In this section we will address common gardening problems under the following headings ...

• Plant Problems
• Pest Problems
• Weather Problems
• Soil Problems

HOPE THIS IS HELPFUL !!!!

Hydrangea bloom failure is very common in the Chicago area.

Possible causes

• Winter damage to flower buds
• Pruning at the wrong time
• Too much shade
• Incorrect hydrangea variety

Solutions

• Choose cold-hardy varieties such as Hydrangea paniculata or Hydrangea arborescens.
• Avoid pruning bigleaf hydrangeas after summer, because buds form on old wood.
• Plant hydrangeas where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade.

Tomatoes sometimes grow vigorously but fail to produce fruit.

Possible causes

• Temperatures above 90°F
• Too much nitrogen fertilizer
• Poor pollination

Solutions

• Plant tomatoes in full sun (6–8 hours daily).
• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
• Gently shake plants to encourage pollination.

Wilting may occur during hot summer afternoons even when plants have enough water.

Possible causes

• Heat stress
• Root damage
• Poor drainage

Solutions

• Water deeply early in the morning.
• Add 2–3 inches of mulch to retain moisture.
• Provide temporary shade during extreme heat.

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease common during humid Chicago summers.

Symptoms
White powdery coating on leaves.

Solutions

• Improve air circulation between plants.
• Water the soil rather than the leaves.
• Remove infected foliage promptly.

Plants commonly affected include phlox, zinnias, cucumbers, and squash.

Peonies grow well in Chicago but sometimes fail to flower.

Common causes

• Planted too deeply
• Too much shade
• Plants still establishing
• Excess fertilizer

Solutions

• Peony eyes should sit 1–2 inches below the soil surface.
• Plant in full sun.
• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
• Allow time for plants to establish.

Some hydrangeas change color depending on soil chemistry.

Explanation

• Acidic soil → blue flowers
• Alkaline soil → pink flowers

Solutions

• Add soil sulfur to encourage blue flowers.
• Add garden lime to produce pink flowers.

Only bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) change color this way.

This condition is called blossom end rot.

Cause
Calcium deficiency caused by inconsistent watering.

Solutions

• Water consistently.
• Add calcium amendments such as lime or crushed eggshells.
• Apply mulch to regulate moisture.

Yellow leaves usually indicate watering or nutrient problems.

Possible causes

• Overwatering
• Poor drainage
• Nitrogen deficiency

Solutions

• Allow soil to dry slightly between watering.
• Improve drainage by adding compost.
• Apply balanced fertilizer.

Plants stretching toward the light often become weak.

Causes

• Insufficient sunlight
• Too much nitrogen fertilizer

Solutions

• Move plants to a sunnier location.
• Stake tall plants like peonies or delphiniums.
• Reduce fertilizer.

Rabbits are common in Chicago gardens and feed on tender spring growth.

Solutions

• Plant rabbit-resistant plants such as lavender, salvia, daffodils, and peonies.
• Install chicken wire fencing about 2 feet high around vulnerable plants.
• Use natural repellents made with garlic or hot pepper.
• Remove dense shrubs or debris where rabbits hide.

Plants rabbits love include tulips, lettuce, beans, and pansies.

Squirrels frequently dig up fall-planted bulbs.

Solutions

• Cover bulbs with chicken wire until the ground freezes.
• Plant bulbs 6–8 inches deep.
• Mulch the soil to hide freshly planted bulbs.
• Plant bulbs squirrels dislike, such as daffodils and alliums.

Leaf damage is often caused by insects such as Japanese beetles, caterpillars, or slugs.

Solutions

• Inspect plants early in the morning.
• Hand remove pests when possible.
• Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.

Japanese beetles are a major summer pest in Illinois.

Solutions

• Hand-pick beetles and drop them into soapy water.
• Cover vulnerable plants with row covers during heavy infestations.
• Avoid pheromone traps near gardens, which attract more beetles.

Plants commonly attacked include roses, grapes, and basil.

Hostas are frequently damaged by slugs and snails.

Solutions

• Water plants early in the day.
• Remove debris where slugs hide.
• Use slug traps or bait if necessary.

Grubs are beetle larvae that feed on roots.

Signs

• Brown lawn patches
• Grass lifts easily from soil
• Birds digging in the lawn

Solutions

• Apply beneficial nematodes or grub treatments in late summer.
• Maintain healthy lawns with proper watering and fertilizing.

Deer can damage gardens, especially in Chicago suburbs.

Solutions

• Plant deer-resistant plants such as lavender, ornamental grasses, and peonies.
• Use deer repellent sprays regularly.
• Install tall fencing where deer pressure is severe.

Plants deer love include hostas, tulips, roses, and daylilies.

Chicago winters can cause damage due to freezing temperatures and drying winds.

Solutions

• Choose plants hardy to USDA Zone 6 or colder.
• Apply mulch in late fall to protect roots.
• Water plants before the ground freezes.
• Wrap sensitive shrubs with burlap.

This condition is called winter burn.

Causes

• Cold winds
• Winter sun
• Frozen soil preventing water uptake

Solutions

• Install burlap wind barriers.
• Water well in late fall.
• Plant boxwoods in protected locations.

Pruning time depends on the type of hydrangea.

Prune in early spring

• Panicle hydrangeas
• Smooth hydrangeas

Prune after flowering

• Bigleaf hydrangeas
• Oakleaf hydrangeas

Pruning at the wrong time may remove next year’s flower buds.

Chicago gardens often have dense clay soil.

Solutions

• Add organic matter such as compost each year.
• Use raised beds for vegetables.
• Avoid working soil when wet.
• Apply mulch regularly.

Over time, compost greatly improves soil structure.

Bulbs sometimes decline after flowering.

Common causes

• Shallow planting
• Poor soil
• Animal damage

Solutions

• Plant bulbs two to three times their height in depth.
• Add compost when planting.
• Protect bulbs with wire mesh.

Container plants lose moisture faster than garden beds.

Solutions

• Water containers daily during hot weather.
• Use larger containers with good-quality potting soil.
• Add mulch to reduce evaporation.
• Group pots together to retain humidity.