Gardeners in the Chicago area are being encouraged to utilize weather data as a key tool in their pest and disease management strategies. Sharon Yiesla, a plant knowledge specialist at The Morton Arboretum, emphasizes the critical role weather plays in the life cycles of plants, insects, and disease-causing organisms. The Arboretum's Plant Health Care Report, published weekly during the growing season, is a valuable resource, offering detailed insights into pest and disease control, including essential metrics such as growing degree days, soil temperature, and moisture levels.