Home & garden calendar, Sept. 7-13
Send events for this calendar to homes@dailyherald.com with “calendar listing” in the subject line. Deadline is two weeks prior to the event.
Upcoming
Mount Prospect Garden Club ‘Plant Propagation’: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Mount Prospect Village Hall’s Farley Room, 50 S. Emerson St. In this popular program, Ken Benson will describe new methods for propagating different plants, when to propagate, the use of rooting hormones and soil composition for successfully propagating new plants. Benson has his master’s and bachelor’s in horticulture from the University of Illinois, Champaign. He is a landscape architect and was the host of cable TV’s Landscaping with Ken Benson 1992-2000. The meeting begins with social time, followed by the 10 a.m. business meeting and 11 a.m. speaker. Guests are welcome. Visit gcmp.weebly.com.
Geneva Garden Club luncheon: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Stephen R. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Northern Illinois's leading beekeeping experts, Kim Kulton and Pete Soltesz, will talk about the “State of the Union of the Pollinators!” With decades of combined experience, they are local authorities on beekeeping in the Northern Illinois/Chicago area. Kulton, an entomologist and president of Bee All About It, runs a business focused on local honey, raising queens, and rescuing bees. Soltesz, a beekeeping instructor and farmer, presides over the Cook-DuPage Beekeepers Association, the largest beekeeping club in Illinois. The program starts at noon following lunch. Guests are welcome. Visit genevagardenclub.com.
Schaumburg Community Garden Club, “Dahlias”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Carol Cichorski will show how to plant dahlia tubers in gardens to produce spectacular firework blooms. Questions about how, when and where dahlias are planted and later stored for the winter will be discussed and answered. Also, see many examples of some of these dahlias. The business meeting starts promptly at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Visit schaumburggardenclub.org or facebook.com/schaumburggardenclub/.
Des Plaines Garden Club, “Backyard Birds and Bird Feeding”: 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Frisbie Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Hwy. in Des Plaines. Davie Brooks will discuss how to attract a variety of birds to your yard using proper feeding stations and food plantings. The program includes a who’s who of common local birds and some of the migrating birds during the fall and spring. Bring a sack lunch and your own coffee cup as dessert and coffee are provided. Business meeting starts at 10 a.m., followed by program at 11 a.m. Visit www.desplainesilgardenclub.com or facebook.com/DesPlainesGardenClub/.
Blooms & Bites-Water Gardens: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Cantigny Park Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. An evening of all things water gardens. $40; includes a drink and admission to the park. Register: cantigny.org.
Second annual Plant Market: noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, under a big tent in the parking lot at Noon Whistle Brewing, 1748 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Hosted by Curated Collections Events. Sip on fresh craft beer by the pros while shopping over 20 local small business owners with plants, plant accessories, plant-themed clothing, soil, home decor, sweets/treats, seasonal themed finds, and more. Family friendly. Free admission. Visit instagram.com/curatedcollectionsevents/.
Native Plants and Sustainable Lawn Practices: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Featuring a presentation by Kaitlyn Scheid, conservatory and greenhouse manager for the Mount Prospect Park District Friendship Park Conservatory. Hosted by the Trinity Lutheran Church Green Team. Free. Contact communicationsmanager@trinitydesplaines.org.
Garden Club of Downers Grove, “Best Plants for 2025-26”: 12:15-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at American Legion Post 80, 4000 Saratoga, Downers Grove. Kim Hartmann, a seasoned profession in landscape design and horticulture educator, presents “Best Plants for 2025-26”. It starts at 12:15 p.m. for refreshments followed by the club's general meeting then the presentation at 1:45 p.m. Visit gardenclubofdownersgrove.net or facebook.com/gardenclubdownersgrove.
Lombard Garden Club special program: 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at the Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main St. in Lombard. Paul Velat presents “How to Save Seeds: Timing, Viability, Methods.” Learn techniques on saving seeds and promoting viability with those seeds. Velat will review the methods of seed saving and guide participants through identifying those which are viable and those which would not be viable. Examples of viable and unviable seeds will be displayed, and there will be time for questions and comments. Free admission. Visit lombardgardenclub.org.
Lunch & Learn, The Power of Garlic: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Barrington's White House, 145 W. Main St. Dr. Silvia Abel-Caines, founder of Garlic eSCape Farm, brings her expertise in organic farming and nutrition to this engaging talk about the health benefits of garlic, the inspiration behind her Wisconsin farm, and how medicinal herbs and nutrient-dense foods can support lifelong wellness. Learn how her backyard garden of garlic bulbs grew into a certified organic operation — and how garlic became her unexpected escape during the early days of the pandemic. From soil science to superfoods, Silvia will share her insights on sustainable growing practices, plant-based nutrition, and the gut-soil connection that underpins it all. Attendees will enjoy a sample of Garlic eSCape products and get practical tips for utilizing garlic at home. Bring a lunch and enjoy discussions, demonstrations, and more on a variety of topics. Tickets are $15 and include nonalcoholic beverages. Register: barringtonswhitehouse.com or 224-512-4066.
Bloomingdale Garden Club potluck: 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. Join this casual indoor potluck gathering, blending camaraderie, creativity and food. It will include social time and games. Visit bloomingdalegardenclub.org.
Garden Club of Inverness, ‘The Singular Life of a Solitary Bee’: 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 639 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Did you know that over 80% of all bee species are solitary bees? Victoria Salerno is a first-year doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying environmental biology. She is passionate about conservation and pollinators. As part of her doctoral studies, she is examining the impact of microclimates and global change on solitary bees. She will share what she has learned about these vital pollinators and what we can do to help them survive and even thrive. Free; all are welcome. Visit gardenclubofinverness.com.
Pottawatomie Garden Club: 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. Helen Zubel, Sue Villanova and Donna Gray will present “Tablescapes for Thanksgiving & Christmas.” The October meeting will be the fall luncheon. Visit pottagardenclub.org.
Grayslake Greenery Garden Club, “Exotic Invasive Weeds of Illinois”: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at State Bank of the Lakes lower-level community room, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake. Learn how to spot and manage invasive plants in Illinois with guidance from Jane Buck. Prevention is one of the most effective and affordable ways to control these species before they spread. Buck brings years of expertise as past president of the Iowa Garden Clubs, a Flower Show Judge Emeritus, and a longtime National Garden Clubs Central Region Board Member. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.
Lombard Garden Club, “Fantastic Fall Flowers”: 1-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the Lombard Community Center, 433 E. St. Charles Road. You can have flowers from your garden on your Thanksgiving table. Heather Prince will explore which perennials bloom in autumn and add color to our late season gardens, be it sunny or shady. Fall flowers also play an important role in feeding our pollinators before hibernation or migration. Public is welcome; no charge. Visit lombardgardenclub.org.
Arlington Heights Garden Club, ‘Harvesting and Arranging Cut Flowers from Your Garden’: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 717 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Presenter Cate Doane has been growing flowers organically for many years. She will share her experience and techniques for harvesting and arranging cut flowers both annuals and perennials. She is the “Garden Maven’” at the Palatine Farmers Market. Social hour at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting and program at 7 p.m. Guests welcome. Visit ahgardenclub.com.
OAKtober Celebration Native Tree and Shrub Sale: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Independence Grove Forest Preserve, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. Lake County Forest Preserves’ largest native tree and shrub sale and select the perfect native plant for your yard. Meet at North Bay Pavilion. View available plant list and educational resources at LCFPD.org/OAKtober.
Garden shows
Illinois Mycological Association Display & Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, in the Burnstein Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. The show celebrates the richness of fall mushrooms in Illinois. Exhibits 50 to 100 varieties of mushrooms foraged from area forests in the days prior to the show. Members of the Illinois Mycological Association provide information and answer questions regarding mushrooms and fungi. Mushroom-related books, T-shirts and other items are for sale. Admission to the show is free with general admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Visit illinoismyco.org.
32nd Annual Chicagoland Orchid Fest: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Natt's Orchids, 24645 103rd St., Naperville, and Orchids by Hausermann, 2N134 N. Addison Road, Villa Park. Hosted by the Chicagoland Orchid Growers Association. Join your fellow orchid enthusiasts in the greenhouses of the two premier local orchid nurseries. Shop for some special orchids and supplies, browse the offerings of a variety of guest vendors at both locations, and take advantage of the special bargains offered only during the festival. Visit illinoisorchidsociety.org/events-all/32nd-orchid-fest.
American Dahlia Society National Show: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. This year the garden is hosting the national dahlia show. Presented by the American Dahlia Society to encourage a love of dahlias, known for their bright, vibrant colors and perfect petal arrangement. Judged exhibit of dahlia blooms ranging in size from 2 to 12 inches will be on display. Dahlia Society members will provide written information and answer questions regarding the culture of dahlias. Admission to the show is free with general admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Visit centralstatesdahliasociety.com/2025.
Ongoing
‘Living in the Shade-Open Space and Public Housing’ exhibit: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays, through Nov. 12, at the National Public Housing Museum’s Special Exhibits Gallery, 2nd Floor, 919 S. Ada St., Chicago. This exhibition explores the role of open space — large lawns and tenant gardens, paved paths and play spaces, shady seating areas and public art — in creating more livable, healthy, and thriving communities. A public talk on Thursday, Sept. 25, explores the history of experimental playgrounds and public spaces for families with Alexandra Lange, winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for criticism and author of “The Design of Childhood: How the Material World Shapes Independent Kids” and “Meet Me By the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall.” Free. nphm.org/exhibition/living-in-the-shade/.
Private Garden Tour: John Richter has opened his private garden in Warrenville to share the beauty of his various grafted trees and variegated bushes, thousands of day lilies from 10 different hybridizers, and over 750 different varieties of hostas, as well as numerous beautiful sculptures. There is no charge for you to go and stroll through his garden — just call him at (630) 393-3279 to schedule a time.
Healing Gardens: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month through October, at Stone Hill Farm, 37W249 Dean St., St. Charles. Come enjoy the natural wooded setting and perennial gardens. Admission is $5 per person; $10 per family; cancer survivors are free. Donations of time/money for upkeep are welcome. Special programs monthly. The Healing Gardens is cultivated and hosted by Deborah Marqui, owner of Stone Hill Farm with her husband, Buzz. Marqui leads day retreats, hosts Silent Saturday Mornings, Yoga in the Garden. For information, call (630) 740-2597 or visit www.healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com.