Spearheaded by Ned Read of the Carmen-Winona Garden Club, a native plant garden was successfully planted in Margate Park this summer. The idea developed after the Chicago Park District relocated a playlot from an area in Margate Park near Marine Drive and Carmen Avenue. The CWGC wanted to convert the former playlot grounds into a gathering place for older residents. The club began a letter-writing campaign to Alderman Mary Ann Smith. The Alderman was in favor of the garden and took further action by discussing the proposal with Mayor Daley. Before long the Park District granted CWGC 1,000 square feet. Although this is not a large plot of land, the hope is that additional space will be allocated in light of a successful initial planting.

Over the winter, wood chips and mulch were placed over the land to prevent the growth of weeds, and plans were developed for the garden’s design. In association with Pam Holy, an experienced Naturalist, the GWGC developed a plant wish list which consisted exclusively of Illinois native plants. Flowers native to prairie land are ideal for this location because of their practicality and beauty. Native plants in general are hardier than non-natives.; they grow deeper roots and tolerate bad soil while maintaining their subtle beauty. Once the list was developed, Liz O’Callaghan, the Operations Manager of the Chicago Park District – Department of Natural Resources, worked valiantly to marshal the requested plants for the garden. Although not everything on the wish list was obtained, the Garden Club was given a large number of plants. In addition, Mr. Read purchased a few supplemental plants through a Green Net grant he was awarded for $500.

The driving concept of the garden was to be a showcase of native plants but designed in the style of a more traditional garden. Many naturalists aspire to recreate a realistic-looking prairie though it may appear disorganized. In order to appeal to a wider public, the Margate Park Native Garden was designed to conform to the public’s perception of a “garden.” The smaller plants were placed in the foreground, while the taller ones were placed in the middle. The border consists of Prairie Dropseed, a long thin grass that bends over when it grows tall, causing a spherical appearance. Through the middle is a curve of Purple Coneflowers interspersed with two kinds of Blazing Stars. Between the border and the middle curve are various clusters of flowering plants and grasses.

The main task subsequent to planting the new garden is regular watering. Watering the garden is a three-hour task which was initially done everyday and now occurs every other day. Straw and woodchips were placed around the plants to keep weeds down and lock in moisture; eventually these will decompose to make the soil richer.

Soon, the 48th Ward office will release a catalog in an effort to promote the use of native plants. The hardy native plants are drought resistant, often allowing native plant gardens to require less maintenance than traditional lawns. Native plants can also be useful in stormwater management which has become particularly relevant because of this summer’s torrential rain. Rain Gardens are a suggested way to prevent flooding and water damage to homes. They utilize the beauty of native plants to please the eye and the deep roots to please the homeowner. Rain Gardens create a wall of roots which prevents stormwater from getting into the sewer system and homes; thereby limiting contamination of the water supply as well as water damage to homes.

If you are interested in beginning your own native garden, Mr. Read offers the following reading material. Native Plants: In the Home Garden by Keith Gerard Nowakowski supplies the reader with ample information on beginning a native garden as well as providing a wide range of plants to consider. Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and James A. Duke discusses the practical and historical uses of various native plants. Mr. Read’s key suggestion to the beginner is that learning within a group can be very beneficial. As a member of the CWGC, Read believes, “joining a gardening club can give a gardener easy access to a wide range of knowledge as well as become a meaningful experience.”