The West Chicago Garden Club

Warm weather annuals can be found at garden centers very early (The Growing Place offers them the first weekend of May) but they must be kept warmer than 40 degrees to avoid damage or stalling of growth. Warm weather annuals include: impatiens, begonias, caladiums, marigolds and manymore. Cool weather flowers have been available since early April and include: all perennials andannual petunias, allysum, pansies, dianthus, dusty miller, diascia, stocks, callibrachoa and nemesiato name a few. Those plants can handle temperatures down to freezing. After May 15th there is less likelihood of frost although the last chance for frost is May 24th! Be ready to listen to the weather and plan to cover warm weather annuals with a sheet or plastic if needed. Tomatoes, peppers and basil are also very cold sensitive. Continue Reading »

Calendar spring begins March 20.  When spring weather begins is another story.  Usually we have some teaser warm days and then reality check is interjected with some blustery cold wind and maybe some snow.  However, Spring, cannot be denied!  We will soon be reveling in saturated green and brilliant flashes of color. The Grape Hyacinths are first on the scene in the Kruse Garden, popping up lovely displays throughout the gardens.  They are small plants at about 10” but pack a wallop of color!  This minor bulb, Muscari, has been in gardens for centuries.  Its dark green foliage emerges in September when everything else is going to sleep.  The thick grass like leaves elongate early spring and send up stalks topped with clusters (look like beads or grapes) of deep blue flowers.  These unusual flowers hang down like bells and have six fused petals tipped in white. The mild musk like scent often goes unnoticed by humans but the bees don’t miss it!  Bees have hungry larvae to feed well before most flowers are blooming.  This low maintenance long lasting bulb naturalizes readily and thus we are fortunate to enjoy plantings likely originating with the Kruse family.  If you don’t have this bulb in your garden you might want to try some.  You will be rewarded for a life time.  Watch for bulbs at our very own plant sale.  We sometimes unearth a few as spring work in the garden proceeds. Continue Reading »

Winter in the Chicago area means lots of ice and snow. Keeping paths, steps, and porches free of ice is an important safety measure, but not all ice melting products are plant friendly! Rock salt, or sodium chloride is our most common product, but it’s extremely harmful to plant material and can impact your soil health. Look for products made with calcium or magnesium chloride that are still effective, but much more plant friendly. In each case, less is more, so only use deicing chemicals in small areas. You can add extra traction and extend the product by mixing it with sand. Try to avoid piling salt-laden snow around trees or shrubs. If it can’t be avoided, make sure to thoroughly water the area in the spring to wash the product out of the soil and the root