The West Chicago Garden Club

By Ruth Kyme

Our February speaker, Amy Powers, is a Garden Coach based near Chicago with a lifelong passion for gardening and nature. With a background in chemistry, IT consulting, and competitive sports, she combines science and coaching to help clients create thriving, sustainable gardens through in-person and virtual sessions. Amy is on a mission to teach everyone to get in touch with nature and learn how to manage their own landscape, from vegetables and herbs to trees and perennials.

Pruning can feel intimidating and downright scary. When should I prune? How much should I prune? What if I make a mistake? But Amy’s presentation, ‘Pruning: Don’t be Scared,’ breaks it down into clear, confidence-building guidance. Amy explains when, why, and how to prune trees, shrubs, and perennials to promote plant health, structure, and flowering.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church (NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.)

Meeting Time:

• 6:45PM Arrive & Mingle
• 7:00PM Business Meeting
• 7:15PM Program

By Ruth Kyme

Mel Zaloudek will be our January speaker. Mel graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Taxonomic Botany. He served on the horticulture faculty of Triton College in River Grove for 20 years and is currently working as an independent landscaping consultant. He has been presenting programs regularly to groups large and small across the greater Chicago metropolitan area for many years.

Many gardeners (and even some industry professionals) have trouble recognizing trees during their six months of dormancy, but it’s easier than you think. During Mel’s program, Identifying Trees in Wintertime, we will focus on honing that skill. We’ll look at photos, as well as actual twigs, for simple and reliable clues to identification. Naming tree species in the off season is a valuable and enjoyable skill. Bring a small
magnifying glass and leave with a big new understanding of our wondrous, woody friends throughout the four seasons.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church (NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.)

Meeting Time:

• 6:45PM Arrive & Mingle
• 7:00PM Business Meeting
• 7:15PM Program

Our September speaker will be Barbara Collins. Barb earned a Masters Degree in Horticulture from the University of Illinois, Urbana. She is the published author of two books: Landscaping Herbs and Professional Interior Plantscaping.

The NOAA has declared that 2024 was our planets warmest year. In Barb’s presentation, “Buckle Up: Climate Change is Here,” we will examine wild weather extremes as a result and learn what we can do to help our plants survive.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church (NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.)

Meeting Time:

• 6:45PM Arrive & Mingle
• 7:00PM Business Meeting
• 7:15PM Program