Monday, December 2, 2013

Plant Sale Planning Begins!

Anyone interested in helping out with the 2014 Plant Sale can bring ideas to a meeting at 7 PM Tuesday, December 10 and Caribou Coffee in Downers Grove.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Plant-Powered Diet

Nutrition consultant and health coach Kate Loman got us excited about adding more plants to our diet during our November meeting. Here is a list of the sites she referred to during her presentation:


The Plant-Powered Diet by Sharon Palmer
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-­‐HealthProfessional/
http://www.pbhfoundation.org/about/res/pic/phytolist/
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-­‐
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/legumes/NU00260
http://www.aicr.org/
http://www.meatlessmonday.com/category/dinner/
http://pinterest.com/katharineloman/
http://www.cornucopia.orgcarrageenan-­‐2013/
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/
http://oldwayspt.org/
http://dashdiet.org/

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

November Meeting

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 13 at 7 pm at the Downers Grove Public Library. Please join us as Kate Loman, Registered Dietician and Nutritionist, presents the role of a healthy diet in our overall health. She will discuss the benefits of a plant-based diet. So, after the Halloween candy and before the holidays, learn about good nutrition at our last meeting for 2013!  

Friday, October 25, 2013

Kicks on Root 66

Thanks to Shawn Odneal of Root 66 Aquaponics and Hydroponics for visiting us in October and talking about gardening indoors and with limited space. Join us in November to learn why you need to eat your veggies!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

October Meeting

Shawn Odneal of Root 66 Aquaponics and Hydroponics visits the Downers Grove Organic Gardeners on October 16, at 7 pm at the Downers Grove Public Library. Shawn will talk about growing organic fruits and vegetables indoors, with limited space and will also talk about vertical gardening.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

We Harvested and We Fested...

...and met some great students and one awesome teacher. AND heard of the always-forward-thinking Vicki Nowicki's latest project, a Seed-Sharing Library. Oh, and the food was tasty as usual.




Lisa Hootman's AP Environmental Studies students described the garden they planted at Westmont High School this summer. The vegetables that they are harvesting are being used by cafeteria staff in school lunches.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Annual Harvest Fest

Join the Downers Grove Organic Gardeners and celebrate the end of the growing season at our Harvest Fest at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 19. Bring samples of food featuring garden-grown vegetables as well as any questions or stories from your summer in the garden. The night will also feature a tomato taste off and unusual vegetable show, so bring your best tomatoes, your ugliest zucchini, or your hottest pepper. Our special guests will be from Westmont High School, who will talk about their gardening program.  

Monday, July 15, 2013

Summer Field Trip to Heritage Prairie Farm

Please join us on Wednesday evening, July 31, for a field trip to Heritage Prairie Farm located in Elburn, IL. Following a tour, we will enjoy a charcuterie tasting, including local cheese, sausage, meat, crackers and farm focaccia bread. Lemonade and iced tea are included. The field trip is free for members and $25 for guests. 

We will meet at 6 pm at the Downers Grove Public Library and carpool from there. Please contact Irene Hogstrom at i_hogstrom@yahoo.com or 312-607-2566 if you plan on attending or if you have questions.

For more information visit www.heritageprairiefarm.com.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Sow Some Hope Among the Flowers on July 13

The DG First United Methodist Church, in partnership with Bridge Communities, hosts the Hope Among The Flowers Garden Walk this Saturday, July 13, from 9:30 AM to 3 PM.

Tour some of the most beautiful gardens in the area and help Bridge Communities provide transitional housing and mentoring to formerly homeless families. 

For information on tickets and gardens, visit http://dgfumc.org/gardenwalk.


Thursday, June 13, 2013

June Meeting

The speaker for our June meeting is Vicki Nowicki, who will talk about the Ark of Taste, a committee within Slow Food International that searches for rare foods that deserve to be preserved. Vicki will share her experiences attending Terra Madre 2012 in Turin, Italy, with farmers from 151 different countries. Our meeting is Wednesday, June 19, at 7 pm at the Downers Grove Public Library. Please join us for this exciting presentation! 

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Wild Edibles and Unique Seeds

Pat Armstrong's  Wild Plant Family Cookbook is now available in Kindle form. Soon it will come out in Nook and pdf form. Pat's Prairie Poetry will soon be available in pdf form. Go to blazing-star.com/joomla/ebooks for information and how to order.

She will also be teaching a two-week Introduction to Edible Wild Plants and a five-week Edible Wild Plants of Summer class for the Resiliency Institute in Naperville. Go to theresiliencyinstitute.net for information and how to register.

Looking for seeds that you may not normally find in stores or catalogs? Try Gourmet Seed International (gourmetseed.com) and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (rareseeds.com). Let us know if you try a unique vegetable this season!

Thanks for Making the Plant Sale a Success!


Our 2013 Plant Sale was an amazing success. Whether you helped with planning or setting up or just supported us by buying organic plants, we appreciate it!

"Thanks so very much to all of you who donated your time, dug plants, circulated advertising fliers, created poster boards, or contributed in other ways," said plant sale coordinator Nancy Carlson.

Thanks to Annie Jagielski for the photos.



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Monday, April 29, 2013

Cantigny Greenhouse Open to the Public on May 5

The Horticulture Department at Cantigny Park will host an open house on Sunday, May 5, from 10 am to 3 pm.  The event offers garden enthusiasts a rare opportunity to go inside the Cantigny greenhouse where more than 1,000 varieties of flowers are propagated annually.

The 18,000-square-foot greenhouse supplies the plants displayed throughout the Cantigny gardens and golf course as well as interior spaces around the park.

The open house offers something for all ages and interest levels.  Self-guided tours will be available along with demonstrations, a “green activity” for kids, and exhibits by local organizations that promote environmental conservation and education.

Open house admission is free, and so is parking.  Please note: Visitors should enter Cantigny Park through the main entrance on Winfield Road, not at Shaffner Road.  Complimentary trams will be running from the main parking lot to the greenhouse.

More information about Cantigny Park, including hours, directions and a calendar of upcoming events is online at Cantigny.org.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

COD Spring Plant Sale

College of Du Page Spring Plant Sale
Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 8, Noon to 5 p.m.

Located in the Technical Education Centeron the College's main campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

Shoppers can choose from a variety of herbs, vegetables, and unusual annuals and perennials, including native species. In addition, student-made hanging baskets and planters will be available for purchase.

Free valet parking will be available on Friday, May 3, and Monday, May 6. Payment will be accepted by cash or check only.

The Horticulture department at College of DuPage currently offers an Associate of Applied Science degree program. Students can also earn certificates in Floral Shop Management, Greenhouse Management, Horticulture, Landscape Design and Construction, Landscape and Turf Management, Nursery and Garden Center Management and Sustainable Landscapes.

For more information on the Spring Plant Sale, contact College of DuPage Greenhouse Supervisor Amy Hull at (630) 942-3806 orhullamy@cod.edu.

Local Plant Sales and Garden Walks

It will soon be garden walk season! Here are a few dates to add to your summer calendar.

If you know of any others, please email the information to Carol Morency at midway117@gmail.com.

Lisle Women's Club Garden Gait
June 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit lislewomensclub.org for information

Hope Among the Flowers Garden Walk
Benefitting Bridge Communities
Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit dgfumc.org/gardenwalk

DuPage Friends of Extension Brunch at Ball Gardens
Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Benefitting the U of I Extension Programs
visit dupagefriendsofextension.webs.com

Chicago's Dearborn Garden Walk
Start at Latin Middle School, 45 W. North Avenue, Chicago
Sunday, July 21,12-5 p.m.
Visit dearborngardenwalk.com

Can You Help at the Plant Sale on May 11?

We are in the final stretch of planning for our plant sale on May 11. If you want to help out, email Nancy Carlson at ncarlson8955@gmail.com. Here's how you can help:

1. Dig plants from your yard to sell at the sale. Organic herbs, vegetables, annuals, and perennials are always needed. Please email Nancy or Gina Pacheco at gpacheco3@gmail.com.

2. Donate pots for plants and boxes for shoppers.

3. Work a shift at the sale. You can help set up, clean up, or check out.

4. Hang a poster at your workplace or in your neighborhood or share information with other gardeners. Email Carol Morency at midway117@gmail.com for a flyer.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

DGOG at the DG Library Mini Golf Event

Putt your way through 18 holes of miniature golf -- including one sponsored by the DG Organic Gardeners -- this Sunday April 14 anytime between 11 AM and 4 PM. Fees are $5 for adults and teens and $3 for ages 12 and younger.


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Learn About Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic

On Wednesday, April 17 we'll be showing the movie Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time. This full-length documentary film about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold highlights Leopold’s extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land. Find out more at greenfiremovie.com.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Wannemaker's Spring Garden Show

Thanks to Diane Pallardy for creating our displays for the Wannemaker's Spring  Garden Show.




Monday, March 18, 2013

Seed Starting Tips at the March Meeting

Start the first day of spring by learning to start plants from seed! Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 20, at 7 pm at the Downers Grove Public Library. Paul Stoffels, of the University of Illinois Extension, will present Seed Starting: Giving Your Garden a Head Start. Paul has been a Master Gardener since 1994 and is a Team Leader for Plant a Row for the Hungry Garden in Glen Ellyn. Please join us, as spring is finally here!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Upcoming Events

Here are some events to put on your Spring calendar:

April 17: We will show the movie Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time during our  regular meeting. The movie begins at 7 p.m. Visit greenfiremovie.com for more information.

May 11: Join us for our Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hummer Park, 4833 Fairview Avenue in Downers Grove. Click here for a flyer and here for a list of plants ordered.

Monday, February 18, 2013

February Meeting

At our next meeting at 7 pm on Wednesday, February 20 Amy Cox of subURBAN homestead will be presenting Garden "Pear" ings.  Her presentation will include her experience in growing seven varieties of pears in her garden and tips about sourcing pears from local farmers. And, she does this without the use of any pesticides!

Amy will also be bringing wren houses and mason bee houses to sell, as both of these are good for attracting beneficial wildlife/insects into an organic garden. She will also have signed copies of Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard book. She will accept cash or checks and 10% of purchases will be donated back to our club.

Join us at the Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss Street. We hope you can attend!

Photos Needed
We need photos of member's gardens, vegetables, flowers or field trip scenes. Diane Pallardy has made a new and really beautiful tri-fold for the club to have at meetings and events and she would like to add photos. Diane also has been making a beautiful scrapbook of the DGOGC.  Thanks Diane!
Wannemaker's Home & Garden Show
The show is scheduled for March 9 and 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We will have a table and Robert Muehlhaus is speaking on Sunday, March 10, at 12:30 p.m. There will be a sign up sheet at the meeting. 
Plant Sale
Our Plant Sale is set for May 11 at Hummer Park in Downers Grove. More info will be available at the meeting.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Plant Sale Committee Meets Wednesday

The Plant Sale Committee meets this Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 7 PM at Caribou Coffee, 5100 Main Street, Downers Grove. Come help plan our annual fundraiser!