Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Lyman Woods Hike Canceled
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Lyman Woods Night Hike
--Cathy
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Nov. 11 Meeting
That afternoon, Trudi Temple will be speaking at a Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Find details here.
Monday, October 26, 2009
A Lovely Autumn Day at Trudi's Farm
Here's a report and some photos of the group's trip to Trudi Temple's farm. Thanks to Irene Hogstrom for the report!
"The rain stopped and we had a gorgeous fall day for our visit to Trudi Temple's farm in Marengo. Trudi served us soup and sandwiches, with almost all of the ingredients coming from the farm. She has a large vegetable garden, fruit trees, grass fed cows, and chickens on the farm. After lunch, we had a tour and Trudi talked about her extensive conifer collection on the property. She is also striving to make the farm sustainable, as seen by the solar panels on her daughter's glass artworks studio. (in the photo, behind Trudi) "
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Visit Trudi Temple's Farm
We'll be at Trudi's farm by noon for an organic lunch and then enjoy a tour. The day is free for DGOG members and $15 per person for nonmembers.
RSVP or get directions from Irene Hogstrom (630-852-7849, i_hogstrom@yahoo.com)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Harvest Fest Preview
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Container Garden Class
Saturday, October 3 - 10am-12 noon
Wicker Park Field House - 1425 N. Damen, Chicago
Reservations - $15: wpgarden@aol.com (773) 278-9075
Registration fee will assist with the Support of Wicker Park's 10,000 sq. ft of Gardens and our Educational Programming.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Liberty Gardens Fall Class Schedule
If you’re tired of just putting up 50 jars of spaghetti sauce every year and want to try something different, come and taste some great ways to preserve tomatoes that are easy and fun to prepare and will keep all winter. We’ll prepare something during class for everyone to take home. All supplies and recipes will be provided. Vicki will share lots of other tomato secrets. $45.00 (3 hours)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 1:00 -- 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 1, 2009, 6:00 -- 9:00 p.m.
GARLIC
Aaaahh—garlic.... When to plant, how to plant, when to harvest? Questions I hear. Answers I will give and much more including a sensational way to make your own fresh garlic powder! You simply must come and try this and all the other garlic treats to be tasted. You haven’t lived until you grow your own garlic and the time to plant is now! $30.00 (2 hours)
Thursday, October 8, 2009, 1:00 -- 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 9:00 -- 11:00 a.m.
ASSEMBLE YOUR COMPOST PILE NOW FOR SPRING
There are so many ways to enhance the quality of your compost pile right now. There will be lots of biomass at this time of year from the vegetable garden and there will be the added bonus from heaven—LEAVES! By doing it now we afford ourselves the additional luxury of time. All the time that the weather is good this fall and all the time that the complex workings of your pile are waking up next spring in late February and March and April, your biology will be hard at work while you are indoors resting. You can work on composting, crop residues, leaf composting and much more and by next year, you will have a bonanza of material to improve on your 2010 crops. $35.00(2 ½ hours)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 9:00 -- 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 9:00 -- 11:30 a.m.
GOT WORMS?
I don’t mean to be personal but, if you don’t have worms, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to create a garden amendment that has no equal. Its availability to plants is even greater than finished compost and therefore, not as much quantity is needed per plant to give superb benefits. Fortunately, a homeowner only needs a small indoor space that stays above 55 degrees in the winter and a steady supply of leftovers from everyday meals to keep a worm bin going all through the winter season. Vicki will show you everything you always wanted to know about keeping a friendly little herd of worms around And your home and garden will be glad for it. $30.00 (2 ½ hours)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 1:00 -- 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 1:00 -- 3:30 p.m.
Garden is located at: 907 Summit Street, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 (1 block north of 55th street, 2 blocks east of Main Street, ½ block west of Washington, 1 ½ blocks south of Maple)
For information or to register call 630-852-5263 or email vnowicki@comcast.net
Fall Fairs
Cantigny Green Fair on September 26
Preparing the Fall Garden for an Edible Spring at Vie Restaurant
Monday, September 21, 2009
September, October, November
On Nov. 11, we welcome Patricia Hill, author of Design Your Natural Midwest Garden, to talk about Shade Gardening Beyond Hostas. As always, the meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Downers Grove Public Library. The DGOG board meets at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Garden Study Course
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Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Expert Brings the Flavors of Herbs to Sept. Meeting
We meet at the Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss Street.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Recycling Extravaganza
Items Accepted:
- Electronics: TVs (including console models), VCRs, DVD players, cameras, computers/laptops, copiers, cords, discs, electric typewriters, fax/adding machines, hard drives, keyboards, mice, monitors, PDAs, printers, scanners, small kitchen appliances, radios, speakers, stereos, telephones, zip drives
- Furniture: cribs and dressers
- Lead acid batteries: car, motorcycle, boat, lawn mower, truck, sump pump, RV and all sport vehicle batteries
- CFL Lightbulbs
- Ink jet cartridges
- Cell phones
- Hearing Aids and Eye Glasses
- Select Medical Supplies: Gently used wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Meet the Author of Wicked Plants
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Got Worms? You Will After This Class!
Got Worms?
Wednesday, July 29, 9a.m.-12p.m.
See what all the squirmin’ is about. Everybody either has worms or is talking about worms. Be in with the “in” crowd and learn how to take care of Eisenia foetida so that you can show off your worm bin to all your company, too and get that unanimous “ew, gross” that we love to hear. Just kidding, this is the best thing you’ll ever do!
Classes are $40 per person. All materials will be provided unless otherwise specified.
Classes held at:
The Land Office
907 Summit Street
Downers Grove IL. 60515
630-852-5263
Thursday, June 25, 2009
A Note From Cathy
We have a few dates to help weed the Butterfly Garden at Lyman Woods. Join us on Saturdays July 18 and August 15 from 9 to 11:30 am. Anyone can help out! Meet at the Lyman Woods Interpretive Center.
Our field trip this year will be to Heritage Prairie Market, 2 N 308 Brundage Road, Elburn, at 7 pm on July 8. They will give us a tour of their farm and market and we will sample their wares. The market is about a 45 minute drive from the Downers Grove Public Library. We will meet there at 5:45 pm at the parking lot entrance and carpool. Please RSVP to Irene Hogstrom at i_hogstrom@yahoo.com or call (630) 852-7849.
The board will be planning another garden walk in September. Watch for details.
Hope to see you on July 8.
Cathy Hlohowskyj, President
Monday, June 22, 2009
Garden Walks Galore
Palos Park Garden Walk
Saturday June 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Seven private gardens will be open to the public on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the Palos Park Garden Guild I hosts its garden walk.
Ollie’s Coffee Café at 11845 Southwest Highway in Palos Heights (708) 671-1352
Wild Birds Unlimited at 13012 S. LaGrange 708-361-8726
Take Me Home Gifts at 9664 W. 131st in Palos Park (708)448-8600
The Wayne Countryside Garden Club 2nd Garden Walk
Saturday, June 27
The 5 gardens and vendor exhibits will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Advance tickets and those for your Garden Club members are $12. Tickets will be $15 the day of the event for non-Garden Club members. Tickets are available for sale at:
Alltemp Fireplaces, 112 W. Lake Street, Bloomingdale
Prestige Nursery, 28W761 Army Trail Road, Bartlett
Scentimental Gardens, 428 W. State Street, Geneva
Shady Hill Gardens,42W075 Route 38, Elburn
Blue Goose Market,300 S. Second Street, Saint Charles
Heinz Brothers Nursery, 2010 E. Main Street, St. Charles.
Tickets will also be sold at the first garden - 33W262 Ashley Lane in Wayne. Ashley Lane is in the Brewster Creek North Country subdivision which is west of Dunham Road between Army Trail Road and Stearns Road. For more info, call Barb at (630) 497-0186
Friday, June 12, 2009
Good Neighbors, Great Worms
Kim Christen introduced us to vermiculture and Irene Hogstrom shared her thoughts on being a good neighbor during our June meeting.
Thanks to Maria Hlohowskyj for the photos!
Watch for information about our July 8 to field trip to Heritage Prairie Market in Elburn. For more information about the market, check out their website: http://www.hpmfarm.com.
Monday, June 8, 2009
June Meeting
Monday, May 11, 2009
Plant Sale Thanks!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Plant Sales, Seminars, Garden Walks
Wheaton Park District
April 25 from 8:30 am - Noon.
Lots of trees, shrubs and forbs.
Public Works Building on Liberty Street
April 29 (10 am - 5 pm) and April 30 (10 am - 3 pm)
Student Union, 5500 North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60625
2009 Native Plant Sale, Mayslake Peabody Estate
Friday, May 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A catalog is available at www.dupageforest.com. Pre-sale orders are due into Stacey Becker by Friday, May 1st. This year you will be able to submit your order online. Orders can be picked up at Mayslake on Wednesday, 6 May – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or Thursday, 7 May –12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Seminars and Classes:
Need help planning your garden? Sign up for the “Native Landscaping for Beginners” class at Fullersburg Woods on May 3rd.
Experts share tips for healthy eating at the Organic Eating Fair on Thursday, May 7 at Ashton Place in Willowbrook, part of the ten-town Big Read.
Garden Walk:
Walk the Garden Path to help find a Cure for Parkinson's Disease
Sunday, June 28, 2009
All six the gardens are located within walking distance of each other in Naperville near the intersection of Royce Rd. and Apple River Drive. Each garden is unique and spectacular in its own way, you will find a variety of gardens ranging from very natural to perfectly groomed.
Highlights include natural habitats for birds and a fabulous outdoor living room complete with stove and a fireplace!
Reception, Picnic, Music, Silent Auction & Raffle at: DuPage River Park 808 Royce Road, Naperville, Il 60540. Donation: $50 per person
Click on the links to see the full brochure with maps and links to the ticket reservation form
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Tell Your Friends and Neighbors
While you're talking up the plant sale, tell everyone about our joint program with the Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance at 10 a.m. on May 9 at the Downers Grove Public Library. Jim Kleinwachter with Conservation at Home will be there with expert information on making your backyard earth-friendly. All attendees will also get a coupon for $10 off a rainbarrel purchased at The Conservation Foundation (regular price: $85).
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
April Meeting
Don't forget to pay your annual membership dues, and please remind your fellow members to do so as well this month!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Plant Sales and Expert Advice
If you'd like help selecting what might be best for your particular situation, just bring your printed form to the April 8th meeting, with your initial 'leanings', and I'd be glad to help you complete your choices.
Rain Barrel Workshop
Jim Kleinwachter, The Conservation Foundation’s land preservation specialist, will explain procedures to install a rain barrel in your home. He will also discuss how to paint the food-grade plastic barrels, some of which are imported from Greece and were originally used to transport olives and pickles.
The cost for the workshop is $10 per person. To register, email cthompson@theconservationfoundation.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 630-428-4500, Ext. 10. Each registrant will receive a $10 coupon to be deducted that day only from the regular purchase price of an $85 rain barrel.
If you can’t make the class but would like to purchase a rain barrel, they are available at The Conservation Foundation’s McDonald Farm for $85 on Thursdays from 2 – 4 p.m. from April through September. They are available by special arrangement at other times by contacting Jim Kleinwachter at jkleinwachter@theconservationfoundation.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 630-553-0687, Ext. 302. Rain barrel stands are also for sale for $20.
Click here for more information about the Conservation@Home program and what you can do to make your yard more earth-friendly.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Gardening Events Springing Up
On Saturday, July 11, gardens from two DGOG members will be among those featured in “Hope Among the Flowers," the third annual Downers Grove Garden Walk sponsored by the Bridge Board of First United Methodist Church, Downers Grove. The walk features six unique private gardens throughout Downers Grove. Master Gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension DuPage County will be available at several gardens to answer your gardening questions.
Find information at www.dgfumc.org/gardenwalk. Tickets will be available after May 1 at the following locations: The First United Methodist Church office, 1032 Maple Ave., (630-968-7120), Dream Interiors, 5122 Main St. (630-810-1389) and Phillips Flowers, 1512 Ogden Ave. (630-969-9300).
The Bridge Board of First United Methodist Church partners with Bridge Communities effecting positive change for formerly homeless families – one family at a time. The Board provides transitional housing, mentoring, direction, encouragement and a stable environment so that families may become self-sufficient and sustain their independence. Proceeds from the Walk will ensure the continued work of the Board helping families to a better life.
Monday, March 9, 2009
March Meeting and Other Dates
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Inspiration, Just When We Needed it Most
Do not wait, she insisted. The time to start to grow our own food and begin the escape from corporate-dominated frankenveggies is now!
Of course, many of us do grow our own food, on some scale. But we can all do more. Or, we can encourage others to join us. It was so wonderful to see such a crowded room last Wednesday. Think of the potential for change just here in the Downers Grove area.
Thanks Vicki, for your passion and your knowledge.
Development Doings
A community discussion is planned for 7 p.m. March 4 at Downers Grove South High School. Space is limited, so register by calling (630) 434-5527.
So what does community development have to do with gardening? Well, a lot! Do you want to ensure the village is committed to preserving green space? Do you want to suggest a natural alternative to stormwater managament issues? Do you want to see a town that's more friendly to bikers and walkers? This is your chance!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 5, 2009
February Meeting
February's DGOG meeting could be the perfect antidote for this spring fever. Next Wednesday, February 11th, we will have Vicky Nowicki speak to us on Starting Seeds Indoors. Vicky spoke to us last year at this time, and her talk was so engaging and educational that we decided to have her back to review the particulars of such an important topic.
As usual, we will meet at the Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss Street, starting our open business meeting at 6:30, followed by Vicky's talk at 7:00pm. We will wrap up by 8:30 pm."
Monday, January 26, 2009
Heirloom Tomatoes at the White House?
Thanks to Ellen Swirsky for the tip!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Oh no! Snow! January Meeting Cancelled
Thursday, January 8, 2009
January meeting UPDATE
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 14. You'll find us, as always, at the Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St.
Preceding the meeting, the DGOG board will meet at 6:30 p.m. All members are invited to attend the board meeting.
Recipes
Romesco Dip
Make 2 1/2 cups
Work time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hr 5 min
4 red bell peppers
5 oz whole blanched almonds
2 garlic cloves
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp sweet paprika
3 tbls olive oil
1/3 cup loosely packed, finely chopped mint
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Broil red peppers 6 inches from heat. Turn occasionally and broil until charred--about 30 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let stand 15 minutes. Heat oven to 350 F and spread out nuts on baking sheet and bake until golden--about 12 minutes, and cool. Peel skin from peppers, core and seed. In a food processor, puree together peppers, nuts, garlic, salt, vinegar and paprika. Add oil and process until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl and stir in mint and parsley. (Can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 day. Serve at room temp.)
From Ladies Home Journal
Basil Tomato Tart
Prep: 30 minutes Bake: 35 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 of a 15-ounce package folded refrigerated unbaked pie crust (1 crust)
1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
5 Roma tomatoes or 4 medium tomatoes
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Directions
1. Unfold pie crust according to package directions. Place in a 9-inch quiche dish or glass pie plate. Flute edge; press with the tines of a fork, if desired. Line shell with double-thickness of foil. Bake in 450 degree F. oven 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 4 to 5 minutes more or until set and dry. Remove from oven. Reduce temperature to 375 degree F. Sprinkle crust with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Cool slightly on a wire rack.
2. Cut tomatoes into wedges; drain on paper towels. Arrange tomato wedges atop cheese in the pie shell. In a food processor bowl combine basil and garlic; cover and process until coarsely chopped. Sprinkle over tomatoes.
3. In a medium mixing bowl combine remaining mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and pepper. Spoon cheese mixture over basil mixture, spreading to evenly cover the top. 4. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until top is golden and bubbly. Serve warm. If desired, garnish with basil leaves. Makes 8 appetizer servings or 4 main-dish servings.
Make-ahead tips: Prebake pastry crust; cover and let stand at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Slice and drain tomatoes; let stand at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Prepare cheese-mayonnaise mixture; cover and chill up to 2 hours.