Home & garden calendar, Nov. 9-15

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 ‘Negotiating with Nature’: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Mount Prospect Village Hall’s Farley Room, 50 S. Emerson St. Mike Nowak, former columnist for Chicagoland Gardening Magazine, will share his experience growing a garden in his tiny, sun-drenched Chicago yard for over 20 years, growing trees, shrubs, native and non-native plants, herbs and vegetables. Learn about his successes and failures in a challenging location. 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: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Stephen R. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Kathi Rose will present “Holiday Tablescaping.” The program starts at noon following lunch. Guests are welcome. Visit genevagardenclub.com/general-meetings/.

Gardens, Et Cetera of Wheaton: 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Gary Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” will be presented by Kay McKeen of SCARCE. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome. Call Kathryn at (630) 408-5487.

Buffalo Grove Garden Club: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. Barbara Collins will present “Before Nosegays Until Nowadays.” Sweet smelling herbs and flowers were prevalent in ancient times. She will follow them through the plague, the colonization of America, the world wars, and up to the present. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome. Visit bgparks.org.

Rolling Meadows Garden Club, “Plant Parenthood Made Simple”: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Rolling Meadows Community Center Laurel Room, 3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows. Taking care of houseplants doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. Ann Vo, the owner of Sunnyside Plants in Jefferson Park, Chicago will breakdown the basics of indoor plant care, bust common myths, and share tips to help you grow with confidence. Ann Vo curates one of the most fun indoor plant nurseries in the Chicago area and she will bring a selection of indoor houseplants including tropical and succulents for sale and education. Get all your questions answered on a thriving indoor garden. All are welcome. Visit rollingmeadowsgardenclub.com.

Lombard Garden Club, “All About Hydrangeas”: 1-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at the Lombard Community Center, 433 E. St. Charles Road. Hydrangeas are known for their large, showy blooms in shades of pink, blue, white and purple, and they come in various forms like mopheads, lacecaps, and panicles, blooming in summer and into fall. Bill Karges will explain the differences between the various types of these popular plants so you can choose the right type with confidence. The December meeting will be a Winter Luncheon. Public is welcome; no charge. Visit lombardgardenclub.org.

Libertyville Pumpkin Smash: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Adler Park Pool parking lot, 1500 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville. drop off your pumpkins and gourds to be composted. You may also bring your own bucket for compost on-site. Residents may collect up to 20 gallons of compost from SWALCO to take home. Hosted by the Libertyville Sustain Commission. Visit libertyville.com.

Cantigny Greenhouse Tour: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Capture some pre-holiday magic at this preview of the 2025 poinsettia crop! Greenhouse staff members will guide you through an array of vibrant poinsettias (up to 16 varieties), showcasing the beauty and tradition of this iconic Christmas plant. Learn about the history and care of these festive favorites, and discover how they are used around Cantigny for seasonal displays. Space is limited, so register today. One canned or bottled beverage included. $25. Register: cantigny.org.

Grayslake Greenery Garden Club, “Growing Tea Garden”: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at State Bank of the Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake. Master Gardener Carolina Schottland, a volunteer with the Chicago Botanic Garden, Buehler Enabling Garden and president of the Round Lake Area Garden Club, will talk about what plants you can grow in this area to create or enhance your own tea blends. It will focus on an array of plants that can be used for making tea. This talk includes an interactive, sensory component of fresh or dried plants depending on the season. Comprehensive plant list provided. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.

Bloomingdale Garden Club: 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. It will be the annual election of officers. Afterward, members will create a Christmas centerpiece for the West Suburban Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Each club member will add their own personal touches to the centerpieces. The residents love this annual Christmas projects and look forward to receiving them every year. Visit bloomingdalegardenclub.org.

Garden Club of Inverness: 10:15-11:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 639 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Dan Pilguy, owner and operator of Arlington Crest Farms, will present “A Decade of Farming for CSA’s, Markets and Local Restaurants.” He is entering his 10th year of business in Palatine. He last visited the club in 2019, and since then, has had many incredible experiences, grown produce for and at local food establishments, and learned a great deal along the way. He will return to share his trials and tribulations over the past decade as a suburban farmer. He will share what he has learned, including best practices as a grower, how he has developed his business to meet the needs of local consumers, and his hopes for future endeavors to make a lasting impact in the community. All are encouraged to attend. Free. Visit gardenclubofinverness.com.

Wild Ones “Living in the Liberated Landscape” webinar: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. Discover the power of ecological garden design in this free national webinar with award-winning landscape designer Larry Weaner. It’s a personal look at how dynamic, self-sustaining landscapes can emerge when we partner with nature instead of controlling it. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience, Weaner will share practical strategies for designing dynamic gardens that evolve naturally, support biodiversity, and bring lasting beauty to your yard. Register: wildones.org.

Garden Club of Downers Grove: 12:15-3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at American Legion Post 80, 4000 Saratoga, Downers Grove. Micheale, a florist with Designs by Heritage House in Downers Grove, will present “A Festive Touch.” 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.

Garden Club of ​Lake Zurich, “Adding Public Gardens to Your Travel Plans”: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Brock and Ruth Seney will talk about public gardens across the U.S. Ruth is a master gardener with the University of Illinois. Brock enjoys photography and has taken classes at the Chicago Botanic Garden. gardencluboflakezurich.org.

Naperville Garden Club’s Cup of Cheer Home Tour, Holiday Market & Tea: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 for $45. Preview day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 for $60. Four homes showcasing festive holiday decor that combines the homeowners’ personal style with seasonal touches provided by the club. The tea features homemade cookies and beverages. Each ticketed guest receives a commemorative teacup and saucer or mug, with a new pattern introduced each year. The Holiday Market features handcrafted and curated items at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 W. Jackson St. (non-ticket holders welcome from noon to 4 p.m. Friday). Tickets available at napervillegardenclub.org or Baird & Warner Realtors, 836 W. 75th St., Naperville; John Greene Realtors, 1311 S. Route 59, Naperville; and The Growing Place, 25W471 Plank Road, Naperville. A 10% discount is available with the purchase of 10 tickets. Proceeds support the club’s community programs, scholarships, civic beautification projects, and educational initiatives.

Geneva Garden Club: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Stephen R. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Cristin Adam or Maureen Natonson of The Growing Place will present “Design for Four Seasons.” The program starts at noon following lunch. Guests are welcome. Visit genevagardenclub.com/general-meetings/.

Workshops

Plan Your Vegetable Garden: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 15, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Fall is a great time to start planning next year’s vegetable and herb gardens. Learn about soil preparation and tests, vegetable garden layouts, heirloom and modern cultivars, and when and how to plant for a continued, flavorful harvest. $32-$40. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Growing Salad Greens Indoors: 6-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, online. Explore the foundational tools needed to grow greens indoors. We will cover required and alternative materials, as well as ideal crop varieties, the benefits and drawbacks of direct sowing versus transplanting, and optimal conditions for successfully growing greens indoors. $20/$25. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Winter Container Design Tips: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Discover the best plant selection for winter containers, focusing on hardy perennials, evergreens, and seasonal accents that add color and texture throughout the colder months. Through demonstration and discussion, understand the principles of container design, including balance, contrast, and the use of height, filler, and trailing elements to create visually appealing arrangements for your own winter container. Also gain troubleshooting advice to refine your container designs and care strategies. $29/$37. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Vertical Gardening: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, online. Maximizing garden space is a worthy goal that can be further supported by focusing on vertical opportunities. Limited garden space may lend itself to growing plants upward and selecting narrow forms of plants that work well in these situations. Examine the use of specific structures, gardening techniques, and plant selection. $52/$65. Register: chicagobotanic.org,

Winter Containers at the Garden: 10-11:30 a.m., 1-2:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Be inspired by the winter containers at the Garden and learn ways to extend your own into the winter season. Then prepare a container with fresh-cut evergreen boughs and berried or brightly colored branches. Dress for the weather and bring pruners and gloves. $89/$112. Register: chicagobotanic.org.