Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.

To Carol with love: notes on a special daphne

I fell in love with Carol Mackie almost from the day she arrived here. True, she was nothing special to look at early on, but she always had a becoming daintiness.

New blooms, veggies and more debuting for 2013

Whoever believes there's nothing new under the sun hasn't seen the plants being introduced for the 2013 gardening season.

Ask a Designer: style in a small outdoor space

Design magazines and home decorating catalogs tend to feature sprawling backyards with big wooden decks and room for everything from decorative fountains to artificial ponds.

Friends of Robinson Lake give away trees today in Hobart

HOBART | Friends of Robinson Lake will celebrate Earth Day by giving away bare root native hazelnut and nine bark shrubs and pin oak trees from 9 a.m. to noon today at the Robinson Lake/Oak Savannah Trail parking lot.

Saplings from Anne Frank's tree take root in US

Saplings from the chestnut tree that stood as a symbol of hope for Anne Frank as she hid from the Nazis for two years in Amsterdam are being distributed to 11 locations in the United States as part of a project that aims to preserve her legacy and promote tolerance.

Mildew starts with few little spots, then spreads

It may start with a couple of small dark spots on the grout where the shower stall meets the tiled wall. A few days later, they multiply.

Please prune the shrubs, deer

Although unconcerned with promoting plant health or aesthetics, in at least one situation deer can actually help us prune well.

Please prune the shrubs, deer

Although unconcerned with promoting plant health or aesthetics, in at least one situation deer can actually help us prune well.

Bouquets to save: flowers made of recycled stuff

Glynis Abapo knew just what she wanted her dream wedding cake to be: simple. Three or four tiers. A rich, white confection with white peonies and peony petals cascading down the middle.

Hard cider takes bigger slice of beverage market

From left, glasses of hard apple cider, apple beer, and apple wine, along with, from left, bottles of beer, wine, and hard cider are shown.

Hard cider takes bigger slice of beverage market

Autumn's a great time to fall for apple appeal, with cooler temperatures setting the stage for the fruit to star in gently steaming pies and alongside fragrant roasts.

Nori: What it is and how to use it

If you've ever had a California roll, you've had nori.

Nori: What it is and how to use it

Nori — also called laver — is a somewhat generic name for a variety of seaweeds cultivated for use mostly in Japanese cooking.

Greenhouse Environment

Plants started in greenhouses give gardeners the upper hand for early garden growing opportunities in the spring.

Greenhouses Provide Growing Opportunities for Enthusiasts of all Ages

A family greenhouse allows the chance for children to learn about the care and growth of plants, beginning at seed stage until planting during the garden season.

Lemster's Floral Greenhouse Entrance

A wood panel doorway, off the showroom, leads to the climate controlled Victorian greenhouse structure attached to Lemster's Floral in Valparaiso.

Owner Jeff Walter in the Greenhouse at Lemster's Floral in Valparaiso

Jeff Walter, owner of Lemster's Floral in Valparaiso, stands in the attached greenhouse of the 100-year-old florist building. Greenhouses allow for added advantages with plant care, but also require the demands of upkeep and maintenance.

Even when it rains, don't forget to water

A woman uses a hose-end sprayer to water a garden in New Paltz, N.Y. Timely watering can eke the best plant growth from any plot of ground in any season.

Even when it rains, don't forget to water

If it happens to be raining hard when you read this, my words might make you want to pelt me with ripe tomatoes — if you had them yet. Still, I'll say it: Timely watering can eke the best plant growth from any plot of ground in any season.