Chuck Templeton believes that the greenest thing anyone can do is not buy something. |
Remodeling & renovation
Marimekko makes new splash
Famous for its poppies and other ebullient prints, the Finnish textile brand Marimekko is feeding DIY urges with its new shop-within-a-...
From butterflies, lessons on life & death
If you were to catch Loretta Downs loping through the shoulder-high milkweed along her alley fence come the end of June, you might not...
What's your kitchen style?
Cool or casual? Sleek or sedate? Your kitchen style sets the tone as family and friends gather around the hub of the home.
The little guys stoke creativity at contemporary furniture show
In a locavore, organically grown, responsibly sourced world, we've learned that it might be better — for everything from the...
Is it green, or a whitewash?
More companies and items are promoted as green. Are their claims overstated?
Out on a limb
A neighbor has the right to trim branches that encroach on their property. The law gets hazy from there.
A patio makeover can be a one-weekend wonder
We've got the cure for winter's lingering wrath: a weekend porch makeover.
Finding plants to steer toward a driveway
Q. I have a planting area directly adjacent to a driveway that I think suffers from salt during the winter months. Cars often park on the...
Staging a home: The takeaway
Look beyond clearing clutter when preparing to sell your home. Here are features to remove, and steps to give your listing an edge.
Late bloomer to landscaping
A Chicago firefighter-turned-landscape designer gives his thoughts on how to plan a more appealing yard.
Delayed repairs haunt owners
While we're on the subject, deferred maintenance eventually will catch up with you. Resist the temptation to put them off.
Gardening
Map locates ancient, and lost, prairies and woods
Ever wonder what nature in your neighborhood looked like two centuries ago? An online map developed by Jenny McBride, research assistant/...
Looking for plants that bunnies don't like
Q. QWhat can I do to prevent rabbits from eating my perennials? We have a relatively shady backyard and I am looking for suggestions of...
Thinking small can pay big veggie dividends
For most gardeners, the dream is to be out there with a big patch of land, growing all manner of vegetables.
Catch sprig fever with easy-to-grow herbs
When is it safe to plant tomatoes or sow the pole beans? How do you know when an apple is ready for picking? Are cilantro and coriander...
Late bloomer: Lilac tree flowers in summer
Quick, name a summer-blooming tree. Stumped? There aren't many.
Made for the shade: Beautiful gardens that don't depend on sunshine
Strolling through my woodland garden recently, a guest asked how I managed to get so many different kinds of plants to grow in the shade....
London planetree combines beauty with disease resistance
Morton Euclid London planetree - Ovation (Platanus x acerifolia "Morton Euclid") deserves applause, according to Kunso Kim, head of...
Woodland wonder
Five impressive private gardens will open to the public for Garden Conservancy events. Here's a look at one of them.
The dirt on landscaping
The host of "Yard Attack!" gives homeowners suggestions on their next tree-planting, deck, fence or other backyard project.
Spring everlasting
Learn the tricks of the trade and see our handy chart for keeping those long-awaited stems fresh.
Return to Millennium Park
Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, the man behind the Lurie Garden, returns to lecture next month.
Dense shade alternatives
A Chicago Botanic Garden horticulture expert has advice on what will stick where the sun won't shine.