Home & garden calendar, May 11-17
Send events for this calendar to homes@dailyherald.com with “calendar listing” in the subject line. Deadline is two weeks prior to the event.
Tuesday, May 13
Buffalo Grove Garden Club, “Monarchs: History and Science Behind the Monarch Craze”: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. Kim White will speak about why fewer monarchs are migrating to the Midwest and how gardeners can help. All welcome; refreshments will be served.
Friday, May 16
Lombard Garden Club, “Dahlias — Living Fireworks”: 1 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road, Lombard. Presenters will be Carol Cichorski and her husband, Mike, who “found” dahlias 25 years ago and their lives have not been the same since. They plant tubers in the basement in February and grow several hundred plants for their yard and garden club sales. Mike is past president of the Central States Dahlia Society. Carol loves to share their dahlia passion and let you know how you can easily grow dahlias too. No charge; public is welcome. Visit www.lombardgardenclub.org.
Plant sales
Northbrook Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 16, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Village Green Park Community Center, 1810 Walters, Northbrook. Along with tried and true perennials from the member’s own gardens, the Garden Club will be offering over 35 species of native plants from a local nursery. Garden club members available to help with selections and advice on correct growing conditions as well as suggestions on how to incorporate native plants into your existing garden beds. Visit www.northbrookgardenclub.org.
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at University of Illinois Extension grounds, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake. Features nursery-grown varieties not readily available at traditional garden centers — natives, new cultivars of perennials, grasses and pollinator-friendly plants. Many varieties of homegrown tomatoes, along with other vegetables and herbs, will be available. Also, shop “Garden Treasures” for new and gently used items for your landscape and home. Master Gardeners will answer gardening questions and help with plant selection. Call (847) 223-8627 or visit extension.illinois.edu/events/2025-05-17-lake-county-2025-plant-sale.
Grayslake Greenery Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 17, in the parking lot next to the Grayslake Village Hall, 10 S. Seymour Ave., at Center Street. Homegrown perennials, annuals, vegetables and tropical plants from members’ gardens plus gently used garden items. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.
Schaumburg Community Garden Club Native Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Visit schaumburgardenclub.org.
Prospect Heights Garden Club perennial plant, bulb and homemade bake sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, May 17, in the parking lot of Tony’s Grocery Store, 1241 E. Rand Road, Prospect Heights.
Garden Club of Lake Zurich Plant Sale: 8:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 17, at Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Hundreds of homegrown perennials, annuals, natives, saplings, vegetable seedlings, ground covers, houseplants, herbs, plus garden books and decor. Plants are in sterilized soil to deter the spread of invasive worm species. Get expert advice from Master gardeners and other members of the club. Come early as plants go quickly. Visit www.gardencluboflakezurich.org.
Mount Prospect Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Mount Prospect Historical Society campus, 101 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect. Plants are grown by club members and Master gardeners, and include perennials, annuals and vegetables, as well as houseplants, all screened for pests. Rain date is Sunday, May 18.
West Chicago Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, downtown West Chicago at Blooming Fest. Thousands of perennials, annual flowers and a large selection of peppers and tomatoes for sale at very reasonable prices. Club members will answer questions and offer advice. For more information, visit westchicagogardenclub.org. For plant sale, visit facebook.com/westchicagogardenclub
Wheaton Garden Club Plant Sale: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at 504 Hamilton Drive, Wheaton. Features professionally grown annuals, many of which are Proven Winners. Summer favorites available for purchase include begonias, coleus and petunias, as well as some hard-to-find specialty plants. Proceeds support area community organizations and scholarships for College of DuPage, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South students. Organizations supported include We Grow Dreams and Sustain DuPage. WGC also maintains a pollinator garden at Seven Gables Park. Cash or check payments.
Upcoming
Monday, May 19
Arlington Heights Garden Club, attracting birds: 7 p.m. Monday, May 19 (date changed because of Memorial Day), at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 717 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Ron Zick, Wild Birds Unlimited owner, will share tips and tricks for attracting birds to your backyard.