The West Chicago Garden Club

This has not been an easy summer for any of us.  I was thinking about this a couple of weeks ago when I was sitting on the deck of our summer cabin looking down on the lake surrounded by the oranges, yellows and red of a Wisconsin autumn.  Now Wisconsin is dealing with a major Covid outbreak.  How lucky we are that so many of our families and friends have avoided this and my heart goes out to those who haven’t, and how lucky we are to have our yards and gardens to give us peaceful thoughts during this increased period of solitude.

Those of us working at Kruse have had a chance to meet each week to talk about plants, the weather and all those things that we gardeners enjoy.  The new plantings have taken well and the front bed replacing the big oak has filled in beautifully and entices anyone passing by to realize that there is a garden inside the fence worth visiting .

We’ve started wrapping things up for fall – deadheading, cutting back daylilies and iris, and just basking in the last blooms of summer.  Sometimes it is difficult for us to cut back the plants that we have nursed along so carefully all summer, but then there is that lovely spring morning when we see them shyly peeking their heads up once again.  I would like to share with you a poem I came across that echoes this thought.

September Tomatoes by Karina Borowicz

The whiskey stink of rot has settled
in the garden, and a burst of fruitflies rises
when I touch the dying tomato plants

Still the claws of tiny yellow blossoms
flail in the air as I pull the Vines up by the roots
and toss them in the compost.

It feels cruel.  Something in me isn’t ready
to let go of summer so easily.  To destroy
what I’ve carefully cultivated all these months.
Those pale flowers might still have time to fruit

My great grandmother sang with the girls of her village
as they pulled the flax.  Songs so old
and so tied to the season that the very sound
seemed to turn the weather.

I sincerely hope we will be able to start holding meetings again and to see all of you again in the spring along with the returning plants.

By Kerry Perry

The Kruse Garden is constantly changing.  As one perennial fades away, another plant blooms anew. I think September’s yellows are my favorite. Black-eyed Susan, false sunflowers and marigolds; their colors are bright and sunny. Maybe the blues and purples are best; Caryopteris, Lespedeza, phlox and cone flowers are so cool. Pastels are wonderful; the Pinky-Winky hydrangea and zinnias are pretty. But wait, maybe the reds and oranges should get top billing. The orange marigolds attracting bees, the reddish orange rose hips, the red berries on the viburnum have such rich, warm hues. Even pure white is stunning – Sweet Autumn clematis and Moon flowers. A complete palate of color appears now at Kruse. Do you have a favorite? The choice is difficult. 

At the beginning of the month our dedicated Kruse crew was watering more than weeding. The hot, dry summer days have transitioned to cooler weather.  The recent rain was welcomed, in fact I believe the plants perked up and literally said ”aahhh”.  Our crew also sighed relief.  Fall will be here in just a few days. Time to think about plantings for next spring.  And, we’re planning a new bed in the empty, colorless area under the lilac bushes in the back.

There are still plenty of days to help at Kruse.  Stop by on Wednesday mornings beginning at 8:30. Or, stop by anytime to take a stroll and enjoy the beauty.

By Billie Childress

When you do your best with love, even things that are far from perfect
can be absolutely beautiful.
That’s what we do at the Kruse Garden.

We Kruse Gardeners were delighted that so many garden club members came to visit the garden in July! We are proud of our work and love to have
company. It was a lovely evening! Thanks to Jean Ann, Marcy, and Harlene for the tasty, safe, treats! Greatly appreciated!

Our philosophy at Kruse is: Keep up with the work and the work will get easier. So, we go every Wednesday morning and tend the garden. We’re
waiting for the “easier” part to kick in. This hot dry weather is tough on the plants…especially the new ones. Our biggest investment, the American Hornbeam tree, looks a bit spooky at times but I think it’s settling in. On the other hand, the three new Cranberry Crush Hibiscus are a joy to behold! It’s unusual for a plant to be beautiful it’s first year in the garden. Chris suggested that plant, and it looks like a winner! Thanks Chris…the garden just keeps getting better!

We hope you are enjoying your gardens as much as we are ours. All of us have two gardens, our own, and the Kruse Garden that we share. We have a lot to enjoy! Since our Kruse garden still needs plants, we welcome any donations. Marion Martin recently gave us a nice group of day lilies, Chris
Gicela brought tall bearded iris, and Ruth Kyme donated some lovely pulmonaria ! Thank you ladies! All lovely additions!

I’ll certainly be glad when safe living allows us to see each other in regular monthly club meetings. I miss you all! Until then, stay safe and enjoy
nature and your garden!