Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse and Community Garden

Earth Day Event

A great friend of Kilbourn Park is presenting a workshop tomorrow: Growing Your Own Organic Vegetables tomorrow, Sataturday April 17th from 1:30-2:30pm in Flanners 105 at Loyola University's Quinlan Hall. It's part of the North Lake Shore Earth Day.

The workshop above is part of a whole days worth of wonderful programming. With great films, workshops including grown your own organic vegetables, making organic baby food, solar ovens, raw food making.  There are also panels on local initiatives and food policy along with 50 environmental organizations  and a full day of kids' activities.  And to boot, it's all free!

Saturday, April 17
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Quinlan Life Sciences Building
1050 W Sheridan Road

Have a great weekend everyone!

Got Dirt? Growing Healthy Kids

Volunteer Training Opportunity at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse

Saturday, February 27; 10 am – Noon

Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse

3501 N. Kilbourn, Chicago

Presented by Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program (Illinois NET) - Training programs to initiate and enhance your school's local wellness policy 

Kids love getting dirty.  Learn how you can use a garden project to bring core subjects alive, encourage healthy eating and increase physical activity.  The Got Dirt? program will help participants initiate a successful garden project at a child care, park or  school site. Successful projects will be highlighted. This training is designed for serving children PreK – Grade 6.

 

This training is open to all Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse volunteers as well as Master Gardeners or Chicago Park District volunteers who are working with their local school or park garden.

 

Please register in advance at kirsten.akre@chicagoparkdistrict.com. If you are working with another garden, please specify the garden name and location.

This is a wonderful opportunity, not to be missed!

 

Winter 2010 Organic Gardening Series

"Soil is the substance of transformation."  -Carol Williams

Already thinking about what you might be growing in the spring? Our Winter Organic Gardening classes are a great way to prepare for spring.  Sign up for the one that interests you or take the whole series to expand your knowledge of organic, sustainable practices and native plants.  We look forward to seeing you!

Organic Vegetable Gardening Part II
Anna Viertel, Urban Farmer at Near North Montessori School
Saturday, January 23rd
10am-Noon;  Fee: $20  

Now that you have learned to build a strong foundation for your sustainable garden, it’s time to discuss maximizing the productivity of your garden. In this class, Anna Viertel will discuss design and planting techniques to help reduce pests and disease while simultaneously encouraging a healthy, high yield garden both above and below the ground. Topics will include companion planting, crop rotation, soil maintenance, season extension, and permaculture.

Seed Starting Basics
Nancy Benjamin, Master Gardener
Saturday, February 13th
10am- Noon;  Fee: $20 

Craving unique vegetables? Want those old fashioned French marigolds? Like the delicate herb chervil? Want to show your children the wonders of plants? Sometimes, to get the plants you want--when you want them--you just have to grow them yourself. Master Gardener and organic advocate Nancy Benjamin will show you the basics of seed starting. Discover seed sources, trays, growing mediums, lights as well as germination tips and times for a whole variety of vegetables and flowers.

Early Spring Greens
Bill Shores, Shores Garden Consulting, Inc.
Wednesday, February 24th
6:30-8:00pm;  Fee: $20  

Come learn about the colorful and tasty world of early spring greens. Urban grower Bill Shores will present a slide show and discussion of how to get a jump start on the growing season with salad and braising greens. Simple season extension techniques and the best greens for early planting will be discussed. Go home inspired and ready to garden!  

Rain Barrels and Rain Gardening
Cathy Breitenbach, Chicago Park District
Sarah Abu-Absi, Chicago Department of Environment
Saturday, March 13th
10am -Noon;  Fee: $20  

Interested in harvesting rainwater for your garden with a rain barrel or cistern? How about installing a basic rain garden in your yard? Cathy Breitenbach from the Chicago Park District and Sarah Abu-Absi from the Chicago Department of Environment will discuss the benefits of using rainwater for your garden. Participants will receive a rebate form from the City of Chicago to receive a $30 discount on a rain barrel. 

Landscaping with Native Plants
Rebecca Schillo, Chicago Park District
Saturday, March 27th
10am-Noon;  Fee: $20  

Landscaping with native plants is creating a new buzz in the gardening world! Native landscapes create backyard habitat for birds and butterflies while offering gardeners unique, beautiful plant selections. Native habitats require less water, fertilizer, and energy to maintain than their ornamental counterparts and can help increase stormwater infiltration and carbon sequestration.   In this class, Becky Schillo of the Chicago Park District, will discuss practical design and planting techniques for introducing natives into the home landscape. Topics will include site considerations for native landscaping, appropriate plant selection, basics of maintaining native landscapes, and where to find native plants in the Chicago area.

For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Kirsten Akre:
Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse
3501 N. Kilbourn Chicago, IL
(773) 685 - 3351

2009 Fall Organic Gardening Series

"Green fingers are the extension of a verdant heart."  --  Russell Page

Basics of Organic Gardening with Kirsten Akre of Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse

Saturday, September 26 from 10 am – Noon in the greenhouse

Class fee: $20, pre-registration is suggested

This class will cover the basic principles of organic gardening and how you can apply them in your garden this fall and beyond. We will discuss the importance of soil as well as encouraging diversity both above and below ground in your garden. Methods discussed will include mulching, crop rotation, cover crops, and companion planting.

 

Making Compost Teas with Christine Nye of Shedd Aquarium

Saturday, October 10 from 10 am – Noon in the organic greenhouse

Class fee: $20, pre-registration is suggested

Christine Nye has been using compost teas at the gardens of the Shedd Aquarium for 16 years with great results. Come learn more about soil biology, the benefits of natural fertilization methods, and how you can apply this technique in your own garden.

 

Composting Basics with Bill Shores of Shores Consulting

Saturday, October 24 from 10 am – Noon in the organic greenhouse

Class fee: $20, pre-registration is suggested

 Composting is the basis of organic gardening. Learn how to reduce waste and produce high quality compost in your own backyard, deck or basement. This class will discuss and look at a variety of options for producing compost from leaves, garden trimmings, food waste, cardboard and paper and more. Learn about vessel composting, passive composting, worm composting, hot and cold piles and the science of composting so you can become a compost expert and share your knowledge with your friends and neighbors!

 

Fall Perennial Care and Pruning Basics with Laury Lewis of Foliage Fantasies

Saturday, November 14 from 10 am – Noon in the greenhouse

Class fee: $20, pre-registration is suggested

The class will discuss proper pruning techniques for the fall and winter that will enhance the appearance of trees and shrubs for the following season. Fall garden clean-up will include what to do with herbaceous perennials, how to create winter interest in the garden, and as well as how to improve the soil.  This will be a hands-on program, please bring your hand pruners.

 

Organic Vegetable Gardening Planning with Anna Viertel of Chicago Botanic Garden

Saturday, December 5 from 10 am – Noon in the fieldhouse

Class fee: $20, pre-registration is suggested

Anna Viertel will guide you through the process of planning and starting up your vegetable garden from scratch - or making an existing garden even more productive - through low cost, sustainable methods.  She will discuss planning and design for long-term productivity and sustainability, choosing raw material and conserving resources, addressing diverse soil conditions and building raised beds.  For those gardening in cramped lawns or tiny courtyards, Anna Viertel will discuss tips on maximizing alternative spaces including using containers, good soil management with high yield/intensive planting designs, and choosing varieties well suited to your conditions.

 

To register for these classes, call the greenhouse at 773-685-3359 and leave name, class name, and your phone number or e-mail for confirmation. 

Winter 2009 Organic Gardening Class Series

"There is peace in the garden.  Peace and results."  -  Ruth Stout

Escape winter without leaving Chicago!  Take a class at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse!  

Growing Microgreens in Your Home

Bill Shores, Shores Garden Consulting, Inc.

Saturday, January 24

10 AM – Noon

Fee: $20

 

Microgreens are delicious, nutritious, and space-efficient leafy greens that you can grow at home, whether or not you have a garden! In this class, Bill will demonstrate how to plant microgreen seeds in growing trays. He will also discuss growing, maintenance, and harvesting techniques suited to small indoor or outdoor spaces. Bill Shores is a professional gardener who has grown specialty greens for more than 10 years and currently manages chef Rick Bayless’ urban garden.

 

The Edible Organic Garden: Spring & Summer Basics

Anna Viertel, Chicago Botanic Garden

Saturday, January 31

10 AM – Noon

Fee: $20

 

Are you eager to get the most out of your organic garden? In this class, learn organic principles to help you start strong in spring and reap a robust yield in summer and beyond. Topics to be covered include the care and feeding of soil, early spring season extension, planting a succession of crops, reducing disease and insect problems, and companion planting. Anna Viertel is the school garden coordinator for the Chicago Botanic Garden and specializes in urban agriculture.

 

Seed Starting Basics

Nancy Benjamin, Chicago Master Gardener

Saturday, February 7

10 AM – Noon

Fee: $20

 

Maybe you crave unique vegetables, old-fashioned French marigolds, delicate herb chervil, or other plants that are hard to come by. Maybe you want to share the wonders of plants with your children. These are just some of the reasons to grow plants from seed. Come and learn the basics of seed starting from Nancy Benjamin, a Master Gardener and organic advocate. Seed sources, trays, growing mediums, lights, and germination tips and times for many vegetables and flowers will be covered.

 

Keeping a Garden Journal

Bonnie Tawse, Millennium Park

Saturday, February 28

10 AM – Noon

Fee: $20

 

Do you have a connection to plants and enjoy observing the natural world? Have you toyed with the idea of keeping a journal? This workshop will get you started on the wonderful process of keeping a garden (or nature) journal. It will cover nuts and bolts of journaling, explore paths for inspiration, and suggest how to stay connected to both your garden and your journal. Bonnie Tawse is the Coordinator of Environmental Programs for Millennium Park. She has a Master's Degree in Creative Writing and recently led nature journal workshops as part of the Chicago Public Library's "Read Green, Live Green" series.

 

 

Backyard Permaculture-What's Permaculture?

Vicki Nowicki, The Land Office

Saturday, March 14

10 AM – Noon

Fee: $20

 

Permaculture is a sustainable way of landscaping that supports the food, energy, and resource needs of human beings. Once confined to big acreage sites in third world countries, permaculture methods are now being successfully adapted to small-sized lots in the city and suburbs! Come and learn how to get started with permaculture. This workshop will cover general layouts, plant ideas, suggestions for growing organically, and starting a few appropriate vegetables. Vicki Nowicki and her husband Ron have practiced permaculture for 30 years at their home in Downers Grove. 

 

Grafting Fruit Trees

Oriana Kruzewski, Oriana’s Home Orchard & Nursery

Saturday, March 28

10 AM – Noon

Fee: $20 + $5 material fee to bring home your own grafted pear tree!

 

In this hands-on workshop, you will graft and take home a low-maintenance fruit tree that can produce fruit organically without harmful spraying. Oriana will also offer fruit-growing tips for those with little space, how to add or change a variety in an established tree, and how to repair a damaged tree by bridge grafting. Oriana Kruszewski began growing Asian pears in her Skokie backyard more than 30 years ago. Now she owns 40 acres in northwestern Illinois and grows 20 varieties of pears from China, Japan, and Korea, as well as hybrids developed in the United States.

Fall 2008 Organic Gardening Series - Adults

"All gardeners live in beautiful places because they make them so." -- Joseph Joubert 

The adult fall organic gardening program is offered as a series of 7 classes for $100 or $20 per class. Register for the 7 week series online at the Chicago Park District. Individual program registration is available at the fieldhouse. No checks are accepted the week prior to class. Pre-registration is highly recommended. Classes are subject to cancellation based upon registration.

These classes are for adults 18 & over. 

Fall Organic Vegetable Garden 

Saturday, September 27 

10 am –Noon 

Anna Viertel, Chicago Botanic Gardens 

Fee: $20 or $100 for series 

Participate in a discussion about managing your backyard landscape with edible organic production in mind. Learn how sustainable framing practices make growing food crops inn alternative, urban spaces accessible and productive. With the coming fall season in mind, explore strategies for lengthening your growing season with tips on season extension, regionally hearty varieties, and activities for the fall garden. 

Organic Lawn Care 

Saturday, October 4 

10 am – Noon 

Tim Decker, Greenway Services Fee: 

$20 or $100 for series 

Does your lawn have a chemical addiction? Break the habit with Tim Decker from Greenway Services as he discusses techniques and materials available to give you the healthy lawn you crave without the chemicals many homeowners are concerned about. We’ll hit topics such as lawn culture, proper turf selection, fertilizers, and weed control but additionally we’ll explore ways homeowners can improve their soil quality by using materials that often end up in the waste stream. Join us for organics and beyond!! 

Rain Gardens and Why They Are Important 

Saturday, October 11 

10 am – Noon 

Sue Cubberly, Rain Garden Network 

Fee $20 for $100 for series Learn 

how to install a rain garden and why rain garden concepts are important. Sue Cubberly is the owner of Rain Garden Network. This company supplies information and educational resources to homeowners to protect the water quality of our lakes, rivers and streams from pollution and the damage done by rainwater runoff. 

Fruit Tree Basics

Saturday, October 18

9 am – 11 am 

Rico Montenegro, Fruit Tree Planting Foundation 

Fee: Free 

Join the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) for an interactive class on fruit tree basics, including planting, pruning, organic troubleshooting, aftercare, and restoring unproductive trees. FTPF’s certified arborist; Rico Montenegro will lead a lesson that will cater to enthusiasts of all levels and backgrounds. Hands-on activities will include group fruit tree planting exercises. Come one, come all, rain or shine!! Join us after the class to help plant KPOG’s new orchard!!! 

Fall Pruning and Cleanup for the Ornamental Garden 

Saturday, November 1 

10 am – Noon 

Laury Lewis, Foliage Fantasies 

Fee: $20 or $100 series 

This class will discuss proper pruning techniques for the fall and winter that will enhance the appearance of trees and shrubs for the following season. Fall garden clean-up will include what to do with herbaceous perennials, how to create winter interest in the garden and as well as how to improve the soil. This will be a hands on program, bring your hand pruners. 

Intensive Urban Composting Systems 

Saturday, November 8 

10 am – Noon 

Bill Shores, Urban Market Farmer 

Fee: $20 or $100 series 

Composting is the basis of organic gardening. Learn how to reduce waste and produce high quality compost in your own backyard, deck, or basement. This class will discuss and look at a variety of options for producing compost from leaves, garden trimmings, food waste, cardboard and paper and more. Learn about vessel composting, hot and cold piles, and the science of composting so you can become a compost expert and share your knowledge with your friends and neighbors! 

Organic Oyster Mushroom Cultivation 

Saturday, November 15 

10 am – Noon 

Robert Lee, Chicago Master Gardener 

Fee: $20 or $100 series 

Gardening in your basement or in a pile of wood chips? Sure! Edible gourmet mushrooms can be grown by most anyone with a desire to do so. In this class you’ll learn how to get started growing mushrooms that are healthy and delicious in your home, basement, garage, or in a pile of wood mulch in your back yard. Mushrooms turn wood and straw into food and compost.