What is happening to my Magnolia? Magnolia Scale! Are you starting to notice white spots all over your Magnolia? Are you starting to notice a sticky substance all over the plant and at the base of the plant? You are not alone; it is called magnolia scale and it is...
When should I plant my mums? The best time to plant your mums is August or early September. If you can get your mums in the ground before they start blooming you will double the bloom time. The plant will get a more robust root system which helps elongate the bloom...
TO WATER OR NOT TO WATER? You have just installed your new plants and proper watering is now most critical to their success. Q: How do I know when to water? A: The simple answer is when Mother Nature doesn’t provide rain and /or when the ground is dry. The best way to...
Why use mulch in Chicago? Mulch serves many purposes in your outdoor space. The primary purposes are to: reduce water evaporation prevent weeds reduce erosion add a beautiful texture to your garden Because the sun isn’t able to reach the soil, it’s unable...
Are you wondering why your boxwoods are looking brown and damaged after the winter even though they have done well for several years? Do not fret, you are not alone! Extreme Chicago winters when the weather gets around -50 with wind chill hurts unprotected boxwoods....
The first thing is that a day of snow is not likely to harm your plants. The soil is already workable and one day of winter-like weather is not enough to make it freeze up again. Even if there is a freeze, and even if yes, it’s technically spring in Chicagoland....