Whether you say crocuses or croci, they’re looking lovely in Chicagoland. They’re just plain cheerful. The beginning of our gardens! Today, I spent about five hours adding compost, outlining a new bed or two, and trying my hand at growing poppies again. I’ve not had any luck with poppy seeds. Fingers crossed this year. I [...]
This winter is so long and drawn out this year. Getting 6 inches of snow on Tuesday didn’t help. Luckily it is time for the Chicago flower and garden show! You’ve got until March 17th to go… go… go, you’ll be a happier individual for it. The streams, ponds, and beds of tulips were magical. [...]
Nothing can make the winter seem longer than sitting in my house, sick, achy, constantly blowing my nose, and slipping in and out of consciousness. Lucky for me, the Select seed catalog arrived. It’s perfect for looking at a few moments and laying aside. Perhaps that’s why I’ve got visions of meadows in my head [...]
Well winter really hasn’t hit Chicago much yet this year. In fact, a few lilacs were budding and thinking it Spring. EEEK! The kale, sage, thyme, and some snapdragons are going strong. That, I don’t mind. The fresh sage and thyme were great to have for the Thanksgiving feast! I did get some garlic in [...]
My herbs are gigantic, so any idea I read or see concerning herbs sticks in my head. Latest and greatest is from 1,001 Ingenious Gardening Ideas, (page 204 if you’ve got the book). Harvest herbs of rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, and chive. Make sure all the herbs you harvest are between 5-8 inches in length. [...]
Iris are one of the most beautiful early blooms of the season. Once established, they need little care other than dividing every 3-4 years. Planting them in the right location is key. Plant iris in full sun, if you live in an extremely warm location, they can take part shade. Plant in a spot with [...]
When people have shade in their yard, they either don’t realize that shade is less than 4 hours of sun, or they’re bummed. Consider it a blessing. When it’s mid summer and 90-something degrees, you’ll be lounging and happy. There are so many great ways to add color and unique foliage to a shade container. [...]
Ask yourself if you will tend a garden plot. Will I have time to water and weed? Start small. It’s best to start out with a few pots or maybe one bed. Starting with these vegetables from seed can be very rewarding: carrots, lettuce, kale, cucumbers, beans, squash. Take a long look at the light [...]
Every gardener, hobbyist or professional, gets excited about plants. Be it talking about plants, planting plants, getting new plants, looking at plants, but the success of a garden all starts with the soil. Be kind to your soil! Use compost over fertilizers to build healthy organic humus rich soil. Try to work the soil as [...]
Believe it or not, there are vegetables that like the soil temperature to be a little cool, around 50 degrees. So when you get in the gardening mood this early, these little guys are ready to join in. Beets Broccoli Carrots Collards Kale Lettuce Peas Spinach Swiss Chard Turnips Follow the seed sowing depths and [...]