Garden walks around the area
July 12: The Midwest Pond and Koi Society starts its annual pond tours with the South suburbs. The cost is $15 for a guidebook. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with some sites open in the evening. Call (312) 409-2081 or visit mpks.org
July 12: The Fox Valley Garden Walk shows six Elgin gardens west of Randall Road between McDonald and Big Timber Roads. The hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 before July 12. On the day of the event the price is $12, and tickets are then available at two homes - 40W639 Russell Road and 8N316 Dittman Road. Call the Elgin Area American Association of University Women at (847) 931-0351.
July 12: Bomanville Garden Walk is free from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Bowmanville Community Organization features 21 gardens and will accept donations. This Chicago neighborhood is west of Andersonville and north of Lincoln Square. Bowmanville Avenue is the angle street bordering the south edge of Rosehill Cemetery. Tables with maps will be at 1928 W. Foster Ave., next to GV Jewelry and at 5361 N. Bowmanville Ave. Call (866) 837-1006 or visit www.BCOChicago.org
July 12: Master Gardeners sponsor a tour of six DeKalb County Gardens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the walk. Tickets will be sold along with plants at the University of Illinois Extension Office, 1350 Prairie Drive, Sycamore. Visit www.web.extension.uiuc.edu/dekalb/gardenwalk or call (815) 758-8194.
July 12: McHenry County Master Gardeners will host a gardenwalk from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Woodstock and Crystal Lake area. The tour begins at NcHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Route 14 in Crystal Lake. The college is a co-sponsor, and tickets are available for $15. Call (815) 455-8697. Visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mchenry.
July 13: Ponds in the North and Northwest suburbs are on display for the Midwest Pond and Koi Society. See the July 12 entry.
July 13: The Mount Prospect Historical Society features eight gardens from noon to 4 p.m. including The Courtyard at Trinity United Methodist Church located at 605 W. Golf Rd., and Moehling Park at 10 S. Pine St., located next to Capannari Ice Cream. Tickets, priced at $10, may be purchased in advance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday or Friday at the Dietrich Friedrichs Museum, 101 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect. Tickets will also be sold the day of the walk at Trinity United Methodist Church and Moehling Park.
Call (847) 392-9006.
July 13: Arlington Heights Garden Walk and Unique Boutique will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets: $10. The boutique at 110 W. Fremont, which opens at 10 a.m., is free. Call (847) 962-9909 or visit www.gardencentral.org/illinois/arlingtonheights/
July 13: Elmhurst Garden Club is selling tickets to view private gardens for $15. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets on the day of the walk are available in Wilder Park, Cottage Hill and Church streets. Visit gardencentral.org/illinois/elmhurstgardenclub/
July 19: The Antioch Garden Club will hold a walk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $18. Visit www.antiochgardenclub.org. Call (847) 395-7019.
July 19-20: Sheffield Garden Walk and Festival celebrates its 40th year with 100 gardens as well as food and music. The suggested donation is $6 until 5 p.m. and $10 afterward. The festival is from noon to 9:30 p.m. with the gardens and Kid's Corner open until 5 p.m. Start at Webster Street and Sheffield Avenue. Call (773) 929-9255 or visit www.sheffieldgardenwalk.com
July 19-20: Aquascape Designs presents a free pond tour in the St. Charles and Downers Grove areas. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 20. Download a free booklet from www.aquascapeinc.com. Call (630) 659-2057.
July 19: Ponds in Chicago and West suburbs participate in the Midwest Pond and Koi Society's tour. See July 12 entry.
July 20: Southwest and farther West suburbs host people interested in ponds. See July 12 entry for the Midwest Pond and Koi Society.
July 20: Villa Park Men's Garden Club will host its free walk from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.homegardening.org for places where maps can be obtained.
July 20: More than 20 gardens on Chicago's Gold Coast will be open from noon to 5 p.m. The North Dearborn Association is celebrating its 50th annual walk. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. The starting point is at the corner of Dearborn and Goethe streets. Call (312) 632-1241 or visit www.dearborngardenwalk.com.
July 27: Four North Shore Gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the Garden Conservancy. Open Garden Days are held at different dates throughout the summer. Visitors can see a list of open gardens online or purchase a more complete booklet. Each garden costs $5, although discounted tickets are available. Visit www.gardenconservancy.org/opendays.
Aug. 3: The Gardens at Ball Horticulture in West Chicago will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the Garden Conservancy. See entry on July 27 for details.
- Deborah Donovan