Gardening
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In full bloom: Must-visit flower festivals this spring and summer
Apr 29, 2026 11:21 am - From tulip-lined fields to sprawling lilac gardens, the Midwest bursts into color each spring with festivals that celebrate nature at its most vibrant.
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Once ornamental, now invasive: That beautiful spring tree in your yard is now illegal in IllinoisApr 28, 2026 4:41 pm - Do you have a Bradford pear tree in your yard? You don’t have to remove it, but don’t plant any more. It is now considered an invasive species in Illinois.
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Still unsure about composting? Here's why and how to make ‘black gold’ for the garden
Apr 28, 2026 4:05 pm - I love the idea of transforming garbage into free mulch and fertilizer. Composting is a win-win: I save money and keep my eggshells, coffee grounds and weeds out of a landfill.
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Home & garden calendar, April 28 to May 9Apr 28, 2026 2:16 pm - Upcoming gardening club meetings in the Chicago suburbs, covering topics like the New Perennial Movement and “Controlling Garden Marauders.” Also, the popular Lilac Sale, plant sales, and wildflower walks.
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Essential spring garden tasks when you're running behind scheduleApr 27, 2026 4:54 pm - If you are running late getting your garden cleaned up, just continue removing garden debris from beds and cutting back perennials.
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Home & garden calendar, April 21-May 2Apr 21, 2026 1:14 pm - Upcoming gardening club meetings and events in the Chicago suburbs, covering topics like sustainable stormwater management, container garden arrangements and more. Also listings of wildflower walks, plant sales and shows.
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Yes, you can make friends with trees. Here’s why it’s a good idea
Apr 21, 2026 1:04 pm - It’s not unusual to feel a bond with a specific tree. It’s also not unusual for that bond to feel a lot like friendship. We form interspecies relationships with our pets, so why not plants?
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How to save money on tree work and still get good results
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How you can improve the health of your lawn with core aerationApr 20, 2026 6:19 pm - If you’re looking to improve the health of your lawn this year, I recommend core aerating — a much better annual maintenance practice than power raking, in my opinion.
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How to add color to your early spring gardenApr 14, 2026 5:20 pm - We’ve reached the point in spring when you might want to plant cool-season annuals that can tolerate a light frost, like pansies and primulas, to add color to your early spring garden.