Wildflower Sanctuary Update and Workday Wednesday

Thank you to Terri for braving the elements to remove an invading burning bush from the Wildflower Sanctuary on Saturday!  We both slept better knowing that it is gone. 

 

Our next work day will be on Wednesday at 8:00 am (or 9:00 if you prefer).  The ground will be nice and soft, so we will meet for weeding and trimming at the far north end of the WFS, near the dam.  If you have them, please bring gardening gloves, knee pads, eye protection, weed diggers, clippers and a bucket or tarp for hauling.  If it is raining more than sprinkles, you can take the day off.

 

Thanks for your help!

Sarah

Mosquito Repellant Spray Recipe

Linda told us about a mosquito spray recipe that works for her:

1/2 cup witch hazel
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
40 drops essential oils (any of these or all:  eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, tea tree or rosemary)

Mix together and put into one 8 ounce glass spray bottle.

Spray over all portions of the body but avoid repellant in eyes and mouth.

Now that there is more moisture, the little rascals will be out in force.  Enjoy the outdoors!

Sad News

Dear Friends,

Linda Dietz’s husband passed away on Sunday.  Linda has been part of our garden club for several years and we wanted to let you know.  Here is the information shared on the Moss Funeral home site for the arrangements for Robert (Bobbie) Dietz:

Visitation will be held 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 20, 2018, at Moss Family Funeral Home. Interment will be held private at Blackberry Cemetery in Elburn.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1501 42 nd Street Suite 230 West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

For additional information contact Moss Family Funeral Home 630-879-7900 or www.mossfuneral.com Chris, Dave and Alina O'Connor Schedule Moss Family Funeral Home Moss Family Funeral Home.

Pottawatomie Garden Club Garden Walk this Saturday

The Pottawatomie Garden Club of St. Charles will hold their garden walk this Saturday, July 14 from 9am to 4pm.  Tickets are $15 pre-sale and $20 the day of the sale.  Tickets are available at PottaGardenClub.org; Blue Goose Market, Heinz Brothers Greenhouse, The Planter's Palette, Shady Hill Gardens, Town House Books and Café, and Wasco Nursery. 

Cooler Days Ahead....

Cooler weather is predicted for this week....just in time for the Batavia Plain Dirt Gardener's Garden Walk this weekend.  Tickets are still $15 on our blogsite and at the Batavia Park District and the Mobil station in downtown Batavia.  Don't miss these seven "yes you can do it too" gardens of ideas for your home and the gorgeous quilts made by local artisans.  Enjoy a special treat at local restaurants over lunch by using your gardenwalk ticket.  Hosts at each of the featured gardens will be able to help you with the restaurant specials information the day of the walk.

Hope to see you and your favorite gardening pal at the walk!

Natives need a home

Alison Bielski has some native plants that need a new home as she is doing some changes to her garden.   Interested in a little digging?  Give her a call at 847.363.4996 to get together.  From pictures, there are trillium, May apples, and Jacobs ladder and others.  She is located in Batavia at
524 Carlisle road.

Gardenwalk Ticket Sales

Just a reminder that the Garden Walk is coming up fast.  Members have tickets for sale and we want to remind them to share them with friends, neighbors, and colleagues.  If you need more tickets please call Doris Trout.  

We are expecting a wonderful day and the gardeners are excited to share their fine gardens with the ticket holders.

Members are asked to bring the information on the tickets they have sold and the funds to the June 19 meeting.  We also will share the gardens host and hostess list with members at that time.

To request more tickets call Doris Trout (630) 482-2572...leave a message and she will connect with you to get these.

Need veggies?

Dear Gardeners,

Sue Carlson has LOTS of healthy tomato and pepper plants that she would like to give away.  Please call her at 630-879-1170 if you would like to adopt some.

 

Sarah

 

                                      

May Potluck and Program

Please join the Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners on Tuesday, May 15th for a nature walk and potluck! 

We will meet at the Peg Bond Center at 6:30 to drop off our food for the potluck.  The Peg Bond Center is attached to the band shell in downtown Batavia on Island Avenue, across from city hall.  Please try to be on time, because Josh Libman from the Kane County Forest Preserves will take us on a fun and informative walk through the Wildflower Sanctuary.  If you are running late though, you will be able to find us on the east (wooded) side. 

After the walk, we will return to the Peg Bond Center for our potluck and a brief business meeting.  We will have shredded BBQ chicken for sandwiches (or without a bun if you prefer) and a vegetarian option.  Please bring a salad, dessert, or side dish to share. 

I am looking forward to seeing everyone!
Sarah

Wildflower Sanctuary News, Upcoming Work Day, Garlic Mustard recipes

Thank you so much to everyone who helped with spring cleaning at the Wildflower Sanctuary last Saturday, and to Anna Bakker for redecorating our kiosks!!!  Check them out when you get a chance!

Things are looking pretty tidy down there, but we will be having a SHORT garlic mustard pulling party at 8:00 am on Wednesday, May 2nd.  Feel free to bring home as much as you would like.  Here is a link for some tasty recipes: http://foragedfoodie.blogspot.com/2013/05/why-you-should-forage-eat-garlic.html  We will be meeting on the wooded side of the WFS at the top of the hill, near the compost bins. If you have them, please bring gardening gloves, weed diggers, eye protection, and a bucket or bag for hauling plants.

On Tuesday May 15, please join the Plain Dirt Gardeners for a guided tour of the WFS and pot-luck dinner.  We will be meeting at the Peg Bond Center (attached to Batavia's bandshell on Island Avenue) at 6:30 pm to drop off our pot-luck foods.  Then we will take a tour of the WFS led by a naturalist from the Kane County Forest Preserves, starting on the east (wooded) side.  After our walk, we will return to the Peg Bond Center for dinner.  The club will provide shredded BBQ chicken for sandwiches, but please bring a salad, side dish, veggie, or dessert to share.

Hope to see you there!
Sarah

Winter Birds in the Garden

Join us January 16 for the Batavia Plain Dirt Gardener’s meeting and program.  Bob and Kathy Andrini from the Kane County Audubon Society will present “Winter Birds”.  Learn about the habits, feeding likes, and ways to make your yard more welcoming to these feathered winter friends.  We have a short social time from 6:45 to 7pm, short business meeting at 7, and the Winter Birds presentation starts immediately following.  We meet at the Batavia Public Library on the corner of Wilson and Hwy 31.

Come join us to celebrate gardens in the middle of winter!

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardener Featured in Magazines!

Congratulations to Rosie McVay and her husband Pat.  Their garden was featured in two magazines this year.  We don't have the June issue of West Suburban Living Magazine article, which was focused on sustainable gardening, to share with you, but we do have the Chicago Land Gardening article written by Carolyn Ulrich and featuring Ron Capek’s photography.
You can access the article at

http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=445571#{"issue_id":445571,"page":44}

and it is titled "A Truly Modern Garden".  Congratulate Rosie when you next see her.