Home & garden calendar, Jan. 24-31

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

Seed Library open: noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, Jan. 25 to March 22, in the Lenhardt Library at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. At harvest time, save seeds for yourself, and return some to the Seed Library for others to “borrow” next season. Instructions on seed growing, harvesting, and saving are distributed with each hand-packed seed envelope. Before you get growing, check out the latest seed growing tips from the experts. By participating in the Seed Library, you become part of the growing community of seed savers and a keeper of shared knowledge for the next generation of gardeners. Many books are available for reading and borrowing. Visit chicagobotanic.org/library/seed_library.

Arlington Heights Garden Club: 7-8:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, on Zoom or in the Cardinal Room at Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. In “Introduction to the Soil Food Web,” Dr. Carla Portugal, lead scientist with the Soil Food Web School, will share information about soil food web approach and soil health improvement techniques, data from urban projects, comparisons to traditional agriculture, and actions local gardeners can take regarding soil improvement in our region. Presented in partnership with Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Register via ahml.info; no library card required. Visit facebook.com/AHGardenClub.

Grayslake Greenery Garden Club, “Bringing Nature into Your Yard”: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at State Bank of the Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake. David Eubanks, an environmentalist, ecologist, and native plant designer for 30 years, translates for home use the indigenous plants of Illinois’ prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Taking cues from how nature works in the “Chicago Wilderness” of nature preserves, Eubanks will demonstrate how native plants can beautify a home while solving landscape challenges such as wet spots in the yard, shady spots, and spots blasted by the sun. Specific native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, trees and shrubs will be discussed — from installation details to maintenance considerations. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.

Garden Club of ​Lake Zurich, “Reducing Climate Change Through Composting”: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Rolfe Jaremus, who has a family farm in Iroquois County, has been gardening for over 60 years and composting for 45 of those years. He will discuss how backyard composting and recycling organic waste can not only create some great gardening material but can also reduce CO2 and methane emissions, and in turn, help to reduce climate change. By expending a little bit of personal energy, we can reduce the cost of garden and kitchen waste management and reduce the amount of material that ends up in landfills. Jaremus will discuss how to build a compost bin and review his recommended bi-annual composting cycle. gardencluboflakezurich.org.

Westmont Gardening Club: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Westmont Public Library, 428 N. Cass Ave. Connect with other gardeners, beginners and experts alike, in exploring all aspects of gardening. Visit westmontlibrary.org.

Prospect Heights Garden Club: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at Gary Morava Recreation Center, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights. Bonnie Olson, who is gifted in all areas of art and crafting, shows how to create items for the next perennial sale. Not all of the items can be finished in one day. She has offered to extend the completion of these projects into the whole month of March. Members will be able to sign up to complete these crafts at the rec center. A business meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. followed by a brown-bag lunch. Any questions, call Ann Johnson at (847) 253-1223. Visit phparks.org/affiliates-2/.

Hoffman Estates Garden Club: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Schaumburg Township building, One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. In “Winterscaping: Beauty in the Quiet Season,” Heather Prince will talk about plants for their architecture, their resilience to snow cover, and the simple pleasures of bark and berries. Creating four-season landscapes is perhaps the most challenging in winter when the color palette shrinks and the emphasis shifts to form over flower. Prince is a professional garden writer and trained horticulturist specializing in trees, shrubs. and natives. Social hour with refreshments at 6 p.m. and a short business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nonmembers are welcome. Visit hoffmanestatesgardenclub.club.

Central States Dahlia Society: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at Elk Grove Village Township Office, 600 Landmeier Road. Doors open at 1 p.m. In “Propagation Methods,” learn about propagating tubers for the season: waking up and potting tubers, making cuttings, and potting up plants to be ready for the plant sale and the season. Visit centralstatesdahliasociety.com.

Mount Prospect Garden Club ‘Negotiating with Nature’: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Mount Prospect Village Hall’s Farley Room, 50 S. Emerson St. Kim Hartmann will talk about “Best New Plant Varieties for 2026.” 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, Feb. 10, at the Stephen R. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Cindy Tyley of Carriage House Garden Design will present “Succulents.” The program starts at noon following lunch. Guests are welcome. Visit genevagardenclub.com/general-meetings/.

Rolling Meadows Garden Club, “Growing Fruit In A Small Yard”: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Rolling Meadows Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive. Deb Graham of The Midwest Fruit Explorers Society shows how it’s possible to grow a broad variety of fruits even in Zone 5. There are many varieties of small or dwarf trees that provide flavorful fruits and can fit modest spaces. The MidFex Society will help you grow, graft, propagate and swap superior fruiting plants. All are welcome. Visit rollingmeadowsgardenclub.com for more details.

Garden Club of Downers Grove: 12:15-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at American Legion Post 80, 4000 Saratoga, Downers Grove. Ken Benson, a landscape architect and host of the show “Landscaping with Ken Benson” from 1992-2000, presents “Houseplants, Our Friends.” 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.

Bloomingdale Garden Club: 6:15-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. It will be the annual business meeting, including a review of 2025 activities, upcoming events for 2026 (including the popular flower & plant sale in May), and a discussion about the club’s charitable donations. The club will also be making lanyards for name badges at meetings. Visit bloomingdalegardenclub.org.

Plant sales

Organic Seedlings Sale: First Congregational United Church of Christ in Elmhurst is now taking order for its 12th annual sale. Preorders for certified organic vegetable, herb and annual flower seedlings will be taken through Feb. 28. New this year, order bags of organic mushroom compost and potting mix too. For information on ordering your seedlings, visit elmhurstucc.org/store. Seedlings will be available for pick up at the Green Garden Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 9, at the church, 235 S. Kenilworth.

Garden shows

Super Seed Saturday: Saturday, Jan. 24, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Hear from experts, explore behind the scenes, swap seeds with gardeners. Free admission to Super Seed Saturday events; preregistration is not required for the Seed Swap. In “Low-Water, High-Yield Gardening for Any Space” from 1-2 p.m., Peg Davis, a farmer, retired agriculture teacher, and heirloom tomato enthusiast, leads a hands-on workshop on sub-irrigation plantings (SIPs), water-saving systems that help plants thrive in any space. Creator of the heirloom “Peg O’ My Heart” tomato, Davis shares practical, organic methods for growing abundant, flavorful produce with minimal water use. Registration is requested for the free lecture, free tours of the Dixon National Tallgrass Prairie Seed Bank, and the Rare Book Room. Admission is free for Garden members. Regular parking and admission fees apply for nonmembers. Visit chicagobotanic.org.

Orchid Show 2026: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 7 to March 22 at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Rewind to the 1960s and ’70s at the “Orchid Show: Feelin’ Groovy” where 10,000 vibrant orchids are the hottest thing since bell bottoms. Floor-to-ceiling sunbeams made of cascading orchids light up the room in living color. Lose yourself in a 10-foot lava lamp aglow with colorful blooms, then hit the road as a flower-filled Volkswagen Beetle carries you through a Route 66 daydream. $9-$16. Visit chicagobotanic.org/orchid. Photographers' hours ($30) are 8:15-9:45 a.m. and 4:15-5:45 p.m. Tuesdays; pre-show ticketed access for photographers; capacity is limited.

Orchids after Hours: 5-8 p.m. Thursdays, March 12 and 19; Fridays, Feb. 13 to March 14; and Saturdays, Feb. 14 and 28, and March 14, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Mingle with the blooms and enjoy a vibrant night out at Orchids After Hours, featuring cocktails and light bites for purchase. Separate ticket required; members cannot use free Orchid Show tickets for this event. $16-$25. Visit chicagobotanic.org/orchid.

Orchids after Hours Silent Disco: 5-8 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 21 and March 21, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Age 21 or older can mingle with the blooms and enjoy a vibrant night out at Orchids After Hours, featuring cocktails and light bites for purchase. Separate ticket required; members cannot use free Orchid Show tickets for this event. $25. Visit chicagobotanic.org/orchid.

Workshops

Plant Health: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 27 to March 5, via Zoom with Chicago Botanic Garden. Learn to identify, diagnose, treat, and prevent some of the most common diseases, insects, animal pests, and environmental problems encountered by the region’s landscape industry. Topics include Integrated Pest Management (IPM), cultural care, basic entomology and pathology, pesticides and alternatives, and animal management. A supply list will be sent. It will be led by Chris Beiser, arborist/horticulturist for the Town of Basalt, Colorado. $449 or $562. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Small Tool Maintenance Workshop: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. In this new workshop, learn how to keep your garden tools in top shape. Explore essential techniques for cleaning, sharpening, oiling, and storing tools to extend their life span and improve performance. Using files, grinders, and rust removal methods, you will have a hands-on opportunity to practice what you learn. Bring your pruners or other small hand tools. It is led by Maezy Beams, assistant horticulturist, Chicago Botanic Garden. $32 or $40. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Introduction to Pruning: Noon Wednesday, Feb. 4, online, and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Practice correct pruning techniques and learn which plants to prune now and, more importantly, which to prune later. Learn which trees and shrubs to prune at different times of the year and the best practices in pruning different species of trees and shrubs. In this interactive class, you will complete a 60-minute online component on your own before attending an in-person session. Spend the in-person session outdoors with Katrina Lewin, plant records coordinator, who will demonstrate what to prune and how to do it. Then put on your gloves, grab some pruners, and try it yourself. Also offered on Thursday, March 5 and Saturday, March 7. $42 or $49. Register: mortonarb.org.

Twelve Months of Garden Adventures: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, on Zoom with the Chicago Botanic Garden. New! Explore a year’s worth of botanical travel inspiration and discover peak garden experiences, every month of the year. Planning a vacation to Southern California? Visit in March and witness the superbloom of poppies in Antelope Valley. Do you love hydrangeas? Plan a trip to Cape Cod in July and experience the Hydrangea Festival. Whether you are planning your next getaway or creating a travel wish list, find must-see botanical adventures. Enjoy spectacular photographs which bring each destination to life, taken by photographer, horticulturist and traveler Karl Gercens. All registrations must be submitted online two days before your class starts. $32. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Winter Sowing for Monarchs: 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 419 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook. Forest Preserve District of Will County's Adult Lecture Series will study the importance of common milkweed, host plant for the monarch butterfly and home to an assortment of other garden friends. Learn the ins and outs of winter seed sowing. Offer the migrating monarch butterflies an advantage by getting a head-start on gardening season with the winter sowing method. Participants will leave with an upcycled greenhouse ready to be put outside to endure the winter weather while waiting for spring to arrive. Registration required by Thursday, Feb. 5, at (815) 722-4121 or reconnectwithnature.org.

Beginning Beekeeping: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 11 to March 11, in Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. If you are curious about honey bees, interested in starting your own hive and harvesting your own honey, or you already have a hive and want to learn more about managing it, join experienced beekeepers to learn how to start beekeeping. Explore the history of beekeeping, bee anatomy, starting up a colony, managing it through the year, basic beekeeping supplies and equipment, honey bee pests and diseases, harvesting honey, and more. The instructors are Pete Soltesz, president, Cook-DuPage Beekeepers Association and Kim Kulton, beekeeper, Bee All About It. It is for age 16 or older. $119 or $140. Register: mortonarb.org.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Basics: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, on Zoom with Chicago Botanic Garden. Chicago Botanic Garden horticulturist Riley Finnegan-Carrion will discuss the basic techniques and tools needed to grow your own vegetables. Explore how to choose the perfect site, prepare your soil, sow seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest your bounty. $32. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Pruning Principles: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, in the Learning Center at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Tim Johnson, Chicago Botanic Garden’s senior director of horticulture, will show how using the correct technique for pruning is key to maintaining healthy plants. Learn the principles of pruning, including proper tool use, techniques for pruning trees and shrubs, and the best time to prune both evergreen and deciduous plants. Discover a variety of pruning tools for maximum efficiency and plant health. $40. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Assessing Soil Health for Ornamental Landscapes: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. If you’ve noticed a decline in your ornamental landscape’s vegetation, poor soil could be the cause. In this hands-on workshop with green industry outreach coordinator Michelle Catania, learn about the plant-soil relationships of healthy ornamental landscapes, the basics of soil properties, and the importance of soil sampling. $42 or $49. Register: mortonarb.org.

Building Healthy Soils: 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Learn about properties of healthy soils and how they impact your landscape. In this hands-on workshop with green industry outreach coordinator Michelle Catania, learn how to assess soils and learn the functions that help support all kinds of healthy plants. Whether you grow vegetables, flowers, trees, or shrubs, this workshop will introduce you to a deeper understanding of garden soil, and give you tips and techniques for creating healthy soils in your yard. $32 or $39. Register: mortonarb.org.

Introduction to Houseplant Care: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, on Zoom with Chicago Botanic Garden. New! Learn to think like a horticulturist with Sarah Nolimal, Chicago Botanic Garden’s senior horticulturist, as you explore indoor plant care, including basic requirements and treatment plans. Expand your knowledge of topics like environmental factors, plant selection, healthcare, and seasonal maintenance. Bring your questions and get expert guidance on keeping your plants thriving year-round. $25. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Gardening for Hummingbirds: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, on Zoom with Chicago Botanic Garden. Make your yard a haven for ruby-throated hummingbirds with a great selection of native plants that provide food sources and nesting sites from spring to fall. Led by Duncan Himmelman, Ph.D., college horticulture instructor. $65. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Dappled Delights, Adding Color to Shade Gardens: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Regenstein Center Plant Science Lab at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. New! Shady spaces do not have to be dull. While spring ephemerals provide early interest, many fade quickly, leaving gaps in the garden. Explore a wide variety of plants — both foliage and flowers — that keep shade gardens vibrant well into summer and fall. Chicago Botanic Garden plant curator Jacob Burns will show how to combine textures, colors, and bloom times for continuous appeal, plus offer tips on selecting plants that thrive in low light. Whether you are working under mature trees or in the shadow of a building, discover creative ways to transform dim areas into colorful, layered landscapes. $32. Register: chicagobotanic.org.