Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners is a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes a love of sustainable gardening and the natural world through education and volunteerism. This club is open to all persons interested in gardening. 

HISTORY OF BATAVIA PLAIN DIRT GARDENERS

In 1991, a group of volunteers began the transformation of a wild thicket of buckthorn and invasive species along the Batavia Riverwalk into what is now The Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary. These sanctuary gardeners formed Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners, an organization dedicated to supporting The Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary and other projects while cultivating the love of gardening among experienced as well as novice gardeners.
The club sponsors monthly educational programs as well as fundraising activities for The Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary, a local college scholarship and other special projects. The club’s plant sale is held every year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day and features native and other perennials, ferns, shrubs, and trees.

Garden Walks are held every two years. Past projects have included purchasing and seasonally planting the interactive sculpture “Kaleidoscope” which is located in the Batavia city plaza, and maintaining the planters near the Peace Bridge in downtown Batavia.

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners meet on the third Tuesday of each month (except July and August). Meetings are held at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. (SE corner of Rt. 31 and Wilson St.) or other Batavia sites as announced. Guests and new members are always welcome.

MEMBERSHIP 

We would love for you to join us!

Members receive e-newsletters highlighting club activities and local events, provide input into activities and special projects sponsored by the club, receive invitations to summer garden open houses and serve in leadership roles.  Members are encouraged to be as involved in the club activities as they choose to be. 

COST TO JOIN 

$15 Individual 

$20 Family 

MEETINGS 

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners meet on the third Tuesday of each month September through June. Meetings are typically held at the Batavia Public Library 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia, IL 60510. Check out our upcoming events for more information!

TRIPS AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES 

Our club sponsors trips to public and private gardens, horticultural commercial sites and other garden-related activities. There are summertime garden visits where club members open their personal gardens for others to visit!

The club also sponsors activities to raise funds for the Wildflower Sanctuary, scholarships at local colleges and other special projects.

PLANT SALES

We host an annual plant sale on the Saturday before Mother’s Day from 9:00AM-12:00PM at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln Street, Batavia, IL 60510. This sale offers thousands of perennials, native plants, annuals and herbs. Most plants are donated from members gardens.

GARDEN WALK

Every two years the garden club holds a garden walk featuring many beautiful gardens in Batavia and surrounding areas.