Allan Armitage and Solution Gardening

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(October 27, 2019) I get a lot of freaking mail in my inbox. That probably surprises no one; we all receive too much email. So kudos to Dr. Allan Armitage and his team. They sent me a newsletter the other day and I actually read it! (Not reddit. That’s just another app that scares the heck out of me.) There was a bunch of interesting information. For instance:

• Fall is all around us, some folks even have snow as others are still sweltering. Planting perennials, shrubs and trees in the fall is good practice, but really, it is highly marketed mainly because there are so many things to do in the spring that fall planting helps spread the work around. I do a fair number of perennial plantings in the fall for that reason, but also when I plant in early October, I still have a good six weeks of fall weather remaining. Any less than that, I would probably wait until early spring.

If you’re ready for winter, try this advice.

Bingo. I have felt the same way for some time, though I didn’t have a name for it. But “solution gardening” seems about right to me. In fact, Allan Armitage wrote an article about it earlier this year.

I find that as a new generation of potential plant users comes along, the questions are seldom about geraniums or hostas; the questions are usually about solutions. Many people don’t understand enough about annuals, perennials, shrubs, or vines to know what to ask, but they all recognize they have issues with deer, they need to cover space, they want more fragrance, and of course, they want low maintenance plants and landscapes.

Seeing the newsletter in my inbox also made me realize that Allan hasn’t been on the show for more than two years! It’s obviously time to remedy that. As I wrote then,

Those of you who aren’t acquainted with Allan Armitage should know that he is a world-renowned writer, speaker and researcher who was raised in Canada and has continued to move south, stopping at Michigan State University to get a Ph.D., then continuing on to Athens, Georgia, where he now makes his home.

Along the way, he has traveled across this country and the world, scooping up awards the way that kids gather dandelions. You might have heard of some of his other books, which include Herbaceous Perennial Plants, 3rd edition, Armitage’s Garden Perennials, 2nd edition, Armitage’s Native Plants for North American Gardens, etc., etc., etc. In addition, he has written a monthly column for the national greenhouse publication, “Greenhouse Grower”,  for more than 30 years, not to mention hundreds of articles and papers for all kinds of publications.

The aforementioned Herbaceous Perennial Plants is scheduled to have a 4th edition in 2020. And the book we discussed the last time he was on the show is called Of Naked Ladies and Forget-Me-Nots, The working title was “Of Naked Ladies and Sleepy Dicks.” True story. It would make a great holiday gift for a gardener. Just sayin’.

Speaking of all of things available at Allan’s website, he tells me that fans of The Mike Nowak Show can get a 20% discount on items by using the promotional code GreenMike. I say go for it. And don’t forget to check out Allan’s YouTube Channel!

 

Don’t trash it, smash it!

Peggy and I first learned about smashing pumpkins (no, not the band), in 2016 when we talked to Kay McKeen from the recycling organization SCARCE. At the time, SCARE had teamed with the suburban cities of Wheaton and Elmhurst compost pumpkins after Halloween, instead of throwing them into landfills. The first collections were in 2014 and diverted 9.31 tons of pumpkins. By 2016, thirty-one sites across the state were in involved.

To date, the Pumpkin Smash has diverted more than 254 tons of pumpkins from landfills. This year, it happens on Saturday, November 2 from 9am-12noon in cities all over the state. To find out where you can unload your pumpkins, click on the Pumpkin Smash link and use the searchable map that SCARCE has provided

Now, we’re happy to say, that effort is coming to Chicago. I received a message from former show co-host Sarah Batka from Illinois Extension that there will be an official drop off location in the City. She says the Chicago Master Gardeners are behind the effort.

All area residents are invited to drop off their jack-o-lanterns at this one day only composting collection. We’re also collecting gourds, corn stalks and straw bales to keep them out of the landfill. Natural materials only please! That means no googly eyes, yarn, stickers, candles, etc. There is no fee to participate. 

Saturday November 2, 2019, 9 am – 12 noon
Chicago High School For Agricultural Sciences
3857 W. 111th Street, Chicago IL 60655
Back Parking lot. Enter driveway East of the School. 

And for folks on the north side of the City, there will be a “rogue” pumpkin collecting operation! But it’s the next day, so pay attention!

For those of you living in the Ranch Triangle/Lincoln Park or nearby area, there is a collection being facilitated by resident Ivy Tzur. She is going to have a pumpkin drop off station at the end of the 1900 block of Maud Ave on Sunday November 3rd. She also plans to spend a few hours doing pumpkin pick-ups for those who are not able to drop their pumpkins off. Just send her an email with your address and any instructions. Here are the details:

Pumpkin drop off station:

Place: The west end of Maud Ave (at the dead end of the 1900 block)
Date: Sunday November 3rd
Time: 1pm – 3pm

Pumpkin pick up:
Place: Your stoop or curb! Please place your pumpkin out on the stoop or curb where it’s accessible to be picked up and send Ivy an email with your address and any pick up instructions: ivytzur@gmail.com

Date: Sunday November 3rd
Time: 11am-1pm

We’ll see how that works out. Meanwhile, Sarah Batka and Ivy Tzur join us on today’s show.

“Green Living Saturday” is November 2!

If it’s the first Saturday in November, then it must be time for the McHenry County College Green Living Expo. This has become a regular stop for The Mike Nowak Show with Peggy Malecki over the past few years. We’ll be hanging out with more than 100 area businesses, organizations, and artists demonstrating earth-friendly products, services, and providing unique educational opportunities.

Here’s just a sample.

• Western Michigan University , Illinois State University and University of Illinois Eco-Illini teams will display their solar race cars.
• L.L. Bean® Lounge will feature fly fishing demos, winter camping accessories, and more.
• Learn about electric cars and hear from the owners: Mitsubishi sport utility vehicle, Teslas, BMW and Chevy Volt.
• Wheel Werks and Bike Haven will present information about the new “bikes on demand” program.
• MCC’s new Center for Agrarian Learning will exhibit with several local farmers whose work exemplifies sustainable agriculture.
• Enjoy the work of artists displaying and selling their sustainable creations in the Artists Walk at the Expo.
• There’s food from Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen and Carly’s Confections
• Free Latex Paint Collection – Call (815) 334-4585 to register to recycle your latex paint.

And, of course, Peggy and I will be there, along with a lot of other folks, spreading the gospel of green. Here are the details.

McHenry County College
8900 U.S. Hwy 14
Crystal Lake, IL 60012
10am-3pm
MCC Gym and Parking Lot B

Once again, Kim Hankins, MCC Director of Sustainability, joins us to talk about this great event.