Chicago

July

All Month
Private Garden Walks at the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park. Garden clubs and other groups can arrange guided walks through the Lurie Garden by contacting Melanie Scott at 312-742-5518 or at melanie.scott@cityofchicago.org.

All Month
Visit the city garden of chef Rick Bayless. Tours are scheduled for select Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in July, August and September. Full payment ($20/person) is required to reserve space on a tour. For all tour dates, instructions on how to reserve a space, and optional reservation form visit the website: www.urbanedible.blogspot.com. 

10
Bowmanville Garden Walk. Bordered by Foster, Rosehill Cemetery, Ravenswood and Western. 11 am-4:30 pm. Free but $3 suggested donation. Welcome tables at community green space at Bowmanville & Bell; also at Gateway Garden at 1801 W. Balmoral. Info: www.bcochicago.org 773-296-2979 and toll free at 866-837-1006.

11
10th Annual Roscoe Village Garden Walk showcasing 50 gardens. Sponsored by Roscoe Village Neighbors. Begins at Victory’s Banner, 2100 W. Roscoe. Self-guided walking tour. Printed booklet with map and descriptions of gardens available. Free. 12 noon-6 pm. Info: 773-329-5036 or www.roscoevillage.org.

15
Implementing the Design for the Lurie Garden, a lecture at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Randolph. Learn how Terry Guen of Terry Guen Design Associates, Inc. installed the Lurie Garden’s plantings based on Piet Oudolf’s designs. In the Millennium Park Room on the 5th floor of the Cultural Center. 6 pm. Free. No pre-registration. Info: 312-742- 8497
or www.luriegarden.org.

17-18
42nd Sheffield Garden Walk & Festival. Live music, beautiful gardens and great kids activities. Noon-10 pm at Webster and Sheffield. Info: 773-929-9255 or www.sheffieldgardenwalk.com.

18
52nd Annual Dearborn Garden Walk, sponsored by the North Dearborn Association. See 20 gardens. Live jazz and classical music in selected gardens. Narrated architectural walking tour. Enter at the corner of Goethe & Dearborn (1300 N. Dearborn). Noon-5 pm. $30 in advance; $35 on the day. Order tickets at www.dearborngardenwalk.com.

22
Inspired Garden Photography, a class in the Lurie Garden. Work with a professional from the Chicago Photography Center. Learn how to make the best use of light and compose a great photograph. Take home a printed photograph. Fee for materials and instructor $20. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. 6 pm. Call 312-742-5519 to register. Info:
www.luriegarden.org.

24 
Things with Wings: Bees, Butterflies and Birds, a family workshop in the Lurie Garden (in Millennium Park). Get to know the bees, butterflies and birds that spend their days in the Lurie Garden. Then create craft-based projects to take home. Children must be at least 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required. 10 am-noon. Free. Call 312-742-8497 to register. Info: www.luriegarden.org.

29-30
All About Butterflies, a credit course at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. Visit two butterfly habitats and learn about the life cycle of these beautiful creatures. Design and conduct inquiry observations, hear about butterflies from the experts who care for them, and get activities for use in your classroom. 8:30 am-4:30 pm. $140, registration required. Optional: one graduate credit through Benedictine University ($115). Info: 773-755-5179 or email adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

31
Lincoln Square Garden Walk and Green Fair, at Giddings Plaza, 4731 N Lincoln Ave. 10 am-5:30 pm. Info: 312-286-0956 or the Lincoln Square Chamber at 773-728-3890.

August

All Month
Private Garden Walks of the Lurie Garden. Garden clubs and other groups can arrange guided walks through the Lurie Garden by contacting Melanie Scott at 312-742-5518 or at melanie.scott@cityofchicago.org.

All Month
Visit the City Garden of Chef Rick Bayless.Tours are currently scheduled for select Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in July, August and September. Full payment ($20/person) is required to reserve space on a tour. For all tour dates, instructions on how to reserve a space, and optional reservation form visit the website: www.urbanedible.blogspot.com. 

8
Flavors of the Garden, an event for children in Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden. Led by Purple Asparagus, an organization that educates families on eating fun, healthy foods. Includes making kid-friendly, garden-inspired snacks and a picnic in the Lurie Garden. 2 pm-4 pm. Free. Starts at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., 4th Flr. Conference Room. Children must be at least 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required. Call 312-742- 8497. Info: www.luriegarden.org.

14
Healing Properties of Native Plants, a class at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, Chicago. Learn to reconnect with plants and how to use the many native plants to stay healthy. Led by Sally Wagoner, RN, BSN and director of wellness, American Indian Center. 10 am-12 pm. Free. Meet in the 4th Floor Conference Room. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call 312-742-8497 to register. Info: www.luriegarden.org.

26
Native Shrubs, Trees & Woodies for a Midwest Garden, a hands-on discussion at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Randolph. Presented by Connor Shaw, native plant expert and owner of Possibility Place Nursery in Monee. In the Millennium Room on the 5th floor of the Cultural Center. 6 pm. Free. No pre-registration. Info: 312-742-8497 or www.luriegarden.org.