Home & garden calendar, March 17-28
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
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.
Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners: 6:45 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Environmental educator and biologist Lizzy Small will speak on “From Soil to Songbirds: The Science Behind Native Plant Success” She will discuss how native plants support pollinators, birds, and soil health. How deep root systems, microbial partnerships, and adaptations to local climate make native plants resilient and sustainable choices. Learn how to assess conditions such as soil type, moisture, light, and drainage, and when to amend soil. All are welcome. Visit bataviaplaindirtgardeners.org or facebook.com/BataviaPlainDirtGardeners/.
Wild Ones: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, on YouTube Live. In “Rethinking Horticulture with Real Ecology,” field botanist and science communicator Joey Santore, creator of “Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t,” examines how inherited design norms like straight lines, uniform spacing, tidy edges, and color-grouped plantings shape expectations for native landscapes. These conventions, rooted in European garden traditions and reinforced by modern lawn culture, continue to influence how native plant gardens are judged, managed, and defended, often at the expense of biodiversity, soil health, and long-term ecological resilience. Free. Register: wildones.org.
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.
Arlington Heights Garden Club: 6:30-8:15 p.m. Monday, March 23, at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 717 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. In “Spring Garden Field Trips,” Becky Booth will share her favorite area garden events and places to visit for recovery from the bleakness of winter. She has been an avid gardener in three homes across the Northwest suburbs. She enjoys photographing plants to capture them at their peak and sharing with others. Visitors are welcome to come and find garden places to visit in the area. 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: 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. Nowak will walk you through the basic native plants, harvesting rainwater, reducing lawn area, composting and other garden decisions that can make a huge difference in saving plants and animal species and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. All are welcome; no charge. Visit lombardgardenclub.org. 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.
Prospect Heights Garden Club: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 2, at Gary Morava Recreation Center, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights. Did you know that there’s a crow with reasoning skills comparable to a 7-year-old child? Alyse Cohen Burman will be speak on “The Evil Crow, Birdorable?” The founder and owner of the WildBird Shack Speakeasy has been birding for over 30 years. She works with senior care communities and several area schools. A business meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. followed by a brown-bag lunch. Visit phparks.org/affiliates-2/.
Roselle Park District Garden Club: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Roselle Park District, 10 N. Roselle Road. In “From Garden Club to Garden Glove: A Cautiously Confident Beginner’s Journey,” a club member will share what it has been like to go from enthusiastic observer to hands-in-the-dirt gardener and how she applied knowledge gained from garden club meetings, asking questions, making mistakes, and growing (literally and figuratively) one season at a time. Whether you're new to gardening or interested in trying something new, or a seasoned grower who enjoys hearing the trials of a fellow plant parent, come be reminded that every Master Gardener was once a beginner and that progress doesn’t require perfection, just curiosity and a bit of soil. Guests welcome. facebook.com/RPDgardenclub/.
Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Krina Koenen, a designer with the Flower Studio, will provide a floral design program showcasing her artistic experience and the ease of creating floral arrangements. She has participated in numerous presentations and has won the Award of Design Excellence for multiple arrangements. Guests welcome. Become a member and receive a $25 garden nursery gift card. Refreshments and business meeting follows program. Sign up via the library website, eapl.org. Visit gardencluboflakezurich.org.
Rolling Meadows Garden Club: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the Rolling Meadows Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive. In “New Varieties of Daylilies,” Amanda Christensen of the American Daylily Society will introduce the club to some new varieties. All are welcome. Visit rollingmeadowsgardenclub.com for more details.
Hoffman Estates Garden Club: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Schaumburg Township building, One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Ken Benson will talk about “Improving Your Soil The Natural Way.” Explore some of the techniques used by Benson’s grandparents in the preparation of their flower beds and vegetable garden. Discussion of basic soil structure, texture, compaction and amendments will be covered. Soil ph, macro and micro elements along with mycorrhiza, green sand and compost for amendments will be reviewed. Social hour with refreshments at 6 p.m. and a short business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nonmembers are welcome. Visit hoffmanestatesgardenclub.club.
Greenhouse Tour: 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, at Cantigny Greenhouse, Schaffner Road entrance, Wheaton. An exclusive peek into the vibrant world of plants that will adorn the gardens starting in May. The greenhouse manager will lead you through the greenhouse, where you’ll discover a diverse array of blossoming botanical wonders. Learn about the unique characteristics of each plant species, their growth requirements, and the role they play in creating the park's picturesque landscapes. Space is limited. A drink is included in the price of your ticket. $25. Register: cantigny.org/event/greenhouse-tour-7/.
Central States Dahlia Society: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Elk Grove Village Township Office, 600 Landmeier Road. Doors open at 1 p.m. In “Planting and Summer Care,” get planting tips (how, when and where) and manicuring dahlias (topping, tying, lateral management, disbudding and timing for shows), as well as summer care tips (watering, fertilizing and pest control). There will be no meetings in June, July and August. Visit centralstatesdahliasociety.com.
Gardeners of Central Lake County: 7 p.m. Monday, April 13, in the Crosslife Evangelical Church basement, 431 W. Austin Ave., Libertyville. Jeff Weiss presents “Citizen Science in Your Backyard.” Learn how to contribute to scientific study by participating in bird or bee counts, monitoring wildlife, setting up home weather station, monitoring your native plants and more. Visit gardenersofcentrallakecounty.org.
Geneva Garden Club: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Stephen R. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road in Geneva. Kane County/University of Illinois Master Gardener will present “Raised Bed Veggies.” The program starts at noon following lunch. Guests are welcome. Visit genevagardenclub.com/general-meetings/.
Plant sales
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.
Citizens for Conservation’s 30th annual Spring Native Plant, Shrub and Tree Sale: Available through April 4 or until order capacity is reached. The sale offers more than 200 varieties of native plants including many species of plants that support local pollinators. Also available for pre-order: a special “30 plants for 30 years” garden, featuring a curated selection of plants to mark the sale’s 30th anniversary. Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is a $50 pre-order minimum charge. The in-person sale will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CFC’s Hill ‘N Dale Preserve, 11801 Ridge Road, Barrington Hills. Online order pickup will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 1, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the sale site. For more information, visit citizensforconservation.org or contact (847) 382-7283.
Central States Dahlia Society’s annual Dahlia Plant Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, in Burnstein Hall at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Admission to the dahlia sale is included in admission to the botanic garden. centralstatesdahliasociety.com.
Friends of the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission’s inaugural Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, at 9 E. Marion Ave. in Prospect Heights. All of the native plants are grown by PHNRC volunteers, mostly from the seed collected at the restoration sites. They also offer vegetables, herbs, and non-native garden plants. All proceeds will fund the creation and protection of natural areas in the city’s neighborhoods. Plant experts will be available for consultations. For a list of plants, visit phnrc.com/plant-sale.html.
Gardeners of Central Lake County plant sale: 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Crawford Warming House, 817 Lake St. in Libertyville. It will be held rain or shine. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, the club has a wide variety of plants to suit your needs. Offering natives, vegetables, perennials, annuals, herbs, and more. Plants grown from seed, cuttings, and bulbs. Also, browse the garden treasures shop. Proceeds benefit the club. Visit gardenersofcentrallakecounty.org.
Bloomingdale Garden Club Spring Flower & Plant Sale: noon to 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at Bloomingdale Park District maintenance building, 259 Springfield Drive, north end of Springfield Park, quarter-mile south of Route 20. It will feature nursery grown annuals in flats, 4- and 6-inch pots, hanging baskets, vegetables and herbs, accessory plants, grasses, tropicals, and perennials from members’ gardens. They also will have a Master Gardener Help Desk, raffles, and gently-used garden items for sale. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted ($2 service fee is charge for credit card use). Proceeds will support local charities. Visit bloomingdalegardenclub.org.
Garden Club of Lake Zurich Plant Sale: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16, at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The club offers hundreds of home-grown perennials, annuals, natives, saplings, vegetable seedlings, groundcovers, houseplants, herbs, plus garden books and decor. Plants are in sterilized soil to deter the spread of invasive worm species. Get expert advice from Master Gardeners and garden club members. It will be held rain or shine. Pay by cash, check or credit card. Come early as plants go quickly. Visit gardencluboflakezurich.org.
Lincolnshire Garden Club’s Spring Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Community Christian Church, 1970 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Flats of annuals, gallon size perennials and natives will be available for sale. Funds raided allow the Lincolnshire Garden Club to continue its tradition of providing grants to community organizations. Visit lincolnshiregardenclub.com.
Master Gardeners' Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the University of Illinois Extension grounds, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake. Featuring a selection of nursery-grown varieties not readily available at traditional garden centers – natives, new cultivars of perennials, grasses and pollinator-friendly plants. Many varieties of home-grown tomatoes, along with other vegetables and herbs, will be available. In addition, shop “Garden Treasures” for new and gently used items to enhance your landscape and home, including yard art, garden tools, decorative containers and gardening books. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions, help with plant selection, and offer gardening advice. All proceeds support projects and programming for volunteers, youth and adults in Lake County. For details, call (847) 223-8627 or visit extension.illinois.edu/lm.
Workshops
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. This holistic approach is beneficial in several ways, both for the local population as well as for the environment. This course 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.
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.
Midwest Bonsai Society Spring Show & Sale: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Midwest Bonsai Society. Hundreds of bonsai specimens will be on display or for sale. Free demonstrations and lectures will be held in Regenstein Center. Workshops for beginners and accomplished bonsai growers will be held in various locations. Additional fee and registration is required for workshops. Visit midwestbonsai.org or chicagobotanic.org.