Winter in Illinois is an excellent season for birdwatching. Many different kinds of birds, big and small, spend the winter in our state. Whether it’s wrens, finches, or sparrows, many kinds of gulls, geese, and diving ducks, to bald eagles along the Mississippi, we...
If you had a new patio, driveway, or pathway laid with pavers this summer, you probably want to protect your investment from being ravaged by winter. Puddles of water, metal shovels, scrapers, and salt can all cause damage to your pavers. Here’s how to keep them safe...
Our landscape goes through changes throughout the year, but every season offers unique gifts. In winter, the darkness gives us the chance to bring out our holiday lights. Even on a cloudy day, our homes can shine like a starry night. But if you need ideas to spark...
Bring your home to life for the holidays by decorating with real trees, evergreen boughs, poinsettias, houseplants, and porch planters. Living greenery exudes a scent, vitality, and feel that plastic decor can never duplicate. Their smells evoke fond memories, their...
Our patio is a cozy haven to enjoy in three seasons—sometimes four—and a key investment in our landscape. It’s the foundation of our backyard oasis, the place where we enjoy all of the surrounding beauty. Yet while we’re often focused on our plants, we can easily...
When the frost comes, it’s easy to wonder if we should be protecting our roses. In the past, putting them to bed was an important part of the fall routine. Today, many varieties are cold hardy to our climate. We can treat them like other shrubs—give them a healthy...
If you feel like a bit of a goldfish when you’re in your backyard, on display for all the neighbors to see everything you do, you probably want to find a way to add some privacy to your yard. Plants are one of the best ways to add privacy. Plants are...
Trees are almost always part of a landscaping plan for new housing developments or a single yard makeover. Sure, they look nice, but why should you plant a tree in your yard? Well, the truth is that trees are important for much more than just looking good. Trees...
All of those fallen leaves in your yard might be the key factor in turning your soil into that black-gold we all strive for. So don’t be so quick to clean them up and send them out to the curb with the garbage cans just yet. All summer long, trees soak up...
Not long ago, storing your fall harvest was just as common as gardening. Today, most of us grew up with the wonders of modern refrigeration and take it for granted, but once you start growing your own food, there comes the point when you ask: what do I do with all of...
