I really think that it's happening. I know that I've said it before, but this time I mean it. The lawn is greening up, birds are chirping, and children are playing outside-so although it's running a little late, and there have been some hits and misses along the way, it seems that spring is actually here!

And with April showers bringing May flowers, the Brookfield Garden Club is ready.

"It's a good time to get the lawn in shape as grass grows well in cool, wet weather," says Nancy Kranz, the club's president.

"Cooler weather is also best for planting trees, shrubs and perennials. Pruning should be just about finished, and it's time to start fertilizing roses."

To keep up on what should be done and when, Kranz also suggests subscribing to the club's free newsletter (at the club's website www.bgc.terracycle.net), which features a "Timely Reminders" section. The newsletter, edited by Jerry LeBeda, former club president, also contains club news, gardening tips and other articles of interest.

The club is now in its third year, having been founded in April 2005. Although its mission statement hasn't been outlined yet, Kranz says the club hopes include enhancing lives and communities through the knowledge of gardening and the shared fellowship.

With 17 members (many of whom have been with the club since its inception), the club meets on the last Saturday of the month from January through October at 9:30 a.m. at the Brookfield village hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.

It is funded by members paying $15 in dues for the year, and non-members paying $5 to hear guest speakers.

"We also hold raffles at our meetings, with prizes donated by members," Kranz says.

As for her own involvement in the club, Kranz (who has been with the club since June 2005) says, "I had wanted to learn more about gardening and to meet more people in and around Brookfield, so when I saw an announcement about the club in the Landmark calendar, I joined the group."

She adds that the club holds fun meetings, goes on field trips and has heard speakers on informative topics, such as native plants, seed starting and rain barrels.

"Last month we visited the Garfield Park Conservatory and City Escape Garden Center, and in May we will visit Camp Sagawau near Lemont for a guided wildflower walk. In July and August we will go on member garden walks."

The club also has worked with the Brookfield Beautification Committee on landscaping projects at the Broadway Fire Station and the Ehlert Park field house, and has done bulb planting in public areas around the village.

And Kranz adds that everyone is able to participate in the club.

"There is a wide range of ages and gardening abilities in the club, and we encourage everyone to come to at least one meeting to see what we're about," she says, adding that the club has had discussions on organic gardening, conservation and landscaping-and that members can count on basic gardening questions being answered through some facet of the club.

"We're a very friendly, inclusive group, and some of our members reside outside of Brookfield. We welcome everyone who has an interest in gardening, regardless of ability," Franz says.

Plant sale coming in Riverside

Riverside's Garden Club is also in full swing, with its purpose being to "stimulate interest in home gardens and related art, and also to encourage beauty in the community." The club will have its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the train station in downtown Riverside. It will feature a "lovely selection of perennials and annuals," according to the Riverside Community website (www.riverside-illinois.com). Plant baskets will be available for Mother's Day gifts, and a raffle will also be held.

And the Brookfield Beautification Committee is planning a Brookfield Garden Contest, with photos and entry forms due at the village hall by July 20 and judging to be conducted the first week in August. More details should follow at the village website (www.villageofbrookfield.com).

Have you got any ideas for a future column idea? Please contact me at lindazid@yahoo.com. I'll look forward to hearing from you.