I have greatly admired Verbena bornariensis since I spotted it at the Chicago Botanic Garden last summer. It’s a wispy tall plant with fragrant purple …
Seasons
Start Perennials from Seed
Starting plants from seed is the best way to ensure you are not putting unwanted pesticides and chemicals into your yard. You’ll have happy pollinators …
Growing in the Tropics
I just returned from a trip to Puerto Rico. While staying in Luquillo, I noticed a little garden patch of tomatoes in one yard. It …
How to keep your house smelling good
Winter, the windows are closed. It’s freezing and mucky outside. The place we exist, our home, gets no air circulation, especially if you live with …
Back of the Garden Plants
I’m kind of a wild gardener. I like the controlled chaos. I want to have a garden that lends itself well to nature. Birds, bees, …
Happy New Year!
It’s a new year, a new garden to plan! I’ve been getting seed catalogs and spending many hours drooling over the images. I’m really looking …
Christmas Ideas for the Gardener in Your Life!
It’s the “most wonderful time of the year!” Well, sort of. It’s winter and gardeners are just not themselves this time of year. There’s not …
Time to Feed the Birds!
The first snow has fallen, and it’s time to fill the bird feeder for our feathered (and fluffy tailed squirrel) friends. Most people aren’t fans …
White Ladybug
When I think Ladybug, I think red or maybe orange. I also know ladybugs are beneficial in the garden, feasting on aphids. I was pretty …
Bulbs Before the Ground Freezes
Today, Chicago is getting a blast of sleet, snow, and gusts of 50mph winds. All on Halloween, and all to remind us of the coming …