Community Greener Resources
GreenNet Member Resources
Calendar
Green Pages
Get Involved
Member Benefits
Member List
Contact GreenNet
Homepage
GreenNet's
Green & Growing Fair!
April 24th, 2010, 10:00-3:00 at the
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N. Central Park
Chicago, IL
The fair will host the unveiling of One Seed Chicago, for 2010. This
year's candidates are Native Wildflowers: Purple Coneflower, Bee Balm
and Nodding Wild Onion.
For more information and to cast your vote, please visit OneSeedChicago.com.
For more information, to become an exhibitor or vendor, or to volunteer, please contact Robin Cline at the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance at (312) 746-5100.
The Fair will include a silent auction, exhibitors and vendors with products and information, including community gardening, live plants and seeds, locally-made crafts, artwork soaps and much more.
We'll also have live music and food at the Green Cafe!
Garden Lectures ($5 each):
10:00-10:45-
Knock on Native Wood-
With Kelsay Shaw of Possibility Place Nursery
Native woody plants add structure, promote wildlife, and thrive in local conditions. They fit into many landscapes, including your home, school or community garden. Mr. Shaw is the botanist and sales consultant at Possibility Place Nursery and has worked in the industry for the past 17 years.
11:00-11:45-
Jens Jensen and Prairie on Chicago’s West Side
With historian Barbara Geiger, IIT, CBG, SAIC
It took Jens Jensen, a Danish immigrant, to teach Chicagoans the value
of their natural prairie plants and landscape when he began designing
here in the 1890s. Much of his early experimenting happened here in the
parks on Chicago’s west side. Today, we appreciate even more the
subtle beauty and usefulness of our natural ecosystems and topography
because of Jensen’s influence. Professor Geiger shares the story
of Jensen and his work, and that of his colleague Henry Cowles, “the
father of modern ecology.”
Ongoing Demonstrations:
Kid's Activities in Children's Garden:
Plant a Pizza Garden to Take Home! 11 am to 3 pm
Grow your own pizza by planting ingredients in a take-home container-basil, tomatoes, green peppers, and more! Also, learn about plant parts and define the parts used in pizza.
Ongoing Demonstrations in the Outdoor Blue Stone Terrace: 11 am to 3 pm
Tool Sharpening Demos and More! (Bring your tools and get them sharpened for a small fee, by the Green Youth Farm)
Building Bean Teepees & Tomato Cages with Sticks and Bamboo- Chicago Park District's famous "stick guy" Sean Shaffer shows lashing techniques and more during this drop in demo.
Rot Pot Seed Starting Activity, using One Seed Chicago Native Perennial Planting Candidates (Bee Balm, Purple Coneflower, & Nodding Onion!)
Design a Garden Marker using Recycled Materials
Soil Information Station- Come get the dirt on your garden soil from University of Illinois Extension Expert Ellen Phillips.
Native Plants for your Yard- Visit with Chrissy Jacobsen, Aquatic and Native Plant Specialist Chrissy Jacobsen is the Aquatic Plant Specialist at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Her job is to monitor and maintain three miles of restored shorelines, which mainly consists of planting natives and removing invasive species in and out of the water. Chrissy chooses to plant native species because they are very resilient to floods and periods of drought. Purple Coneflower, Prairie Dropseed, and Great St. Johnswort are just a few of the native plants that can be found along the shoreline. These, along with many others, are perfect for your front or backyard!
Got Plant Questions?
Look to the lobby for U of I Extension Master Gardeners who can help you
solve your plant problems. Main lobby 12 - 4 p.m.