Great article on Fall Tree Planting

http://www.savatree.com/fall-planting-trees.html

Check out this article on the benefits of planting trees and shrubs in fall!

Finding nature south of Chicago

http://dirt.asla.org/2013/05/08/chicagos-wilderness-beauty-amid-industry/

Fantastic couple of articles from ASLA

http://dirt.asla.org/2013/05/28/civic-horticulture-productive-gardens/ 

Drought could reverse flow of Chicago River

Check out this interesting article!

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8947719 

Downy Mildew Update

Lawn and Landscape Magazine provides us with a Downy Mildew Update

http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/ll1112-downy-mildew-impatiens.aspx

Great blog

Great information in this blog by arborsmith...

http://www.thearborsmiths.com/our-wisdom/

Overwintering container plants

The key to overwintering plants in containers is to prevent the soil mass from freezing and to maintain moisture in the soil throughout the winter. Freezing can be prevented by having a large soil mass in a well-insulated container or planter located in a protected area. Watering containers with needled and broadleaf evergreens such as hollies, boxwoods and ivy is essential in winter.

Most containers can be damaged by freezing and thawing conditions if the soil is left in them during winter. Large concrete and wooden planters are typically able to withstand northern Illinois winters without being cleaned out. All other planters and containers should be emptied of soil and plants and stored upside-down to prolong their useful life.

Fun Pumpkin Facts

pumpkins carved by Aaron and Sofia Zych

Total U.S. pumpkin production was valued at around $140 million equaling 1.1 billion lbs

 496 million pounds of pumpkins were produced in Illinois.

The top pumpkin production states are Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California.

Around 90 to 95% of the processed pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois.

Pumpkins originated in Central America.

In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.

The name pumpkin originated from "pepon" - the Greek word for "large melon."

Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

Pumpkins are a fruit.

Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops; removed seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.

Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.