The Casual Gardener
Ridding FermiLab Natural Areas of Invasive Plants
Written by Shawna Coronado
Pumpkins always fascinate me. They are so colorful and pregnant with life with all those tasty seeds inside them. We remember these squash as a Halloween delight and often forget they are food. Than at Thanksgiving, too many of us opt for a can of pumpkin to make our pumpkin pies. How much more fun to use fresh pumpkin out of your garden.
The Frances Williams Hosta is, without a doubt, one of my very favorite perennials.
Here you see her heavily pregnant in late summer with seed pods.
This lovely hosta is an American Hosta Society Distinguished Merit Award Winner. It has large, rounded green-blue leaves with a wide golden variegation around the outside of each leaf.
Allen is a professional garden designer, host of two national TV programs, and author of “P. Allen Smith’s Living in the Garden Home.” He writes about gardens, talks about gardens, has a website, and a gardening blog.
Blizzard or Not --Here’s How To Be Green During Snowpocalypse 2011
Written by Shawna Coronado
Holy Cats! There’s a blizzard out there. Literally!
Snowpocalypse 2011 hit the Chicago Zone 5 region hard last week and buried gardens beneath layers of ice and snow – approximately 20 inches on Wednesday and more as time went by.
A Few Easy Tips on Sustainable Gardening from Rob Sperl
Written by Shawna CoronadoChristmas Amaryllis Can Also Offer Year-Round Joy
Written by Shawna Coronado
Bringing a bit of nature inside with a special blooming plant is a great way to lighten the emotional load, and it is also a wonderful gift to give during this holiday season.
Green-Gift Giving—Gifts That Continue to Give Love to the Earth
Written by Shawna Coronado
We live in a materialistic society and often take all our ‘stuff’ for granted. As our community goes through difficult economic times, it is important to pull back on the gift giving and push forward with giving from the heart. It is not about how many gifts we give; it is about the love in our hearts when we give them.
When you do give, consider giving a good-for-the-earth-gift. Green and sustainable gifts are the best gifts because they keep on giving even after the holidays are over. Try gifting your friends and family with green and sustainable presents this season and make a difference for our world. Below are a few of the best green gift-giving guides online, great resources for you and your family to tap into this holiday season.
White Licorice, My Garden Plant of the Year
Written by Shawna Coronado
This plant is incredible. It outlasted almost every other plant in the garden, surviving drought conditions and multiple frosts.
In May, I planted it as a baby. Its arms were less than the length of my fingers. The tag that came with the plant said it would only grow to a height of 12 inches. Some of the vines hang at least 24 inches from the edge of the pot down to the ground.
Save Money—Tips For Reducing Energy Usage in Your Home
Written by Shawna CoronadoAmericans waste over $130 billion annually on energy. This means we are spending far too much money due to inefficiency in our homes. During difficult economic times, watching our utility usage is so critical, it can sometimes mean the difference between losing and saving a home. Below are the Top 10 Tips for Reducing Energy Usage—my personal recommendations for running a household that saves money and energy:
