Gardening Blogs

Spring has officially sprung in Northern Illinois, and with it comes the excitement and opportunity of a new gardening season. Before seeds and transplants make their way into the ground, taking time to properly prepare your garden bed can set the stage for healthier plants, higher yields, and...

Peppers are a staple for many summer gardens, yet high heat combined with humidity can challenge plant performance. While peppers are often considered heat‑loving crops, extreme or prolonged high temperatures can cause more problems than productivity. Recent growing experiences highlight how...

Have you seen microgreens on the menu of a fancy restaurant and wondered what they were?  Or maybe you saw them over the summer at a farmers’ market but passed them up because of the hefty price tag.  It turns out, with the right setup, you can have this fresh, nutritious add-on all year...

May is finally here, when Spring has sprung and homeowners are rushing to get the garden ready. As gardeners start their season, consider something new this year: edible flowers. Integrating edible flowers into gardens and cuisines are growing in popularity amongst home gardeners and chefs and can...

If you have pets, chances are they spend time with you outside.  If you have a yard for them to play in and explore, you’ve likely caught your pet chomping a plant, sniffing a flower, or chasing a critter.  But have you stopped to think about whether something in your yard could make your...

From homemade pesticide applications to adding eggshells to the soil, gardeners are always looking for natural alternatives to current gardening practices. Over the past few years, there has been an influx of gardeners adding eggshells, coffee grounds, and dish soap to their gardens to improve soil...

The weather has turned cold, and your gardens have gone to sleep.  But your hands still long to touch the dirt and crave a little green in your life. Consider adding some houseplants to your space!  With a bit of research and forethought, even the brownest thumb can keep their space...

Certain things just say “fall” to me—changing leaves, apple cider, pumpkins, and of course, mums!  This is the time of year every garden store is filled to the brim with mums in every color and size.  With the right care, those blooms will last and maybe even come back next year!...

Leaves and temperatures are falling. Pumpkin spice is in the air. That can only mean that Halloween will soon be here. As we prepare our landscapes and gardens for winter, look towards indoor plant care to warm your mood. Giving plants for the holidays brings a little sunshine and warmth to those...

Where did summer go?  It seems like we were just enjoying the sun, imagining all the wonderful produce our gardens would make, and looking forward to those lazy days of summer.  But suddenly, the kids are back to school and there’s that unmistakable chill in the evening air.  It’s...