Resources

We have a few good resources posted here with many more to come!

Growing Vegetables

Butterflies & Other Pollinators

Monarch Waystation Program
Monarch butterflies are facing loss of habitat and death caused by genetically modified crops. The Monarch Watch Waystation Program offers home gardeners an effective program for creating Monarch-friendly garden spaces.
Pollinator Partnership Free Planting Guides
The Pollinator Partnership has created fantastic free regional planting guides. The rest of their site is also worth a look.

Native Plants

NRCS Illinois Native Plant Guide
Available in both html and as a free .pdf download. Hard copies are also available - see the bottom of the linked page for details.
Links for Using Native Plants in the Landscape
Courtesy of the Illinois Natural History Survey. Great resources.
Wild Edible Plants of the Midwest
This is a pretty well put together list. Never eat wild plants without positive identification!

Water Wise Gardening

Marcus DelaFleur's Elmhurst Pilot Project
Chicago landscape designer Marcus DelaFleur's first pilot project at 168 Elm Avenue in Elmhurst is a great lesson in wise water use. Free .pdf information sheets.
City of Joliet Rain Barrel Program
The City of Joliet was giving away free rain barrels for a while. We're not sure if this is still in effect but this is a useful information sheet, including a link to a page with DIY rain barrel instructions.

Composting with and without Worms

The Back Yard Orchard

Permaculture, Edible Forest Gardening & Edible Landscaping

Midwest Permaculture
Midwest Permaculture offers training and resources for those interested in mimicking natural systems to create sustainable environments for people, plants and animals. Located in Stelle, Illinois.
Toby Hemenway
Toby Hemenway is the author of Gaia's Garden, arguably the best permaculture guide available for the home gardener. His website features a number of useful articles.

Nurseries & Seed Retailers

Trees of Antiquity
Huge selection of heirloom & organic fruit trees & berries. Bare root. Located in California.
Edible Landscaping
A modest and well selected variety of food trees & plants geared for the success of the home gardener. Potted specimens. Located in Virginia.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
A mind boggling selection of fantastic heirloom seeds, including a huge variety of Southeast Asian vegetables. Beautiful catalog. Located in Missouri.
Seed Savers Exchange
A favorite for decades, SSE offers a huge assortment of carefully preserved seed & starter plant varieties. Located in Iowa.
Possibility Place
This family owned native plant nursery is the definitive source for natives. Their website makes for educational browsing. Located in Monee, IL.
Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply
Peaceful Valley offers a great selection of cover crop seeds, beneficial insects and just about anything you can imagine for both the organic home gardener as well as the organic farmer. Located in California.
Sandhill Preservation Center Heirloom Seeds & Poultry
This Mom and Pop company is a labor of love. Mail order only. Located in Iowa.
Horizon Herbs
One of the oldest and best known sources for medicinal plant seeds as well as a variety of books and supplies for professional & amateur herbalists. Located in Oregon.