Articles filed under Gardening

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The potager garden grows food, flowers, herbs Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Romans were major gardeners in a time when most cultures were still hunting and gathering. But when the Roman Empire declined, much of Rome's agricultural development vanished. All that remained of it were ruins of villas in formerly conquered lands. The Roman home was a series of rooms that enclosed a central courtyard. Often this was divided into four equal spaces with a well or fountain at the center.
When burning wood, be aware of insect trouble Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
It is best to keep any logs that you saved for burning in the fireplace outside until you are ready to burn them as insects can come in with the firewood. Never treat firewood with insecticides. Also, do not transport any ash wood outside of the emerald ash borer quarantine zone to avoid further spreading of this insect..
New life for a century-old living room Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Marianne and Mike live in a gorgeous century home with all the advantages that come with an older house -- high ceilings, character and charm aplenty. But there are drawbacks to older homes, too, and their living room had most of them -- poor lighting, uneven walls and intrusive radiators, to name just a few.
Catalogs, websites offer the stuff of your garden dreams Jan 27, 2013 12:00 AM
As the cold winds blow outside, now is an ideal time to get cozy with a warm blanket on the couch to design and choose color palettes for this year's garden. Bold, intense colors pop from catalog pages, natives continue to rise in popularity and after the dry summer of 2012, many will be looking for heat- and drought-resistant plants.
Five hottest decorating looks for 2013 Jan 26, 2013 12:00 AM
One of the hottest trend-makers to watch is Holly Blalock, a visionary who has the uncanny ability to mix color, pattern and texture in a way that makes interior design not only accessible, but fun. We caught up with Blalock, who is the vice president of merchandise and marketing for furniture makers CR Laine, and asked her to share the hottest trends in home interior design for 2013.
Winter a good time to prune dormant trees, shrubs Jan 26, 2013 12:00 AM
It may be cold outside, but there still are garden tasks to do. Winter is a good time to prune trees and shrubs while they are dormant.
Put some sparkle into your house during the dark monthsJan 26, 2013 12:00 AM
You don't have to undertake a major makeover to give your decor a big boost, according to interior designers. Fresh colors and a few new or repurposed accessories can go a long way toward perking up winter-weary rooms.
How to care for blooming plant gifts Jan 21, 2013 12:00 AM
Many people receive plants as gifts over the holidays. Some of these plants can continue to provide enjoyment for quite a while with good care.
Fix-It Clinic defies the throwaway economy Jan 19, 2013 12:00 AM
The table lamp, with its fizzling light bulbs, was built like a tank and about as attractive. So Molly Ross of Edina, Minn., set it before a group of people who know how to fix fizzling lamps and recalcitrant toasters and unpredictable boom boxes.
Be a deer and prune the shrubs, will you? Jan 16, 2013 12:00 AM
Although unconcerned with promoting plant health or aesthetics, in at least one situation deer can actually help us prune well. Picture an overgrown shrub, especially one planted too close to a home. With age and a little neglect, said shrub begins to swallow up the home, or at least block the view from a window.
Sisters’ bedrooms reflect different personalities Jan 15, 2013 12:00 AM
Kalista and Alessandra are young sisters who have shared lots of things over the years, including their bedroom. Now, the girls are getting older and want more independence, so it's time to make the break. Kalista, the older sister, is moving next door into the former guest room, and Alessandra is staying put.
Seed, bulb and nursery catalogs will help you plan for new year Jan 14, 2013 12:00 AM
Order seed, bulb and nursery catalogs to assist in planning your garden for the new year. To help you choose the best plants, take advantage of the Chicago Botanic Garden's online resource, Illinois' Best Plants (find the link on the left-hand side of chicagobaotanic.org/plantinfo).
Tips for protecting trees and shrubs from storms Jan 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Even the sturdiest-looking trees can be brought down by high winds, heavy snow and ice, but there are ways you can limit the damage. Here are some storm-proofing suggestions that will pay off over time.
Best plants for indoor blooms Jan 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. Could you give me some suggestions for plants that will bloom indoors? I need something to brighten up the winter days ahead.
Things to consider before adding a greenhouse Jan 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Though greenhouses are a great place for gardeners to hone their crafts, they can also be quite expensive, and there are some things gardeners should consider before building a greenhouse.
Suburban experts give advice on greenhouses Jan 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Before investing time and money into having a greenhouse built, Hentschel and two owners of suburban nurseries, suggest that homeowners first think about what they will use the greenhouse for and if the enjoyment they will gain from the greenhouse, outweighs the cost and time commitment involved. After considering these factors, the gardening experts agree that it will become clear to homeowners what kind and size of greenhouse they should purchase.
Winter a good time to plan out garden Dec 29, 2012 12:00 AM
Winter is a good time for garden planning. Consult your notes on seed and plant purchases, past garden successes and failures as well as garden maps as you begin to plan garden improvements for the coming year.
Check houseplants for insect problems throughout winterDec 24, 2012 12:00 AM
Be sure to monitor your houseplants for insect problems throughout the winter. Pest problems are more likely to occur when plants are stressed.
Some trees put a natural glow on the season Dec 21, 2012 12:00 AM
Some artificial Christmas trees glow cheerily even without lights: The branches themselves softly glow, fading on and off in different colors at the tips. Could you get the same effect from a real tree? If plain old green evergreens are too ho-hum for you, there's a world of "self-igniting" evergreens awaiting.
Landscape architect uses her yard design to teach others Dec 16, 2012 12:00 AM
Members of the Lombard Garden Club had two reasons to book Laura Christensen as one of their presenters: She is a professional landscape architect who specializes in residential work and seasonal containers. But more importantly, she has spent more than 20 years on a phased design plan — on her own home.