May 5, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

I would like some general advice on how to be successful with my new plantings...

To protect a young tree from damage by egg-laying cicadas, wrap it in fine-mesh netting as soon as possible. Remove the netting in a few weeks when the cicadas from this year’s emergence have died. (Beth Botts)

Protect your young trees from incoming cicadas

By Beth Botts

May 5, 2024 at 8:47 a.m.

The Arboretum does not advise that homeowners use insecticides to attempt to control cicadas.

When you plant a tree, use the handle of a tool to make sure that the spot where the trunk flares out into the roots is at or slightly above the level of the surrounding soil. (Jeffrey Ross / The Morton Arboretum)

Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree

By Beth Botts

April 28, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

So you want to beautify your landscape, improve your community, or celebrate Arbor Day by...