Jennifer Brennan, a horticulturist at Chalet, shares her final spring gardening guide.

Summer is just around the corner, and gardeners in the Chicago area are getting ready for the upcoming season. It’s time to start working on your End-of-Spring checklist. To help with this, horticulturist Jennifer Brennan from Chalet Home & Garden shared her expert advice on planting during an interview with 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.