Native Plant Gardening Presentation at the Forest Park Public Library, Thursday, July 24, 6:30 pm

I'll be giving this talk: Letting nature in: gardening with native plants  Thursday, July 24 at 6:30 pm, Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park, IL    Learn how and why native plants offer benefits to nearly every garden, and the many ways you can use them, whether starting from scratch, or adding to your mature landscape. Topics will include right-sizing your pollinator garden, planting in shade, and enhancing your garden right now.  You’ll hear practical tips and tricks for good management and all about "cues to care."    Native plants will be on sale from Empowering Gardens.    Open to the public, admission is free, registration is encouraged. Register here.   This presentation is in conjunction with the West Cook Wild Ones Native Plant Garden Tour on Saturday, July 26, 1-5 pm. Featuring Gardens in Forest Park and River Forest. For more info, please visit West Cook Wild Ones.org.  

It's Time for Your Lawn to Make Peace with the Earth!

That's the title of a short, informal presentation about the polyculture lawn I'll be giving on Sunday. I'll have samples of compost, a compost screen and clover seed with me. Too bad I can't bring along some birds, butterflies and bees! Details are posted on the "Talks" page tabbed above.

Comments

Unknown said…
So glad you're taking your message on the road. Have you received good feedback? How did you start your talk series?

Best of luck,

Thomas
Hi Thomas,

Thanks. The talk went really well.

I began by asking people what they think about when they think of a beautiful lawn. This sparked much good discussion and brought up childhood memories and associations. I then talked about the lawn in history (short), some different ways to think about beauty, and why the ecological lawn is better. Also ecological lawn care.

People seemed pretty enthused.

I started giving talks when I worked for the garden center. Garden clubs are always looking for speakers.

These days I try to do a few talks a year, often gratis. Usually someone I know invites me to speak. The groups are always small, but participants seem to respond well.

I'm thinking of applying to give a presentation at the next Chicago Wilderness Wild Things Conference in 2013, which would be a big step up.