The fall back plan: thinking ahead for spring

Mornings at our house, while filled with the excitement of the coming day, can also be a bit busy. There are chores such as laundry and dishes that need to be done and Annie, our beloved dog, also needs to be let out and fed. Completing all of this before heading to work can be a challenge. In an attempt to make mornings a bit easier, I start preparing the evening before.

Plant recommendations from a professional

Whether you realize it or not, you most likely have a plant in your yard that was grown by Midwest Groundcovers. As wholesale company, they supply local garden centers and landscapers with high quality plants that are bred to perform well in our area. Their plants add beauty, increase biodiversity, provide for a healthier living environment and allow for joy when incorporated into the landscaping around a home.

Step by step: ingredients of a good garden

Recipes are the key to any success that I have in the kitchen. Whatever I cook, regardless of how many times I have made the dish before, I always have a recipe. I view a recipe in the strictest sense as something that I simply must follow as I bake or cook. My skill set doesn’t allow for any deviation. Recipes recently allowed us to enjoy delicious baked parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes, sloppy joe sandwiches and key lime cheesecake. Our family has enjoyed scrumptious meals thanks to purpose-driven recipes.

Companion planting: how to grow together

Companionship is often an important part of our lives. We are innately social creatures that benefit from interaction with others. The companionship that we crave may come in the form of a spouse, a family member, a neighbor or a pet. Someone who will listen to our problems and celebrate our successes. The knowledge that someone cares for us reduces feelings of loneliness, increases our happiness, gives us a sense of purpose, and lowers our stress level. These all have both mental and physical health benefits. Companions encourage and enable us to be the best versions of ourselves.

For this column, Micah Putman, the Associate Director of Park Operations, has graciously agreed to answer a few questions.

Garden party: how to decorate your green space

As soon as the ground thawed this spring, I excitedly ran outside and set three metal chickens within a flower bed. After taking great care with the placement and the spacing, I took a few steps back and smiled. These three chickens, set in front of an old chicken house, bring me a tremendous amount of joy.

Perennially delightful: lifelong learning through gardening

Perennial flowers are a mainstay of most landscape settings. They add color, extend the bloom times, and can be low maintenance. Perennial flowers also improve the quality of the soil and act as food sources for pollinators and insects. The availability, selection and reliability of perennial flowers is the direct result of several very high-quality growers in our area.

Uprooted: common planting mistakes that harm your garden

Often when someone dies, we are left with one lingering question, “Why?” Sometimes the answer is painfully obvious; a terminal illness or a devasting accident. In other instances, though, the answer is illusive and never fully reveals itself. The question looms large “Why?” and the survivors may struggle with coping.

Victory gardens: how to bring red, white, and blue into your foliage

Tuesday, December 23, 2025, our family gathered to celebrate a birthday. As the party was coming to a close, I looked at my phone and gasped. There were 18 unread texts all offering the same message: “Congratulations!” A two-year journey, that included reading a transcript of a Salem witch trial, learning that an ancestor was scalped by Native Americans in the War of 1812, and discovering that there are plaques throughout New York bearing the names of my ancestors, had come to a close.

House rules: homeowner tips for Sun City

As a relatively new owner of a home, I distinctly remember the overwhelming feeling that comes with the process of moving from one residence to the other. There are an inordinate number of decisions that need to be made as well as physical demands to be met. Navigating through a process can sometimes be daunting, especially if it is a process that is new or unfamiliar. When help is available, it can become infinitely easier. Thankfully, in our community, there are many resources and help is readily available.

Pave the day: patio maintenance explained

On a recent sunny day, Chris and I sat out on our paver patio. We felt the sunshine on our faces as we threw the ball for our English Springer Spaniel. This time on our patio offered us a few moments of pure bliss.

Patios are often used as an extension of our home. Outdoor rooms, created through the use of landscaping or hardscaping, are used for entertaining, eating or simply relaxing. These outdoor spaces, though, do need to be maintained. Just as we maintain the inside of our homes through regular cleaning, painting and redecorating, our outdoor areas require maintenance. This column details the steps to evaluating and maintaining patios and other surfaces created using pavers (bricks).

Let’s chat – Gardenfest 2026

Each spring, it seems, I need to learn a new language all over again. The winter days spent baking and working on genealogy-based projects are over and I lean into outdoor pursuits such as gardening. Words such as Parthenocissus, aquaponic and soil amendments are part of my vernacular once again. Attending gardening events helps to make that transition smoother and much more enjoyable. For this column, Brenda Dahlfors, Program Coordinator with Illinois Extension serving McHenry/Lake Counties, has agreed to answer a few questions about Gardenfest an upcoming gardening event. Gardenfest takes place on Saturday, April 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McHenry County College.

Second chances: The importance of proper maintenance

A few days ago, while driving a warning message appeared on the dash board. It read ‘Change Oil Soon.’ The sticker on the windshield revealed that it was one month past the time when I should have taken my truck in for an oil change. I asked myself “How did I let this happen?” Within hours the oil change was complete and I was given a second chance to maintain my truck properly.

Spring is like a second chance for gardeners. It is a time to either improve upon what was done differently or perhaps change course entirely. Changes of any size and scope can have a lasting impact. Our landscaping is a result of what was done or not done previously. Each year builds upon the previous year. This spring take a few moments to consider what you want to do with your second chance.

The holly and the ivy: plants for the holidays

Holidays are filled with traditions, celebrating with family and the giving of gifts. This year, our family is altering the tradition of giving store-bought gifts. We are giving each other homemade gifts. Thankfully, there are some very creative and talented members of my family. I, unfortunately, am not one of them.

Don’t fall behind, spring ahead and prepare now for next year

Each evening, I spend about 10 minutes preparing for the next morning. It is a habit started a few years ago that makes my mornings less busy. I choose and set out my clothes, put water in the tea kettle, and make my overnight oats. I also set out the dishes and utensils needed for breakfast, set out my dog’s food and review what I need to do the next day. Evenings are generally less busy, and by doing things the night before, it gives me a head start on the next day. It makes the next day more pleasant and productive.

For the birds: how to create a backyard haven this winter

Annie, our English springer spaniel dog, brings my husband and me an indescribable amount of joy. Her exuberance for life, extreme loyalty, and constant affection lift our spirits each and every day. She is a blessing to us and by providing food, shelter and care we, hopefully, we bring her happiness.

Falling into line: gardening ideas for autumn

When my daughter was in high school, she ran cross country. The meets, held in the fall, were long, difficult and often included 50-100 of the area’s best runners. During each race, I would position myself near the finish line and yell “Finish strong” repeatedly as Sarah and her friends ran by. Somehow, I hoped that this encouragement would help them beat their personal best time for the course. Seven years later, I find that this fall I am telling myself “Finish strong.”

33 ways to fall in love with autumn this year

Celebrations take on all forms. It may be in the form of a birthday party for 90-year-old, a card lovingly given for Valentine’s Day, or a family picnic to celebrate Labor Day. Although traditionally not celebrated, the first day of fall occurred on September 22. In recognition of fall and all of the joy that it brings, I thought it might be fun to, as a community, celebrate the first day of fall through some gardening projects. I hope that these ideas promote some thought and perhaps lead to a few joy-filled memories.

Fall in Love with Lurie Gardens

Many gardeners seek out sources of inspiration when considering improvements in their own landscaping. Lurie Garden located in Millennium Park in Chicago has provided inspiration for many gardeners since its opening just over 20 years ago. With over 330 plant types, there is much for gardeners to appreciate while wondering the two-and-a-half acre site.

For this column, Kathryn Deery, the Director of Horticulture for Lurie Garden, has agreed to answer a few questions for us about the garden, its features, the designers, visiting and the spring bulb display.

Rain, rain go away – picking plants that defy a drought

Tolerance is often viewed as a positive characteristic. Most people can recall a situation in their lives in which tolerance played a crucial role. Tolerating my dog, who now chooses to begin needing attention when I am talking on the phone, has become a necessary behavior of mine this summer. Whether we are tolerating an animal or person, tolerance usually allows us to get through a situation more easily.

The root of the problem: whom to ask about plant health

Symptoms are generally better treated when there is a diagnosis. This is true whether there is a rash on your hand or brown spots on the leaves of a crab tree. While a dermatologist is the best person to contact regarding a rash, the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum is able to assist you with questions regarding crab trees. The Plant Clinic offers answers firmly based in science about flowers, shrubs and trees.

New heights: gardening from the ground up

“Come out and see this!” Chris, my husband, exclaimed on a recent Saturday morning. He had stopped at a garage sale and purchased what he deemed a treasure. He was thrilled to find a small metal ladder that had oval planting containers hooked on several rungs. His vision included setting the raised planter near our vegetable garden and having vines grow to cover the sides and rungs of the ladder with beautiful flowers. After talking through a few options, we decided to plant morning glory seeds in the three metal planters. We knew whatever we planted in the small containers would not live through the winter so an annual vine seemed like the natural choice. I view morning glories as a guilty pleasure. Although they can be invasive, each time I see them they make me smile.

In their defense: what you can do to support the environment

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Although this quote is attributed to Margaret Mead, it could very easily be the motto of the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County. For over 50 years, they have worked diligently protecting our ecosystem and preserving our natural environment all while educating residents. They have successfully protected valuable areas such as Ryder’s Woods in Woodstock and the Volo Bog State Natural Area. They also assisted in the development of the Crystal Lake watershed protection ordinance and the McHenry County Stormwater ordinance.