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...

Avoid planting too-tall trees under power lines so you don’t force utility crews to prune them drastically for safety’s sake. (Beth Botts /The Morton Arboretum)

Think ahead to avoid power line conflicts

By Beth Botts

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

Before you plant a tree, look around for power lines and choose a kind of...

Different types of plants require different production times before being ready to plant outside. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Start tomatoes and more annuals at home

By Tim Johnson

April 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Interested in growing tomatoes and other annuals in your garden? Different types of plants require...

With some research and preparation, you may be able to obtain free mulch for your trees and other plants. But first, make a plan for where it will go and how you will distribute it promptly. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Free mulch can be a great deal, but plan ahead

By Beth Botts

March 29, 2026 at 5:02 a.m.

Free mulch from electric utility companies, tree care firms or municipalities can be a great...

Panicle hydrangeas are generally easy to grow and flower most profusely in full sun. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Make sure your plants are well-adapted to your garden

By Tim Johnson

March 28, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A good place to start is to make sure that you have selected the right...

A vendor helps an attendee prep the letter press by Starshaped Press at the Chicago Stationery Fest in Ravenswood on March 15, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Make a note: Stationery is booming as we seek out more analog experiences

By Christopher Borrelli

March 26, 2026 at 11:32 a.m.

Stationerycore, as many call the culture, is having its moment, with devotees flocking to events...

Creeping vines can be harmful to your tree

By Tim Johnson

March 22, 2026 at 11:14 a.m.

Whether a vine growing up a tree is harmful or not will depend on the...

Potted hardy bulbs such as daffodils may or may not survive and eventually rebloom if planted outdoors. Many other potted gift plants won’t. (Beth Botts)

Gift plants are iffy in the garden

By Beth Botts

March 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Gift plants are designed to be enjoyed, then discarded.

Before you start planting is the best time to organic matter such as compost to your soil. For new beds, dig the soil amendment into the whole area, and for existing beds with established plants, try not to dig at all. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Start the growing season with soil improvement

By Beth Botts

March 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Kick off planting in your garden this spring by adding organic matter and making sure...

A goldfinch feeding on coneflowers. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Make your garden irresistible to birds

By Tim Johnson

March 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Winter is a good time to plan to enhance your garden with plants that will...

Shrubs that keep their berries for several months, such as winterberry (Ilex verticillata), are one way to add color, interest and wildlife habitat to the winter garden. (John Hagstrom/The Morton Arboretum)

Add pizzazz to your garden this winter

By Beth Botts

March 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Think about how you can plant this spring for more interest in your garden next...