Good Growing 2026

A fresh bouquet instantly brightens a room and a mood, but keeping those flowers vibrant takes a little know-how. With the right care, the vase life of a bouquet can be extended by days or weeks. Here is an easy guide to help your flowers stay beautiful for as long as possible.High-quality...

The cold winter temperatures may make it seem like spring is a long way off, but before we know it, spring will arrive, bringing warmer temperatures and spring-blooming plants. When we think about spring-blooming plants, many plants may come to mind, including traditional garden favorites, such as...

A winter day in the year-long gardenLooking out the window midway through winter gives one a bleak view of the world. Gray sky, trees bare, plants succumbed to the cold. Yet a gardener’s mind does not linger long on the landscape’s stillness. Rising from my chair, I step out the door. Underfoot,...

When you think of growing fruits and vegetables, you probably think about putting plants in the ground or into pots. However, you don’t always need ‘dirt’ to grow plants. In a hydroponic system, soil is replaced with a nutrient-rich water solution that provides the necessary nutrients for plant...

During these dormant months, my houseplants are receiving more of my attention than they usually get (which is usually very little). While watering and rotating my collection, I noticed new growth on my ZZ plant, and I couldn’t help but celebrate this small victory with all of you.This plant was...

Voles are active in the winter, even if you aren'tWhile I may not be out in the garden during this time of year, the frozen landscape of Illinois during January still has plenty of life. In fact, there is one animal that toils in the garden all winter, the vole. What are voles?Voles are small...