Millennium Park Lurie Garden celebrates 10th anniversary

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Lurie Garden in Millennium Park will mark the 10th anniversary of its dedication on July 24. The garden is one of Chicago's gems as it has become the city's beautiful "front yard" and a model for urban sustainability. The experts at the garden know how you can make your plants look as gorgeous as theirs.

Jennifer Davit, director and chief horticulturist of the Lurie Garden, came into our ABC 7 Eyewitness News studio to share tips on gardening without pesticides.

Gardening tips from the Lurie Garden:

• Replace annuals with perennials
• Choose plants that provide nectar and pollen to attract and feed wildlife, such as Calamint
• Plant grasses for fall and winter interest
• Don't use hardwood mulch
• Don't over-fertilize. Perennials in the Lurie Garden are chosen for their durability and successful growth through time and typically don't need conventional fertilizer
• Stop using insecticides. Learn to tolerate a little plant damage and you'll help welcome a healthy insect population to your garden
• Water properly. Water between late evening and early morning, use drip irrigation and soaker hoses to direct water to roots where moisture is needed. Use water sensors with an irrigation system so sprinklers do not put out water unnecessarily.