Thursday, October 16, 2014

Canning Classes

Thanks to Roberta Muehlhaus and Kathy Olsen for sharing their expertise with us during two recent canning classes.





Thursday, August 21, 2014

Some Enchanted Evening

Thanks to Irene Hogstrom and Mark Bragen and Roberta and Skip Muehlhaus for hosting a large group of gardeners at their homes on Aug. 20. Both homes have many charms, and we were able to see them in some of the best light of the day. Thanks to Roberta for decking out her gazebo to create a delightful garden party, and thanks to all who brought food to share.
The Hogstrom-Bragen home on Gilbert Avenue.
Irene describes how Mark built their fountain.
The Muehlhaus backyard, all ready for guests.
The view from the Muehlhaus garden.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Harvest Fest

We would love to hear about your 2014 garden at our Annual Harvest Fest on Wednesday, August 20 at 6:30 PM. This year, we are taking our fest on the road. We will first meet at the home of Irene Hogstrom and Mark Bragen at 1232 Gilbert Avenue. Irene and Mark have created a Victorian garden in their front yard, and Irene will give us a twilight tour. 

Then, we’ll head over to the home of Roberta Muehlhaus, 1868 Grant Street, for a pot-luck social time with small bites. Bring a sweet or savory appetizer or dessert, and feel free to use what you grew. This is a great time to ask other gardeners about their season and compare notes. At this meeting, we will also vote on our new board.


RSVP to Roberta at muehlhaus@sbcglobal.net. Remember that the mosquitoes may attend too, so be prepared with repellent. 

Monday, June 9, 2014

Visit The Plant on June 28

Join us on a trip to The Plant at 10 AM on Saturday, June 28. This former meat-packing plant in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood is now the home of three demonstration farms onsite. The farms will eventually be a “closed loop” system that will use food waste composted in an anaerobic digester to create power for The Plant’s renewable energy system.The space is also the home of various food-producing businesses, including Pleasant House Bakery, Arize Kombucha, and Peerless Bread and Jam.

Please note: This field trip is in place of our regular June meeting. Members are free; nonmembers pay $10.


Email Carol Morency at midway117@gmail.com if you are interested in going to The Plant. Driving arrangements and directions will be available nearer to the date.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Brownies Create Garden at Lester School

We had a great time helping Brownie Troop 51096 plant a native garden at Lester School. Roberta Muehlhaus led the effort, creating a garden plan and guiding the girls in their work. Thanks to those who dug, who donated plants, and who brought water! The Brownies were fun to work with and eager to learn how to garden.

The space before...

Roberta Muehlhaus gives the Brownies a 
great lesson in how to start a garden.
   
Annie Jagielski shows the
girls how it's done.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Cleaned Out! Or, We Had a Great Plant Sale

Thanks to everyone who visited, shopped, and volunteered at our Plant Sale on May 10. We had less than a handful of plants left at the end of the day. It was amazing to see both people who come every year and those who just stopped by when they saw the banner.

A special thanks goes to Nancy Carlson, who tirelessly leads the committee that makes this sale happen. This is our main fundraiser, so Nancy's leadership is crucial and much appreciated!

We like to be organized and informative!
This was the line at about 9:30 AM, but we worked to keep it moving.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Plant Sale THIS WEEKEND!

We are hoping for some spring-like weather for the DGOG plant sale from 9 AM to 3 PM this Saturday, May 10 at Hummer Park, 4833 Fairview Avenue.

Here is a list of varieties we plan to have at the sale. (IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE WHOLE IMAGE, CLICK IT FOR A FULL VIEW) Please note that nature rules, and that all varieties may not be available. Club members will also be bringing plants selected from their own gardens.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Plant Sale Note from Nancy

Wednesday will be our last meeting before the Plant Sale on May 10. If you have any empty pots that you would like to provide for members that dig items from their gardens, please bring them to the meeting this Wednesday. They do not need to be washed, but please put them in bags, as we do not want to track dirt into the Fire Dept. conference room.  It would probably be best to leave them in the lobby.

Also, the sign-up sheet for the plant sale will be circulated.  We still need people! Thanks to all who have volunteered in the past.  This year we have increased our order to over 2,200 plants.  In an effort to reach more customers, we distributed over 150 flyers to the people signing up for the Marduke plots.  Hopefully we will sell out once again. With many thanks to everyone who makes this happen!!   

If you are not able to make it to the meeting and would like to volunteer for the sale, please email dgorganicgardeners@gmail.com with the times that you might be available.


Many thanks to all, Nancy  

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

April Meeting

Diane Buck of the Spice Merchants in Downers Grove will talk about Spices Throughout the Seasons. Buck will discuss the history of certain spices and offer tips for using what we grow in our herb gardens throughout the year. Remember we are temporarily meeting at DG Fire Station #2, 5420 Main Street.

Have you renewed your membership for the year? Membership forms will be available at the meeting.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

You Need a Seed Needs You!

Help Vicki Nowicki get ready for the launch of You Need A Seed, a new seed-lending library that will be housed at the Downers Grove Historical Museum. On Friday, April 4 at 9:30 or on Sunday, April 6 at 1 pm meet at Vicki's house, 907 Summit Street, Downers Grove, to fill seed envelopes and get ready for the project's debut on April 12 at 2 pm.  Please be a part of this great new effort any way you can!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

March Meeting

Vicki Nowicki will introduce us to the Liberty Gardens Seed-Lending Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. Come hear about this extraordinary library that will be in our community and will be advocating for rare and endangered foods. Remember that we are currently meeting at Downers Grove Fire Station #2 at 5420 Main Street. Please use the main entrance.

Remember that it's time to renew your membership and to sign up to volunteer for the Plant Sale on May 10. 


See you there!


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

January Meeting -- PLEASE NOTE LOCATION

Our first meeting of 2014 is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15 at 7 p.m. at the Downers Grove Fire Station, 5420 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL (630) 434-5980. Click here for directions.

Join us as we begin the new year by hearing what you want our club to do in 2014. Bring your ideas for topics, speakers, and field trips. We will also share some of our favorite resources -- such as books, magazines, catalogs and websites -- that we have found helpful as gardeners.

This is also the time to renew your membership. Membership is $20 for individuals and $30 for families. Find the form in the list on the right-hand side of this page. There will also be forms available at the meeting.