Learn about front porch decorations for the fall
Seminars, events
•Heirloom Garden Show, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Backyard gardeners who grow heritage variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers will exhibit, offer tastings and sell their produce. Admission $6, or $2 for age 12 and younger. Garfield Farm Museum, 5 miles west of Geneva off Route 38 on Garfield Road. Call (630) 584-8485.
•"Front Porch Decorations for Fall," Saturday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. in Aurora and 2 p.m. in Naperville, The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora; and 25W471 Plank Road, Naperville. Bring the rich colors of fall to your front entrance. (630) 820-8088 (Aurora) and (630) 355-4000 (Naperville).
•"Tool Sharpening with Joe," 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 29, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Professional sharpening by Joe the Sharpener. Fees vary by size of tool; cash or check only. (847) 359-1080.
•"Hosta Happening," 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery in Woodstock. Several hundred varieties of hostas for $5 and up. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Bring hosta leaves for identification by Tom Micheletti, president of the American Hosta Society. 1 p.m.: Presentation by Mary Beth Vanous of Q&A Nursery of Rochelle, Ill. All proceeds benefit Heifer International. Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery, 116 McConnell Road, Woodstock.
Chicago Botanic Garden
•All About Peppers: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Learn about growing and using peppers, both hot and sweet. Tours, vendors, cooking tips. Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.
•Garden Club of Illinois District 9 Show: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today. An advanced standard flower show with judged exhibits and cut horticulture competition. Visit gardenglories.org. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.
Tours
•Guided walks of Millennium Park's Lurie Garden in Chicago are from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 20. These walks are free and led by a master gardener from the University of Illinois. Preregistration is not required. Visit millenniumpark.org.
Garden clubs
•Algonquin Garden Club: Fall Festival Luncheon, Saturday, Sept. 12, Boulder Ridge Country Club, Lake in the Hills. Celebrating their 80th year. Proceeds finance the scholarship fund. Tickets are $28-$30. Call Jane Bishoff at (847) 658-8727 or Joyce Marsiglia at (847) 854-9630.
•Garden Club of Inverness: Program on beekeeping by William Buckley, president of Illinois Beekeepers Association, Sept. 17; holiday luncheon, Dec. 3. The club meets September through November and January through May on the third Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Call Beth at (847) 934-7929.
• South Barrington Garden Club: DVD of Audrey Hepburn's "Gardens of the World Tour," Sept. 3; slide presentation "Garden Rooms Without Walls," by Shirley Remes, Better Homes and Gardens field editor, Oct. 1. Meetings first Thursday morning of month. Membership $25 for residents; $35 for nonresidents. Call Anita at (847) 277-7151.
Flea markets, antique shows
• Open air market features antiques, furniture, garden statuary, jewelry as well as food vendors, flowers, produce and perennials. Free. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 23, Sept. 20 and Oct. 18. The Arboretum of South Barrington, at Route 59 and Higgins Road. Visit shopthearboretumsb.com.
•Wolff's Flea Market is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1, at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Admission $1; 50 cents/seniors and children ages 6 to 12. Call (847) 524-9590 or visit wolffs.com.