Growing experiences
Looking for something to do Sunday [Oct. 14]? Take the kids to learn how pumpkins grow at The Morton Arboretum (Illinois Highway 53 at Interstate Highway 88, Lisle; 630-968-0074 or www.mortonarb.org). Or check out the Illinois Orchid Society’s Fall Show and Sale at the Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe; 847-835-5440, or www.chicagobotanic.org). The theme is Hawaiian, and they warn: Anyone in a grass skirt may be photographed and the picture posted on the IOS Web site.
PotLifter has your back
Terra cotta and other ceramic pots are going indoors for the winter to protect them from cracking; potted trees are headed for unheated garages. But they can be awkward and difficult to move, even for two people.
The PotLifter addresses this difficulty. It snaps around a pot and when two people lift it by the handles — no stooping — it cinches tight and evenly distributes the weight.
Also use it to move bagged-and-burlapped trees, big rocks, large pumpkins and other unwieldy objects up to 200 pounds.
Buy it for about $29.99 at Chalet, 3132 W. Lake Ave., Wilmette, 847-256-0561 or www.chaletnursery.com, or for $21.95 at Platt Hill Nursery, 2400 Randall Rd., Carpentersville, 847-428-6767, or www.platthillnursery.com. Or order it for $29.95, plus shipping and handling, at www.potlifter.com or call 888-644-4222.
Keep on watering
We are very short on rain this fall, so keep watering in-ground plants.
Perennials’ roots keep growing after top-growth dies back, and they need water to do it.
Evergreens and trees and shrubs that were planted within the last year or two are especially in need.
Recently planted shrubs don’t have enough of a root system yet to collect sufficient moisture without help. Watering is the most important thing you can do to help them survive.
Evergreens need plenty of water in their systems so winter winds don’t dry out their needles.
And don’t forget to water bulbs well when you plant them.
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IN THE WEB EDITION: For more gardening-related events, see Beth Botts’ blog, The Chicago Gardener, at chicagotribune.com/gardener.
