I have always wondered where toads and frogs go during our long winters. I knew they were supposed to hibernate, but had never actually seen one in cold weather. All that changed this fall. I was helping our daughter-in-law plant a few tulips and daffodils in their front garden in late October. This sounds simple, […]
Archive for the ‘Gardening tips’ Category
Boerner Botanical Trial Gardens
Last year, as a new master gardener, I volunteered to help at the Boerner Botanical Garden, a place I have long admired. Visiting once a week, I did my bloom check as directed and then walked around the grounds, enjoying the flowers and looking for new plants that might do well in my own garden. […]
Chicago Balcony Garden
Every spring around Mother’s Day I drive to Chicago for a long weekend to visit my daughter Rochelle. We go out to eat, have our nails done and sometimes go shopping or to a movie. However, as part of that weekend tradition, we always buy flowering annuals at the local garden center and plant both […]
Lasagna Mulch for Strawberries
Strawberries are a rewarding fruit crop that will produce for many years in the home garden. All you need is a small space with sunshine, reasonably good soil and a gardener willing to water when the weather is dry. Strawberries need 1-2 inches of water each week and this is especially important from early […]
Pregnant Moth Orchid
I have been growing moth orchids or (Phalaenopsis) for a few years now with a bit of success and have been touting how carefree these beautiful plants seem to be. I have them in a bright window facing west with a little summer shade cast by a small Hawthorne tree outside the window. The orchids […]
Primroses for Bright Color
In early spring, I often use primroses around the house as decorations, especially for dinner parties. They add such a cheery and colorful spring flair to the table setting and when the event is over, I simply plant them into the garden to join the primrose colony already growing there. We get to enjoy them […]