Home & Garden

A diversity of native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants will be for sale along with multiple milkweed species and a selection of plants for pollinators and wildlife at the Illinois Native Plant Society’s popular annual native plant sale, planned for 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Reisch Pavilion at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. […]

The first flashes of scarlet have emerged on the leaves of the maple tree in my yard, a sure sign that the fall baking season is about to begin. Baskets of brightly colored apples have replaced summer melons at farm stands and markets, beckoning home bakers to stock up on flour and preheat their ovens. […]

Bees know how to bee, so just let them be is the philosophy of urban beekeepers Jason and Lauren Baker. Lauren Baker said that she and her husband raise bees a little differently than some. They take a hands-off approach, trusting that bees know how to do the tasks that are inherent to their nature, […]

Like so many of us, I am a fall person through and through. The leaves, the books, the sweaters, the colors, the coffee: What can I say? Fall has it all. One of my first childhood literary friends, Anne Shirley, proclaimed, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Ditto, Anne. […]

Many families choose autumn and early winter to take family photographs. The light seems just right, the pace of life has slowed down and there are upcoming holiday cards to consider. But taking family pictures can also be fraught with indecision – how do you know who to hire? What location should you choose? What […]

Throngs of people flocked to Illinois to witness the solar eclipse on April 8. Central Illinois will experience an even rarer phenomenon this spring, although it won’t attract as many tourists. In May or June, dependent on temperature, the 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas will emerge concurrently for the first time since 1803. This won’t […]

After a cold and blustery week, it didn’t quite feel like spring had arrived, but as I approached the entrance to the 2024 Spring Lawn and Garden Sale last weekend, I was shuffled along in a ripping current of homeowners and gardeners, all eager to get out of the cold and into some local deals. […]

If you’re longing for the sight of fresh blossoms and lush foliage after a long winter, container gardening is an affordable, high-impact way to brighten almost any space. Whether it’s a window box overflowing with soft, romantic florals or a planter filled with tasty edibles, these basic strategies will help you create jaw-dropping arrangements that […]

Ever wondered why we call it “spring cleaning”? According to National Geographic, spring cleaning dates back to ancient times, and the themes of purification, preparation for a new beginning and the celebration of spring’s arrival are central to this worldwide tradition. Before electricity, homes were heated with coal and light was provided by the flame […]