Home & garden calendar July 28-Aug. 8

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

Plant Giveaway: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Sept. 27, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Volunteers or staff in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden will share information about the featured plant and encourage visitors to take a seedling home to plant. A care sheet with growing information and use tips is available for visitors to photograph. Note: seedlings or seeds are distributed each program day while supplies last. Featured plants: Through July 31 Siam Queen Thai basil; Aug. 1-30 Greek oregano. chicagobotanic.org.

Insects After Dark: 8-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Ages 5 and older with an adult can learn how to identify insects at night, using an old sheet and a light. It starts with a quick overview of how to attract insects before going outside. Wear dark clothing and apply bug spray. The evening ends with s’mores around the campfire. $8 or $10 for nonresidents. Register: elginil.gov/248/Hawthorne-Hill-Nature-Center.

Sulky Bird Count: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 4-25, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join a naturalist in exploring this preserve while looking for local birds. A limited supply of binoculars will be available for loan. All skill levels welcome. Free. fpdcc.com/series/sulky-bird-count/.

Garden Club of ​Lake Zurich: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Ela Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Learn about turtles with Kathryn McCabe, a wildlife ecologist for the Lake County Forest Preserves. She has participated in long-term, state-endangered Blanding’s turtle research, including monitoring movements via radiotelemetry and managing threats like fungal disease. Refreshments and business meeting follows program. gardencluboflakezurich.org.

Hoffman Estates Garden Club: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Township of Schaumburg, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Ask questions of the club’s gardening experts on an array of topics. Nonmembers welcome. The club meets on the first Thursday of the month. hoffmanestatesgardenclub.com/events/.

Plant Bingo fundraiser: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. An adults-only Plant Bingo night. Play to win plants and gardening accessories. Proceeds benefit local horticulture nonprofits. 21-or-older event. $15 online or $20 at the door. Register: thegrowingplace.com.

Garden Club for kids: 3:30-4:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St., Geneva. Young gardeners entering third to fifth grade can learn planting and plant seeds and create garden-inspired projects. Registration required via gpld.org.

Create a Lego Garden: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lenhardt Library, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Create a Lego garden with artist Alysa Kirkpatrick. Lego creations stay at the garden. Free with admission; no registration required. chicagobotanic.org/america-grows.

Bloomingdale Garden Club: 6:15-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Cornerstone Faith Community Church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. Veronica Porter will speak about “Indoor Gardening to Extend the Season, from Houseplants to Succulents.” Visitors are welcome. Social time at 6:15 p.m., announcements at 6:45 p.m., and meeting at 7 p.m. bloomingdalegardenclub.org.

Fall Preview Greenhouse Tour: 6-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Cantigny Greenhouse, Schaffner Road entrance, Wheaton. The greenhouse manager will lead guests through the greenhouse to see a curated selection of plants destined for the gardens. Space is limited. $25 (canned or bottled beverage included). Register: cantigny.org/event/greenhouse-tour-8/.

Give a Sip fundraiser: 3-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at the Country Bumpkin Garden Center, 27691 N. Gilmer Road, Mundelein. Lake County Extension Foundation’s garden social fundraiser features raffles, prizes, shopping and socializing. $35. extension.illinois.edu/events/.

America 250 Garden Walks: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Join a 90-minute stroll through the gardens with horticulture director Jamie Burghardt. This year’s theme is America 250. Several key components of modern everyday Americana either debuted or gained fame at Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition. Learn about the fabrication of the fabric art piece Gallantly Streaming in the Upper Garden. $25 (includes one canned or bottled beverage). Tickets: cantigny.org/event.

BioBlitz event

Food Forest Trail BioBlitz: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Apple Creek Food Forest, 3210 Dean St., Woodstock. Join The Land Conservancy of McHenry County to walk the Creekside trail and document species of plants, insects and wildlife. Free. Register: conservemc.org/event/food-forest-trail-bioblitz/.

Nature walks/bike rides

America Grows walking tour: 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. weekdays, through Sept. 25, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take a guided walking tour of the garden to see the Heritage Garden, Fruit & Vegetable Garden. This tour features “America Grows: 250 Years of Garden Stories.” Hear about the garden’s history and development, including the Skokie River Corridor and current initiatives. Free with admission; no registration required. It’s 45 minutes and covers 0.6 miles. Register: chicagobotanic.org/america-grows.

Forest Invaders Hike: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Fullersburg Woods, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Adults can take a short hike with plant experts and learn how to identify nonnative and invasive species in the wild by leaf, root and stem. $5. Register: dupageforest.org.

Paths of Pollinators Walk: 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take a walk around the garden looking for and learning about pollinators. $30. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Bike Tour of the Gardens: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Cantigny Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Bob Carr, greenhouse grower at Cantigny, will lead a small group ride, stopping at garden spots along the way to discuss the plantings. Biking through the gardens is only allowed on these tours. One child (no charge) may be included with each paying adult. $15. Register: cantigny.org/event/.

Family Evening Hike — Sounds of the Evening: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Join the hike featuring kid-friendly activities. Kids younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. $10 per family. Register: dupageforest.org.

Morning Prairie Walk: 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Join a hike around Phantom Prairie for kids 12 and older. Free; no registration required. fpdcc.com/event/morning-prairie-walk-3/.

Seasonal Tree Walk: 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. The walk explores the trees at the garden. Led by Mark Zampardo, horticulture educator. Meet at Visitor Center. $36. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Beginner Bird Walk Main Island: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Spot songbirds, waterfowl and raptors on this relaxed evening bird walk throughout the display gardens. All experience levels welcome. Binoculars are recommended but not necessary. $30. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

CCC at Fullersburg, A Guided History Hike: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 22, at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Visit trails and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps on a 2.5-mile hike that explores the legacy of the World War I veterans who helped shape the preserve during the Great Depression. For ages 16 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. $10. Register: dupageforest.org.

Family Evening Hike — Trees & Trails: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Join an adventure with short stops along the way, kid-friendly activities and a take-home spotlight card. All ages; kids younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. $10 per family. Register: dupageforest.org.

Garden shows

Celebrations Around the World Flower Show: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at American Legion Post 911, 515 S. Main St., Wauconda. Presented by Grayslake Greenery Garden Club and Wauconda Garden Club. Honoring festivals, traditions and celebrations from around the globe expressed through floral designs and horticultural exhibits. Free. grayslakegardenclub.org.

Prairie State Bonsai Society exhibition: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-2, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. As part of the Destination Asia Festival, society members from the Chicago area will display trees that they have been developing over the years. Also features a section of trees in training, so that guests can see bonsai trees in progress. Included in general admission. mortonarb.org.

33rd annual Antique Tool Show & Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Joint show by the Early American Industries Association and the Mid-West Tools Collectors Association features over 30 different collectors with tools on display and for sale. $8 or $3 for kids 12 and younger. garfieldfarm.org.

48th Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition: Noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Sponsored by the Midwest Bonsai Society, one of the largest regional shows in the nation featuring over 80 world-class trees from across the Midwest and beyond. Trees will be judged by bonsai professional Boon Manakitivipart. Vendor, workshops, demonstrations, bonsai tour, tree raffle and society gear available. Included in general admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Ikenobo Ikebana Society Chicago Chapter Show: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23, in the Burnstein Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Ikenobo Ikebana Society, Chicago Chapter. Ikenobo is the origin of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Included in general admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Heirloom Garden Show: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Museum antique flower, vegetable gardens and prairie plots on display with growers of heirloom varieties displaying and selling. $8 or $3 kids younger than 13. garfieldfarm.org.

Workshops

Plan Your Native Plant Garden: 7-8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at the Cary Area Library, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary. Sarah Michehl from The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will talk about site preparation, plant choices, the pollinator connection and vital maintenance tips. Free. Register: conservemc.org.

Hydrangeas 101: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 1, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Learn about the most commonly planted hydrangeas in northern Illinois and techniques for pruning and caring for them in this introductory class. A garden walk will follow. $59-$74. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Welcome to Birding: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Gail Borden Public Library’s Elgin Room, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Daily Herald “Words on Birds” columnist Jeff Reiter will discuss birds, birding and birders. Free; register at gailborden.info.

The World of Edible Flowers: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at The Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Journey through the world of edible flowers with this photo-based presentation from Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh of Backyard Patch Herbs. Learn about over 20 edible flowers and get tips on how to harvest, preserve and prepare them. $42-$49. Register: mortonarb.org.

Designing for Change in the Native Perennial Garden: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Morton Arboretum Thornhill Education Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Learn how to cultivate a native garden, including how native perennials are different from traditional garden perennials; how to emulate natural plant communities by planting in layers; how to think about plant sociability; and how to prepare a site for new planting. Led by Angela Bowman, Bowman Gardens Ecological Garden Design. $32-$39. Register: mortonarb.org.

Night Fliers Mothing Workshop: 7:30-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. A special rig will be set up to draw in the night fliers. Learn to recognize nighttime critters and become acquainted with community science apps that will be used in future research to help preserve our planet. Class will start inside then move outdoors. Dress for the weather. $94-$118. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Garden Mandala Making: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday Aug. 13, at the Cantigny Education Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Meet the guide in the Visitors Center. Hands-on workshop shows how to create your own botanical mandala using items from your garden. Led by Director of Horticulture Jamie Burghard. $40 (includes one canned or bottled beverage). Register: cantigny.org/event/mandala-making/.

Fall Garden Care: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Tim Johnson, senior director of horticulture, will offer techniques for taking care of your lawn, trees, shrubs and perennials, including fall fertilizing, mulching, cutting back plants, and protecting plants from wind and animals. $49. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

The Ecology of Oaks: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Cary Area Public Library meeting room, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary. Native oaks are a keystone species that many other species rely on. Sarah Michehl of TLC will share more about the life of oak trees. Register: conservemc.org.

Fall Lawn Care: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Tom Fritz, plant health care specialist, will offer the basics of lawn renovation and how to prepare your lawn for winter. Discuss and observe proper techniques for installing sod, seeding and overseeding, and aerating and fertilizing. $49. Register: chicagobotanic.org.

Reaping the Harvest: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at University of Illinois Extension office, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake. Learn about collection, processing and sowing of native seeds with Luke Dahlberg, native seed program manager at Citizens for Conservation. Register: extension.illinois.edu/events/.

Ongoing

Private Garden Tour: John Richter has opened his private garden in Warrenville to share his various grafted trees and variegated bushes, thousands of day lilies from 10 different hybridizers, over 750 different varieties of hostas and numerous sculptures. Free; call (630) 393-3279 to schedule a visit.

Healing Gardens: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month through October, at Stone Hill Farm, 37W249 Dean St., St. Charles. Enjoy the natural wooded setting and perennial gardens. $5; $10 per family; free for cancer survivors. The Healing Gardens is cultivated and hosted by Deborah Marqui, owner of Stone Hill Farm with her husband, Buzz. (630) 740-2597 or healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com.