GRUBA-MCALLISTER YARD
315 Root Street
When we moved here, the only native plants were Sundrops, Common Cinquefoil, Orange Coneflower, and Yellow Sorrel. Over 30 years ago, we started planting natives. Back then, few nurseries carried them, so when we found a native for sale, we snapped it up. But also, many originated from Park Ridge itself. I’d walk down alleys, or by the tracks, and collect seeds. I (Sandy) still remember where many were harvested: Nodding Onion, Canada Rye & Milkweed by the railroad tracks, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod from an alley behind Prospect, Brown-eyed Susans and several asters from an alley just north of Uptown, etc. I dug two plants— Pussytoes, Snowberries—from a house being torn down. I’m very fortunate to have been able to collect from these remnants of what once was a prairie, since most of these locations no longer contain such survivors.
By 2011, this lot grew over 100 species of natives, many of which I potted. On a whim, I put some out with garage sale items. The next year, I had over 1,000 potted plants to sell, at 3 garage sales a year. It was so satisfying, doing something I loved, while encouraging people to grow natives. Also, the money it provided helped support my plant buying habit!
Regretfully, I had to discontinue the sales in 2018 due to health issues. Then, to my surprise, the isolation of Covid pushed my son into exploring the forest preserves, and awakened a zeal for natives in him. He first grew in his apartment and a nearby alley. Later, he bought a house in Des Plaines, and filled his front and back yards with natives. He sells them at garage sales, and throughout the year by fulfilling orders for pick up and delivery. Now, I get the fun of talking about natives at his sales, without the responsibility of running everything--- a perfect arrangement for me!
Sandy & Frank Gruba-McCallister
Note: In addition to native plants, a very large vegetable garden occupies the back yard along with a compost pile and small prairie along the back fence.
When we moved here, the only native plants were Sundrops, Common Cinquefoil, Orange Coneflower, and Yellow Sorrel. Over 30 years ago, we started planting natives. Back then, few nurseries carried them, so when we found a native for sale, we snapped it up. But also, many originated from Park Ridge itself. I’d walk down alleys, or by the tracks, and collect seeds. I (Sandy) still remember where many were harvested: Nodding Onion, Canada Rye & Milkweed by the railroad tracks, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod from an alley behind Prospect, Brown-eyed Susans and several asters from an alley just north of Uptown, etc. I dug two plants— Pussytoes, Snowberries—from a house being torn down. I’m very fortunate to have been able to collect from these remnants of what once was a prairie, since most of these locations no longer contain such survivors.
By 2011, this lot grew over 100 species of natives, many of which I potted. On a whim, I put some out with garage sale items. The next year, I had over 1,000 potted plants to sell, at 3 garage sales a year. It was so satisfying, doing something I loved, while encouraging people to grow natives. Also, the money it provided helped support my plant buying habit!
Regretfully, I had to discontinue the sales in 2018 due to health issues. Then, to my surprise, the isolation of Covid pushed my son into exploring the forest preserves, and awakened a zeal for natives in him. He first grew in his apartment and a nearby alley. Later, he bought a house in Des Plaines, and filled his front and back yards with natives. He sells them at garage sales, and throughout the year by fulfilling orders for pick up and delivery. Now, I get the fun of talking about natives at his sales, without the responsibility of running everything--- a perfect arrangement for me!
Sandy & Frank Gruba-McCallister
Note: In addition to native plants, a very large vegetable garden occupies the back yard along with a compost pile and small prairie along the back fence.
