Resources

Check out some of my favorite places:

Chicagoland Gardening Magazine. I’ve been a contributor to this magazine for the past decade; for folks in the Chicago area, surrounding counties, southern Wisconsin and northern Indiana, this publication offers truly regional gardening know-how and there’s always interesting profiles on local gardeners and garden gurus. www.chicagolandgardening.com

Rich’s Foxwillow Pines Nursery in Woodstock, IL www.richsfoxwillowpines.com www.richsfoxwillowpines.com A great selection of truly unusual conifers -- in all sizes -- from miniature to ginormous. Rich, Susie and Rich’s mother Margaret are some of the most delightful folks in the nursery business. Check ‘em out! (And while you’re in Woodstock’s historic square, relive Bill Murray’s flick, “Groundhog Day,” which was filmed there.

The Morton Arboretum. www.mortonarb.org The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. Publishes a fabulous newsletter that features insects and diseases that have been spotted on the grounds during the growing season. Very helpful to pros and home gardeners.

The Chicago Botanic Garden. www.chicagobotanic.org. If you haven't been there yet, put it on your list. There's something in bloom just about 10 months out of the year in their display beds.

Other cool sites from friends, industry folks I’ve profiled in the Tribune and elsewhere, and a miscellany of other things, places, events...more:

www.leslieland.com (author of the 3,000-Mile Garden)

www.growinginchicago.co m (garden writer Beth Botts)

www.shirleyremes.com (garden coach, long-time scout for Better Homes&Gardens)

www.mikenowak.net (fellow Chicagoland Gardening writer and radio personality!)

www.libertygardens.com (garden designer Vicki Nowicki)

www.provenwinners.com (Home of the Incrediball hydrangea!)

www.richsfoxwillowpines.com (the coolest conifers on earth)

www.possibilityplacenursery.com (native trees, shrubs, grasses, forbs)

www.springmeadownursery.com (breeders of the Invincibelle hydrangea and much much more!)

http://www.all-americaselections.org/ (More than 75 years of testing annuals and veggies)

University of Illinois Extension Servicewww.organicgardening.com (check out their new 2010 style and content)

www.noaa.gov (For all your weather needs.)