January is usually spent recovering from the holidays and taking down decorations. In the gardening world it’s a time to really get to know your garden, to plan for next year and to dream what could be. Like everyone, you’ve tried plants and they either were a great success or a complete failure. But there’s … Read more
Here in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, fall is the best time to plant milkweed seeds. It’s too warm for the ground to be frozen but too cold for seeds to sprout before winter sets in. Exposing seeds to cool temperatures before the warmer temps of spring will cause them to break their dormancy and … Read more
November is Thanksgiving month so I’m trying to count my blessings. One of them is that this club, which began in 1937, is still such an active organization—even in the midst of this pandemic. I really feel we will emerge from this as strong as we were before, and maybe even more energized and ready … Read more
Welcome to the Illinois Dunesland Garden Club November meeting. Or at least as close as we can come to a meeting! November is Thanksgiving month so I’m trying to count my blessings. One of them is that this club, which began in 1937, is still such an active organization—even in the midst of this pandemic. … Read more
Recipe for Homemade Suet Cakes 1 1/2 cups lard or shortening (palm free) 3/4 cup peanut butter 3 1/2 cups bird seed 1 cup quick oats 1/2 cup corn meal Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl Melt lard and peanut butter. Pour over dry ingredients and stir to combine. Pour or press into molds. … Read more
November starts crisp days and snuggly nights. Our gardens are winding down and the anticipation of snow is on the horizon. Winter is upon us and gardens should be put to bed. Perennials—Leave most perennials for the birds and wildlife. However, some should be cut back (2-3”) due to disease problems or flopping in … Read more
The only new mailing we had for October was Get Well wishes sent to Ruthann Davis.
Work of sight is done. Now do heart work On the pictures within you. Rainer Maria Rilke Another growing season draws to a close. While we clear our plots and store our pots many of us make mental notes of what worked and what we may do differently next spring. The more organized among us … Read more
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3. 1-13 In Ecclesiastes there is the call to plant, to love, to live, to work and then to enjoy the fruits of our labors. It acknowledges a predictable rhythm to our existence, even as we experience the ups and … Read more
What’s this? Something new? An IDGC Newsletter? Well, yes and no. In this Age of Pandemic, I suspect we’re all beginning to see “new” as normal. So, the arrival of a newsletter at the time of our September Kickoff is both new and strangely normal. No kick-off; a newsletter in its place. Making the best … Read more