Home & garden calendar, Jan. 31 to Feb. 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

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 has a large, organic vegetable garden along with fruit and nut trees. 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 with a passion for connecting people with plants. 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, Feb. 5, at Roselle Park District, 10 N. Roselle Road. Discover how a volunteer-powered movement is cultivating change in our own backyard. Sustain DuPage leads inspiring projects that connect people to the land through gardening, habitat restoration, seed saving, composting, and more. Learn how their efforts, from transforming invasive landscapes into native habitats to nurturing thriving community gardens, are making a lasting impact. See what ideas might take root in your own gardening journey! Guests welcome. facebook.com/RPDgardenclub/.

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: 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.

Des Plaines Garden Club: 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Glen Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Hwy., Des Plaines. The program starts at 10 a.m. with Marc Lyon, an experienced garden coach, on “Growing Terrific Tomatoes.” Nothing compares to the freshness and flavor of a home-grown tomato. He will show how to successfully grow your own crop in your backyard or container 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, 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. Social time begins at 6:15 p.m., announcements at 6:45 p.m., and meeting at 7 p.m. Visit bloomingdalegardenclub.org.

Wild Ones “From Wasteland to Wonder”: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, on YouTube Live. In “Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Suburban and Urban Landscape,” learn how small shifts in how we care for trees, soil, and land can restore life, reduce effort, and create healthier suburban and urban landscapes in this free webinar with Basil Camu. Drawing on two decades of hands-on experience through Leaf & Limb, Camu shows how working with natural systems instead of against them can help heal land, reduce maintenance, and create healthier, more resilient landscapes. Register: wildones.org.

Garden Club of Inverness: 10:15-11:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 639 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Dan Pilguy, owner and operator of Arlington Crest Farms, is entering his 10th year of business in Palatine. He last visited the club in 2019. He will 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. Free. Visit gardenclubofinverness.com.

Arlington Heights Garden Club: 6:30-8:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 717 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. In “Warblers Unveiled, Discover the True Songbirds of Summer,” Alyse Cohen Burman will explore the diverse species of warblers, their unique habitats and the critical role they play in our ecosystems. Learn about these small songbirds known for their beautiful colors and melodies. 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, “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.

Seed Library open: noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, 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.

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

National Seed Swap Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley. 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. Once a common practice, the tradition of seed swapping has nearly disappeared; National Seed Swap Day is bringing it back! It's a chance for gardeners to gather, exchange seeds and discover new varieties. Although not required, please bring seeds to share if you have them. Free admission. parkfun.com.

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

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.

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.

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.