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Garden Classes Chicago

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Learn how to grow your own vegetables and maintain a beautiful garden in the city of Chicago with classes on urban gardening, container gardening, and sustainable gardening practices.

35 classes have spots left

Next-Level Mushroom Identification

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, Chicago, IL

Expand your knowledge of mushroom identification with advanced techniques and methods. Dive deeper into the world of Russulas, Amanitas, and Boletes, and learn how to narrow down species members. Build upon your existing expertise and take your mushroom identification skills to the next level.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Backyard Design

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Transform your backyard into a functional and fun space with the Backyard Design course. Discover how to create dining and entertaining areas, children's play spaces, and outdoor storage areas. Learn how to screen and focus views to add privacy and security to your outdoor oasis.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Garden Design for a Changing Climate (Online)

The Morton Arboretum

Set your garden up for success with plants and design techniques that can withstand changing conditions. The Midwest is experiencing more weather extremes, with an increase in intense storms, severe cold snaps, hotter summers, and prolonged periods of rain followed by long stretches with no rain at all. These conditions are tough on plants and wildlife. In this class, you will learn: how climate change is impacting our region; how the changing...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
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Raised Bed Gardening

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

This class will cover all aspects of installing and growing in raised beds. Topics include options for purchasing or building them, appropriate sites and soils, season-extension techniques, plant selection, and intensive planting techniques to maximize crop yields in small spaces.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Introduction to Plant Identification

The Resiliency Institute

Day one of a two day beginners class to learn how to identify plants. You will learn plant terminology, proper use of tools, and discover what parts of the plant help to identify it. We will spend some time in class keying out a few trees and wildflowers. Please bring a lupe (8x) magnifying glass, or something similar and books to identify trees and wildflowers. Pat recommends The Master Tree Finder and Flower Finder by May Theilgaard Watts and...

(2) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

The Native Oaks

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

The mighty oaks (Quercus) have been a signature species in Midwest landscapes for thousands of years. This class covers the different species and varieties within their respective ecosystems along with their landscape usage and culture. Oak morphology and physiology of the various species will be covered along with basic identification of the varieties.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Snowman Family

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road Annex 1, Chicago, IL

Make a family of snowmen bundled up for a cold winters’ day. This 4- x 6-inch figurine is complete with four little snowmen wearing adorable winter accessories. Learn needle felting techniques and how to sculpt wool into fun and imaginative shapes.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Garden Walks and Paths

Chicago Botanic Garden

Garden walks not only get you from point A to point B, but they are usually a visitor’s first impression of the garden. Whether formal or informal, walks create the style and overall mood of the garden. In this class, we will discuss the design and construction of garden walks and paths. Many paving options will be explored, such as concrete pavers, bricks, gravel, and natural stone. And we will learn the pros and cons of each material and which...

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

The Great Divide

Chicago Botanic Garden

In this discussion and demonstration class, you will learn how to divide plants and pick up propagation tips and techniques through the help of Rachel Catlett.  Fall is a great time to divide most perennial plants, a winning proposition for all involved. The plants are happier and will respond with great vigor the following spring, you gain more of the plants you love, and you usually end up with enough to share with friends.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Introduction to Plant Families, Weekend Gardener

Chicago Botanic Garden

Knowing something about plant families can help us with plant identification. Plants that belong to the same family share some of the same characteristics, especially floral characteristics. Knowing families can also help us diagnose disease problems, since the same disease may strike several members of the same family. Join Sharon Yiesla and learn about some basic terminology needed for plant identification.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Inspirations from Great Gardens

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Join Jeff Epping in an exploration of some of the finest public gardens in the United States, from the High Line and Battery Park in New York City to the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park. Gorgeous gardens in the Netherlands, France, and England are also on the docket. Epping will illustrate how innovative designers and gardeners have showcased great plants and garden elements in public gardens across the globe, as well as some great examples at Olbrich...

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

The Seven Deadly Hazard Signs of Trees

Chicago Botanic Garden

A sure way to add value for your clients is to have a basic understanding of the hazard signs of trees. Even professionals in the green industry are not always aware of the warning signs that trees give us that they need our help and care.  When we live and work near trees, it is important to be able to recognize the hazards that could kill us or damage property. Benefit from the combined experience and knowledge of these life-long arborists...

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Starting from Seed

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Starting plants from seed is both interesting and relatively easy! This course covers all elements of starting both annuals (flowers and vegetables) and perennials from seed. The discussion includes plant selection, containers, planting mixes, watering, heating, lighting, and disease control. This is a must for beginners and a good review for the experienced gardener.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

The Story of Vanilla

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

As the most popular flavor in the world, truly fine vanilla is at once rich, sweet, and sophisticated, possessing a euphoric flavor and fragrance that sends pure joy to the pleasure centers of the brain. Vanilla is warm and complex, and has a bit of spice or flowery notes.  It is the fruit of two orchid species know as Vanilla planifolia ’Andrews’ or Vanilla tahitensis ’Moore’. To the Nielsen family, third generation owners of Nielsen...

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Raising Backyard Chickens

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road Annex 1, Chicago, IL

This class is designed for curious people who are considering raising backyard chickens, as well as for those who already have their own birds and who want to learn more! Come learn about local laws, how to raise chicks, care for adult birds, and keep your neighbors happy!

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Success with Trees and Shrubs

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Learn about growing woody plants, both deciduous and evergreen. Whether you are a beginning or experienced home gardener, you can improve your skills to choose, plant, and place the perfect tree or shrub, as well as short- and long-term care techniques.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Hydrangeas

Chicago Botanic Garden

Hydrangeas showcase an old-fashioned charm that is hard to resist. Through photos of a variety species in full bloom, discover all aspects of successfully growing hydrangeas, hardiness issues and pruning techniques by species, as well as how to manage bloom color.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Presenting Your Artwork

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL

Dramatically affect the perceived visual appeal of your art piece or portfolio submission. Discuss methods for representing your artwork, including common guidelines, photography considerations, and how to write a biography and artist’s statement. Please bring a concise portfolio and artwork for a group critique. Prepare for the Botanical Arts Certificate Program portfolio review and the Drawn from Nature Student Botanical Arts Exhibition application...

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$149
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How to Overwinter Tender Plants

Chicago Botanic Garden

With winter approaching, it is time to think about overwintering those wonderful tender perennials, Mediterranean, and tropical plants that you have grown to love over the summer.   In this class, you will learn which plants will overwinter successfully and which ones are best to compost and buy new in spring. You will learn the best techniques and secrets of success to keep your tender plants and tropical gems from year to year.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Plant Propagation Made Easy

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL

At last, a vegetative plant propagation course for the home gardener! Glenn Grosch will give you both the practical knowledge and the confidence needed to add vegetative propagation to your list of gardening skills. Specific areas to be covered include division, layering, leaf and stem cuttings, bulb division, and hardwood and softwood cuttings. Included in the discussion will be the plants best suited for each method of propagation.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$337

12 sessions

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