Home & garden calendar, Feb. 23 to March 7

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

Grayslake Greenery Garden Club, “Gardening in Comfort”: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at State Bank of the Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake. Presenters Mary Zorc, an Extension Master Gardener and the lead for the “Ask A Master Gardener” booth at the Grayslake Farmers Market, or Robin Martin, a newly certified Master Gardener and a strong advocate for the Gardening in Comfort approach. “Gardening in Comfort” involves using adaptive tools, equipment and techniques to best fit the needs of the gardener. Anyone, at any age, can garden with greater ease, preventing injury and reducing stress on the body. Included in the presentation will be a display of adaptive tools. Bring the tools you use to share your success with the group. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.

Garden Club of ​Lake Zurich: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. In “Art, Music and Words About Birds,” prairie steward and natural history writer Cindy Crosby offers a fun talk on birds and their place in cultural history. Birds have influenced classical and pop music, and are the focus of films, books, and works of art in textiles, painting, sculpture and more. ​Guests welcome. Refreshments and business meeting follows program. Sign up via the library website, eapl.org. gardencluboflakezurich.org.

Prospect Heights Garden Club: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at Gary Morava Recreation Center, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights. Toshiko Kolback will talk about Ikebana, also known as Kado, a traditional flower arrangement with seasonal elements chosen to be symbolic of a theme or with color to complement a room’s decoration. Toshi’s arrangements will be raffled at the end of the presentation. 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, March 5, at the Schaumburg Township building, One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. In “Designing with Color for Lasting Impact,” Diane Smith, owner of Perennial Professionals, will show how to use color strategically to create harmony, highlight focal points, and add year-round interest. Learn simple, effective strategies for creating seasonal palettes, plant pairings, and design highlights that boost curb appeal. Social hour with refreshments at 6 p.m. and a short business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nonmembers are welcome. Visit hoffmanestatesgardenclub.club.

Roselle Park District Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at Roselle Park District, 10 N. Roselle Road. An introduction to sustainable perennial food systems. Permaculture is a cumulation of thousands of years of food forests created by indigenous communities around the world. These cultures created ecosystems of edible plants that mimicked nature to build self-sustaining systems. There are three main permaculture ethics, Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share. There are 12 main principles of permaculture. It will touch on the ethics and principles and then delve into some of the main ideas of permaculture and how simple things can be incorporated into any style garden. Guests welcome. facebook.com/RPDgardenclub/.

Seed Swap: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, in St. Charles Public Library’s Huntley Community Room, 1 S. Sixth Ave. Swap seeds with local gardeners. This also is the first chance to get seeds from the heirloom seed library. You do not have to bring seeds to take seeds, but it is encouraged. Heirloom and open-pollinated seeds are preferred. Label seeds to the best of your ability. Master Gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension available to answer gardening questions. No registration required. Visit scpld.org.

Central States Dahlia Society: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Elk Grove Village Township Office, 600 Landmeier Road. Doors open at 1 p.m. Auctioneer Jim Kassner leads an auction of up to 50 highly-prized dahlia tubers contributed by fellow society members. Visit centralstatesdahliasociety.com.

Gardeners of Central Lake County: 7 p.m. Monday, March 9, in the Crosslife Evangelical Church basement, 431 W. Austin Ave., Libertyville. In “Birdscaping,” Donna Kinski will present ideas to attract birds to your yard by providing their needs through plant and tree choices. By making your garden a haven for birds, you can help declining bird populations. Visit gardenersofcentrallakecounty.org.

Geneva Garden Club: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at the Stephen R. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Kane County/University of Illinois Master Gardener will present “Pet-friendly Landscaping.” The program starts at noon following lunch. Guests are welcome. Visit genevagardenclub.com/general-meetings/.

Rolling Meadows Garden Club: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the Rolling Meadows Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive. In “Nifty Plants for Shady Sites,” Heather Prince, horticulturist educator at The Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanic Garden, will explore the colors and textures of special shade loving plant varieties for dry shade, moist shade, part shade, and dense shade. All are welcome. Visit rollingmeadowsgardenclub.com for more details.

Tri-Village Garden Club: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at Streamwood Fire Station 31, 1204 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Katherine Mueller will speak on “Monarchs in the Spring.” She is a member of the Schaumburg Monarch Initiative, an organization that encourages the planting of milkweed and other native plants and establishing a butterfly garden. The meeting is open to all. Visit acebook.com/TriVillageGardenClub/.

Des Plaines Garden Club: 9:45 a.m. Thursday, March 12, in the Glen Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Hwy., Des Plaines. The program starts at 10 a.m. Pacey will talk about the benefits of raised gardens and planters, and suggest plants that will do well in both. Bending and kneeling becomes more difficult as we age. Peglow will share some useful tips and a few chair yoga exercises to practice before you head out to garden. The business meeting starts at 11 a.m., followed by raffle and snacks. Bring a sack lunch and coffee cup, as coffee and dessert are provided. Visit desplainesilgardenclub.com or facebook.com/DesPlainesGardenClub/.

Garden Club of Downers Grove: 12:15-3 p.m. Monday, March 16, at American Legion Post 80, 4000 Saratoga, Downers Grove. Dolly Swibes Foster, a horticulturist and certified arborist, presents “Long Blooming Perennial Garden.” 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, March 17, at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. The club’s own Master Gardener, Gail Sanders, will show how to plant and maintain container gardens so that they can become attractive season long additions to the home landscape. It will include recipes for container displays and guidelines for plant selection. Social time begins at 6:15 p.m., announcements at 6:45 p.m., and meeting at 7 p.m. Visit bloomingdalegardenclub.org.

Mount Prospect Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, at Mount Prospect Police Station, 911 E Kensington Road. Due to the District IX annual meeting and luncheon on March 10 in Palatine, this month’s meeting is on the third Tuesday. Rolfe Jaremus will talk about “Soil -- Can You Dig It.” 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.

Garden Club of Inverness: 10 a.m. Thursday, March 19, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 639 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Jim and Jake Fabbrini of Fabbrini’s Flowers, a family-owned floral shop in Hoffman Estates, will present current trends in floral design, color palettes, and arrangement styles. By exploring Fabbrini’s design process, learn about what’s trending in today’s floral industry. And, some lucky winners will take home a lovely arrangement. Free. Visit gardenclubofinverness.com.

Grayslake Greenery Garden Club, “Bringing Nature into Your Yard”: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at State Bank of the Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake. Jackie Kosbab, senior horticulturist of Cantigny Park in Wheaton, will present “Roses: How Many Do You Have in Your Garden?” While many think that having roses in their garden can be daunting and time consuming, with a little know-how, you can have them thrive and be a wonderful addition to your garden. Visit grayslakegardenclub.org.

Lombard Garden Club: 12:30-3 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the Lombard Community Center, 433 E. St. Charles Road. In “Fixing Climate Change in Your Backyard and Frontyard,” Mike Nowak will talk about how your yard can make a huge difference in saving plants and animal species and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He walks you through the basic native plants (especially oaks), harvesting rainwater, reducing lawn area, composting and other gardening decisions. All designed to help your yard conserve rather than deplete natural resources. The centennial luncheon celebration is set for Friday, April 24, featuring “Hollywood in Bloom” by film historian Annette Bochenek about the impact and symbolism of gardens, forests, and plant life in Golden Age Hollywood films. All are welcome; no charge. Visit lombardgardenclub.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.

Wheaton Garden Club sale: Orders are open for the Wheaton Garden Club’s annual plant sale. Put in your order at wheatongardenclub.org by Sunday, March 1. The plant pickup date is Saturday, May 16, in Wheaton. The sale features professionally grown annuals many of which are Proven Winners. Hundreds of offerings include hanging baskets, individual pots of various sizes, and flats. Summer favorites available for purchase include a wide variety of geraniums, coleuses, salvias, zinnias and petunias. A wide selection of red white and blue flowers are available in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Proceeds support area community organizations and scholarships. Questions, email plantsale@wheatongardenclub.org.

Buffalo Grove Garden Club’s annual plant sale: Through March 29. Orders accepted via bgparks.org/information/garden-club/. Pickup date will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Alcott Center in Buffalo Grove. The sale features professionally grown annuals and herbs as well as perennial coral bells in 4.5-inch pots. A selection of 10- and 12-inch baskets are offered as well. To commemorate America 250 this summer, many red, white and blue offerings are available. Proceeds fund a scholarship program, planting and maintenance of four community gardens as well as presenters at meetings held March through December. Questions, contact cmcoffey65@gmail.com or bgbloomer822@gmail.com.

Workshops

Antique Apple Tree Grafting Seminar: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Garfield Farm Museum, off Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Learn how to grow your own antique apple trees at 37th annual event. For $40, participants will learn traditional apple grafting techniques and take home three grafts of heirloom varieties to plant in the spring. Reservations are required by calling (630) 584-8485 or emailing info@garfieldfarm.org.

Sustainable Garden Design: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays, March 6 to April 17, in Morton Arboretum’s Cudahy Room, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. In this introductory-level gardening class with Fearless Gardening horticulturist Heather Prince, learn the basic principles of designing a sustainable garden and create a personalized plan for your space. $170 or $200. Register: mortonarb.org.

Food Forest Design Workshop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Food forests are an approach to growing edible plants that incorporates all of the layers found in naturally occurring forests. It provides general information and guidelines on food forests and how to plan and care for them, including information on edible native species, companion planting, and other considerations for better cultivation. This course is for everyone; no special knowledge is required. If you’d like to learn from home, please check out the self-paced online course, “How to Create a Food Forest” (on demand). The instructor is Natalie Burgos, Chicago Region Trees Initiative steward, The Morton Arboretum. It is for age 16 or older. $32-$39. Register: mortonarb.org.

Midwest Fruit Explorers Grafting Workshop: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. The Midwest Fruit Explorers present this hands-on workshop with step-by-step instructions on how to graft and care for fruit trees. Beginners are welcome! Experts will guide newcomers, and grafting supplies including scion wood will be available for purchase. No registration required. Regular parking and garden admission fees apply. Visit chicagobotanic.org.

Garden shows

Orchid Show 2026: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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. $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, to March 13; and Saturday, 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. Saturday, 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.

Illinois Orchid Society’s 74th Spring Show and Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See hundreds of rare and unique orchids from the private collections of the top growers in four states compete in 130 competition classes in the longest-running amateur orchid exhibition in the Chicago area. Included in admission and parking. Shop for orchid plants and supplies from our network of commercial growers and collectors. Reserve your timed entry in advance. Visit chicagobotanic.org/orchid.

Northern Illinois Gesneriad Society Show & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22, at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. The gesneriad family contains some of the most decorative and widely grown tropical plants including lipstick plant, primrose, gloxinia, and African violets. Explore the beauty of approximately 50 exhibits featuring 20 different types. Learn about the diversity of their flowers and foliage, and see free demonstrations on propagation, soil, and more. Shop for cuttings, tubers, and rhizomes on sale for $2-$20. Regular parking and garden admission fees apply. Visit chicagobotanic.org/flowershows.