The Organic Gardener History

After graduating from New Trier High School in 1986, Jeanne, a Winnetka native, headed west to find herself. In a small health food store in Flagstaff, Arizona she saw food labeled “organic,” for the first time. She asked the staff what “organic” meant, and discovered that everything she’d ever eaten had been grown with chemicals. This epiphany—and the knowledge that there were people working for a sustainable alternative—clarified what was to become her raison d’etre. Jeanne’s mom helped her find an apprenticeship on an organic farm; thus began her organic education.

In 2004, after 17 years of living rurally and gardening organically, Jeanne returned to Winnetka to be close to her family. In order to maintain her sanity while making the transition from rural to suburban life, Jeanne designed and planted a vegetable garden in her parents’ backyard. Friends and family who came to visit raved about the garden and suggested she start a business helping other families do the same.

Around this time, Jeanne met Abby Mandel, food writer and founder of Green City Market. Abby connected Jeanne to the extensive green movement in Chicago, and commissioned her to design, install and tend The Edible Gardens at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Jeanne realized she was in the right place at the right time.

The Organic Gardener, Ltd. began working with families in the spring of 2005. In 2006, TOG expanded to include Jeanne’s husband, Verd Nolan, and their close friend, Kord Staley. Since 2005, TOG has helped hundreds of families grow vegetable gardens in their backyards.