gardening with kids websites

Might of interest to some:

kidsgardening.org

gardeningwithkids.org

Chgo Sustainable Backyard Program

From: RainBarrel, RainBarrel <rainbarrel.rainbarrel@cityofchicago.org>
Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Subject: 2011 Chicago Sustainable Backyard Program Info
To: "RainBarrel, RainBarrel" <rainbarrel.rainbarrel@cityofchicago.org>

Dear Chicago Resident,

We are pleased to announce the 2011 Chicago Sustainable Backyard Program.

This summer, the City of Chicago will be hosting a series of Sustainable Backyard Workshops to highlight the many ways residents can create more environmentally-friendly landscapes in their back, front, and side yards.

Sustainable Backyard Workshops

More workshop and events will be scheduled in the coming weeks… please check www.cityofchicago.org/rainbarrel soon.

Tuesday, June 14

6:00-8:00pm

Friends of the Chicago River

28 E. Jackson, Suite 1800

Tuesday, July 26

6:00-8:00pm

Chicago Center for Green Technology

445 N. Sacramento Blvd.

Sustainable Backyard Rebates

The City of Chicago is now offering rebates to Chicago residents for up to 50% off their next local purchase of:

TREES (up to $100 back)

NATIVE PLANTS (up to $60 back)

COMPOST BIN (up to $50 back)

RAIN BARREL (up to $40 back)

Residents are not required to participate in a Sustainable Backyard Workshop to receive a rebate form, but are encouraged to attend a workshop to learn more about how to install, plant, and maintain these green management practices. To download rebate forms, please visit www.cityofchicago.org/rainbarrel.

How the Rebate Program Works

1. Pick up a rebate form from a Sustainable Backyard Workshop or download one at www.cityofchicago.org/rainbarrel. (Rebate forms may be available at participating local garden centers or hardware stores.)
2. Purchase a rain barrel, compost bin, tree(s), or native plant(s) from your local garden center or hardware store. A list of participating garden centers will be available soon. Last year’s list of local rain barrel and compost bin retailers is on the website too.
3. Be sure your receipt clearly indicates your purchase. Ask the garden center staff to write in any necessary information that is not obvious or clear on your receipt, like what native plant species were purchased.
4. Carefully read through and complete the rebate form and mail it with your itemized receipt to:

Chicago Sustainable Backyard Program

Chicago Department of Environment

30 N. LaSalle, 2nd Floor

Chicago, IL 60602

5. Check your mailbox for a check from the City for up to 50% off your purchase. This could take up to 3 months (90 days). Thank you for your patience.

Rules and Restrictions (See rebate forms for more details)

- Limit one of each rebate (rain barrel, compost bin, tree, and native plant) per installation address, per year. Residents are encouraged to purchase more than one tree and native plant, however you should submit all of your 2011 native plant and tree receipts at once.

- Products must be purchased between September 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011.

- Original receipt (clearly indicating purchase) and completed Rebate Form must be post-marked by December 31, 2011. The City of Chicago reserves the right to deny rebate applications with unclear receipts.

Funding for rebates comes from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention Program and a USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant.

Thank you for participating in the Sustainable Backyard Program!

Happy Spring,

Lyndon Valicenti and Dan Swick

Chicago Sustainable Backyard Program

www.cityofchicago.org/rainbarrel

http://chicagorainharvesting.wordpress.com/

garden babysitting

Our friend Sarah will be watching our garden while we're traveling in the next days. Thanks!

Everyone's gardens are looking good!

Joanna and Matt

two volunteer tasks to keep up with

Hello ... Here are a couple of things I've been doing lately and would love some backup on if someone else could pitch in from time to time (and if you already have been, then thank you!):

1) If the large black trash can is full, take it out the front gate and around the building to the driveway on the building's north side (where the bus parks). Put the full one against the wall where you see a space for it. Then get an empty one and bring it around to the garden. I have no idea when they're picked up, but those are the basics of the system and will keep the can from getting too overfilled and stinky (rotting weeds in the heat -- wow!).

2) When I have a minute and when things seem especially heat-stressed, I've been watering along the south wall/windows, in front of the gate. The banner advertising the summer camp now blocks access to the front yard (and its hose), so I've been pulling a hose under the gate. But it only reaches as far as the strawberries, and then you have to finish with a watering can. It's tedious and I can't always do a great job with it, which is why I'd love it if someone else could keep an eye out, too, and water when the plants are drooping. The black-eyed Susans are my indicator and are what I prioritize if I only have a minute -- because they look so sad when they're thirsty.

Thanks!

Tonight's Garden Haul

The pattypan squash are going crazy, as are the peppers. One of our red pepper plants got crushed, but we tried to revive it tonight, and hopefully it will produce soon, too.

important news about raspberries

Important if, like me, you want as many raspberries as possible! Francisco shared with me a couple of tips about raspberries. First, when picking, it's important that you also take off the spongy white center that the berry slides out of and that wants to stay on the branch. If you leave it on the plant, it thinks it still has a berry there and doesn't need to make more. If you take that part off, then it will be more likely to replace that berry. Also, especially with the wet weather, the raspberries are making lots of new foliage. For best results, this new growth (it has smaller, brighter leaves and is at the top of the plant) should be removed. This is easy to do, even with bare hands. Those of us who have been picking berries, maybe we can all remember to do these two things.

Duck update

Hello ... Today, Francisco told me that he thinks mama duck laid a couple of eggs and at least one hatched. He has heard baby duck-type sounds coming from the weedy area along the north wall of the building. He made a little puddle in case she needs a small pool for her duckling(s). For now, we should probably steer clear of that area. If you have to work there, ask Francisco for some ways to mask your scent so we don't scare mama duck.