Category: Home and Garden

When your camping trip comes to an end and you have some firewood left over, you may be tempted to bring it home to use in the fireplace or a backyard fire pit. “Please don’t,” said Spencer Campbell, manager of the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “Leave the firewood where you got it, so that you don’t give destructive tree pests a ride into your neighborhood.” Firewood carried from one location to another is a major way that new insects and diseases are spread. Insect eggs and larvae or disease-causing fungus spores and bacteria can lurk in […]

The leaves of a few of my arrowwood viburnums look like they have been shredded. Some of the remaining small pieces of leaves have turned completely brown. This has not happened in previous years. What is this problem and what should I do? — Jennifer Baker, Morton Grove Unfortunately, your description sounds like your viburnums […]

As the great cicada emergence of 2024 nears its end, it’s time to tidy up and give thanks. “Overall, a cicada emergence is probably a good thing for gardens,” said Stephanie Adams, plant health care leader at The Morton Arboretum near Lisle. When the cicada nymphs tunneled out of their home down near tree roots […]

Container gardening is a versatile way to soften a patio and gain some growing space.

Flowering shrubs can bring color, interest and fragrance to your garden even after the spring-blooming forsythia, viburnums and lilacs have had their day. “There doesn’t need to be a lull until the hydrangeas bloom in late June or early July,” said Spencer Campbell, Plant Clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Consider planting shrubs that bloom in late spring and early summer. These shrubs will support wildlife with their pollen and fruit and add enchantment to the longer evenings. Here are some good shrub suggestions from the Plant Clinic. For more ideas, use the Arboretum’s Search Trees and Plants […]

My goal this year is to plant a vegetable garden in the ground. What type of soil should I get and where do I buy it? Or is the soil in my backyard sufficient? — Carolyn Smith, Glenview It’s finally vegetable gardening season! Your question is one that is often asked by beginning gardeners. Here […]

Do I need to collect the grass clippings when mowing my lawn to avoid thatch buildup? This practice created a lot of extra work for me last year. Can I skip this step? Nicole Phelps Skokie, Illinois The mowing season is in full swing now and lawns in our area are growing quickly. Don’t worry about thatch buildup. Our Garden experts have found little evidence to suggest that clippings contribute to thatch buildup as long as you are mowing properly. If your lawn already has a thick layer of thatch, returning clippings may cause that layer to get bigger. A […]