Hi everyone - 

Two things - 
1) We've had a request for Mayapples. If you have a lot of them and are willing to sell / give them to someone in the community, let me know. I'll get you in touch with the person.

2) The wonderful Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary! Be sure to visit sometime soon, it is amazing this time of year. So much in bloom!

Sarah Kimber has let us know that the flood waters have gone down, but more rain is on the way this week, so our next (informal) work day will be Tuesday, June 2 starting at 9:00. We will be cleaning up dirt left from the flooding and also weeds on the east (wooded) side. If you have them, please bring gloves, clippers, loppers, weed diggers and a flat shovel or broom. Also, please remember that we still need to stay at least 6 feet apart and bring our own snacks, water and masks.

Be well, and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Terri Hoehne, BPDG

The turn-out on Tuesday was fantastic!  A big thank you to Al, Terri, Carol, Nancy H., Deb, Luna and Lindsay, and a warm welcome to our newest volunteer, Lindsay Sommers!  Thank you too to Jo for donating Fire Pinks, Bottle Gentians and Royal Catchfly plants.  They definitely are watered in, and will be gorgeous when they bloom!

This is where I usually tell everyone to take a stroll through the Wildflower Sanctuary, but this week I am not going to, because it is flooded and closed. Terri pointed out though, that there are some fun things blooming up on the hill towards the compost bin and shed, so if it does stop raining, you can check out that part.

To give you a little flavor, I have attached some photos:

1.  The bench on the east side of the WFS where we usually put our stuff while we are working

2.  A family portrait taken before it started to rain: Jack, Jack Senior, Jack Junior, Jackie and Jacqueline           

3.  A 2 foot long fish (carp?) swimming through our savannah 

At home, I will be thinning out some yellow Siberian Iris and 'Husker red' Foxglove Beardtongue Penstemon.  Let me know if you would like some plants. 

Things need to dry out a little bit (OK, a lot), so the next time I will be working at the Wildflower Sanctuary will be Saturday, May 23, starting at 9:00.  I will be cleaning up the area and hill between the cut and the Riverain parking lot.  The easiest way to get there is from the Riverain driveway.  If you have them, please bring gardening gloves, loppers, clippers, weed diggers, eye protection, etc.  Since there is still a virus on the loose, please remember that we need to stay 6 feet apart and bring your own water, snacks and mask.

Thanks for your help!

Sarah Kimber

Native Plants Chair

Rhubarb.....

Need cut rhubarb to make sauce, pie, or other dishes?  Yvonne Richter has a large productive patch that in this rain is doing gangbusters.  She is looking for those who need/want it.  Call her at (630) 450-0037 to get some.

Cancellation of May Meeting

May Meeting Update:

As much as we would love to hear about your gardening activities and catch up with gardening friends, everyone’s health and well being are most important to us.  We are cancelling the Tuesday, May 19 Batavia Plain Dirt Gardener’s general meeting and educational program.  Social distancing is one of the ways we are helping to slow the spread of the virus. Thank you for your understanding.

Please consider visiting the Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary, maintaining appropriate social distancing, and enjoy the emerging spring flowers.  Sarah is regularly holding “6-feet-apart” work days so there are opportunities to garden and see other gardeners in a safer environment.

And, please visit our Facebook page and post pictures of something wonderful growing in your yard.....and see the pictures of the flowers at the wildflower sanctuary.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of this information, feel free to call me.  If you need the phone number of a club member as you want to call and visit that way, let me know and I am happy to get that to you.  Contact me via phone or my email address dleesharp@sbcglobal.net. 

Stay healthy out there!
Diana. (630) 879-7578

Last weekend at the Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary, we planted Twinleaf and Meadowsweet, pulled and weed-wrenched weeds, and laid a cobblestone path.  Thank you so much to Terri H., Nancy H. and Deb M., and a big thank you to Laura W. for all of the plants!

The attached photos are a sample of what is blooming now: wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), and Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum).  Take a stroll along the Riverwalk and you will also see more spring bloomers, gosslings and lots of water.   

We are still not having official work days at the WFS, but I will be there on Tuesday, May 12 starting at 9:00 am, and would love some company.  We will be cleaning up the crescent-shaped area on the west side of the WFS near the start of the boardwalk.  If you have them, gardening gloves, clippers, loppers, eye protection, a small weed wrench, and something for hauling clippings would all be handy.  Due to COVID-19, please stay at least 6 feet apart, bring your own tools, mask, water and snack.

Happy Spring!
Sarah Kimber

Native Plants Chair