January is a great time to plan a garden. The Romans named the time immediately after the winter solstice “January,” after Janus, the two-faced Roman god who looked backward and forward at the same time. In the short, dark days of winter, being surrounded by green plants can inspire creative thinking. While a trip to […]
Author Archives: VIRGINIA L. BEATTY
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Gifts of Green
From the earliest history, plants and flowers have been used to console sorrow, congratulate achievement, celebrate victory and confirm friendships. The same flower or plant may convey a different message at different times and in different places. Flowers and plants have been used by people of all ages and genders around the world. There is […]
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Preserving and Planting in the Fall Garden
Next to spring, early fall is the busiest season in the garden year. It is a great time to jot down ideas for next year, to transplant perennials, to plant a tree or just to sit in the shade with a good book and admire the work of the past season. Now is the right […]
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Growing Greener
The hot days of summer are a good time to stop, rest, reflect on the past and determine a direction for the future. Some of the Evanston 150 goals promote activities that improve health and beauty while at the same time protecting the environment. Working with, rather than against, nature saves valuable time and money. […]
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Ladd Arboretum Day June 15
The Ladd Arboretum is having a party from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on June 15. Everyone is invited to bring their reusable water bottles and refill them with fresh Evanston water, sample the display of healthy nibbles, enjoy the woodlands and compare notes with walkers, birders and plant enthusiasts. The Arboretum is located south […]
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Tree Planting: For The Future of Evanston
Trees are special. They add value to a home and a community. In Evanston, oak trees have been important since John Evans and Orring-ton Lunt threw their hats in the air and shouted, “This is the place!” They were looking for a location for Northwestern University, and when they discovered the magnificent grove of majestic […]
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Time to Get Growing
As Evanston celebrates its 150 years, there is great interest in growing food. Even with all our excellent farmers’ markets and grocery stores, most people still want to learn and do more. Growing one’s own food is an em-powering, creative activity. Raising something to eat can be great fun and a learning adventure. Anyone who […]
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Making a Dwarf Apple Tree
Here is a photo of Gene with a dwarf apple tree he created himself. He took scion wood (a twig of the desired apple variety) and grafted it on to a dwarfing root stock. Instead of one 30-foot apple tree he has about 99 (all different) 40-inch-tall apple trees growing in his back yard in […]
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Plan Before Planting
With the celebration of Evanston 150, Evanstonians are encouraged to grow plants that feed both the body and spirit. Here are a few things to keep in mind while planning. Length of Growing Season In Evanston the growing season is about 154 days. That is the time between the average date of the last spring […]
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Tannenbaum Time: Christmas Greenery
Since prehistory, the winter solstice – the longest night in the year – has been a special time. All around the world people offered sacrifices to entice the sun to come back. Evergreen boughs and lots of lights were used to encourage nature to get past winter’s darkness and start growing again. To observe the solstice, ancient Romans […]