Home and garden calendar

Expos, shows, festivals

bull; Fall Farm Fest 2010, Spring Bluff Nursery, 41W130 Norris Road, Sugar Grove, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 16-17. Includes pumpkin fields, pumpkin painting, kids activities, refreshments, daytime hayrides and a Spooky Garden Trail. New this year is a $25 dried flower centerpiece class at 11 a.m. on Oct. 16; registration required. Also new are Twilight Hayrides 5, 5:30, 6 p.m. on Oct. 16. $5 per person and under age 2 free; registration required. Visit springbluffnursery.com/contact.htm or call (630) 466-4278.

bull; The Smart Farm, an educational and nutritional project at the Ron Beese Community Garden, 50 Rotary Drive, Barrington, is hosting a Family Days from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 17, which will allow families to learn about gardening and participate in activities for all ages. For details, see smartfarms.org.

bull; Winterscapes, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 2, the Women's Club of Inverness' 2010 Holiday Fair, at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. More than 60 vendors and artisans. Includes a luncheon, silent auction, and gorgeous raffle baskets. Tickets for the luncheon are $40.00. Come enjoy a wonderful day while supporting the philanthropic efforts of the Women's Club of Inverness. Reservations for the luncheon can be made by emailing karenkallman@aol.com or calling (847) 397-8955.

bull; Paint a pumpkin, Platt Hill Nursery, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 23, both locations, 222 W. Lake St., Bloomingdale and 2400 Randall Road, Carpentersville. Buy a pumpkin and paint it for free. Call to register, Bloomingdale, (630) 529-9394; and Carpentersville, (847) 428-6767.

bull; Holiday Open House, Nov. 12-14, Platt Hill Nursery, both locations, 222 W. Lake St., Bloomingdale and 2400 Randall Road, Carpentersville. Includes workshops, refreshments, entertainment. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 12; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 13; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14. (630) 529-9394, or (847) 428-6767.

Morton Arboretum

The following events are scheduled to take place at the Morton Arboretum, on Route 53 at I-88 in Lisle. For more details including admission rates, see mortonarb.org.

bull; Acorn Express, now through Oct. 31: Open-air tram showing visitors the pretty sights of the arboretum with informative narration. Half-hour and one-hour tours available; prices range from $3-$6, (discounts for Arboretum members). Call (630) 968-0074 for times.

bull; Festive Fall Fare, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., weekends in October: Grilled corn, brats, Taffy Apple Bar, and other fall favorites. Visitor Center area. All ages.

bull; #8220;GourdWorks, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., weekends in October, Shows visitors how gourds can be turned into containers, musical instruments, birdfeeders, and decorative ornaments. From the Illinois Gourd Society artists, these gourds will change how visitors view a gourd's use. Some available for purchase. Arbor Court.

bull; #8220;Splendid Spiders, 1-4 p.m. weekdays in October. Teaches how spiders are helpful in gardens, and where they go for winter. Some spiders are there to see up close. This activity is self-guided. All ages. Children's Garden.

Garden clubs

bull; Itasca Garden Club: Oct. 26, 1 p.m.: #8220;Bulbs Through the Seasons at the Itasca Park District, 350 E Irving Park Road. Contact Olga at (630) 285-1013 or by e-mail at cruickl@sbcglobal.net.

bull; Tri Village Garden Club: Oct. 20: John Sosnowski of the Morton Arboretum on proper pruning techniques. Nov. 17: Ron Zick of Wild Birds Unlimited. Meetings held third Wednesday of the month at Poplar Creek Public Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Annual dues $15. Call (630) 830-0118 or visit trivillagegardenclub.org.

bull; South Barrington Garden Club: Nov. 4: Carpool to Platt Hill Nursery, Carpentersville, where floral designer MaryAnn will demonstrate how to make an artificial wreath. Dec. 9: Annual luncheon at The Seville in Streamwood from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; cost is $37.50 with registration due Nov. 21. Meetings are held at South Barrington Park District, 3 Tennis Club Lane, at 9 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month. Membership fee is $25 for residents, $35 for nonresidents. Call Anita at (847) 277-7151 or e-mail sbgc1@yahoo.com.

Flea markets, antique shows

bull; Wolff's Indoor Flea Market, 1775 N. Rand Road, Palatine (old Menard's store), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $1, 50 cents for seniors and children ages 6 to 12. Call (847) 524-9590 or visit wolffs.com.

bull; Wheaton Antique Market, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester, Wheaton. Continues the third Saturday of the month through December 2010. Admission $5. Early buyer, $15, for admission starting at 6 a.m. zurkopromotions.com.

bull; Grayslake Antique Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Grayslake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Admission $6; free parking. zurkopromotions.com.

bull; Wheaton Antique Market, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester, Wheaton. Continues the third Saturday of the month through December 2010. Admission $5. Early buyer, $15, for admission starting at 6 a.m. zurkopromotions.com.