Join us on Earth Day 2012!

Join us April 21st 11am- 3pm for Earth Day 2012! We will be at Peck Farm Park in Geneva, IL. Let us help you grow your own food! Come see our raised bed gardens! Grow your own mushrooms! and More!

"To Go Garden"

A tiny Garden that can be taken with you when ever a little nature is needed :-)

Live moss that just needs a little spritzing now and again.

Grow Your Own Groceries!

We've collected used tomato sauce cans from businesses in downtown Geneva and up-cycled them into pots for tomato plants, herbs, and peppers. We use our secret organic soil recipe to ensure healthy plants. We love the way they turned out!

JUST IN! Barn Wood Raised Beds and Table Gardens!

Local reclaimed barn wood window boxes with liners

Raised Bed Tables made from local reclaimed barn wood. Perfect for keeping rabbits out and allowing easy access. Benches are also made from barn wood.

 This is a smaller raised bed table. Great for fairy gardening or for the children learning how to grow their own vegetables.

JUST IN: Locally made up-cycled raised beds, table gardens, and window boxes made from reclaimed barn wood. They are excellent! 

The PURE Gardener, Inc.: My New Ottoman

It has been two years and two VERY Hard Winters and my ottoman is still going strong!! And I must admit that I barely water or take care of it, it is "hovering" above the ground on casters so it is not protected in the ground. Here is a post from 2008 when I first planted it...

 The PURE Gardener, Inc.: My New Ottoman

It is dormant now but I just peeked at it yesterday -during the snow- and I can tell that it will be coming out of hibernation as soon as it warms up. Watch for new photos soon!
~Annette

Build Your Own Greenhouse Out Of Old Windows

This is an excellent instructional on how to
build a greenhouse out of old windows. I have been collecting windows that I pick up on the curb in anticipation!
Annette

Truck Farm- City Farming at its Best!

Brought to you by the same two guys (Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis) that brought you "Corn King." I think that this is by far the most creative idea for city farming that I have seen yet. I can't wait until the film, "Truck Farm" is released.

Annette




Stay updated on the Truck Farm's progress by visiting this website. I hear that
they are busy converting their truck bed into a greenhouse :-)

Kitchen Composting & Worm Castings Now available in our online store

Worm Castings 1lb bags- perfect for house plants! $1.99 each

Kitchen Composter

$ 19.99 USD This high quality compost caddy is sturdy, yet lightweight and has a tight fitting lid. Caddy features an activated charcoal filter in the lid to neutralize odors. Filters last up to four months. Made in England. 8.5"L x 6.5"W x 14"H. 1.5 lbs recycled plastic To purchase go to ThePUREGardener.com

Reusable Bags

Craig and I purchased these grocery bags from www.reusablebags.com in Chicago and are quite happy with them. They hold heavy loads and are the same size a a paper grocery bag. They also keep perishables colder longer. The specks are below:

ACME Bags™ - Recycled PET EarthTote™

Same footprint as a paper grocery bag Stands up on its own for easy packing Folds up just like a paper bag Made from recycled plastic containers Can save 1000's of throwaway bags over its lifetime 50% post-consumer recycled content Fabric is soft & strong Made with fair wages / fair labor Available in deep sage, black and limited edition paper bag brown

You can save $$$ like we did by purchasing this set. We recommend them.

Geneva Film Festival & Geneva Green Market Garbage Movie

A good Sized Audience

We just returned from watching the Garbage Movie presented by the Geneva Green Market and the Geneva Film Festival. It was shown outside at River Park along the Fox River in downtown Geneva, Il.- a few blocks from our house. The seating was stadium style and the seats were large river stones and lawn chairs. Very nice, cool night. The movie was humorous, I would recommend it. However, I was unaware of the stripping of the mountains in West Virginia. Quite alarming.

Karen Stark- Founder of Geneva Green Market-
serving free coffee

The Screen

Garrison & Jess

Candle Light Dinner

Connie (Inglenook Pantry) & Karen's daughter selling cookies, apple cobbler, & rootbeer floats

Craig & Me waiting for the film to begin.

Veggie Oil, WVO, Biodiesel, E85, Electric!?!? The Saga!

Our Personal Saga- Trying to Drive Green~~~

A few years back, Craig and I purchased a 1983 Mercedes Benz Diesel that was converted into a veggie fuel car and proudly named her Maizey. She was a great deal of fun and ran like a tank! Her exhaust smelled like corn oil and we just loved her. However, it was hard to fit 5 people and 4 dogs when we went on road trips. We ran her on pure veggie oil and were in the process of securing WVO from a local Chinese restaurant. Then someone plowed into the side of Maizey when my son, Garrison, was driving her. Totaling her but saving Garrison, thank God!

So, back in our old suburban we were. Then, on August 5th, Craig slid off to the side of the road trying to avoid a deer. He totaled the truck but thank God he was alright!So, then we were left with no vehicle!. We have too many people and animals to transport in a small hybrid, electric, veggie car and large diesel's are still way over priced. So we opted for another suburban. However, this is a 2002 flex fuel that runs on E85. We are aware of all of the conflict associated with Bio fuels . We are happy to have purchased a used car. Ethel, as we have affectionately name her, is running well and running clean. There are several E85 gas stations around Geneva and we are willing to go out of our way to fuel up. We are still on the look out for a "green" work truck that is affordable.

Here is a link to an excellent movie, Freedom Fuels, which takes an in-depth look at renewable fuel sources, such as bio-diesel, ethanol and vegetable oil. It explores the interaction of the petroleum industry and alternative fuels over the last 150 years, and examines the global impact that bio-fuels can have on our future.

Garbage! The Revolution Starts At Home

See This Film on Sept.6, 2008
in Geneva, IL.

What: a free screening of “Garbage: The Revolution Starts at Home”
When: 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: River Park, 75 N. River Lane, Geneva
( just north of Riverside Receptions )
Bring: blankets, flashlights and chairs
Food: Locally made root beer floats, apple cobbler, or three large cookies
will be available for purchase for $5*
Brought to you by: Geneva Film Festival & Geneva Green Market, NFP
Rain location: Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St.

This is Roman by artist Cherry Joy

Recycled/ Repurposed Art

This is Roman. He is 4 years old and wants to be a Jazz King when he grows up. He sleeps with his crown on. He thinks that Sebastian talks too much!

Wash Tub Recycling Bin Holders

We use this double washtub holder as a recycling bin holder. It is right outside our kitchen door and works quite nicely for us!

Flower Guardian

This rusty fence piece acts as a gate stopper. It keeps my gate from swinging too far open and wiping out my flowers. Pretty and functional.

My New Ottoman

I needed an ottoman for my hen rocking chair and wanted to come up with something that was re purposed and comfy. I decided to use one of my old wash tubs. I planted it with Irish Moss Stepables. Craig added coasters and drainage holes. Give it a week or two and the moss should fill in quite nicely. What a wonderful way to enjoy my morning coffee or put my feet up after a long day of gardening! To rock in a fabulous rocker, listen to the birds sing and nestle my feet into a live, green carpet- perfect!
Irish Moss Stepables

Hazel By Artist Cherry Joy

Hazel & her lady bug purse. She likes red shoes & smorgasbords.

Honeysuckle

My honeysuckle, growing up the pole of my birdhouse with the help of some old bed springs.

Marigolds

I love marigolds. They remind me of my childhood and taste great pickled or fresh in salads. This old wash tub is home to some of the marigolds in my backyard.