Chicago Botanic Garden
www.chicagobotanic.org/school
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. Tel. 847-835-5440. Pre-registration required for all classes and tours. Register at 847-835-8261. Parking $15. For a
complete list of classes and activities see the web site. For flower show schedules, check the North section of the Calendar.
July
18 - 19
Italian Cooking Weekend. Learn about Italian herbs at an herb cart, watch three daily chef demonstrations, and more. This year, the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden is featuring an Italian vegetable bed, with Listada de Gandia eggplant, Martino’s Roma and Italian Heirloom tomatoes, Genovese basil, Giant Italian parsley, Borettana onion, Marconi peppers and Calabrese broccoli. 10 am-5 pm.
August
15 - 16
Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival. Learn about the summer festivals (matsura) celebrated in Japan during this special weekend of activities. Listen to musical performances, enjoy storytelling and watch a tea ceremony, plus many family-friendly hands-on activities. 10 am-4 pm.
22 - 23
All About Peppers Weekend. Learn all about growing and using peppers – both hot and sweet – in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Pepper tours, shopping for pepper products from select vendors and special chili pepper décor. See the many varieties of peppers growing in the garden, learn pepper facts and tips from signs posted throughout the Garden and visit “Pepper Discovery Carts” to explore the history of peppers, how to cook with them and the many types that can be grown in a home garden. 11 am-4 pm.
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Cantigny Park
www.cantigny.org
1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton 630-668-5161 and www.cantigny.org. For a complete list of classes and activities see the website.
July
1 & 15
Tips & Tastes in the Idea Garden. Bring your bag lunch and come for a garden tip and a garden taste. Noon. Free.
7
Idea Garden/Garden Tour. Liz Omura, Cantigny’s Idea Garden Curator, will focus on the highlights of the Idea Garden. 9:30 am. Free.
9
Moms with Tots Stroller Tour. This tour will take place in the Idea Garden and will be led by garden volunteers. Start from the Visitors’ Center. 9:30 am. Free.
August
4
Rose Garden Tour. Craig Myroup, Cantigny’s Perennial Gardener, highlights America’s favorite flower. Tour departs from the Visitors’ Center. 9:30 am. Free.
5 & 19
Tips & Tastes in the Idea Garden. Bring your bag lunch and come for a garden tip and a garden taste. Noon. Free.
6
Moms with Tots Stroller Tour. This tour will feature Gold Pond and several shady respites. It will be led by garden volunteers. Start from the Visitors’ Center. 9:30 am. Free.
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The Natural Garden
www.thenaturalgardeninc.com
38W443 Highway 64, St. Charles.
(630) 584-0150
July
7
Introduction to the Prairie. Award-winning teacher and conservationist, Jack Shouba will guide you through the Illinois prairie with a photo presentation followed by a short field trip to Horlock Hill Prairie, an original prairie that is an Illinois Nature Preserve. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. 9-10 am followed by field trip. $10. Enrollment deadline: Friday, July 3.
22
Grasses for the Garden. Native and ornamental grasses are well suited to the needs of an environmentally concerned world. Learn why it’s important to plant grasses early, and how to create and maintain sustainable landscapes with the “hair of the earth”. 9-10 am. Free. Enrollment deadline: Wednesday, July 22.
August
23
Butterflies in the Garden. Some butterflies, like the monarch, are so easily recognized. But who else is visiting your flowers? Learn about identifying other common butterflies and how to attract more to your garden. If weather permits, there will be some live butterflies to help us in our learning. 1-2 pm. Free. Enrollment deadline: Wednesday, August 19.
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The Growing Place
www.thegrowingplace.com
Located in Naperville on Plank Rd. 3 blocks west of Naper Blvd. (630-355-4000) and in Aurora on Montgomery Rd. 2 blocks north of Ogden (630-820-8088). www.thegrowingplace.com. Call Carol 630-355-4000 to register for all events. Pre-registration is required for any of the ‘Payment due’ workshops.
July
9
Create a Bird Bath and Dripper. Listen to bird sounds and hike to the Beehives with the Beekeeper, Mr. Anderson. Aurora. 10 am.
11
Make a Fountain. Learn how to use natural materials and containers to create a fountain that can add the sound of water to your garden or patio. You are welcome to watch and then create one for yourself with help. Free to watch, cost of materials to create. Aurora-10 am, Naperville-2 pm.
18
Free Design Appointments. It can be difficult to select and place plants so they will look good for many years to come. The Growing Place goal is to make design advice simple and accessible for Do-it-Yourselfers. Pre-registration is required for these free appointments. Aurora & Naperville.
August
1
Grasses for Maximum Impact. Grasses are spectacular in the fall but many need to be planted early to maintain their hardiness. Get a preview of their fall beauty and learn which ones are perfect for you to enjoy in your yard this autumn. Aurora, 10 am.
15
The Birds & Bees Revisited. Tour the beehives, listen and look for birds, learn what birds and bees need to thrive and more. Aurora, 10 am.
22
Plant like a Pro IV. There are many things that should be done in the fall in the garden. You can move, divide, plant, harvest, prune and deadhead too. Plan to get your hands dirty. Aurora, 10 am.
29
Front Porch Decorations for Fall. Now is a great time to collect ideas for bringing the rich colors of fall to your front entrance. Mums and other fall plants and accents will be available. Aurora10 am. Naperville 2 pm.
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Wasco Nursery
41W781 Route 64, St. Charles. 630-584-4424. www.wasconursery.com
July
11
Healthy Gardening, a seminar with tips from the LivingWell Cancer Resource Center on healthy and safe gardening. 10 am.
August
18
Herb Seminar Care and harvesting with Penny Newkirk of Country Garden Cuisine. 6 pm.
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