I almost talked myself out of attending the Bowmanville Garden Walk. It was overcast, I was tired,…read morebut I didn't want to go later than I'd planned (I wanted to be there at 9,'when it started, but I got there just before 10); I worried there would be so many people I might not be able to enjoy it. I went anyway, thankfully. I didn't think a garden walk would ever be my thing--I only went because it was something to do, and it was outdoors--but I was wrong. It was inexpensive, with a suggested donation of $10 (I'm sure read on the sign or webpage that it was $5, but no big deal). Bowmanville has a great deal of parking, so that would not likely be an issue, and certainly wasn't when I was here. They had a couple of master gardeners at the welcome tent ready to answer gardening questions! The walk goes roughly from Foster to Bowmanville and Ravenswood to Western. There were about 15 homes on the garden walk plus some community gardens. There first-time homes and returning participants. Every person I visited was so incredibly welcoming. I wish I knew more about gardening so I could as better/more intelligent questions! One woman offered cuttings of herbs as they produced more than she expected, so I left with a quart-sized bag of tarragon and of thyme. If I had any idea what to do with mint, she was ready to give me that too. Across the street, I learned the garden includes tiles her parents found on the roadside in New York in the 50s, brought home to Michigan, and there they decorated the family home for decades. When this woman's mother sold that home and moved in with her in Chicago a few years ago, the homeowner asked her mom to have the tiles removed and they brought them here to be placed in the garden. I love that those tiles have such a long history in the family, and are a source of fond memories that have followed them here to Chicago. As I walked to a hole on the tour I stopped to admire a unique stone fence, and the owner (not on tour) shared how the fence was made by a prior owner to depict the story of his arrival in the United States. Another home, that I've driven by countless times over the 13 years I've lived in my home, had grapes (concord and champagne!) growing not only in the backyard but along the sidewalk in the front. The vines are 40 years old! That home also was growing cilantro (you can use it even flowering in your cooking, I learned), and had garlic in the garden as ornamental plants. This home has won best in show three different years, and it's easy to see why. That family said to come back and honestly I would love to in order to look more closely at their garden again. Diana is the owner of the final home I visited. She told us how she designed her garden by simply taking a hose, making an outline she liked the inside of which she left as grass, and outside the outline she pulled up and planted and now has a wonderfully tranquil and very special space. She showed me the single remaining Forget-Me-Not remaining in her garden, which was given to her in 1976. I wasn't even born then, and it astounds me that this plant is a descendent of a particular plant she revived; she has a lovely reminder of the person who gave her that plant every day. She said that many of the plants in her garden are gifts. I love that her garden--and so many of the others--are so personal and could never be replicated. Diana invited me to have some tea and refreshments, and I got to meet her sweet dog Marigold (this coming from someone who is decidedly not a dog person!), and she too invited me to return. I may actually take her up on that, because I really enjoyed learning from her and hearing the story of her garden. She also said marigold took a liking to me so I may not want to disappoint her.... They have a photography contest that I wish I had entered; it was a $5 entry fee and the winner's photo is the poster for the following year. Next year I will definitely enter. I only wish that they had another way to pay (for entering the photo contest and for the suggested donation). It was cash or Venmo only, and I struggled with Venmo for quite a while. Even Zelle would have been easier... or indicated on the poster/media that it was cash or Venmo. I've already got a reminder on my phone for next summer so that I can make sure to get the date on my calendar and attend again. This garden walk was so lovely that I've made a note to look for about 20 others that happen in the city and suburbs next year, in hopes that I can attend; I looked for more this year but it appears that June and July are the prime time for garden walks. I did find a native plants garden walk in Oak Park happening, and along with the one here in Ravenswood (the inaugural Ravenswood Garden Walk!) I'm really looking forward to them. I'm really glad that the BCO turned me on to a new event that I've found I really love!

I second what the previous reviewer said about the water being in an uncovered filthy trough. See…read morephoto. After bringing up the matter to the garden managers, there were no changes, only an offer to scrub the sides of the trough. We tried to bring our own water to garden, but ultimately that was a ridiculous endeavor, since we paid to have access to fresh water to water our garden. Never grew a thing because who wants to bring their own water to a community garden, after paying a fee to garden? Like the other reviewer said, we paid for a box of dirt. The woman who started this project left Chicago long ago and I don't know who is at the helm at the moment.

This review is about their two day annual edible plant sale held on May 15 & 16, 2021…read moreat: Chicago Market Grocery Co-op Building 4620 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60640 What an amazing experience...this was their 9th annual edible plant sale for warm weather crops. All of the tables were set up in squares so people could walk around and view all of the amazing offerings. What a colossal variety of offerings. I purchased a Brandywine Tomato plant to grow on my balcony. It was $5.99 for a 4 inch healthy and hearty plant! Already a week later it continues to thrive and grow taller with more leaves! I could not be happier. The seedling offerings included: Tomatoes - Amish Paste, Black from Tula, Black Krim, Brandywine, Yellow Brandywine, Sweet Red Cherry, Black Cherry, Chocolate Cherry, Cherokee Purple, German Johnson, Green Zebra, Mortgage Lifter, Paul Robeson, Rutgers, San Marzano, Sungold, Taxi, Yellow Pear, and Tomatillos Peppers - Sweet Banana, California Wonder, Orange Bell, Purple Bell, Red Bell, Yellow Bell, Anaheim hot, Cayenne hot, Habanero hot, Jalapeno hot, Pepperoncini hot, Poblano Ancho hot, Serrano hot Eggplant - Black Beauty, Rosa Bianca, White Cucumber - Adam Gherkin, Diva, Marketmore, Mexican Sour Gherkin, Pickling, Straight 8 Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower Cabbage, Collards, Kale (green, red, Dino) Greens - Arugula (regular, Wasabi), Lettuce (Butter, Gourmet Mix, Romaine), Mesclun Mix (regular, spicy), Sorrel, Spinach Squash - Butternut, Delicata, Gold Rush compact yellow summer, Spacemiser compact zucchini, Peter Pan (patty pan), Pie Pumpkin Edible Flowers - Calendula, Echinacea, English Daisy, assorted Nasturtiums including Alaska, Empress India, Fordhook, Gleam, Jewel Herbs - Basil (many types), Chamomile, Chives (regular, garlic), Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, assorted Lavender, Lemon Grass, Marjoram, assorted Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, assorted Sage, Summer Savory, Tarragon, assorted Thyme, also some unique herbs such as Mexican Pepper Plant (Root Beer Plant), East and West Indian Lemongrass, Rue, and Tea Tree An Overview of the Peterson Garden Project- "Founder LaManda Joy, inspired by her own parent's involvement in WW2, discovered that the empty lot at Peterson and Campbell had once been a Victory Garden. With the hope of doing something positive on this historic piece of empty city land and "teaching 20 people how to grow their own food" our project was born." Source: https://www.petersongarden.org/ FYI- The Victory Gardens were established to help sustain the fruit and vegetable supply by encouraging and creating local gardens during the World War II effort to provide individuals and families across the United States with access to food. Victory Gardens in Chicago: "During World War II, Chicago led the nation in urban food production with its Victory Gardens program of 1,500 community gardens and more than 250,000 home gardens. The city's North Park neighborhood was also home to the largest Victory Garden in the United States." Source: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-5196 Learn More about the Chicago Victory Garden Movement and the founder of the Peterson Garden Project LaManda Joy by clicking the link below: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-5196

Great product and service. The owner took time to meet with me to discuss my concerns, which was…read morereassuring. The beds are beautiful and will be so helpful in growing vegetables! Don't wait too long to get your own raised beds - life is too short to work with poor soil conditions. Create your own good soil condition by getting these raised beds and enjoy the results!

Can't recommend enough... Michael was super helpful, quick…read moreand nice throughout the purchase and install. The bed looks great and we can't wait to start planting our first garden this year.

This neighborhood allotment garden just opened in May 2011 with 32 plots, and is planning to expand…read morenext year. It's located in an open area between the alleys behind Addison, Milwaukee, and Keeler. The spring baked goods and flower sale opening day party was a lot of fun and I'm hoping the fall cleanup event will be even bigger and better.

I'm so happy I learned about this--and just in the nick of time!…read more This was my daughter's first Halloween. She's not even four months old, so there is not a whole lot that she can do, obviously. But she looked so adorable in her costumes! So when I see the announcement for this neighborhood event, it was on my calendar immediately. The Ghostly Garden is hosted by the West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) block club. I'm most familiar with the little garden that is maintained within the boundary. I did not know that they transform it into the Ghostly Garden, an event specifically geared toward young children. The strolling path is decorated for Halloween and there are games set up along the path that little ones can play (and everyone wins some candy!). The strolling garden itself isn't that long--a couple blocks or so--but this little portion is even shorter than that, perfect for the five and under crowd for which it's designed. The volunteers are neighborhood folks. I loved seeing some teen boys there to run a couple of games for the little ones. The event lasts for one hour starting just before dusk so that little children can come before bedtime. They have coffee for the adults at the beginning of the path, and also warm cider at the end of the walk. There was a little area that seemed set up for photos so of course we stopped to take a couple pictures. The event is free, but they also take donations to help the block club with the upkeep of the garden. I was happy to donate a few dollars given what a sweet event this was. My little girl was not sure what was happening, of course, and we just were just there to enjoy the evening and wander the path with the other littles. We will be back next year.

I had a wonderful dinner with JD and Mike and they are wonderful chef's and it was soooo hospitable…read moreand the house is beautiful. Worth checking out

Chicago Bell Garden was a much needed, unique experience for me and my partner recently. The…read morelocation is a relaxing atmosphere tucked away in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. The owners were able to accommodate dietary restrictions as you watch them make the meals from scratch with most ingredients pulled fresh from the surrounding garden. I recommend asking the owners for one of their specialty cocktails that they can easily pair with your meal. And at the end of the meal, we rang the bells to celebrate our evening. It was such a fun extra touch. Highest recommendation!!!