ġefēr (Noun)
Old English: Group, society
Modern English: Acronym: Gardens for Education, Food, & Environmental Restoration
GEFER is Homes4Monarchs' newest initiative to bring prairie plants and produce to Chicagoland communities
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This year, we made our first GEFER at A.A. Stagg High School, Palos Hills, IL
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Read below to learn about GEFER and how YOUR community can create one!
WHAT IS GEFER?
GEFER is a greenspace and a gardening style, a classroom and a pollinator refuge, a place where native plants, annuals, and vegetables can be grown together.
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It is Homes4Monarchs' initiative to help convert sections of sterile grass lawns and underused flower beds into low-maintenance, pollinator gardens for schools, libraries, places of worship, and community centers in cities and suburbs across the Tri-State Chicagoland Area.
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If you/your community is interested in creating a GEFER with Homes4Monarchs, click the button below to email Peter.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The GEFER approach and implementation are designed to be as simple and low-maintenance as possible to accommodate both first-time gardeners and experienced horticulturists.
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It all starts with the soil. Soil host trillions of microorganisms that interact with plants and animals to decompose organic material, capture carbon, and retain moisture. It is the building block of all land ecosystems. Unfortunately, modern agriculture/gardening has sterilized or entirely removed this soil ecosystem with deadly pesticides, fertilizers, and other types of chemicals. The results: loose, lifeless soil that cannot hold water and is easily blown away (think the Dust Bowl).
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When converting grass lawns into GEFERs, our initiative does not use harmful chemicals. Instead, we kill the existing grass with a simple "smother and grow" technique already perfected in every environment on Earth.
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1. Clear out the area of any debris/large weeds or grasses
2. Place several sheets of cardboard/newspaper over the grass. Water this layer thoroughly so it does not blow away.
3. Place several layers of soil and compost (8-12 in. thick) on top of the newspaper/cardboard layer.
4. Sow an annual "cover crop" like oats or wheat in the soil. Water the area thoroughly.
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This approach accomplishes two goals at once First, the layers of newspaper/cardboard kill weeds and prevent their seeds from reaching the surface. Second, the cover crop crowds out any new weeds and creates a root matrix and organic matter in the soil that later plants can use to grow. These approaches are constantly used by Chicagoland ecosystems, most famously the woodlands (fallen leaves smother undergrowth and return nutrients to the soil), and the tallgrass prairie (root matrices better absorb nutrients/water and open pores for water to better percolate through.)
After performing these steps, we can easily plant native-plant / annual seeds or plugs in the without having to worry about weeds poking through.
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By the time the weeds have a chance to take over, the prairie plants will already be established, and the weeds will be unable to penetrate the soil!
SUPPLIES/TIMELINE
Below is a comprehensive list of all the supplies needed to create one GEFER
TOTAL COST FOR 1 GEFER: Approx $500-600
Topsoil
Mulch or gravel for pathway
Watering/irrigation
Mowing
Native Plant Seed Mix: https://www.prairiemoon.com/pollinator-palooza-prairie-seed
-mix-prairie-moon-nursery.html
https://www.prairiemoon.com/shortgrass-prairie-seed-mix-
for-medium-dry-soils-prairie-moon-nursery.html
Oat Cover Crop:
https://www.prairiemoon.com/avena-sativa-oats-cover-crop-prairie-moon-nursery.html
Cardboard/Newspaper
(I might be able to get for free from stores/libraries throwing away used newspapers/cardboard packaging)
Bamboo Sticks
Twine
Bird Bath (optional)
Small solar pump (optional)
Annual Flower Seeds that are easily established from seed (like Zinnias)
Annual Vegetable Seeds (Beans, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Peppers)
Big Bag Beds (BBBs): https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pots-12100-Fabric-Raised/dp/B007BVKDZI
(Raised Gardens Beds that Homes4Monarchs might be able to get for free/discounted from the U of I Extension)
Binders and papers with GEFER information/curriculum
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Below is a tentative timeline for how GEFER will be implemented in communities all across Chicagoland:
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FALL/WINTER 2019:
1. Work with contacts to identify public spaces throughout Chicagoland that are good candidates for GEFERs
2. Locate community organizations in that area that would work with us to find volunteers to help build the GEFER, maintain the GEFER long-term, and spread awareness to the community about why this GEFER is important.
SPRING 2020:
1. Mow down the existing grass/weeds very low
2. Leave the grass/weeds clippings on the ground
3. Cover the mowed grass/weeds with several layers of cardboard and/or newspaper
4. Place several layers of compost and soil on top of the cardboard.
5. Sow the cover crop (such as oats), native plant seed mix, and annual flower seeds immediately after placing soil; rake the seeds into the soil and water thoroughly
b. The cover crop prevents erosion and reduces weeds
a. The annual flowers increase the aesthetics of the GEFER in its first year while the native flowers are still growing
6. Fill BBBs with soil and compost
7. Create trellises in the BBBs from bamboo sticks and twine
8. Sow vegetable seeds in the BBBs and water thoroughly
9. Add solar fountains and other decorations
10. Once the native plants/oats are 8-10 inches tall, mow the plants down to 4-5 inches. This prevents weeds from seeding and encourages flower growth
11. Water the cover crop, native plant seeds, vegetables, and annual flowers a little every day of the summer (especially in July/August). Do not water if it already raining
a. Consistent watering is critical to allow seeds to germinate and develop root systems
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
1. Sow another batch of cover crop and vegetables (do NOT sow annual flowers this time)
2. Water the cover crop, native plant seeds, and vegetables during dry periods
a. When watering, do one deep watering once or twice a week instead of small waterings everyday. This stimulates root development downwards, making plants drought-resistant.
2022-ONWARD
1. Keep sowing cover crop every year until the native plants are established and area is fully covered with native plants
a. This usually takes 4-5 years
2. Mow down the thatch (dead leaves/stems) from the prairie in early spring (mid-February to April) every year.
3. Rake the chopped thatch and dispose of it
a. This gives native plants an easier time to grow, inhibits cool-season weed growth, and eliminates the risk of fire.
4. Do NOT use pesticides EVER!