Craig MacLean, co-owner, The Pure Gardener, Geneva.

Deborah Laniosz, owner, Thistle Stop Garden Shop, Yorkville.

“We’re trying to make beneficial insects more accessible so we sell them in season—nematodes to go after grubs in the soil, live ladybugs for aphids, and praying mantis egg sacs. We sell worms for indoor composting and mason bee nests to encourage pollinators. We’re also huge on heirloom vegetables.”

"We hold workshops to show young gardeners how to turn water bottles into cool bird feeders. We’re partnering with the Kendall County Univ. of Illinois Extension to promote square foot gardening and sell everything you need for a raised 4 x 4 foot raised bed. Rain barrels are always in stock, and we sell organic fertilizer, manure, insecticidal soap and native plants. "

Mike Davison, Greenhouse/Nursery Manager, Platt Hill Nursery, Bloomingdale

"This spring we began offering a plant pot recycling program in which we are accepting from our customers any pot from any company with the Resin Index Code (R.I.C.) numbers of 2, 5 and 6. We do ask that you clean the pots before returning them. We are stocking a selection of organic pesticides and fertilizers. We have also added rain barrels, EarthBoxes® and composters."