This community garden was established in 2011 by then Alderman Gene Schulter. It was a dirty lot…read morebefore it was developed into this green urban space. It is completely organic, adhering to strict standards to keep it that way. I have had the pleasure of helping maintain the garden since the beginning. It is very well run by the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber, along with many really awesome community gardeners from the area. Plots vary from vegetable gardens to zen areas and we even have some hops growing from year to year. If you are interested in participating, contact the chamber. There is a waitlist for plots that you can be added to. The garden is usually locked but if you come by when some of the gardeners are around, you are more than welcome to walk through and admire the hard work as long as you respect the space.

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 love how creative neighborhoods are, and how many of them are trying to use the embankments along…read morethe Metra to their advantage. This area had once been subject to fly-dumping from the Metra, but the community rallied to clean up and beautify the area. Some (perhaps covert ;)) gardening happened along this space, and then that effort became a bit more official; it was a public way, and the city encouraged gardening along the strip. The combined efforts of the Bowmanville Community Organization, the alderman, and with the cooperation of the city, the space was made into a much more formal garden space with dozens of raised beds, and folks from the surrounding communities take plots here each year. During the garden walk, I had the opportunity to walk around the garden--it's fenced in and locked, ostensibly so folks won't abscond with others' produce. It's an extensive space, with people growing tomatoes, peppers, flowers, herbs... there's a space toward the end that even is growing corn, zucchini, and squash. I love everything about this garden: The community spirit, the partnership between the neighborhood residents, association, and city government, and the pride which is evident in the garden. There's a pergola and picnic table near here to have a seat and enjoy the surroundings, and Rogers Park Montessori also uses it as part of their curriculum. I'm hoping next year I can look into getting a space here.

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 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!!!

This was a delightful garden walk! I'll be up front: I wasn't sure, and to be honest we almost…read moredidn't attend this walk because they have an individual admission fee and a family fee--in other words, you're asked to pay for children of any age; I was a little annoyed about paying for a one year old. But in the end I decided it went to a neighborhood org that I want to support so, water under the bridge. The walk started at a small community garden outside Creativo!, the children's store. There we obtained the map for the garden walk. The members of the Edgebrook Community Association let us know that after the official hours of the garden walk, there would be activities in the Creativo! garden, including a magician at 4:45 (hope the little one is in the mood for magic, because I am, and we'll be heading back that way after her nap!). When I was speaking with one of the homeowners, I found that the ECA hasn't held the garden walk since 2019. I'm hoping that this is the resurgence because I very much enjoyed the afternoon. The homes are generally walkable, I think, though certainly not today on this 100 degree afternoon. Today though we visited in clusters to avoid the heat. The hosts were welcoming, as is generally the case on a garden walk. I love exploring others' garden and backyard spaces to see how people make them their won and to gather ideas for myself. I really love that this garden walk has a couple unique features that I haven't seen part of the other garden walks I've attended over the last few years. Besides the Creativo! garden gathering, there's a silent auction that takes place, and of course the entertainment like the magician. But they also have a scavenger hunt for the kids to participate in, which is cute and fun and definitely a way to keep them interested in something that would typically bore the heck out of most kids. We got a bit of the away through the scavenger hunt but since we had to head home for nap and weren't able to visit all the homes, we weren't able to finish. But we will do our best next year!