Articles filed under
Gardening
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Advice to first-time gardeners: Think small. Find your spot.
Jan 3, 2020 6:26 AM - Another growing season is building momentum with the arrival of the 2020 seed catalogs, and gardeners are drafting plans for new harvests. There's such a thing as being too enthusiastic, though, especially among novices. Beginners can achieve their best planting results by thinking small. -
Conservation@Home offers class on making your yard eco-friendly Feb. 15
Dec 30, 2019 9:57 PM - Learn how to create a more eco-friendly yard -
Pest problems go away with some elbow grease
Dec 29, 2019 6:00 AM - If you have a home greenhouse or a greenhouse window, clear it out and wash all of the pots, trays, shelves and glass. Cleaning your greenhouse thoroughly will reduce pest problems next year. -
Bring spring indoors early -- very early -- by forcing bulbs
Dec 28, 2019 7:20 AM - Daffodils sitting on a windowsill against a backdrop of white snow make a fragrant and pretty midwinter scene. This picture, with bulbs "forced" for early bloom, takes planning that should start now. -
When temperatures dip, spend indoor time with your houseplants
Dec 22, 2019 7:00 AM - During the winter, most houseplants are not in an active growth phase because of short day lengths, reduced humidity and lower temperatures, unless you are growing them in a greenhouse. -
'Tis the season for holiday plants
Dec 14, 2019 7:00 AM - Holiday plants add a special touch to homes and are ideal hostess gifts. Poinsettias are on many shopping lists, but some folks are hesitant to purchase some of the other options because they aren't sure how to keep them beautiful. Here's how. -
Check for falling needles when buying a Christmas tree
Dec 13, 2019 6:15 AM - There's nothing like a fresh-cut tree decorating your home, but be sure to look for trees that don't drop their leaves and recut the stem when you get home so that the tree soaks up all the water it needs. -
University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners honor volunteers at annual banquet
Dec 13, 2019 8:21 PM - More than 100 attendees of the McHenry County University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners' annual recognition banquet in Huntley recently honored the volunteers' achievements. -
Gardens seem to have lost their fragrance. We can fix that.
Dec 8, 2019 7:00 AM - One of the delights of the autumn garden is to sit beside a sheltering hedge of the evergreen osmanthus, a holly look-alike that late in the year produces tiny white blossoms that fill the still air with a knockout perfume. -
Mulching your flower beds may require a math lesson
Dec 8, 2019 7:00 AM - If you prefer a neat and tidy look for the winter, cut back your perennials and top dress the bed with a light layer of mulch. To calculate the amount of mulch needed for a bed, first convert all measurements to feet.
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