Arts & Entertainment
Chicago Bungalow Garden Contest Winners Work Wonders in Small Spaces — From a Backyard Oasis to a Pollinator Haven
Chicago’s bungalows may be modest in size, but that doesn’t keep their owners from having grand ambitions when it comes to gardening.
The winners in this year’s Chicago Bungalow Association annual garden contest all have imagination to spare.
Best Curb Appeal
Winner: Heather and Johnny Costello, Norwood Park
The Costellos’ “no-mow” front lawn alternative is an attention-grabber. (Courtesy Chicago Bungalow Association)
The couple moved in six years ago and ripped out the front lawn in fall 2023.
They replaced it with a no-mow alternative: perennials transplanted from the backyard, creating a “patchwork quilt” of ground cover.
“We love not having to mow up front and that it takes care of itself,” Heather Costello said. “We see lots of pollinators visiting when everything’s in bloom and it gives us a little bit of interest in the winter as well.”
Best Backyard Oasis
Winner: Josephine Christopher, Dunning
Josephine Christopher has incorporated a pond and a greenhouse into her Dunning backyard. (Courtesy Chicago Bungalow Association)
When Christopher moved in 15 years ago, the yard was almost exclusively grass except for a lone blue spruce.
“The first thing I did was get chickens," Christopher said.
Then came a pond with fish, followed by a greenhouse. Her love of bonsai is also on display in the garden.
“Living in Chicago, I wanted to create a sanctuary that I could step outside and enjoy nature,” she said.
Best Pollinator Garden
Winner: Scott Gerwitz, Belmont Cragin
Native plants attract pollinators to Scott Gerwitz’s Belmont Cragin garden. (Courtesy Chicago Bungalow Association)
Gerwitz has lived in his bungalow for 17 years, but it wasn’t until 2020, when he found himself with a lot of free time during the COVID-19 pandemic, that he seriously turned to gardening.
Inspired by neighbors who had converted their lawn to a garden, Gerwitz decided to make the attempt himself, with an emphasis on native plants to support pollinators.
He’s been rewarded by plenty of visits from bees, monarch butterflies and other critters.
“I’ve never been a gardener before,” Gerwitz said. “You put it all on paper like, ‘OK, I’m going to put this plant here and this plant here.’ But then nature does what nature does. I planted that there, but next year it came back over here.”
Best Vegetable and Herb Garden
Winner: Raúl Cruz and Casimira Nuñez, Gage Park
The winning vegetable and herb garden is the pride of Raúl Cruz and Casimira Nuñez. (Courtesy Chicago Bungalow Association)
It started 25 years ago when Nuñez planted some chili peppers and now the couple’s efforts have mushroomed into a yard filled with tomatoes, basil, peppers and more.
Everything is organic and nothing goes to waste. The couple collects rainwater in buckets, composts scraps and uses the ash from firewood as fertilizer.
“I’m spoiled by how much I like being out here,” said Cruz. “I almost spend the whole day here.”
Best Bungalow Window Box
Winner: Nancy Dietz, Galewood
Nancy Dietz’s window box is integrated into her overall garden design. (Courtesy Chicago Bungalow Association)
Window boxes are integral to bungalow exteriors, but many of the homes have lost their original concrete boxes over the decades.
Two years ago, Dietz, who’s lived in her Galewood home for more than 20 years, finally got around to building her own box out of wood. Between materials and paint — to match her front window frames — she estimated the project cost all of $50, but it’s made a big impact.
“I love the way it looks,” she said. “It’s just meant to be on the house.”
Her approach to planting involves layering heights, colors and textures. And lately she’s noticed more and more of her neighbors following suit and re-installing window boxes, too.
“It just beautifies the neighborhood,” said Dietz.
For more photos of the winners and runners-up, visit the Chicago Bungalow Association website. Winners received $500 and runners-up earned $250.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
