Close-up of a small purple flower cluster beginning to bloom among long, green grass-like leaves, with a blurred brown and green background.

April has brought tumultuous weather –  from the sweet taste of Summer to the tannins of a lingering Winter.  All of this drama is part of the beauty of an awakening landscape.  It’s Spring in the Midwest, folks, and there’s lots to celebrate.

Close-up of a vibrant pink coneflower with a spiky orange center in a garden, surrounded by more coneflowers and green foliage, with a blurred background.

It’s no coincidence that we celebrated Earth Day on Monday, April 22nd. It’s a day to celebrate earth and demonstrate our support for her well-being. Earth Day is a great day to honor nature and sustainability while appreciating all her diversity and splendor, and we’ve put together a few, reasonable and meaningful ideas to help you celebrate all year long:

A wooden raised garden bed filled with rows of green leafy plants sits outdoors next to a house with white siding, receiving bright sunlight. An American flag decoration is placed at the corner.

Start a Garden
It doesn’t have to be anything grand or complicated. Consider planting in containers or raised beds. It need not take up much space or require tons of time or money. Basically, plant something – anything. Perhaps you have a favorite flower, vegetable, or herb. Give it a go.  Look to natives, and pollinator friendly plants.  Share/swap plants with friends and neighbors.  It’s eco-friendly and cost effective.

A close-up of various flowers, including a yellow chrysanthemum and bird of paradise, lying on the ground with soil, leaves, and small branches scattered around.

Compost
Start turning garden and select kitchen waste into gardening gold! Start a compost bin or pile.  Some municipalities even offer community composting.  Did you know coffee grounds can be reused in the garden?  Consider adding them to your compost or as a very thin layer of mulch (no more than 1/2″ deep).  Coffee grounds have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

A small evergreen shrub with dense, bright green foliage grows in a sunlit garden, surrounded by tall grass-like plants and lavender flowers, with trees and a building in the background.

Plant a Tree
Trite? Perhaps. Incredibly valuable and symbolic? Yes! Look to native trees and/or shrubs. They provide food and shelter for local wildlife, and so much more.

A website FAQ section asks if bills can be emailed and paid online. The answer confirms online billing and payment are available, saving paper, stamps, and time. Text is highlighted in yellow.

Consider On-Line Billing
Save paper/waste by electing to receive your bills electronically.  It’s also more efficient and saves money and time.  Sweeney’s offers both on-line billing AND payment!

A close-up of a single blue cornflower stands out among many yellow flowers in a sunlit garden, with a blurred green and white background.

Go Native
Consider adding Native plants to your yard/garden. Native plants generally require little to no maintenance, so no supplemental watering or chemicals are needed, and local wildlife are drawn to them.

A deer stands alert on a grassy hill at sunset, with trees and soft pink clouds in the background. A large tree partially frames the right side of the image.

If nothing else, take a stroll through your local woods or park. Pick up trash when possible. Be awed and inspired by earth’s varied beauty and bounty, and as always, reach out to Sweeney’s with your inspirations and aspirations, and we’ll make them a reality!  We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!

Sweeney’s:  A Plant Based Company

Plant of the Week

A cluster of small, white flowers with oval petals grows on a tall green stem, surrounded by lush green leaves in an outdoor setting.

White Wild Indigo

Upright, native perennial produces spikes of pea-shaped, white flowers in early to mid Summer amongst blue-green foliage.  In the Fall, inflated seed pods appear and can remain on the plant through Winter, providing seasonal interest.  Prefers sun to partial sun, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 3-4′ tall and 2-3′ wide.  Attracts butterflies, bees, and other wildlife.

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”
― John Muir

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney