Opening Day of Homewood Farmers Market Features Local Gardening Experts

The opening day of the Homewood Farmers Market May 24 will herald the start of the gardening season, and local experts in gardening, landscape design, and sustainable building will be on hand to answer your questions. Maybe you're thinking of adding trees to your property, or you're wondering about native plants, or you're curious about how to install a rooftop garden -- or maybe you just need some help getting it all done. Now's your opportunity to consult with the experts!

Village of Homewood Tree Committee

The Homewood Tree Committee is dedicated to providing educational outreach to Homewood residents, establishing award-winning programs, expanding and reinforcing reforestation, helping develop viable resource management tools, and making recommendations on urban forest issues affecting the village. In 2013, the Homewood Tree Committee won the International Society of Arboriculture Gold Leaf Award and the University of Illinois Extension Teamwork Award for their popular seminar series, Green Thumb Saturdays. Learn about the Village of Homewood's Annual TreeShare Program and how to care for the trees on your property.

Lake Street Supply

Owned by Homewood resident Mark Moxley, this Chicago-based business is a leader in selecting and promoting environmentally sustainable systems and components to urban projects. Lake Street's core interests include safe soils, urban farming, hydroponics/aquaponics, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, and permeable pavement.

Prairie Godmothers

Prairie Godmothers, founded by Flossmoor resident Jackie Riffice, is a team of master gardeners and artisans that provide earth-friendly products and simple ideas that help us reconnect with nature, inspire creativity, and celebrate the art of the garden. They're on the forefront of the sustainability movement and give you easy ways to protect the planet right in your own home. Gardening services range from consultations to garden makeovers to expert maintenance, and products include bird houses, garden ornaments, seasonal herb baskets and more.

Sauk Trail Rose Society

The Sauk Trail Rose Society, established in 1973, is a non-profit group affiliated with the American Rose Society. The Society promotes the growing of roses through educational programs with qualified speakers and consulting rosarians. The Society is a source of high-quality rose bushes for its members and hosts an annual rose show open to the public every September. Monthly meetings are held at the Irwin Center in Homewood.

South Suburban Garden Girl

Flossmoor resident Linda Tyson operates this full-service garden design, coaching, consultation, and maintenance company, which has served the south suburbs since 2007. South Suburban Garden Girl does ornamental and vegetable beds, borders, container gardens, and greenhouses in residential and business settings, and helps homeowners and sellers enhance the curb appeal of their properties. South Suburban Garden Girl specializes in sustainable, environmentally-friendly, organic methods, native plantings, and pollinator- and wildlife-friendly gardens.

Stay tuned for more specifics on each of these vendors!