I started gardening in the early ’70s when I moved to an old farm in northern Illinois. I lived with several friends and we all embraced vegetable gardening with the intention of growing all our own food! The black, fertile soil of Northern Illinois was a fabulous learning ground for novice gardeners and we had great successes especially with the big beautiful winter squashes like Blue Hubbard and Cushaw. I taught myself how to can tomatoes, Dilly beans, green tomato chutney, pickles and green beans following the Ball Blue Book to the letter.
I have been gardening ever since then, sometimes growing my own seedlings, sometimes purchasing them from local growers. I spent a number of years cultivating native plants from seed and selling at the Springfield Farmers Market at the Battlefield Mall. I am especially interested in native plants as they support our local pollinators, birds and wildlife.
I have been volunteering at the Midtown Garden for six or more years working with Drury, MSU and Cox nursing school students and neighborhood participants.
Currently, we have work times on Monday evenings at 6 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 8 a.m.