The Lincolnshire Garden Club

“Getting Dirty since 1958”

The Flower Press

A Message from our President, Linda Berryman

Hello Fellow Gardeners!

The other day, I read a quote by American writer Irene Peters that brought a slow smile to my face,  “Just because everything is different doesn't mean anything has changed.”  Yes, I thought… there is definitely truth in those words.  Take for instance our wonderful LGC Annual Benefit last month.  Outside looking in, everything seemed so different this year:  the venue, bidding with numbers instead of your name, tags galore, music, a slideshow, computers at the checkout table, and a holding table for your purchases.  Yet, with all these differences, admittedly some easier to understand or get used to than others, nothing really changed.  Members had a wonderful evening socializing with friends, eating, drinking and generously spending to support our club and its mission.  As always, because of your generosity, our club can continue to support organizations and projects in our community.  I cannot thank Kathleen Young-Perkins, and her hard-working committee enough, who proved to me that just because things are different doesn’t mean the important things are changed.

Speaking of generosity, our own Joan Keyes is being generous with her gardening ideas at out May 17^th meeting.  Joan is such a gem of a resource in our club.  If you’ve been enjoying her plant education, five minute tidbits at this year’s club meetings as much as I have, then you are sure to enjoy a longer presentation on how to grow an herb garden basket.  Besides gaining some “sage” advice (sorry, couldn’t resist the obvious pun there!) from Joan, we will be awarding our allocations funds to this year’s recipients, as well as voting on next year’s slate of board officers.  So, be sure to come, but remember the meeting is at the Southlake campus of CLC.

Meanwhile, enjoy your gardens!

Garden Therapy Spring Event

Garden Therapy will be planting annuals in planters at the Riverside Foundation with residents on Sunday, 3 June 2012 at 1:30 pm (rain date Tuesday, 5 June 2012, without residents).  This is a barrier free event, bring your hand trowel and gloves, it will take about an hour to plant the annuals.  These annuals offer a colorful display in planters that are around the parking area and around a back patio with walking path that was designed by our own Garden Designers Joan Keyes and Linda Johnson, the planters look great even after the first frost in fall. 

Let us know if you will join us Sunday, 3 June 2012 at 1:30 pm (rain date Tuesday, 5 June 2012, without residents).

Call Kathleen Abdo  or Meg Zimmermann or email gardentherapy@lincolnshiregardenclub.com.

Look Who’s Budding Now, by Karen Kravits

“Look Who’s Budding Now” is a spotlight on our new Garden Club members.  This month we talk with Pat Hovany who is an office nurse for a gastrointestinal pediatric specialist.  Pat and her husband George, a financial consultant with Wintrust, have 3 children.  Matt, 30, is a computer engineer out in L.A.  Katie, 29, is a medical illustrator here in Chicago.  Also in Chicago, Megan, 27, is a scenic artist for the Northwestern University Theatre Department. 

How long have you and your family lived in Lincolnshire?

We have lived here since 1986 and always in the same house.

What do you like about Lincolnshire?

The trees were a big draw.  I really like the forest preserves.  We looked at several places in the area but kept coming back to Lincolnshire.

What made you decide to join the Garden Club?

After the kids left, I guess I needed to do something nurturing.  And, when I cut back my hours at work, it was the perfect time.  I was at a garage sale at Jan’s, and Rick happened to be there.  Rick was telling me all the great things about the Garden Club, and I was sold.

Has it been what you expected it to be?

Yes it has.  The meetings are fun, and the speakers are excellent.  I love the sharing of knowledge and the sharing of plants – I especially enjoy that.

What is the biggest challenge you face in your own garden?

I live on a floodplain, so I need to learn more about what I can plant.

Has your experience with the Garden Club changed the way you look at your garden?

Yes, I think so.  I’ve gotten more daring.  And, I’m so excited about what is coming back this year.

Of what help could the Garden Club be to you?

I guess more knowledge like the lectures.  I like having the ability to ask questions of experienced gardeners.  The website is really excellent.

Who is your biggest gardening inspiration?

I would have to say the people at the Chicago Botanic Gardens – I have done some volunteer work there.  They are the golden standard to aspire to but probably never achieve.

What is your favorite plant?

Right now I’m enjoying a jade plant I picked up at the Home Depot.  It’s doing really well.  I also really like herbs.

Is there one tip you can share with us on your gardening techniques?

I have learned that it is not worth planting tomatoes.  The squirrels take one bite and just leave the rest.  (Don’t let your husband feed the squirrels.  That may be the problem.)

Thank you for spending time with us.  And, stay tuned for more introductions to our new members as we take a peek into how their gardens grow.

Upcoming Field Trips

Milaeger's - Tuesday, May 22, 2012 11:00 am

We will get a tour of this grower’s facility, including the store, a behind the scenes tour of the back greenhouses, and the history of Milaeger’s.  After our tour, we will have a boxed lunch (included, see below), in a room reserved for our group.  Then, it will be time to shop.  The greenhouses will be in full production and well stocked with annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees and every gardening item you can think of!    Milaeger’s will be giving each person a 10% off coupon to use that day for all of your shopping needs!

Non-members are welcome. So, grab your gal pals and plan to carpool up to Racine for a fun-filled garden day!  Make sure you dress comfortably and for the weather. Drive in the largest vehicle possible so there’s plenty of room for the plants.  Don’t have a ride?  Let Eve Jacobs know and she will help you get a ride with someone.  Click Here to get information on signing up and directions to Mileager's.

Chicago Botanic Garden - - Container Gardening Tour - May 10, 2012        10 AM – 11:30 AM

Join Horticulture Program Specialist, Nancy Clifton for a beautiful walking tour of the many container plantings at the Garden.  Nancy specializes in container gardening.  Design ideas and explanations of techniques and methods of growing a garden in a pot will be explained. Dress for the weather, rain or shine, the walk will be enlightening and relaxing as you stroll thru the various gardens.  Thursday, May 10th, 10 AM - 11:30 AM.  Cost is $25 per person (money goes to the club as part of a Benefit donation), includes free parking (normally $20) at the Garden.  Nancy worked as a Plant Information Specialist, horticultural writer and currently is a Program Specialist for the Chicago Botanic Garden.  She is currently working at WGN studio’s ‘Botanic Backyard’ for the Chicago Botanic Garden’s weekly garden segment.

When you arrive at the Garden, please let the parking attending know you are with the Container Gardening tour and you will receive free parking.  You should meet Nancy at the Bloomin’ Cart outside the Visitors Center. She will have a CBG umbrella.  Contact Linda Lutz if you are interested.

Spring Bird Walk - - May 13, 2012    7:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Join two of Lincolnshire's favorite birders, Ann Maine and Gordon Wood, for a spring walk through Ryerson Woods on Sunday, May 13th, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM.   Spring migration should be at it's peak and you'll learn our local resident birds as well as spring migrants.  Expect to see as well as hear warblers, finches, and songbirds.  Bring binoculars if you have them (we can provide some if you don't). Dress for the weather.  Meet at Brushwood accessed best by the lower parking lot.  Cost is $25 per person and money goes to the Club as part of a Benefit donation.

Upcoming Plant Sales

Sponsor:  College of Lake County 

Dates/Times:    Wednesday and Thursday, May 2-3, 2012   9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location:  CLC Greenhouse,  Grayslake Campus, H Building

Sponsor:  Lake County Forest Preserve

Dates/Times:    Saturday, May 12, 2012   9:00 am - 3:00 pm

                             Sunday, May 13, 2012  10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location:  Independence Grove Forest Preserve.  16400 West Buckley Rd. (Rt. 137), Libertyville, IL

Offerings:  Rain barrels and compost bins will be available on Saturday only.  Native Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Ferns, Flowers and Grasses will be available both days. Plants are restocked on Sunday morning.  Limited quantities of plants are available; some substitutions of species or sizes may be necessary depending on current greenhouse conditions.    See full list of plants, shrubs and grasses here.

Prices are as follows:

This is a fundraiser that benefits the Forest Preserve's Environmental Education Programs. 

Sponsor:  Gardeners of Central Lake County

Date:    Saturday May 12, 2012 (rain or shine)

Time:    8:30 am-11:00 am

Location:  Libertyville Civic Center Loading Dock (135 W. Church St., Libertyville, across from Cook Memorial Library)

Offerings:  mature perennials, herbs, ground covers, and more dug from local gardens