Home & garden calendar, July 21-27
July 21
Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee — Native Plant Garden Walk: 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Native's Haven Nursery, 13809 Durkee Road, Harvard. Tours begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The owners of Natives Haven Nursery have transformed 6 acres of farm field into a series of native plant gardens. You will be able to observe native plants in their natural setting and also formal beds showcasing how natives can be used in smaller settings such as subdivisions and urban properties. The walks are free; no registration required. Parking is on Durkee Road. For information, (815) 675-2562 or thewppc.org.
Go Green HP Native Garden Tour: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at five gardens in Highland Park. Take a free, self-guided tour to visit five sustainable native gardens in Highland Park. Get ideas about how to incorporate native plants into your garden, whether large or small. For information or to register and obtain the map, visit gogreenhp.org or call (410) 913-5454.
North Dearborn Association — Dearborn Garden Walk: Noon Sunday, July 21, at Latin School of Chicago, 45 W. North Blvd., Chicago. This one-day garden walk is one of the oldest in the country and includes a guided architecture tour of North Dearborn Street with your ticket purchase. The self-guided garden walk allows you to view elegant and unique urban gardens at your leisure, and a bonus is the beautiful, front gardens along your walk. $30-$35. For information, (312) 925-7117 or dearborngardenwalk.com.
Plant Swap: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Plant lovers of all ages are invited to meet at the library to trade gardening supplies and pest-free plants, including houseplants, potted plants, cuttings, succulents and more. Plant swaps are a great way to start a new hobby or for expert gardeners to add more variety to their collections. Free; no registration required. For information, (630) 279-8696 or elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.
July 22
Native Seed Collection for the Home Gardener: 6 p.m. Monday, July 22, at Harvard Diggins Library, 900 E. McKinley St., Harvard. Join guest speaker Sarah Michehl from The Land Conservancy of McHenry County for tips and tricks on how to collect your native plant seeds. Basic seed identification, collection methods and timelines and tips on how to sow will be covered. Free and open to the public; advance registration is required. Call (815) 943-4671 or visit www.harvard-diggins.org.
July 23
Garden Walk — Healthy Plants, Happy Gardens: 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. On this outdoor, walking tour, explore the scenic grounds of The Morton Arboretum with Stephanie Adams, the Arboretum’s plant health care leader. Learn to recognize and interpret the signs and symptoms that show the impact of pests, diseases, and environmental conditions on plant health. Ages 16 and older. $32-$39. For information, mortonarb.org.
July 25
Garden After Hours — Lavender Nights: 5 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. Celebrate the elegance and beauty of lavender in the evening garden. Enjoy lavender-themed drinks as you listen to a panel discussion on how to successfully grow lavender in our area. Before you leave, make a lavender grapevine wreath and get dinner from the Grumpy Gaucho food truck. Ages 21 and older. Free to enter; no registration required. For information, (630) 820-8088 or thegrowingplace.com.
July 27
Identifying Edible Plants with The Wild Dryad: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 27, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Spend a morning exploring the Arboretum with Shane A. Edwards, the forager and botanist known on Instagram as the Wild Dryad. Get an introduction to how to identify common edible plants, then put your skills to work identifying plants on the Arboretum’s grounds. You will practice field identification and learn foraging safety. Remember, identification first, foraging second. Ages 16 and older. $29-$36. For information, mortonarb.org.
Saving Monarchs Garden Party: 2-7 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at 704 S. Charlotte St., Lombard. Saving Monarchs is opening up its yard for the annual Garden Party. Come learn about wildlife and Monarch butterflies, native plants, how you can control flooding issues, get ideas for your own yard, or just enjoy a day out in the yard and in nature. Refreshments will be served. Free raffle tickets to win garden signs. For information, facebook.com/savingmonarchs.