KATHLEEN’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – SPRING IN CHICAGO
KATHLEEN’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – SPRING IN CHICAGO
Oh wonderful it’s spring in the city. This March we had two weeks of unprecedented weather. Highs near and above 80 degrees threw everything into hyper drive. Bushes and trees that normally bloom in later April or even May suddenly burst forth causing allergy sufferers (me included) to go into full allergy alert. Then of course after that we go into typical Chicago spring what I like to call 50 or 80.
You leave the house in the morning it’s usually in the upper 40’s low 50s later in the day it might be in the high 70s or not you never know. It’s impossible to know how to dress in the morning. For those of us with joint problems this weather is challenging pain from so much warm moisture and also from damp cold.
In the lawn and garden we are in typical spring mode. Clean up what we can when it’s warm and don’t worry about it. I’ve already picked up 8 tomato plants from Jewel (believe it or not) excellent plants for $1.50!!! I have them in the garden window and they are doing great one even has a blossom! We’ll probably put them in next weekend on Mother’s day. The freeze date in this area is May 15th which always comes around Mothers day which works out for Garden Centers everywhere. If we get a frost warning cover the plants with a paper grocery bag and you’ll be fine. That’s why we only put 8 plants in early easier to cover than our usual 24.
The lawn is in May mode so mow every fourth day weed and feed and don’t worry about watering. After a dry start to the season we are near normal for rainfall so we are looking good on that front.
Good time to start cool weather crops. Lettuces peppers peas cucumbers do well in cool weather and tolerate mild frosts.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
