Hello from Madison, IL (American Bottom)

Several times while Google searching, this website has come up and provided the info. that I was looking for, so I finally took the plunge and joined. I've mostly read reviews on nurseries and seed companies and found them very helpful. My parents grew up on farms in NW TN and relocated to this highly industrialized area in the early 50s where I was born & raised, but my dad still had to have a big vegie garden 'cause you can take the boy out of the country... Anyway, I grew up working in my dad's huge vegie garden -- he acquired 2 adjacent vacant lots next to our home just for gardening. I've always been just as passionate about gardening as my dad who passed away a few years ago. I live in a town with a city ordinance banning COMPOSTING! and I hate it. I had a "bootleg" pile for a while, but finally gave it up. I'm now into lasagna gardening which I hope will give me the same results. I've also acquired 3 very active hunting dogs that make landscaping a real challenge. I've ordered several native shrubs and hope to change my lawn into woodchip paths (provided free by local utility co.) on existing doggie paths bordered by shrubs; except for a fenced in playground area. I read gardening books daily (commuting, lunchtime, bedtime, etc..) and have an extensive collection. I still have & reference my 1st vegie gardening book purchased in 1974. I try to grow organically and have been subscribing to OG mag since early 90's. I can & freeze everything from pears to pickles. I've also become interested in heirlooms & OP varieties. I'm into seed saving, but just enough for myself. I also companion plant with flowers & herbs, & practice vertical & square ft. gardening. It's great to share my passion with other gardeners, & I hope to give back to this website as much as I've gained.

Betty

betty - hello and welcome from upstate new yori. you have sure come to the right place. the people here are very friendly and very acknowledgeable in all subjects.
enjoy yourself.

Thank you so much for the warm greeting. I've been visiting different forums and I like all the choices. I have formed the same opinion already -- friendly and knowledgeable folks, and I am enjoying myself. I already have many questions and want to make sure that I post on the appropriate forums. So far, I see that the Central Midwest Gardening forum will be helpful to me and the Soil and Composting forum. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've also ran across and enjoyed reading some of your posts already. I've never been to upstate NY, but imagine it to be very scenic year round.

Betty

Betty,
Welcome from the mtns of Georgia!
Wow.. you did an outstanding job on your intro! Catch yoru breath and dig your toes into Daves Garden! The folks here are so wonderful I know becuase Im pretty new also! Not enough time in teh day to look at all you could here :D

Ninnian

Hi Betty welcome..

It's March 14 (3 weeks later), and I feel like I've found gardener HEAVEN!

Welcome to the Garden, from N. Florida, --Michael

Greenbrain-
it is kinda liek that.. just dont fall over in shock... someone will try to compost you! ;)

Nin

Welcome to daves theres a roundup in june its in madison check out thread round-up .....sharon

Welcome Betty,
Greetings from Kansas! You will enjoy it here. I look forward to seeing you here in the Garden.

Thanks everyone. I'm glad that I joined when I did. With the slow start on the gardening season, it's helped pass the time and to hear that others are experiencing weird spring weather. Since I process payroll for a nationwide corp (yes, I'm a cube dweller), I'm accustomed to dealing with very friendly folk from other regions on a daily basis. It's a nice change to talk gardening with folk from these different parts of the country.

This message was edited Apr 14, 2007 4:04 PM

This message was edited Apr 14, 2007 4:04 PM

where's Madison, IL? I work in Glen Carbon IL (across the river from st. louis, MO) and still visit my family, where I grew up in Galesburg, IL (about an hour from Peoria or the Quad cities), Caitrine

Hi caitrine,
Madison is between Granite City and Venice just off I-55/70 @ 203 exit near Gateway International Raceway. Madison and Glen Carbon are both in Madison County (also called Mad Cow). lol We seem to be going in opposite directions. I MetroLink to downtown St. Louis to work. Where are you in St. Louis? Have you been to the Garden Kingdom in Glen Carbon? I love that place! I'm a native of Granite City, but have lived in Madison for 18 years. You must have grown up on the Illinois River. Is Galesburg as scenic as the Pere Marquette State Park area near Grafton, IL? That's the area I escape to when I want to get out of the city. Hope you've been enjoying Dave's Garden site as much as I have.

Betty

Hi Betty!
I commute from Ferguson MO (north end of St. Louis) over the river to Glen Carbon for work. I haven't been to the Garden Kingdom...is that a garden store? I'll have to look up the State Park you mentioned. I'm still unpacking (3 months post move) so I haven't done much exploring. Galesburg is a small college town built around the railroad industry. It's scenic to me, but I'm a bit biased. :) Caitrine

Hi caitrine,
Below is the "Go Gardening" link to The Garden Kingdom; along with my 2 reviews; and the link to The Garden Kingdom website. I've visited at least four times now and always walk away very satisfied. I've yet to explore at least 1/2 the nursery. There's a huge indoor shop as well, so don't let inclement weather keep you away.

I've purchased shrubs, tomato & pepper plants, herbs, & flowers for my butterfly garden. All my plants are healthy & thriving. If you get a chance to visit, don't forget to add your review.

http://gardens.com/go/view/3835/

http://www.thegardenkingdom.com/

Betty

Thanks! I'll look them up