Home & garden calendar, Sept. 21-27
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
Monarchs, Milkweed, & Migration: 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Discover the remarkable journey of the monarch butterfly. This program by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Lake County explores the monarch’s life cycle, its incredible multi-generational migration to Mexico, and how you can support these pollinators right in your backyard. Learn about the plants monarchs need to thrive and how citizen scientists are helping track this iconic species. Register: grayslake.info.
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 where new and honorary members will be recognized, and the Landscape Commendation Award will be announced. Visit pottagardenclub.org.
Arlington Heights Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 717 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. The program will be on “Harvesting and Arranging Cut Flowers from Your Garden” with Cate Doane who 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 time at 6:30 p.m. with meeting and program at 7 p.m. Guests welcome. Visit facebook.com/AHGardenClub.
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. Prince has been a part of the green industry for more than 20 years, including experience at The Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden and The Growing Place. She is a trained horticulturist specializing in trees, shrubs, and natives with a passion for connecting people with plants. 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.
Roselle Park District Garden Club scarecrow contest: Saturday, Oct. 4, at Roselle Park District, 10 N. Roselle Road. The 2025 Scarecrow Contest will once again be held during the Roselle Founders Day Festival. Families, schools, clubs, and organizations are invited to create a scarecrow to be voted on by fest attendees. Contest entry is free. Scarecrows must be set up between noon and 1 p.m. Oct. 4 outside the Clauss Recreation Center and must be removed at the end of the fest at 6:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded: first place, $100; second place, $75; third place, $50; and honorable mention, $25. All winners will receive a gift card from a local business, one free garden club membership, and one free 2026 garden walk ticket. Registration deadline is Sept. 27. Questions, email rosellegardenclub@gmail.com. facebook.com/RPDgardenclub/.
South Barrington Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at South Barrington Park District, 3 Tennis Club Lane. Peggy Galvin will present the hands-on project “Make Your Own Fall Arrangement.” Visit sbgclub.org.
Prospect Heights Garden Club: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at Gary Morava Recreation Center, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights. Tamara Black will speak on “Flowers at the White House.” Bring a brown bag for lunch and there will be raffle prizes. Any questions, call Chris at (847) 506-9851.
Hoffman Estates Garden Club, “Breathing New Life into your Landscape”: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Schaumburg Township building, One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Diane Smith of Perennial Professionals Inc. will discuss how to work with and enhance your existing garden. Discover how to transform your existing landscape into a thriving and beautiful outdoor space. Learn how to evaluate your current landscape, identify areas of improvement, and consider your desired outcome. Discover creative ways to breathe new life into existing features like patios, walkways, and planting beds. Discover cost-effective ways to achieve your renovation goals without breaking the bank. First of a two-part series. Smith will return in March for Part 2: “Design for Color for Lasting Impact.” The presentation begins at 6:45 p.m. after a short business meeting. Nonmembers are welcome. Visit hoffmanestatesgardenclub.club.
Roselle Park District Garden Club, “By the Light of the Moon”: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at Roselle Park District, 10 N. Roselle Road. Many can only enjoy garden spaces in the evening after a busy day. Why not create a special garden to enjoy when the sun goes down and the moon rises? Learn about garden design and delve into the many types of plants that add color and texture to dusk and beyond. facebook.com/RPDgardenclub/
“Planning for Next Year's Garden”: 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 4, Wauconda Area Public Library’s Lincoln Room, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Learn all about steps to take now to create a successful native garden next year. From planning and design to plant choices and cleanup. Have your native landscaping questions answered. Register: wauclib.org.
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 Club of Lake Zurich, “Making the Most of Your Herbal Harvest”: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Master gardener and garden coach Mark Lyons shares his love of gardening with tips on how to harvest and store your bumper crop of herbs as well as how to use herbs to prepare butters, vinegars, oils, teas, sachets, and other healthy, herbal delights. Hosted with the Ela Public Library; register at Visit gardencluboflakezurich.org.
Rolling Meadows Garden Club, “Beyond Summer”: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Rolling Meadows Community Center Laurel Room, 3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows. In “Sustaining a Year-Round Kitchen Garden,” Nicole Jagielski will show how to break free from the conventional growing season and discover how to harvest healthy produce nearly every month of the year, even in the cold. She is the owner of Patio Produce, a local kitchen garden design and gardening coaching business. All are welcome. Visit rollingmeadowsgardenclub.com.
Chicagoland Daylily Society: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at The Community House, 415 W. 8th St., Hinsdale. In addition to the bratwurst Octoberfest potluck, there will be the election of officers and photo contest. Visit chicagolanddaylilysociety.org.
Garden shows
32nd Annual Chicagoland Orchid Fest: 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.
Illinois Orchid Society Fall Show & Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11-12, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Illinois Orchid Society, this show will feature artistically arranged table top displays from the rarest of species to cultivated hybrids. Individual orchids in 128 classes will vie for red, white, and blue ribbons. Twenty-five entries will receive “best of class” green ribbons, and the best-appointed plant in the show will receive the Chicago Horticultural Society Award from American Orchid Society judges. Illinois Orchid Society also providing orchid plants for sale as well as repotting services. Photographers' Hour: 9-10 a.m. Oct. 12. Admission to the show is free with general admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Visit chicagobotanic.org.