Get your garden ready with plant sales around the suburbs
Gardeners can get the growing season off to a good start with upcoming plant sales featuring perennials, vegetables, native and organic plants. It is also a good way to support local nonprofit organizations.
MAY 16-17
DuPage Forest Preserve District’s Native Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 16, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St. in Oak Brook. Shoppers can get gardening tips from onsite plant experts and choose from 14 species debuting at this year’s sale. A list of anticipated native flowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs is available via dupageforest.org/native-plant-sale; inventory will be based on supplier availability. Plants are not restocked each night. Bring boxes and wagons to transport plants. Cash, credit, and checks will be accepted. All plants originated from seed collected within 100 miles of DuPage County and free of insecticides containing neonicotinoids, which are harmful to bees and other pollinators. All proceeds support educational programming at the Forest Preserve District.
Kane DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District Native Plant Sale: The order deadline for plants is May 16; order deadline for trees and shrubs has past. The digital catalog is available on the organization’s website. Download the order form, complete your selections and follow the instructions to submit the order and payment. For information, visit kanedupageswcd.org/kd.
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 members’ own gardens, the garden club will be offering over 35 species of native plants from a local nursery. Garden club members will be 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.
Land Conservancy of McHenry County native plant sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 16-17, at McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. Native plants, shrubs, trees, vegetables and herbs available; listed as appropriate for sun, shade or wet areas. The sale will feature some unique and unusual native plants in addition to more common varieties. Knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer customers’ plant questions. TLC members receive 10% off their orders. A portion of the sales supports TLC’s land preservation work in McHenry County. Visit ConserveMC.org.
MAY 17
Palatine Garden Club Annual Perennial Sale: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, in the Palatine Farmers Market at the Metra Station parking lot, 137 W. Wood St., Palatine. The sale will include plants for sun, shade and in-between; natives; and “pollinator magnets” like milkweed and brown-eyed Susan. All plants are perennials. Knowledgeable gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and help patrons choose the right plant for the right situation. Cash or check only. For information, email John Figlewicz at scififig@gmail.com or call (847) 287-9044.
Fox Valley Garden Club Gardeners' Sale: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, in the parking lot behind West Aurora Learning Center, 1870 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Vendors will showcase annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, garden and yard art, furniture, garden-related crafts, bird houses and feeders, and more. Food is also available. Proceeds from the sale fund the club's community projects. It will be held rain or shine. Bring cash, credit card or checks, as well as a wagon or cart. Visit foxvalleygardenclub.com.
Crestview Garden Club of Elmhurst Plant Sale: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at The Depot, 511 S. York Road, Elmhurst. Shop early for the best selection of more than 1,000 plants and many unique varieties. Plant offerings include sun and shade perennials, herbs, ground cover, houseplants, natives, plus plants to attract birds, bees and butterflies. Sale takes place rain or shine. Experienced gardeners on-site to help with plant selection. For information, crestviewgardenclub.com.
Garden Club of Lake Zurich Spring Plant Sale: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 17, at Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The club offers hundreds of member-grown perennials, seed grown annuals, natives, woodland plants, saplings, vegetable seedlings, ground covers, houseplants, herbs, garden decor and plant grow lights. Get expert advice from Master Gardeners and other members of the club. Sale held rain or shine. Cash/check/credit cards accepted. For information, gardencluboflakezurich.org.
Dundee Backyard Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, in Grafelman Park, Fifth and Main streets, West Dundee. The sale will feature a variety of perennials, grasses, native plants, vegetables, herbs and more from the gardens of club members. Garden “Junque” and gently used garden items will also be for sale. Proceeds fund an annual scholarship.
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. Homegrown perennials, annuals, vegetables and tropical plants from members’ gardens, plus gently used garden items. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.
Green Gate Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 17, Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Rain date May 18. Purchase plants grown from some of the best gardeners in the area. Visit crystallakeparks.org.
Heritage Farm Organic Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, Heritage Prairie Farm, 2N308 Brundige Road, Elburn. Stop by for organic veggies and herbs fresh from the farm to your garden. Visit facebook.com/heritageprairiefarm.
Lake County Forest Preserves Native Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 17, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Independence Grove, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. Choose from a variety of plant species, including vibrant flowers, hardy forbs and native grasses. Learn about eco-friendly practices that benefit your home, wallet and community. Experts will be on-site to answer questions and offer guidance. This year, they have increased the availability of each plant species. Prices vary, and inventory is limited. Bring boxes for easy plant transport. Visit www.lcfpd.org/plant-sale/.
Lincolnshire Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at 28 Fox Trail, Lincolnshire. Flats of annuals and perennials. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Rain or shine. For information, lincolnshiregardenclub.com.
Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, and 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 18, at Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. A diverse selection of high-quality native and ornamental plants grown in members' gardens. The Reed-Turner Botanical Artists Circle will be selling their botanical artwork. Visit facebook.com/longgrovekildeergarden.
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.
Park Ridge Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Cumberland Park, 101 S. Cumberland Ave., a half block south of Touhy Avenue, Park Ridge. There will be annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, geranium pots and many member grown plants. Cash or credit cards only. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Rain or shine. Parking is east of the park. Visit www.parkridgegardenclub.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.
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.
West Chicago Garden Club Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, on Galena Street with the entrance on Main Street. Arrive early for the best selection. Part of West Chicago’s Blooming Fest featuring thousands of perennials, annual flowers and a large selections of peppers and tomatoes for sale at very reasonable prices under a large tent. Club members will answer questions and offer advice. West Chicago Garden Club meets in the evening on the fourth Thursday of the month. For more, visit westchicagogardenclub.org. For plant sale, visit facebook.com/westchicagogardenclub.
Wild Ones of Greater Kane County Native Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Gray Willow Farm, 5N949 Corron Road, Campton Hills. Wild Ones of Greater Kane County is holding its 13th annual Native Plant Sale with over 150 species from seven native plant nurseries. Ecotone Herbs will be selling herbs, and the Milk House ice cream truck will sell their own ice cream from 9 a.m.-noon. Kane Area Rehabilitation and Education for Wildlife will have ambassador animals. Local farmer Lauren Vinoche offers a plant walk in the woods at Gray Willows; meet at the Ecotone Herbs booth at 11 a.m. for a one-hour walk. Check, cash and credit card are accepted. For details, call (630) 200-5665 or visit greaterkanecounty.wildones.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.
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. Cash or check payments. Visit wheatongardenclub.org/plantsale/.
MAY 24
Round Lake Area Garden Club Plant Sale and Swap: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. There will be veggies, herbs, perennials, fruiting shrubs, houseplants and more. The popular swap area is back as well, where you might find something amazing for free. New this year is a craft boutique and garden item section. Benefits food access programs such as the Seed Library and the future Food Forest. Visit facebook.com/RoundLakeAreaGardenClub
MAY 30
Northwest Compass Garden & Plant Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 30, Northwest Compass Community Garden, 1300 W. Northwest Hwy., Mount Prospect. Wander through the community gardens while shopping a homegrown selection of veggies, flowers, herbs, and indoor plants. Meet members of the garden club, get growing tips, and more. All proceeds benefit Northwest Compass, a local nonprofit helping individuals and families in crisis. Visit northwestcompass.org.
MAY 31
North Aurora Garden Club Plant Sale: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 31, at Oak Street and Walnut Drive, North Aurora. A variety of plants from garden club members. Sale held rain or shine. Cash or check only. Plants purchased at this event support garden club activities.
JUNE 6
Hoffman Estates Garden Club Plant Sale: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, June 6, at the Schaumburg Farmers Market, 190 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Member-grown plants including perennials, annuals, dahlias, grasses, hostas, houseplants, vegetables and herbs will be available. The popular Mexican sunflower plants will be back, along with a limited number of native plants. 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry. Visit hoffmanestatesgardenclub.club.
JUNE 7
Arlington Heights Garden Club Plant Sale: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 7, at Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont, Arlington Heights. Plants dug from members’ gardens will include perennials and native plants. Annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs started from seeds and cuttings by members also will be available. Also garden art, books and equipment. For information, ahgardenclub.com.
St. Charles Park District's Native Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles. Plants will be available for purchase on-site and while supplies last. Choose from a wide selection of plants that are native to the region. Naturalists will be on hand to provide assistance with your plant selections. View this year’s catalog at stcnature.org/native-plant-sale/.