What is the most popular fruit grown in our home gardens? You know it as a tomato. Botanically it is a fruit as are zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, beans and peas. Nutritionists call them all vegetables, mainly because we eat them as savory dishes. But by whatever classification, a tomato is what so many of us […]
Transplanting a plant into the garden soil is a fairly easy task. Items you will need include a trowel (or shovel for larger plants), compost soil, starter fertilizer and water. These steps are geared to planting a perennial, but the same is true for an annual plant. Let’s look at this project step by step: […]
Want to go Native? Are you ready to plant some native plants, but aren’t sure where to start? Here are some beautiful native plant alternatives to common nursery plants. Instead of: Forsythia — try Spicebush (lindera benzoin) instead! This beautiful shrub has yellow blooms in early spring before leafing out. The leaves and stems are very […]
Starting plants from seed is a relatively easy project if you plan ahead. Planning and equipment needed is important, so here’s some items you will need: Seeds Read the back label for instructions on how to plant and when to plant determined by the last frost date in your area. You won’t be planting all […]
If you click on the image below, you will be taken to the annual flower seed sowing PDF and you can print directly from there. Good luck and happy planting!
I would have to say spring has officially sprung in my backyard. I can see ducks in the little creek that flows when it rains. The snow has melted and the warmth of the sun has given way to so many native plants starting to unfurl their leaves and reach out to touch the sun. […]
For the past 16 years, the Lake County Forest Preserves and Possibility Place Nursery have partnered to host one of the most-visited native plant sales in Chicagoland. Due to social distancing guidelines, we are hosting an online sale again this year. Your plant purchases will be shipped right to your doorstep! Yes, you can order […]
Trees and shrubs are not growing and dormant so it’s the best time to prune. You are doing easy, manageable pruning. Leave the extensive, large scale pruning to later in the season or to an expert (arborist). Good pruning keeps your trees and shrubs attractive, healthy and less susceptible to injury or disease. What to […]
This month, club member Gayle shared with April how she over-winters her geraniums in paper bags. She shared photos of her method and you can find them below. #1 – in the bags that they were placed in last November, just before a Frost #2 – what geraniums looked like coming out of bags #3 – […]
Why Choose Native Plants? There are so many beautiful plants available in the nursery trade, why would a person choose native plants? There are many reasons to plant natives, but today we’ll focus on our lovely backyard friends, the birds and butterflies. As we develop land for necessary urban, suburban, and agricultural use, we lose […]