My Chalet Amour

07.07.2008

The Bite:
imageIs your heart beating for a green garden? It’s not too late, cherie. Get the pretty little one that you adore with a mid-season stop at Wilmette’s Chalet Nursery. Chalet’s horticulture know-it-all, Jennifer Brennan, offered us some wise words: Midway through summer, stick with perennials that have already started to flower such as aster, echinacea and joe pye weed (see our pretty pick in photo). And while you’re at it, grab some organic fertilizer, which will speed things along without synthetic chems. Right about now is your last chance to spread the stuff and keep your already-planted blooms as lovely as a summer day.
Wanna Try: 
Chalet, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette (847-256-0561). Perennials, $5-$16/plant in 4-inch pot; organic fertilizer, $7/5-pound bag.

Cocktail Fact

Stevie Wonder, born Stevland Hardaway Judkins, won 12 Grammy Awards by age 30.

Small Changes Add Up

If 10,000 Chicago Biters switch to sustainable gardening methods for one year, we'll divert the weight of seven riding mowers' in pesticides from soiling our environment.

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