Blogs to Help You Grow
Knowing certain tricks can make all the difference between cultivating an average garden and an impressive one. Take a look below to find all the tips from our experts. Make sure to check back often, since every season comes with its own gardening challenges.
Don’t Snub the Shrub | Part 4
Shrubs for every season In this blog series Don’t Snub the Shrub, our expert gardeners will provide
21 August, 2023
Don’t Snub the Shrub | Part 1
How to Plan a Shrub Space | Part 1 of 4 Shrubs are often overlooked by gardeners. They may already b
10 August, 2023
Don’t Snub the Shrub | Part 2
How to Plan a Shrub Space | Part 2 of 4 In this blog series Don’t Snub the Shrub, our expert gardene
10 August, 2023
Don’t Snub the Shrub | Part 3
Small Shrubs Can Have a Big Impact In this blog series Don’t Snub the Shrub, our expert gardeners w
09 August, 2023
RECIPE | Zucchini Pie
Say hello to Amy’s Zucchini Pie – the surprisingly delightful twist on pie! Bursting wit
07 August, 2023
Pesky Plant Pests!
Summer is here and with our long warm lazy days come with some pesky issues that always seem to pop
29 July, 2023
Buzz Off Mosquitos! Tips to a Mosquito-Less Outdoor Space
Summer is here and with our long warm lazy days come with some pesky issues that always seem to pop
03 July, 2023
Tips For A Thriving Summer Garden
With the arrival of summer in the greater Chicago area, it’s time to unleash your green thumb
14 June, 2023
Five Tips to Make Your Garden Hummingbird Friendly this Summer.
With their mesmerizing aerial acrobatics and vibrant colors, these tiny wonders are a delightful vis
31 May, 2023
5 Spring Flowers to Plant in Illinois
Spring is here; now is the perfect time to start planting your spring flowers in Illinois. Some of t
05 April, 2023
Achieve a Beautiful Lawn All Summer Long with Drought Beater Seed Mix
Growing a green lush lawn could be a rewarding challenge. Some of us are up for the challenge, other
29 March, 2023
Spring Lawn Care Tips for Illinois Lawns
As the weather warms up and the snow melts, it’s time to start thinking about your lawn and pr
22 March, 2023
Discover the Benefits of Purple Cow’s CX-1: The Ultimate Organic Plant Booster
Purple Cow has been a staple at the Barn Owl for some time now. Their activated compost has been a g
22 March, 2023
Introducing We The Wild – Sustainable Plant Care Products with a Purpose
We The Wild is a new product line that the Barn Owl is extremely excited to carry. For decades, the
22 March, 2023
Tips for Creating a Beautiful and Low-maintenance Garden in Illinois
A beautiful garden can be a source of joy and relaxation but also require much time and effort to ma
21 March, 2023
7 must-have plants for your spring garden
Spring is just around the corner, and for many of us, that means it’s time to start planning o
12 March, 2023
Getting Started with Birding and Bird Watching in Illinois
Are you interested in learning more about birds and getting started with birding and bird watching?
12 March, 2023
March To-Do List: Your Guide to Home and Garden Maintenance this Month
As winter transitions into spring, March is the perfect time to prepare your home and garden for war
01 March, 2023
6 Common Questions About Feeding Suet to Birds
Are you interested in offering suet to the birds in your backyard? Suet is a high-energy food that i
15 February, 2023
Eating like a bird? Tips for Feeding Birds in the Midwest
This old bird adage could have several interpretations, but if you are truly eating like a bird then
15 February, 2023
February: Monthly Gardening To Do list
As the winter begins to loosen its grip and the first hints of spring start to peek through, now is
02 February, 2023
5 Tips to Keep Your Houseplants Healthy this Winter
The winter months can be tough on houseplants, but with a little extra care, you can keep them thriv
12 January, 2023
January: Monthly To Do List
As the winter chill settles in and the gardening season comes to a temporary halt, now is the perfec
05 January, 2023
Winter Maintenance: A Comprehensive Guide to De-icing Your Safely and Effectively
De-icing your driveway and sidewalks is integral to winter maintenance to prevent slips and falls. H
20 December, 2022
Barn Owl: Holiday Gift Guide
Are you looking for the perfect gift for the gardener in your life? Look no further! Here are a few
08 December, 2022
4 Tips For Keeping Your Christmas Tree Alive All Season Long
This is the most beautiful time of the year! The holiday season is upon us, meaning it’s time to get
29 November, 2022
How to Prepare Your Houseplants for Winter
The majority of houseplant growth slows down in the winter months; they are taking a break. This fac
29 November, 2022
3 Sustainable Christmas Decoration Ideas for A Greener Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and of course, decorating! While your home may alr
29 November, 2022
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, What is your history?
As we gather around the Christmas tree this holiday, it’s a good time for a little history lesson ab
27 November, 2022
Firewood: A Complete Guide
Firewood is a popular topic in Illinois. Many people here heat their homes entirely with wood heat.
14 November, 2022
November: Barn Owl Monthly To-Do List
We are deep into the autumn season here in Illinois. We hope you thoroughly enjoy pumpkin patches, w
11 November, 2022
Illinois Gardening: A Fall Checklist
After a busy summer season of planting, weeding, and watering, the fall garden needs a bit of attent
13 September, 2022
Choosing Between Heirloom and Hybrid Seeds for Your Garden
As spring is finally upon us, it is time to start thinking about our garden! When deciding on what v
05 April, 2022
April: Barn Owl Monthly To-Do List
It’s officially spring and while in many parts of the country that means warmer days and more time i
01 April, 2022
Spring Checklist to Get Your Garden Ready for the New Season!
March is the perfect time to start preparing your garden for the growing season. Whether you’r
28 March, 2022
For Peat Sake – Is it Time to Ease Off Peat in Your Garden?
The answer to that question is yes, it is a good time to rethink the use of peat in your garden. Pea
14 March, 2022
4 Low Maintenance Houseplants to Brighten Your Home
These dreary days of winter can really make you daydream of warmer times. Sadly, we can’t time trave
08 February, 2022
September: Barn Owl Monthly To-Do List
Every feel a lost or behind on what you should be doing with your lawn and garden? We understand and
01 September, 2021
Transitioning Your Planters and Flower Garden to the Fall
As Labor Day comes and goes, we all begin to settle in with the realization that seasons are beginni
28 August, 2021
Aunt Sue’s Peach Pie Recipe
You can’t go wrong with Peach Pie, but it is always better to use fresh peaches from Michigan
10 August, 2021
August: Barn Owl Monthly To-Do List
Every feel a lost or behind on what you should be doing with your lawn and garden? We understand and
03 August, 2021
4 Tips for Properly Watering in the Summer
The summer is in full swing and that means long hot days with little rain in the forecast. This can
28 July, 2021
Sustainable Pest Control for your Home and Garden
We have seen a lot of unique weather this summer! This has presented us with more pest issues than n
21 June, 2021
5 Tips for Attracting Orioles this Spring
Time to Set Your Avian Table for Springtime! Even if you are not a bird enthusiast, you cannot ignor
10 May, 2021
5 Step Guide to a Better Landscaping Plan
Improving your home’s landscaping shouldn’t feel intimidating. It should instead be a fun rela
27 April, 2021
Outsmarted by a Squirrel?
You are not alone! One of the many joys of living in the Midwest is the beauty and the wide variety
27 April, 2021
How to Feed Birds on Patio or Apartment Space
Having birds stop by your patio can brighten any day. We love to see that our feathered buddies have
28 February, 2021
Just Starting with Succulents
As the long, cold days continue to push on, it is nice to have some plants growing in the house to h
18 February, 2021
4 Steps to Starting Peppers and Tomatoes from Seed
There isn’t much more synonymous with summer than hand-picking your own tomatoes and peppers from th
18 February, 2021
6 Tips for Attracting Cardinals this Winter
When February hits, and the snow and cold are really setting in, it’s easy to crave a little color i
09 February, 2021
5 Herbs for Your First Indoor Garden
Who doesn’t love fresh herbs all-year-round? From parsley to cilantro, fresh herbs turn every meal i
09 February, 2021
What is Grit? And Why is it Important in my Bird Feed?
In these cold winter months, a lot of us like to help out our backyard birds by putting out bird fee
05 February, 2021
How to Start Your Seeds Like an Expert
Now that the New Year is behind us and we are in the middle of winter, it’s nice to daydream a
28 January, 2021
