Home and Garden

It’s time to start hardening off summer flowers such as zinnias for installing in your garden. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

When can summer-flowering annuals start hardening outdoors?

By Tim Johnson

May 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

With the last frost date traditionally marked May 15, it’s time for you to start...

As you fill your pollinator garden in springtime, be sure to include some late-blooming plants such as asters to provide nectar and pollen for insects in August and September. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Plant a pollinator garden that blooms all season

By Beth Botts

May 23, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Don't forget to plant for nectar, the food reward that entices animals to provide the...

Reed canary grass or ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea var. picta) is an example of an invasive plant that easily spreads from gardens into natural areas to choke out native plants and damage ecosystems and wildlife. Avoid planting invasive plants. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Protect wildlife by eliminating invasive plants

By Beth Botts

May 17, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

May is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Illinois. It's a good time for gardeners to...

Beverly Area Planning Association and Ridge Historical Society officials, from left, Herb Lentz, Quinn Donnelly, Paula Everett, Tim Blackburn and Michelle McGuire, gather during an April 17 ceremony kicking off the 50th anniversary celebration of the Ridge Historic District at the Graver-Driscoll mansion on South Longwood Drive in Chicago. (Nuha Abdessalam/Beverly Area Planning Association)

Ridge Historic District marks 50 year milestone with new banners, exhibition

By Janice Neumann

May 1, 2026 at 11:13 a.m.

The Ridge Historic District, known for its many historic homes, is celebrating its 50th anniversary...

Adjust beds to have fewer curves that are more gradual and smooth. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Bed edges in garden can be reshaped with a garden hose

By Tim Johnson

April 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A pliable garden hose works well to mark new bed edges.

To avoid planting a new tree too deeply, first locate the root flare, the place where the trunk widens out into the first big roots. The root flare should be planted just at the level of the surrounding soil. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Plant with care for a healthy tree for Arbor Day

By Beth Botts

April 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As we celebrate Arbor Day on the last Friday in April, here are some tips...

The story behind why there are 12 bathrooms in the century-old River Forest house owned by Alex and Gen Jones is among those featured in the May 3 Spring House Walk presented by The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. (The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest)

Historical Society House Walk focuses on five River Forest homes and their fascinating backstories

By Myrna Petlicki

April 24, 2026 at 4:04 p.m.

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest will offer an opportunity to visit...

Bob Zeni, known as the Chicago Tomato Man, checks on some of the 200 varieties he has growing at Ted's Greenhouse in Tinley Park, April 15, 2026. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago’s Tomato Man on the impacts of erratic spring temperatures on his beloved heirlooms

By Zareen Syed

April 22, 2026 at 11:46 a.m.

Along with convincing the average consumer that a homegrown tomato is far superior to supermarket...

It’s easy to damage underground utility lines when digging for projects such as tree planting. Call in advance of the project to have the utility lines marked so you can avoid them. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Planting a tree? Check below ground.

By Beth Botts

April 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Before you dig a hole to plant a tree, set a fence post or build...

If you’re planning to grow vegetables in your containers, you should ideally completely change the growing medium each year to help prevent disease. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

You can reuse potting soil

By Tim Johnson

April 18, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Blending old potting soil with fresh soil will save some money and should give you...

Choose a spade that has a flat, smooth blade with a square point so that you can edge beds with it. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

It doesn’t take much digging to find a quality spade for your garden

By Tim Johnson

April 12, 2026 at 11:21 a.m.

Good quality tools for gardening are very important as they are more comfortable to use...

Tracking growing degree days through the Plant Health Care Report of The Morton Arboretum can help you anticipate when plants such as redbuds will bloom and when to look out for insects and diseases. (The Morton Arboretum)

Use solid data to fight pests, diseases

By Beth Botts

April 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Morton Arboretum publishes a Plant Health Care Report every week during the growing season.

Chau Le, from left, Danna Quintero and Carlos Cortez take pictures in front of a cherry blossom tree in bloom on the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry grounds in Chicago's Jackson Park on April 7, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Cherry blossoms in Jackson Park are nearing full bloom. Chicago Park District says to start planning your visit.

By Madeline King

April 13, 2026 at 3:24 p.m.

The cherry blossoms in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side will reach full bloom in...