Tuesday, December 11, 2007

January Meeting

Join us for our meeting on Wednesday, January 9 at 7 p.m. at the Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St.

Our featured topic will be Herbal Gardening and Medicine and the speaker will be Mel Zaloudek. A known and entertaining speaker, Mel will tell us about the medicinal uses and health benefits of our favorite herbs.

Remember to bring your forms if you are joining our club or if you are renewing your membership. Click on the link on the right for a membership form.

See you there!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Time to renew club membership

Hi all, it is that time of year - time to renew your membership. Or join the club if you have not done so. Membership runs out at the end of December. So to keep us going strong, please renew by the end of January.

Membership forms are available at meetings. (Next meeting is January 9.)

Or, click on the link on the right for a membership form.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Proposed USDA Rule Undermines Organics and Small Farms

The USDA is accepting public comments until December 3 on a new proposed rule that would force small farms growing green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, to put into place industrial-style sterilization measures that reduce biodiversity and soil fertility.

Click here to send your comment to the USDA.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Eric Munzenmay

The Downers Grove Organic Gardeners extends sympathy to the family of long-time member Eric Munzenmay, who recently passed away. Eric (along with his wife Lil) was a fixture in our club and he will be missed.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Happy Holidays!

The Downers Grove Organic Gardeners do not meet in December. Watch for news of our January meeting.

We wish you a safe and peaceful holiday season, with visions of Green Zebra tomatoes, Purple Coneflowers, and sustainable landscaping dancing in your head. Here's to a cicada-free 2008!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Continue the Conservation Conversation

Jim Kleinwachter with Conservation @ Home has been pursuing an opportunity to have an environmentally-minded exhibit at this year's Chicago Flower and Garden Show. Anyone interested in knowing more about this exciting possibility, or helping in its actualization, is invited to Mullen's Bar and Grill in Lisle, Tuesday, October 30th. The conversation with Jim will begin at 7 and go until 8(ish), but folks will be gathering anytime after 6:00pm.

Jim is very open to ideas for sustainable landscaping displays, as well as sponsorship options. Come to throw your two-cents his way, or just witness this exciting development in the history of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show.

More information, including directions can be found at: www.suburbansustainablenetwork.blogspot.com.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Thanks to Jim Kleinwachter with Conservation@home for visiting our group on Oct. 10 and introducing us to the program. We were inspired to do what we can to make our yards environmentally friendly -- and to be models for our neighbors.

Jim presented club member Linda Walker with a sign indicating that she has taken steps to make her yard sustainable. Good job, Linda!

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

October meeting

The October meeting of the Downers Grove Organic Gardeners will feature a visit from Jim Kleinwachter with Conservation@Home at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 10 at the Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St.

Conservation@Home is a program launched by the Conservation Foundation and is an extension of the group’s homeowner education and watershed protection efforts that encourage homeowners to create and protect yards that are environmentally friendly and conserve water.

The public is invited to join the Downers Grove Organic Gardeners during their meetings on the second Wednesday of the month. For more information about the meetings or the group, call Carol Kania Morency at (630) 969-6330 or email midway117@worldnet.att.net.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Some Upcoming Events

The DG Organic Gardeners are now part of the Garden Clubs of Illinois/National Garden Clubs. Here are some upcoming events to be aware of:

Monthly meeting of the Garden Club of Downers Grove
12:30 p.m. Sept. 17
Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove
Topic: Using native plants to attract monarch butterflies by Janie Grillo
For more information, call (630) 986-1637 or email MaryMBke@aol.com or visit www.GardenCentral.org/Illinois/Downers Grove

Landscape Design Study Course
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. October 23 & 24
Cook County Farm Bureau, 6438 Joliet Road, Countryside
For more information call Laverne Laycock at (630) 548-9348 or Dorie Lederer at (847) 381-5828

Environmental Studies School Course I
November
Four two-day courses focusing on the environment and stewardship and featuring a trip.
For more information call Barb Clayton at (847) 256-0266 or email bha57@hotmail.com

Monday, August 13, 2007

September meeting

Our next meeting, at 7 p.m. September 12 at the Downers Grove Public Library, will be a harvest gathering of sorts. Members are encouraged to bring their vegetables to show off, recipes to share, and appetizers from your own backyard. Pictures, stories, tips, and treats are welcome. We will have a time for sharing and questions, so bring your homegrown expertise, and a taste for the organic experience!

Friday, June 29, 2007

Hardiness Zone Changes

I've heard a lot about changes to the Hardiness Zones over the past few years, with reports of gardeners all across the country either now able to grow plants they never were before, or of plants that no longer grow well where they always thrived.

Now I've found a 2006 zone map from the National Arbor Day Foundation. It includes animation showing the group's interpretation of how the zones have changed from 1990.

The map, to me, points out many things, but one is how our own garden journals can help us trace changes in the climate and in what we can grow.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Field Trip to Country Garden Cuisine

The DG Organic Gardeners will be taking a trip to Country Garden Cuisine on Wednesday, July 11. This members-only excursion will include a tour of Penny Newkirk's cooking school on an historic St. Charles-area property as well as a short talk from a beekeeper. We will plan on meeting at Country Gardens at 6:30 p.m. Car pools will be organized. There is no other meeting scheduled in July.

For information about Country Gardens Cuisine, including directions, visit http://www.countrygardencuisine.com/.