Gardening
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Midwinter in your yard is for the birdsJan 07, 2025 7:52 pm - This time of year is good for indoor gardening, and particularly good for those wanting to attract birds to their yard.
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Home & garden calendar, Jan. 12-18Jan 07, 2025 7:36 pm - Turf grass alternatives, vegetable gardening basics and more.
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Houseplant watering, fertilizing slows down in winterDec 31, 2024 7:26 pm - During the winter, most houseplants are not in an active growth phase due to shorter days, reduced humidity and lower temperatures. Generally, houseplants require less water and much less, if any, fertilizer because their growth slows during the winter.
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Shake snow from plants; shovel with careDec 23, 2024 6:38 pm - There has not been much snow in the Chicago area yet this year, but when a storm does finally come, carefully shake snow off plants during heavy wet storms to minimize damage.
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Bring living color indoors this winterDec 17, 2024 10:06 pm - For a color show this winter, try potting up an amaryllis bulb or cyclamen plant. If you’re nervous about keeping them alive, a Chicago Botanic Garden expert explains a few steps to growing these beauties.
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Poinsettias prefer perfect conditionsDec 11, 2024 1:33 am - The number of people who tend to indoor plants ... and trees ... significantly increases this time of year. How can you keep your poinsettias perfectly crimson and your live holiday trees looking alive for the whole season?
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Views on garden insects are changing. Why many former ‘pests’ are now valued
Dec 04, 2024 12:42 pm - We’re all familiar with beneficial insects like ladybugs, dragonflies and bees, but it’s high time we reconsider our definition of “pests” and collectively add other, less-familiar insects to the friendly bug list. Native beetles, assassin bugs and even wasps are among those that make significant contributions to the environment despite their threatening appearance.
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It’s time to maintain your tools, organize garageDec 04, 2024 12:23 pm - As the gardening season winds down, it’s a good time to shift your focus to preparation and maintenance. Taking care of your tools and winterizing your garden now goes a long way when spring comes around.
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Put your roses to bed after several hard freezesNov 26, 2024 6:31 pm - Winterize your hybrid roses after there have been two to three hard freezes.
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Home & garden calendar, Dec. 1-7Nov 25, 2024 7:30 pm - Holiday house tour, holiday displays and more.