Garden Workshop: Insects in the Garden (July)
- Ellie Mejia
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
On a somewhat overcast Saturday, July 19, we gathered at Overton for another installment in Lucía León's gardening series. This time, we turned our attention to insects: how different species can help or harm our plants, and the simple steps we can take to respond.
Together, we took a walking tour through the different growing areas at Overton, including both the raised planter beds and the lush rain garden. As the group looked closely at the plants, Lucía pointed out different insects that call the garden home.
Certain bugs are helpful to gardeners. Pollinator species like bees and butterflies, for example, help our crops flower and produce fruit. Planting native species that bloom across the seasons, leaving small areas of bare soil, and adding shallow dishes of water can make growing environments more welcoming to them. Attendees got some hands-on practice by helping us clear weeds, leaving some nice open space for our small natural allies.
These measures can also support predator insects, like ladybugs, who take care of pests like aphids. Hand-picking insects and using barriers like row covers — rather than harsh chemical pesticides — can also deter unwanted insects.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn something new and help out in the garden. There is still one more garden workshop coming up in the 2025 season. On Saturday, September 27th, we'll be leading a guided Tree Walk around Overton in collaboration with Morton Arboretum and their Chicago Region Trees Initiative. Together we’ll explore and identify existing tree species on site, while also learning about opportunities for new tree plantings across the Overton campus. RSVP here.
The Overton Exchange POP is brought to you by the City of Chicago’s Public Outdoor Plaza (POP!) program, designed to create strategic community gathering spaces that serve as destination points for residents and neighborhood visitors.
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