By Nancy Shevel Before we have a “plant talk,” let’s take the time to touch on something we all know is so important to our flower/vegetable gardens – water. Specifically, rain water that lately for some has been plentiful and for some almost nonexistent, all within the same county. McHenry County has been in a […]
Food Shed Co-op receives $200,000 federal grant Food Shed Co-op was among 134 recipients of grants totaling $22.6 million through the 2021 round of the Targeted Small Grants Program of the America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative. According to a news release, Food Shed Co-op will receive $200,000 to supplement nearly $1.75 million raised in late […]
By Nancy Shevel Garden cleanup can start in early April or may have to be delayed for a few weeks because of the unpredictable and variable weather in our area this year. Variable spring weather will determine when your plants will start growing. Now that we’ve finally had at least a week with temperatures above […]
In this last week of fall, almost all of the trees have shed their colorful bouquet of leaves. Native oaks are an exception, holding on to their dry, tan leaves until early spring. For some uncommon color in your yard this time of year, I can suggest a few native shrubs and trees. If room […]
By Nancy Shevel Trees provide enjoyment and beauty to our landscapes and community. Studies have shown that hospital patients recover faster if their room offers a view of trees! Conversely, they can also be used to screen out unpleasant views and noise such as pedestrian/vehicle traffic and neighbors. In an ecological manner, they perform many […]
This might be a good time to reimagine or reinvent your gardens and landscapes using native plants, shrubs, and trees, which were here before the settlers arrived in McHenry County in 1836. You could turn your landscape into a “floral highway” for the monarch butterfly by putting in plants for their summer breeding grounds, which […]
When fall arrives (autumnal equinox 9/22/20), I take the time to reassess my garden plans. Did I accomplish the goals/designs I started with last fall? One of my goals has always been to have different plants in bloom every season – “continuous bloom.” Fall often is the hardest challenge, as most flowering plants require more […]
A good way to bring color into your yard on a monthly basis is with native flowering shrubs. Blue Wild Indigo Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis), which is a nicely formed medium shrub with blueish flowers that bloom in mid to late spring. It’s bushy structure complements summer bloomers with a background of attractive foliage. […]
The Environmental Defenders is pleased to announce that its two bookstores, The Green Spot in Woodstock and The Green Read in Crystal Lake, have reopened. Of course, all the social-distancing rules must be observed when entering the stores to keep everyone safe. Our reused bookstores are clean, and our fabulous volunteers have filled shifts that […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
