Edible Evanston runs a unique public permaculture demonstration in Eggleston Park.
The Eggleston Anniversary Food Forest and Orchard is a diverse planting of perennial edible trees, shrubs and smaller plants— including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs—designed to mimic the natural balance of a forest by utilizing permaculture principles.
The community is welcome to get involved and learn about the group’s permaculture efforts, whether by attending classes, helping to maintain the Food Forest, or even helping plan its future. All events are free; donations are welcome.
A special program, “Permaculture: All About Guilds,” will be offered May 5 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Guilds are the foundation of Food Forest design. Learn about the component plants and the philosophy behind this permaculture-rooted approach. Class takes place in Edible Evanston’s Food Forest, and many of the ideas can be applied to any garden. Register at edibleevanston.org.
Edible Evanston has volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups with monthly work days the third Saturday of every month and can arrange other special volunteer days for groups as needed. For more information, please email foodforestcommittee@edibleevanston.org. A waiver will be required to participate as a volunteer, and the group appreciates if you’d sign up in advance at edibleevanston.org, but registration is not required.
Edible Evanston is a program of Citizens’ Greener Evanston, Evanston’s nonprofit champion of sustainability, addressing climate change and social and environmental issues.
2018 Educational Work-and-Learn Days Schedule
In 2018 these monthly Saturday events start with volunteer work and conclude with a short class or demonstration, sharing of food, stories, song. In general, work starts at 11 am; class starts at approximately 1:15 p.m.:
- Saturday, April 21: Straw bale planting. Grow your garden in bales of straw. Great alternative to containers and soil for paved areas and contaminated plots, or to create a living border.
- Saturday, May 19: Rain garden presentation and demo/planting. Learn how to handle wet areas and grow plants that not only enjoy water but can tolerate periods of drought as well. Hands on work will help us get the plants into these educational rain gardens while you learn. (Note: this program may start earlier than most Saturday events.)
- Saturday, June 16: Raised bed demo. Find out how simple it is to construct your own raised bed from our experienced New Gardeners program leaders.
A special class on Medicinal herbs, teas and tinctures will be held Saturday, June 30, from 2–3:30 p.m.
All events take place at Eggleston Anniversary Food Forest & Orchard, 2100 Hartrey, south of Payne, west of Bridge, north of McCormick, in Evanston.