Friday, March 30, 2012

New Lecture Series at Argonne

Leading scientists and engineering experts will speak at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory as part of a new public lecture series called "Argonne OutLoud." The series will highlight the cutting-edge research taking place at Argonne and topics of interest to the community at large. Lectures are free and open to the public but will require advance registration.


The first lecture in the series, taking place on April 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., will feature Argonne agronomist and environmental engineer Cristina Negri. Her presentation is titled "Changing the bio-energy equation: Turning environmental challenges into sustainable resources." Negri will discuss how plants can combat water pollution, clean the environment and create new energy sources. She will also share her vision for the future and discuss how these techniques can be used locally to restore brownfields and other areas while producing biomass for energy and revitalizing neighborhoods.

The event will take place at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source Auditorium and will include light refreshments and a poster session preceding the lecture.

To register for this event, please visit www.anl.gov/community/outloud

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Compost 101

"Compost Queen" Lynn Bement enlightened us on beneficial critters in our soil last week. Because we had many questions about how to make our soil better, Lynn sent along some links to composting articles she's written. Thanks to Lynn for sharing her expertise with us!

Hot Composting vs. Cold Composting
6 Ways to Make Great Compost


Thursday, March 22, 2012

A Call for Photos


A note from Nancy Carlson:

We would like to put together a poster board featuring pictures of club member's gardens, plants or harvested vegetables.  We will use the display at the Plant Sale, and also at Wannemaker's Garden Show next year. Gina had some very nice pictures of several of her tomato varieties at the Wannamaker's event - if the plants had been for sale that day, I probably would have bought one of each!  The pictures can be of your perennials, flower or vegetable gardens, vegetable plants, harvested vegetables, or other things garden related.  I thought that it would be a nice way for members to showcase what they grow, and it might provide plant sale customers with some ideas.

If you would like to submit pictures, please bring them to the April meeting, as we would like to have the display ready for the May plant sale. Please attach a note with your name and a description (variety of plant ...)      

Friday, March 16, 2012

Dirty Talk on Soil

At our next meeting on Wednesday, March 21 at 7 pm, Lynn Bement will reveal the secret life of the microorganisms that lie beneath our feet during her talk on Sex in the Soil. There are thousands of microorganisms in a single tablespoon of healthy soil. Feeding your microorganisms will create more resistance to diseases and insects, and more tolerance to drought.

The Downers Grove Organic Gardeners meet on the third Wednesday of the month in January, February, March, April, June, July, September, October and November at 7 p.m. in the Downers Grove Public Library. The board meets at 6:30 p.m., and you are welcome to come early to attend the board meeting. Membership is $20 for individuals and $30 for families. 

Monday, March 12, 2012

Roberta Muehlhaus' Presentation

Thanks so much to our own Roberta Muehlhaus for speaking on "Vegetable and Ornamental Gardening the Natural Way" during the Wannemaker's Home and Garden show last weekend.

Click here to view her presentation.

Roberta will also be speaking to the Lisle Woman's Club on April 4 at 7 PM. The club meets at the Lisle Police Station, 5040 Lincoln Avenue, Lisle.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Wannemaker's Spring Home and Garden Show

Get ideas for your garden and hear from a DGOG expert this weekend at the Wannemaker's Spring Home and Garden Show on March 10 and 11 from 9 AM to 4 PM. Roberta Muelhaus will be talking about "Vegetable & Ornamental Gardening the Natural Way" at 1 PM on Saturday. DGOG will also have a table at the show, so stop by and say hello!

The Garden Tax on the "Hell Strip"

Local gardening expert Shawna Coronado, who visited us last year, has been fighting city hall to keep the garden she created on right-of-way behind her house. The story has a happy ending (although Shawna is out some money).

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Plant Sale Committee

The Plant Sale Committee will meet this Wednesday, March 7, at 7 PM at Caribou Coffee, on the corner of Main St. and Burlington Ave. in Downers Grove. Everyone is welcome!!