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).

Let It Rot & Putting the Garden to Bed presented by Bill Kargas

This is one meeting that no one should miss! Instead of one presentation on one topic, we will have two separate presentations on two different topics! Bill Kargas, famous speaker and presenter from Villa Park will give us a presentation on Practical Composting called “LET IT ROT”. This program addresses all aspects of composting, emphasizing the easiest ways to convert yard waste into a rich soil amendment.

Bills second presentation will be “Putting the Garden to Bed” and everything you need to know how to prepare your perennial garden
for winter: what to cut, when to mulch and fertilize, and how to prevent this year’s problems from returning next year. Bill has been working in the gardening arena most of his life and currently is employed at
Pioneer Gardening and Feed in Villa Park. Bill is a hands on presenter and will bring samples of things that he will address in his talk.

Workshop: Hypertufa + Blade sharpening

An example of a finished Hypertufa container.

Anyone interested in having fun, learning something new and creating your own work of art?  This meeting will be held at a Member’s home – please see your newsletter for details.

Each participant will create their own planter/pot/container from our concrete mix, better know as a Hypertufa! The club will provide all materials except the form that you will use to put the cement into and make your creation.  The form can be a bowl, plastic container or small box, none to be larger than 12 inches in any direction. Your container can be lined with plastic so when you remove your “cured” creation, your container will still be in good condition.  Since these cement items have to “cure” for several weeks, you should bring a card board box to place your item into  – to transport to your home.

Nearly anything can be used as a Hypertufa mold.

If you absolutely cannot locate a container to use as your mold, Marcie has a few extra but not enough for everyone.  Please RSVP to the newsletter email if you will be participating in this activity and if you are bringing your own mold or need one from Marcie. You may want to bring gloves and a small wooden dowel, and if you plan to add some of your own bling, perhaps some colored stones or marbles! Be creative!

Members that don’t wish to make this project should come and visit with friends, enjoy the refreshments and view the beautiful garden. Bring your item/items to be sharpened by John (see sharpening information on page 2 of your newsletter). 

Note: We suggest that you bring a chair as there isn’t enough seating for everyone.