Midwest Regional Reports

  • early spring flowers midwest
    Midwest Regional Reports

    Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the Midwest

    In Jason Reeves' article Plants That Bloom in Late Winter or Early Spring, he discusses how plants that bloom during the coldest time of the year, often go underappreciated: "Some…

  • lawn substitute
    Midwest Regional Reports

    Use These Ground Covers as Lawn Substitutes

    I think gardens look best when the ground is covered with either lush growth or an appropriate natural mulch to cover barren soil. Full coverage of the soil has the…

  • Osage Orange
    Midwest Regional Reports

    The Weird and Wonderful Osage Orange

    In October and November, apple-green, grapefruit-size fruits of female Osage orange trees (Maclura pomifera, Zones 4–9) fall from their canopies and hit the ground with a hearty thump. This North…

  • winter garden protection
    Midwest Regional Reports

    Winter Protection for the Midwest Garden

    As the gardening season comes to a close in the Midwest, there are some important tasks we should consider to protect our gardens from the harsh conditions of winter. Protection…

  • unusual spring bulbs
    Midwest Regional Reports

    5 Unusual Bulbs for the Midwest

    While cool nights and diminishing daylight in fall triggers putting our gardens to bed at the forefront of our minds, don’t forget that this is the time to consider enlivening…

  • perennials for clay soil
    Midwest Regional Reports

    Three Perennials That Can Grow in Clay Soil

    Soil composition plays a critical role in the success of any garden. Plants respond to a variety of factors, with soil structure being one of the most important. Few of…

  • Sweet box
    Midwest Regional Reports

    Interesting Broadleaf Evergreens for the Midwest

    In an episode of Fine Gardening's podcast, Let’s Argue About Plants, the hosts discuss the importance of evergreen plants, and the particular perks of broadleaf evergreens: “The key to any…

  • Autumn Containers
    Midwest Regional Reports

    10 Tips for Transitioning to Autumn Garden Containers

    Right around the time that days shorten and the nights get cooler, it becomes clear that our containers may be getting a little tired after working so hard during the…

  • Late-Season Kale
    Midwest Regional Reports

    Growing Late-Season Kale for Extended Color, Texture, and Taste

    As we settle into our summer gardens in the Midwest, the autumn seems to be in the distant future. However, the fall season always seems to arrive before we know…

  • Peter Cottontail sneezewort
    Midwest Regional Reports

    Fall-Flowering Perennials for Pollinators in the Northern Plains

    I find late-season flowers to be some of the most delightful of the year. They represent one last encore to a year of gardening done well. The bees enjoy the…