With just under a month to go until summer, gardeners in the Chicago area are busy making preparations. It’s the perfect moment to address your End-of-Spring checklist. Jennifer Brennan, a horticulturist from Chalet Home & Garden, shared her “planting playbook” on ABC7 Eyewitness News.

Here’s what she recommends:

• Spring Kick-Off: The single most important task before summer’s arrival
• Bloom Boosters: Top perennials and shrubs to add instant color
• Disease Defense: Simple TLC steps to keep flowers healthy
• Veggie Timing: When and when not to plant tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-season crops
• Tropical Touches: Fast-growing options that bring a summer vibe to any yard
• Pest Patrol: Effective, eco-friendly ways to deter rabbits and fungal threats
• Weed Control: How to know if you still have time to tackle invasive lawn weeds

Upcoming Events:

May 31, 2025 at 8:45 AM: Chalet Farm Truck Kick-off, value-priced plants and Q&A with Jennifer Brennan

June 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM: “June Monthly Gardening Checklist” lecture with Jennifer Brennan

First Week of June (June 20-25): Monarch Magic: A Family Celebration of Butterflies & Milkweed

For full details, expert tips, and more on getting your garden and your summer-off to a blooming start, click here.