Round and Round Over Roundup
When I hear people debate the herbicide glyphosate, or Roundup as it is more commonly known, I generally want to hide under a table. This is because I have friends who are passionate on both sides of the issue.
gardeninacity
Notes from a wildlife-friendly cottage garden
Free Compost For Chicago-area Gardeners
Did you know that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is giving away high-quality compost? Maybe you did, but I sure didn’t. The compost is made from wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, and biosolids derived from water reclamation.
Greenwashed Landscaping
So last Friday I was really looking forward to a reunion with my garden after being away almost all week. A local landscaping company called Greenwise was supposed to have done the spring cleanup while I was gone, and I was eager… Read More
Seed Starting Developments
Well, the seed starting is coming along nicely, not withstanding one unfortunate mishap.
Tell the Truth Tuesday
Our friend Alison at Bonney Lassie came up with the brilliant idea of a blog meme which involves showing the unflattering aspects of our gardens. This is a healthy antidote to the steady diet of stories about perfect gardens, all gorgeously photographed,… Read More
Germination!
Stuff is happening in our basement that’s got me excited. The very first seeds of my very first attempt to start plants inside have germinated. So teeny, with their two cotyledons barely visible, but so cute!
The Strategic Garden Tool Reserve
Here’s an idea for gardeners who, like me, have a tendency to lose their garden tools. I never figured out how to carry multiple tools around with me while taking care of various garden tasks. Smaller tools usually get stuck in a… Read More
Rake or Leave the Leaves? It All Depends
It seems that if you scratch the surface, almost any aspect of gardening can generate some controversy. On the question of leaves, controversy was apparently sparked by a post on the website of the National Wildlife Federation entitled “Why You Should Leave… Read More
The Harder They Fall – and a Garden Book Giveaway
We have just emerged from a couple of weeks of constant rainfall, sometimes accompanied by strong winds. It’s been like living in a cloud forest, but without the exotic birds and insects. This is a situation that significantly raises the risk of… Read More
To Chop, Or Not To Chop
Late May and early June are the days to cut back your tall perennials in this part of the world. I’m talking about cutting back before flowering, not after. Which is to say, cutting back to achieve a more compact, bushier, and less… Read More
