4 mai 2021 mardi

56 degrees F, light rain

11 mph, NNW wind

Gardens of the Illinois Country are progressing in fits and starts as daytime temperatures swing from sunny 80s to rainy 50s and back again. Overall the recent warmer days are winning the battle for more seasonal temperatures. The Fort garden is beginning to reflect the effects of these warmer temperatures as seeds, previously sown in the raised beds of the potager, continue breaking through the soil’s surface and this new garden life is thriving. And now is the time to begin to plant those annuals and perennials that have been just waiting on the sidelines for these warming temperatures.

The last two years have been challenging ones in the jardin due to the Fort site closures. In 2019, area flooding issues closed roads and 2020 saw limited site accessibility due to the challenges of COVID-19 mitigation efforts and restrictions. The Annual Fort de Chartres Heirloom Seed Swap was cancelled due to these closures over the past three years and there have been none of the usual Fort annual special events, leaving no opportunities to share heirloom seeds and plants as this garden project has in the past. With good news spreading across the region as outside restrictions are easing and the jardin potager now sees visitors daily. Unfortunately there have still been no new opportunities on site to share the garden’s seed and plant bounty.

So it is with joy that we announce a local heritage plant sale collaboration between the Fort de Chartres Heritage Garden Project and the Illinois Country Harvest Farm and Gardens, located north on Rte 155 on the far side of Prairie du Rocher. Farm co-owner Jennifer Duensing and I will offer two outdoor plant sales May 15 & May 22, the first sale will be held at Jennifer & Jason’s farm, 9 a.m-noon, and the second sale will be held at Kandye Mahurin’s Sassafras Creek Originals, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in Ste. Genevieve, MO-just across the river. Plant sale details can be located on the sale flyer pictured on this post and a list of plants can be found on this Heritage Plant Sale List.* Generally these heirloom plants are in 3″ pots and can be purchased for a price of $4, with a few very limited supply heirlooms available at special individual pricing.**

Please join us as we celebrate heirloom gardening and spring as we share our heritage garden and farm plants with you to enjoy in your own gardens. See you soon-à bientôt!

* This list will be updated between sale dates.

** All proceeds from La Jardiniere’s Heirlooms portion of the plant sales support the Fort de Chartres Heritage Garden Project.