The West Chicago Garden Club

Our speaker this January will be Dr. Megan Dunning and her topic is “The Trees Near My Home”.

The trees close to your home affect your life in so many ways – and you are also important to those trees. Join Megan Dunning, Manager of Adult Learning Programs at The Morton Arboretum, to explore our relationship with nearby nature. She’ll introduce you to a few of her favorite trees, discuss the benefits trees bring to our lives, and share what community members are doing to protect and care for the trees they live with.  

Megan Dunning is proud to be a Champion of Trees in her role as the Manager of Adult Learning Programs for The Morton Arboretum, a 1700 acre museum of trees west of Chicago. She oversees curriculum development and management of educational programs focused on trees, gardens, nature, and botany for college and adult audiences. Before joining the Arboretum, Megan completed a Ph.D. in Genetics at The University of Chicago, studying plant-pathogen co-evolution. She is a plant enthusiast and an advocate for the power of spending time in nature.  

Guests are welcome to come to a meeting and see if they are interested in our club.  Our dues are very reasonable: only $15 for an individual or $25 for a family of two.  Come join us on January 23 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church (corner for Geneva Road and Prince Crossing Road).

By Kerry Perry

Although it’s the dead of winter, spring planting catalogs started arriving in the mail Jan 2nd. The nurseries and big box stores have already put out starter pots, soil, gardening tools, etc. What an inspiration to think spring!

Since 1998 the Kruse House Garden has been our Club’s community service project. The garden was resurrected, restored and has been tended by many hard-working and dedicated club members. Last year’s garden was spectacular and had an increased number of visitors.

The Kruse Crew game plan for 2020: Add more dirt and mulch to the beds. Replace Smoke Bushes that succumbed to some sort of rot. Thin the lilac bushes to promote new growth, yet retain branches to bloom this year. Add colorful perennials – Japanese Forest Grass, Aralia Cordata and Hibiscus.

The Crew meets regularly Wednesday mornings, weather permitting, May through October. But volunteer anytime that fits your schedule. Stroll through the garden and pull a few weeds or pick up litter that may have blown in. Dead head spent blooms and toss them on the compost pile.

Every little bit helps.