Flying HighIf Mother Earth had a full-time assistant, it would be Kay MacNeil. For more than 25 years, the Frankfort resident has advocated and gardened for those with no voice — Eastern bluebirds, butterflies, hummingbirds and many other struggling creatures that most people take for granted.
Many of the homes in her subdivision, which surrounds the Prestwick Country Club’s golf course, sport manicured lawns and neatly trimmed shrubs. That look is a far cry from her garden, tucked away on a cul-de-sac where native wildflowers, trees and shrubs mingle with flowering vines and passalong plants from her late parents, grandmother and friends.
categories
popular
Blog
On a sunny winter day a few years ago, I strolled into our Palos-area garden looking for signs of snowdrops
Blog
Back in January 1906, the Gardener’s Monthly Magazine featured these women perusing seed catalogs and magazines.
Columns
Did I ever mention that in my childhood I was severely traumatized when I happened to discover two snowflakes that were ...
Blog
Last summer, I had the pleasure of strolling through Cantigny Park in Wheaton, where the floral displays are always spectacular.
Columns
I had just finished an environmental talk to a local gardening group. It was the usual advice. Don’t do an oil change on ...
questions
Which flowers can we plant that the bunnies won’t eat? My pansies and marigolds are all eaten.
What ratio and amounts of fertilizer would you use for a perennial bed and a vegetable garden? For growing annuals in a greenhouse, should the fertilizer be fast or slow-release, organic or inorganic?
I have a Japanese maple that was hit by frost. Some of the leaves are curled and brown. Will they fall off and new leaves grow? Is there anything I can do to help the tree? What is the best method to prevent this from ever happening again?
