Joshua Siskin: Secrets revealed on growing asparagus, short-lived trees

Without full sun asparagus will not photosynthesize at maximum capacity, which means that foliage will make less food to be sent down to rhizomes for storage for the following year's spears or shoots.

Young Trees Can Still Produce Some Fruit

I am on assignment in northern Afghanistan now, but my readers will still be able to follow the answers to my gardening questions here in the newspaper as well as on my blog. So keep the questions coming! Q: I don't know how old my peach tree is. I assume

Why Killing Your Lawn Is a Good Idea—And How to Do It

Why do we love our lawns when they don’t love us back? We pay a gardener or mow every week. We weed, edge, and blow. We aerate and add chemicals that pollute our waterways. And still, our lawns need more—often a lot more. What’s more, a tremendous amount potable water is used to irrigate our landscapes. And because grass and the soil under it are often severely compacted, many lawns act like a ...

Make your bed for the summer

Whether in flower beds, containers, hanging baskets or window boxes, warm-season bedding plants can quickly and economically help create the colorful landscape that so many gardeners crave.

Illinois residents urged to help combat invasive species

Invasive plant and animal species are threatening Illinois’ agricultural and natural lands and waterways, consequently posing a threat to the state’s economy.  Governor Pat Quinn has issued a proclamation declaring May to be “Invasive Species Awareness Month” to encourage Illinois residents to learn about ways in which they can help combat the introduction and spread of invasive plants and ...