The Edible Gardens
The Edible Gardens are one of Green City Market’s primary educational outreach programs and consist of over 5000 square feet of beautiful, organically grown vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains and flowers. Open to the public during the April to November growing season, the gardens offer Chicagoans the opportunity to connect with the process of growing healthy, delicious food.
In addition to welcoming drop-in visitors to the gardens, Green City Market offers free hands-on gardening workshops each month and hosts scheduled field trips throughout the year.
HOURS & LOCATION
Open & free to the public
April: Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am - 1pm
May* through October: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10am - 1pm
*Closed May 16, 23 & 30
November: Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-1pm
The Edible Gardens are located across the road from Green City Market’s outdoor location. They are centered inside Lincoln Park Zoo’s ‘Farm-in-the-Zoo’ complex on Stockton Ave between Dickens Ave and North Ave.
For general inquiries about the Garden email: erin@greencitymarket.org
For more information on field trips, including how to schedule a trip, email: ediblegardens@greencitymarket.org
WORKSHOPS
Free hands-on gardening workshops are held at The Edible Gardens each month of the growing season. Workshops are presented by Jeanne Pinsof Nolan, founder of The Organic Gardener, Ltd.
Saturday, April 27th, 2013 - Spring Start: Soil Preparation and Planting Cool Weather Crops
The key to a successful organic garden starts with proper soil preparation. Learn the techniques of good soil stewardship including soil aeration and the beneficial use of compost, soil amendments, and organic fertilizers. We will also discuss how to successfully direct seed cool weather crops such as peas, spinach, chard, and radishes.
Saturday, May 18th, 2013 - Planning for Summer: Transplanting Warm Weather Crops
Join us as we transplant warm weather crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and herbs. Learn how to layout your garden and space your transplants to maximize fruit production throughout the season. We will also discuss what plants pair well together and the benefits of planting a diversity of crops.
Saturday, June 15th, 2013 - Necessary Nourishment: Feeding Plants for Healthy Growth and Production
What is an organic fertilizer? Can you compost at home? Learn the basic principals and techniques of foliar feeding and side dressing in an organic garden. These techniques provide plants with the extra nutrients they require to ensure good plant health and a bountiful harvest.
Saturday, July 20th, 2013 - Expand Your Growing Season: Planting Fall Crops
Planting succession crops ensures a continuous harvest throughout the growing season. We will direct seed for plants that will mature in fall such as carrots, turnips, and beets.
Saturday, August 24th, 2013 - Keeping a Tidy Garden: Staking, Pruning, Harvesting, and Composting
August is often the month when gardens are at their peak. Avoid the “jungle garden” by learning how to properly stake and prune. Learn to distinguish when produce is ready for harvest and learn the principles of home composting. Please bring pruners if you have them.Saturday, September 21st, 2013 - Growing Locally: Tips for Gardening in Chicago
In conjunction with the “Locavore Challenge,” we will take an extensive tour of the Edible Gardens to view and discuss crop varieties that thrive in Chicago. An urban environment provides a unique opportunity to grow locally produced food on a rooftop, deck, in a small space, or even in containers. Eat locally by growing your own food.
Saturday, October 19th, 2013 - Time to Hit the Hay: Putting your Garden to Bed for Winter
Bundle up and join us as we put the Edible Gardens to rest for the winter. We’ll pull the remainder of our plants, lay hay, compost, and tidy our rows. We will also save seed for next year’s garden, focusing on dried beans and flower seeds. Please bring pruners if you have them.
WORKSHOPS ARE BY RSVP ONLY. To RSVP please email RSVP@greencitymarket.org and specify which workshops you will attend. Space is limited.
HISTORY
Green City Market created and planted the Edible Gardens at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-in-the-Zoo in the spring of 2005 at the request of Green City Market founder Abby Mandel, who envisioned an environment where children could learn where their food comes from on a first-hand basis. Today, Green City Market welcomes over 25,000 visitors to the garden each year. The Edible Gardens have been described as the perfect springboard for introducing the Midwest to what Alice Waters, locavore extraordinaire, calls “edible education.”
The Edible Gardens calendar
- Jun 15 Saturday
-
-
The Edible Gardens
9:30 AM–10:15 AM
-
The Edible Gardens
- Jul 20 Saturday
-
-
The Edible Gardens
9:30 AM–10:15 AM
-
The Edible Gardens
- Aug 24 Saturday
-
-
The Edible Gardens
9:30 AM–10:15 AM
-
The Edible Gardens
- Sep 21 Saturday
-
-
The Edible Gardens
9:30 AM–10:15 AM
-
The Edible Gardens
- Oct 19 Saturday
-
-
The Edible Gardens
9:30 AM–10:15 AM
-
The Edible Gardens
