Hi all,

I just joined, and am from a small town south of Chicago.  My husband and I are transplanted Southerners (he's a Floridian, I'm an Alabamian), and we've lived and gardened in Illinois for 8 years.

We have a very small garden (about 15' x 20'), but grow a variety of things, including asparagus, potatoes, amaranth...and a lot more.  Last year we built a cold frame, and were able to grow lettuce and arugula through part of the winter, and kale, cilantro, mache and carrots through the entire winter.  Now we have lettuce, spinach and carrots in the cold frame.

Spent the last couple of days planning next year's garden, inventorying seeds, and poring over seed catalogs (one of my favorite activities).  Will order next year's seeds soon.

I'm looking forward to communicating with other people with small gardens...especially anyone from northeastern Illinois or elsewhere in the Midwest.  Happy New Year, everyone!

 So, I'm not from the midwest (I lived in Ohio 4 years), but I am at a similar latitude, and have a smallish garden that I am steadily expanding.

Welcome to Freedom Gardens!  It is good to see you are having success in growing year `round.  This is my first winter using a raised bed and row cover, and things look good.  I only have mache and pansies right now, but they are holding up nicely.

A couple of weeks ago I planted lettuce, tatsoi and garlic bulbils.  I also think that a number of the turnips and parsnips and carrots I planted in the fall may revive as the weather warms.  It's very much an experimental plot this year.

My plans include more raised beds and more organization for the largest garden area, currently populated with a mix of planted and volunteer herbs and vegetables.  It would be nice to be able to reach the plants I need in late summer for a change.

Peace and good growing!

I grew up in Berwyn/Cicero and my grandparents had a huge garden in Lyons.  I'm now living 300 miles south, in the most southeastern section of the state, not far from where the Ohio and Misssissippi rivers merge.  My grandparents ate out of their garden, it fed them year round.  They grew everything I now grow(eating habits thing) plus raspberries and cabbage.

Hey Mecar - Chicagoland area here also and buried in snow!  I much rather be out gardening ... nice to meet you!  (I think Spring is around the corner)

I agree...we're kind of buried in snow!  It is pretty now, though.  Got out and did some cross-country skiing today.

I'll also be ready for spring when I can garden.  I have a cold frame in my garden now, but haven't checked it in a few days.  I think everything's OK in there, but it's also covered in snow, of course.