Flourish Studios at 3020 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 - 773.281.8140 will host three workshops to be lead by Julia Bunn.  In an effort to better co-ordinate the workshops with the tenor of the season, we tweaked the Each workshop will cost $29 or if participants enroll in all three workshops the cost will be $69.  Julia will present basic concepts related to each topic and then be open to working with participants in relation to their own property.  Participants are encouraged to bring a copy of their Plat of Survey.  Feel free to contact Julia via our email if you have any further questions or if you wish to register, contact Flourish Studios at the number listed above.

March 30, 7-8 PM - Springing into your Garden with New Eyes: Workshop One
When we chose to look at the land around us as an opportunity to have our own personal relationship with the earth, what we desire for it begins to transform both the garden around us and ourselves.  In this workshop we address the basics of building this new relationship.  “Above all do no harm” and leave the earth in better shape than when you found it is our starting point.  We’ll cover composting to feed your little piece of the earth, choosing plants that you want a relationship with (trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers, or food) and the benefits to ourselves of weeding and tending our garden with some fun facts about the weeds that so annoy us. 

April 20, 7-8 PM - Creating Space for Water in your Garden: Workshop Two In honor of Earth Day, we will bring this workshop to Flourish.  Chicago was once a wetland and because of the way that the land was developed here, we’ve been told that it can damage the foundations of our buildings.  With appropriate use of green roofs, rain barrels, rain gardens, and larger water collection systems, we can use this precious resource with intelligence and to the benefit of our own little piece of land.  We can also create little paradises with fountains, ponds and irrigation systems that will serve to make an interactive relationship with Nature for ourselves and our children.  When we manage water where it lands, we also help the larger environment to process the rain that does fall. In managing the water that falls on our property, we are doing our part to keep our lakes and waterways less polluted.  Wise water management will also keep Nile virus mosquitoes out of your yard.  We will investigate these possibilities together.

May 4, 7-8 PM - Making a Habitat for your Children and your Inner Child: Workshop Three In conjunction with Mother’s Day, we’ll present this workshop.  Want to see your children enjoying your yard even more?  Creating habitat brings your garden to life.  Inviting in the beneficial insects like Monarch butterflies, hummingbird moths and song birds that need these insects to exist, creates an interactive play space that you and your children can appreciate together.  Watch as the magic of monitoring nature engages your child in new ways.  Even in our small urban gardens we can create little eco systems that help to build the Urban Forest’s Understory.  Awaken to the connection that we all innately have with Mother Nature by creating a little corner of paradise in your yard.

Last Saturday, Dan Pearson in speaking on his new book, Spirit Garden Inspiration, lead the audience through a visual meditation of the influences that have formed his experience with garden and landscape design.  The presentation was full of rich imagery, many of which are in his book.  His vision is truly inspirational, I would recommend the book heartily to anyone seeking to deepen their own relationship with their personal earth history.

The gathering of professionals from many different disciplines, all combine their talents to create four brainstorms that left there mark at the Department of Natural Resources.  The theme was to create models for sustainable landscaping that could enhance the department’s property as well as provide an educational model for the public.  This all volunteer crew really did a great job.  Here’s the video:  Spirited Clips #2

Check out the You Tube Spirited Clip #1 - Is your yard for the birds?  The Spirited Gardener, Inc., brings the viewer the insights of Douglas Tallamy, Ph. D. and author of Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens.  He made his presentation at the 21st Anniversary Celebration of Pizzo and Associates, Ltd.  We’ll be posting more insights from that event in the near future.