HOW TO GARDEN
Find plants that will grow well in Illinois
Because of our location in Illinois we have 4 seasons. You should find plants that will grow based on the months you are planting. It is also good to find native plants to Illinois to rebuild the biodiversity.
Plant seeds or transplant
Seeds are less predictable and need a lot of care to raise them. Find low maintenance plants to plant as seeds. Otherwise you can also get transplant which are already grown to a little sapling.
Check how much sunlight your plants need
Some plants may not need a lot of sunlight. Plants that produce fruits need more sun than leafy green plants. Check how much sunlight you plants need.
Get healthy soil
This is soil filled with bacteria, fungi, and other microbes. Find out what texture of soil your plants typically need. You can also add compost to the soil to make sure your soil is nutritious and the proper texture.
Make containers or raised beds
You can reuse material in your home as a container for your plants such as wooden wine boxes, milk crates, old pots, dresser drawers and even large plastic containers as long as you drill holes at the bottom. A raised bed can be made with wooden pallets which will give the plants space for the roots.
COMPOSTING
A LIST OF THINGS YOU CAN COMPOST:
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Fruits and vegetables
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Eggshells
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Coffee grounds and filters
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Tea bags
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Nut shells
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Shredded newspaper
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Cardboard
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Paper
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Yard trimmings
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Grass clippings
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Houseplants
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Hay and straw
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Leaves
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Sawdust
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Wood chips
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Cotton and Wool Rags
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Hair and fur
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Fireplace ashes
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SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency
A LIST OF THINGS YOU CAN'T COMPOST:
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Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
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Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
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Coal or charcoal ash
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Might contain substances harmful to plants
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Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs*
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Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
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Diseased or insect-ridden plants
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Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
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Fats, grease, lard, or oils*
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Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
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Meat or fish bones and scraps*
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Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
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Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)*
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Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
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Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
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Might kill beneficial composting organism
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SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency
SCIENCE BEHIND COMPOSTING
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Composting uses: oxygen, moisture, organic matter, and bacteria.
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Composting uses food waste to help give nutrients to garden soil and help your plants grow. It reduces need for chemical fertilizers which are also harmful to the environment. It is a great way to recycle parts of food that we don't eat such as peels and leaves and use them to grow more food which is sustainable and reduces the carbon foot-print of buying food from a grocery store. Bacteria and microorganisms present in the organic matter will breakdown the food waste into nutrients that will make the soil better for growing plants. The breakdown of plant material causes the compost to heat up. Therefore it is necessary to turn the compost as frequently a possible about two weeks or longer for the composting process to occur.
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COMPOST DROP OFF SITES IN ILLINOIS
Grayslake Recycling Center
585 Berry Avenue
Grayslake, IL. M-F 7 am to 3:30 pm & Saturday 8 - 12 pm
Prairieland Disposal & Recycling Center
21988 N. Pepper Road
Barrington, IL. M - F 8 am to 5 pm & Saturdays 8:30 am to 12 pm
Green City Market
Chicago Area Farmers' Markets
Time depends on Farmers' Markets