The West Chicago Garden Club

We are “on it” this year, starting our Wednesday Workdays in the Kruse Garden on April 1st. It’s so different this year since we’re not pulled to Plant Sale activities. Who would have guessed that we’d be in the middle of a corona virus pandemic this Spring, which created the need to cancel our favorite activity, the Plant Sale! It does offer more time to devote to the Kruse Garden and if you have plants that won’t hold until next year the Kruse Garden is always in need of plants. Contact Billie if you have donations.

We had some nice weather in March so we got some badly needed lilac bush pruning done. They look odd but it’s the beginning of a process….a third each year. And the garden as a whole has been pretty much cleaned up. We piled the branches and all the debris on the driveway. We had BIG PILES! Chuck Strayve, the guy who mows the lawn all year for free, came and hauled it all away…..no charge! We are so very grateful to those that help us out! Thank you Mr Strayve!

We have a tree and some plants on order from Wasco Nursery. The goods will arrive in May and we are very excited especially about the tree. It’s an American Hornbeam (carpinus Caroliniana) and we staked out its spot up front.

I hope you all take the opportunity to walk around the garden this Spring. It’s an acceptable activity while you’re social distancing. The grape hyacinths are in bloom and those 200 “shades of pink” tulips we planted last fall aren’t far off. Make a trip every week or two. There’s always something interesting. And your suggestions are always welcome….help too. Enjoy Spring in our garden and yours too!

If you want to join the Kruse House crew this year, regular work days are Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon, though adjustable to fit your schedule. Contact Billie Childress or Kerry Perry or email WestChicagoGardenClub@gmail.com and the message will be forwarded to both of them.

A message from the West Chicago Garden Club President:

As I sit in my office and write this article, I can’t help but think about all the things that have changed since my last message one month ago.  As I am sure every one of you knows, the COVID-19 pandemic has led the Garden Club board to make some hard, disappointing decisions.  Our general meeting and speaker for March has been cancelled. The 2020 plant sale has also been cancelled, although we still plan on having an informational booth at Bloomingfest assuming that it is not cancelled by the City. Our general meeting for April is still planned, but may need to be cancelled.  However, as a club, our finances are in great shape and as an organization we can wait this out.  We are not giving up and expect to be back to our, perhaps slightly modified, normal routine (involving a lot more hand sanitizer) at some point in the near future.

Personally, the advent of Spring has helped provide some encouragement.  Many studies have noted that gardening generally improves mood, enhances emotional well-being, reduces anxiety and stress, and helps reduce the symptoms of depression.  In a world filled with bad news, I can still make big plans for my yard and dream about all of the quality garden time I will soon be able to enjoy.  If the weather continues to cooperate (please, please, please), I plan on spending a lot of my time socializing with the squirrels, birds and insects in my own yard and catching up on projects that I have been putting off for way too long.  I also plan on listening to a few books, taking a few naps and just sitting quietly out in my yard.

The future is much more pleasant and manageable when focused on the bright possibilities that Spring and Summer bring to our yards and gardens.  I plan on taking advantage of this fact over the next few months. I encourage you to do the same.

Stay well. Stay safe.

Dan

Johnny Jump-up, first bloom of Spring

It’s only March 1st, and the official start of spring still three weeks away, but Spring has already sprung in the Kruse House garden. With the mild winter, some warm days, and plenty of precipitation, Mother Nature is not bothering to wait for the equinox, but is already pushing tender shoots above the soil.

In the front flower bed immediately to the east of the house, clusters of daffodil spears are debuting, as are the solitary heads of hyacinths in the beds around the sides. Brushing away the cover of leaves in many places reveals profusions of tiny green and silvery-white leaves of lamium. The vinca vine, which never loses its leaves in the winter, already has its summery dark green. Even the first bloom of 2020 has appeared–a small blossom on a Johnny Jump-up that survived winter in one of the front urns!

Nature’s early start has meant that the Kruse House gardeners have already begun their work. On March 3rd Billie, Kerry, and Linas spent a good part of the day cutting away the dead lilac branches. Projects for the year include repairing and painting the back fence, planting a new tree in the front, and adding several structural plantings to the beds. If you want to join the Kruse House crew this year, regular work days are Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon, though adjustable to fit your schedule. Work days at the house will start April 1, 2020. Contact Billie Childress or Kerry Perry or email  WestChicagoGardenClub@gmail.com and the message will be forwarded to both of them.