Approaching the Soil MELA members Mike Flynn of Growing Power and Bill Scheffler of Pure Prairie Organicstalked about how to get started beneath the surface. Basic soil chemistry, composting and vermicomposting were among the subjects covered as they showed how to literally give your plants a healthy foundation. Seeds and Selections MELA members Mayo Underwood of Underwood Gardens and ulie SiegJel of J. Siegel Designs, Inc. took us through the process of deciding which plants do well in your garden with a minimum of care and chemical crutches. This included tips for starting plants from seed and for buying healthy plants at your local nursery. Earth-Friendly Pest and Disease Control MELA members Jennifer Brennan of Chalet Nursery in Wilmette and Oak Park landscape designer Connie Cunningham of Connie's Organic Garden Care presented earth-friendly solutions to the area's most common insect pests and diseases. They demystifed these low-impact products so that even the beginner gardener will feel comfortable incorporating them into their gardening experience. 
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