Ginkgo Organic Gardens

12/19/2024

We love good news! The Scientific Breakthrough of the Year is a twice-yearly injection to prevent the spread of HIV. This is such an amazing victory and it is a testament to the decades-long global movement of AIDS activists who have struggled for treatment options and eventually a cure to be available for all. We are proud to provide healthy fresh organic produce to the Vital Bridges pantry which serves Chicagoans living with HIV. We honor those who died before treatments became available.

That's the title that Science magazine is bestowing upon the medication called lenacapavir — a twice yearly injectable that prevents infection by the HIV virus.

12/12/2024

We met Jana Kinsman when she had recently started her Bike A Bee project and was looking for garden sites. So exciting to read about how far she's come in the last ten years!

Congratulations to Jana Kinsman, beekeeper, illustrator, entrepreneur, and beloved business-owner at The Plant, for being featured in the Chicago Reader’s 2024 The People Issue!

Jana has spent over a decade cultivating nearly 100 beehives across Chicago, enriching neighborhoods with hyper-local honey, and inspiring others to embrace urban sustainability.

You can read Jana’s full interview with the Chicago Reader at the link below, and find Bike a Bee’s delicious honey at the Turtle Stop.

https://chicagoreader.com/city-life/jana-kinsman/

12/09/2024

Free backyard compost bins! Please don't put your unwanted yard waste in a landfill.

Check out the City’s Backyard Composting Bin Giveaway for residents living in homes with four units or less. Up to 20 bins per ward are initially available and eligible residents may request a free compost bin at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicago-recycles/home/backyard-composting.html

Hurry while supplies last!

12/06/2024

OMG and CARROTS TOO!! This makes us very sad rabbits. Be very careful and do not eat these carrots raw if you are susceptible- E. coli can make young children and immunocompromised folks very sick.

https://www.eatingwell.com/broccoli-carrots-recalled-e-coli-outbreak-8753938

Cucumbers recalled in at least 26 states and five Canadian provinces due to possible Salmonella contamination. Here's what to know.

12/06/2024

We love cucumbers and are terribly sad to learn about this massive recall due to Salmonella contamination. Please be safe and throw away any whole or sliced cucumbers that match this description!
And- to be safest of all- volunteer with us next summer to learn how to grow your own pesticide-free uncontaminated veggies!

Cucumbers recalled in at least 26 states and five Canadian provinces due to possible Salmonella contamination. Here's what to know.

12/03/2024

This Giving Tuesday please contribute to our annual fundraiser- we are celebrating 30 years growing and giving away hundreds of pounds of food while building community and stewarding the environment. We couldn’t do it without all of you!! And money to buy seeds and tools. Please donate. Thanks!

Ginkgo Organic Gardens is a unique community garden in Chicago’s Buena Pa… Zareen Hansotia needs your support for Help Grow Healthy Food for Neighbors in Need

12/03/2024

It's a little late but we found these Thanksgiving stats to be impressive! Who knew Illinois is the top pumpkin growing state?

It's Thanksgiving Trivia Time! Which state produces the most turkeys, pumpkins or cranberries? Read all about it in our Thanksgiving infographic:

11/27/2024

We're so thankful to our volunteers! This Saturday was our final harvest/ clean-up of 2024. Check out the surprise harvest of cauliflower and potatoes that some lucky volunteers were able to take home. We will stop by a few more times in the next few months to see what else keeps growing!

11/10/2024

Much thanks to all of our volunteers who were doing Active Rest today by spreading this fragrant pine mulch. We do hope that rodents and weeds will hate the smell and not join us in the future.

11/01/2024

Thank you! We had so much fun, saw lots of great costumes and of course ate a ton of candy!

11/01/2024

Happy Heirloom Halloween & Samhain!
Now in the darkening of the year, the veil between the worlds wears thin.
And those who've gone ahead, draw near, like a harvest gathered in.
May we feel their whispered presence like the air beneath their wings.
As gardeners, we know that seasons and cycles can be our allies. It's no coincidence that the Day of the Dead, Samhain, All Hallows' Eve, Halloween, and All Souls Day all create autumn ritual around honoring that which has passed. Across cultures and generations, the fall of the leaf heralds in a time of letting go, a season of reflection, a process of going back to the root, and a bittersweet holiday for remembering the gifts of our deceased mentors and ancestors. Perhaps even a season to renew and rekindle our own fires.
Who do you remember for sharing wisdom, strength, skills or kindness along your life journey?

10/31/2024

See you tonight!!

🌙 "Where shadows come to life and Halloween magic reigns on Kenmore Ave! 🌌
October 31st from 6-8 PM. Kenmore Ave will be closed for the ultimate Halloween experience. Get ready to explore the spookiest and most creative Halloween displays! Wander through and see which house will reign supreme in our Scariest House and Best Overall House contests. Join us for a memorable Halloween adventure!

10/31/2024

As always we honor the farm workers who make sure we all can buy our favorite fall vegetables- look at these many types of pumpkin!

Tomorrow is . Do you have your pumpkin yet? Send a thank you to the farm workers who labored to grow and harvest them.

Mañana es Halloween. ¿Ya tienes tu calabaza? Enviemos un agradecimiento a los campesinos que trabajaron para cultivarlas y cosecharlas.

10/31/2024

Our favorite time of year! See you tomorrow Buena Park Neighbors!

🌙 "Where shadows come to life and Halloween magic reigns on Kenmore Ave! 🌌
October 31st from 6-8 PM. Kenmore Ave will be closed for the ultimate Halloween experience. Get ready to explore the spookiest and most creative Halloween displays! Wander through and see which house will reign supreme in our Scariest House and Best Overall House contests. Join us for a memorable Halloween adventure!

10/26/2024

An honor nobody wanted!! 10 years in a row~
It's no wonder rats are our biggest "pet" peeve here at Ginkgo!