Upcoming Events
Illinois’s Exotic Invasive Weeds
Illinois’s Exotic Invasive Weeds
Speaker: Jane Buck, Jane is a member of the Antioch Garden Club. She was a past president of Iowa Garden Clubs, is a Flower Show Judge Emeritus, and has been a long time NCG Central Region Board Member.
Program: Identifying and controlling Invasive Plants in Illinois. Jane’s program will touch on the Illinois Exotic Weed List. Prevention is one of the most effective and cost efficient means of managing invasive plants.
Putting Your Garden to Bed
Putting your Garden to Bed
Speaker: Bill Karges, has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Botany and a minor in Speech, so he enjoys talking about all aspects of the world of plants. He has managed Garden Centers for over 50 years, where he offers advice on a wide range of horticultural topics. Whether your gardening questions concern cultural requirements, insect and disease problems, fertilization practices, or soil structure issues, he tries to blend traditional, reliable information with current research to help customers improve their gardening skills.
This presentation will outline how to prepare your garden for winter. With a focus on perennial gardens, you'll learn what to cut down, how and when to cut it, and how to prevent this year's problems from recurring in future years. The proper use of mulches will also be covered in detail. Our members are welcome to bring plant samples for discussion of insect, disease and/or cultural problems as time permits.
Growing a Tea Garden
Growing Tea Garden
Speaker: Carolina Schottland: Extension Master Gardener (EMG). Within the EMG program, she is project leader for the Speakers Bureau and the EMG Seed Library and Seed Expo. Carolina is also a Lawyer, Trustee Round Lake Beach, Stuart of Nippersink Forest Preserve Preserve leading conservation and restoration programs. She is an active volunteer with the Chicago Botanic Garden, Buehler Enabling Garden and President of the Round Lake Area Garden Club
Program: If you enjoy a nice cup of tea and have a flare for gardening, come learn what plants you can grow in our area to create or enhance your very own tea blends. We will focus on a vast array of plants that can be used for making tea. This talk includes an interactive, sensory component of fresh or dried plants depending on the season. Comprehensive plant list provided.
Bringing Nature into Your Yard
Bringing Nature into Your Yard. The beauty and function of native plants.
Speaker: David Eubanks, Eubanks Environmental. David has worked as a distinguished environmentalist, ecologist, and native plant designer for 30 years. He works one-on-one with clients to use native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses that bring life and beauty to a landscape – from butterfly gardens to raingardens to native shorelines and ponds.
Program: Bringing Nature into Your Yard The beauty and function of native plants. This presentation translates for home use the indigenous plants of Illinois’ prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Taking cues from how nature works in the “Chicago Wilderness” of nature preserves, Mr. Eubanks will demonstrate how native plants can beautify a home while solving landscape challenges such as wet spots in the yard, shady spots, and spots blasted by the sun. Raingardens, shade gardens and prairie pollinator gardens can bring life to the home landscape far beyond the traditional turf and ornamental plants typically used around homes. Specific native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, trees and shrubs will be discussed -- from installation details to maintenance considerations. Over time, “going native” can be relatively easy to maintain while providing four season interest. Conservation begins at home is the theme of this presentation.
Gardening in Comfort
Gardening for Comfort
Betty Lawler or Mary Zorc or Robin Martin
Program: 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. Using the tools and techniques presented here, every gardener can enjoy Gardening in Comfort. Included in the presentation will be a display of adaptive tools.
Roses Galore!
Roses Galore!
Speaker: Jackie Kosbab: Senior Horticulturist of Cantigny ParkJackie has worked at Cantigny for 15.5 years and is currently the Senior Horticulturist on Staff. She is responsible for designing and maintaining many areas of at Cantigny. Jackie has also been the Rose Garden Curator for 4.5 years and is always learning something new.
Program: Roses Galore! 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! Let me show you how!
Container Gardening
Container Gardening
Speaker: Catelyn Crawford
Program: Catelyn will demonstrate how to create a Container Garden Arrangement. We will raffle off the beautiful Container Garden Arrangement!
Missy’s Monarchs
Missy’s Monarchs
Specker: Missy Erlich
Program: Learn all about Monarch butterflies and what flowers to plant in your garden to attract them! A discussion of Missy Monarch Sanctuary so we can learn about Monarch butterflies. We will also learn about as all the stages of a Monarch from eggs to butterflies!
Grayslake in Bloom - Community Garden Walk
Go to the Garden Walk page under Events to purchase tickets!
Annual Plant Sale
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Homegrown perennials, annuals, vegetables and tropical plants from our members gardens and gently used garden items.
Cash, checks, or credit cards!
Container Design
Container Design
Speaker: Anna Kessling
Learn the ins and outs of container design, making sure that your planter includes plants that will flourish in the right space. Learn about color design and starting with a good foundation. Think “thriller, filler, spiller”.
Creativity in the Garden
Creativity in the Garden
Speaker: Carol Chichorski
Does creativity elude you in the garden and elsewhere? Is creativity an art or a science? Carol’s presentation focuses on the unexpected, taking risks and the creative process. Let this presentation be your inspiration and road map to expressing individuality in your garden.
2025 Seed Exchange
Seed Exchange (free ambition)
Extension Master Gardener
Save the Date: March 8th, 2025
Time: 10:00 to 2:00
Free seeds, seed swap & resources
Venders & Exhibitors
Dietary Strategies to Optimize Cognitive Health
Dietary Strategies to Optimize Cognitive Health
Speaker: Veronica Porter
“Ask Aunt V”
"My passion is to create community in all I do, from growing a garden, to preparing a meal, to educating, gathering, and enjoying life's harvest."
The brain requires certain nutrients to stay healthy. The foods we eat can have a big impact on the structure and health of our brains. Eating a brain-boosting diet may support both short-term and long-term brain function. The microbiome of your soil matters to your Microbiome.
Veronica Porter was born and raised in Naperville when it was still considered a small farm town. It was a time that you learned from your elders, explored with your friends, and followed in the footsteps of time worn traditions.
Veronica brings these values to modern times and shares her experiences by educating and strategizing for healthy, organic, heirloom gardening, farm to table food integrity, cooking, preservation and living a life in a responsible, sustainable manner. She is a third generation organic farmer, chef, culinary instructor, and food educator for home and garden. Veronica is a Licensed Chef and holds a Master’s degree in Organic Urban Farming and Gardening.
Animal Resistant Gardening
Animal Resistant Gardening
Speaker: Mel Zaloudek
Rabbits, deer and squirrels enjoy our gardens more than we do, it seems, and constantly adapt to our defensive strategies. Minimize your costly landscape losses through a combination of tactical plant selection, physical barriers and effective repellents. The most successful strategies of our local landscape profession will answer many of your questions, so bring more!
Reclaim your time, your expense and your peace of mind.
Holiday Potluck
Holiday Party Potluck
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Shepherd of the Lakes Church
285 E Washington St., Grayslake
Doors open at 6:30 Dinner at 7:00
Guests Welcome!
Members and Guests with last names starting:
M-P: Appetizers
F-L: Sides (hot/ cold, salads, fruit, cheese,
potatoes, bread, muffins, etc.)
R-Z: Entrées (to serve 6-8)
A-E: Desserts
Bunco & Food Drive
Bunco & Food Drive (Appetizers & Deserts)
Please bring non- perishable items such as canned goods, pasta, rice, beans, paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, hygiene products such as toothbrushes, paste, soap, and household goods such as sponges, cleaners to be donated to Avon Township food pantry. There will be volunteers in the parking lot who will load their cars with the items between 6:30 and 7:00 pm.
Bunco at 7:10 Join us for a fun filled evening. It’s easy to play...
Appetizers & Desserts will be provided by volunteers.
Growing Your First Orchids Successfully
Photo by Alfonso Alberto Ramirez Alvarez
Growing Your First Orchid Successfully
Speaker: Don White from Anything Orchids
The intent of the program is to help people be successful orchid growers. Lighting conditions, watering and repotting are stressed. Don will also try to correct orchid growing fallacies.
Don has been growing orchids for around 40 years and still has his first plant. He owns and operates Anything Orchids, an orchid greenhouse business, selling orchid plants and supplies as well as boarding orchids for growers who do not have time or space in their homes. The business has been in operation for over 30 years. Don is a member of both the Batavia Orchid Society and the Illinois Orchid Society. His plants have won numerous awards at orchid shows. Don was a teacher in Orland Park for 35 years.
Reducing or Replacing your Lawn: Native Plants to the Rescue.
Speaker: Sandy Washburn, is a Master Gardener and President of Wild Ones, Lake to Prairie Chapter.
Traditional turf grass and its maintenance can be expensive. The costs of water, time, fertilizer, chemicals, loss of birds and insects can take a toll on your budget and the health of your soil. Cutting back or even replacing turf grass with native plants, mini-clover and/or walkable ground covers is a real possibility and can be done a little at a time.
The Garden Clubs of IL Flower Show
Garden Clubs of Illinois Flower Show
August 3: 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
August 4: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Chicago Botanic Gardens
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
GCI's Annual Summer Meeting
Come and Enjoy a Beautiful Day at
Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL
“Landscaping for the Future: Sustainable Gardening for a Changing Climate”
Garden tours, raffle baskets, coffee bar, awards and lunch overlooking the gardens.
The speaker will be Mike Nowak, co-host of the Mike Nowak Show with Peggy Malecki. He will discuss how we can landscape for the future and be part of the solution. His topic is "Fixing Climate Change in Your Backyard".
Cantigny is the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Cantigny Gardens, created in 1967 by renowned landscape architect Franz Lipp, include nearly 30 acres of display gardens, theme plantings and statuary. The gardens recently completed a major renovation, part of a five-year revitalization project to enhance almost every area of the park. The gardens are beautiful any time of the year, but we will be seeing them at their peak in July. Please note that the First Division Museum will be open.
The Summer Meeting is hosted by District IX. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2024 GCI Summer Meeting!
Garden Walk
Grayslake in Bloom
COMMUNITY GARDEN WALK
Gather friends and family to explore and enjoy the efforts of local neighborhood gardeners. Meander on a self-guided tour through the featured gardens of community residents. Meet the gardeners who design and nurture the featured gardens. Share landscaping and gardening ideas with fellow residents.
Tickets - $10.00 in-person with cash/check or $10.60 with credit card/online
A ticket with a map and directions to each Featured Garden will be available in July. Those who purchase a ticket on-line in advance will be provided the map with directions via email.
Profits from the Garden Walk will help fund scholarships, civic plantings, and other Garden Club activities to support the local community.
Purchase Tickets to the Garden Walk click here.
Garden Club Aloha Members Picnic
Bring a dish to pass or pay $10.00 towards the meat. Wear your Hawaiian attire. Bring a chair or sit at the picnic tables. Recommended car pooling because parking is limited.
Willow Point Park, N. Cove Rd., Gages Lake, IL
Annual Plant Sale
Homegrown perennials, annuals, vegetables and tropical plants from our members gardens and
gently used garden items.
Cash or checks only
Midwest Daffodil Society Show
A Breath of Spring 2024 Daffodil Show
Saturday, April 27th, noon to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 28th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL
April Meeting
General Meeting
April 22, 2024
Announcements:
Program: “Tropicals”
Speaker: Kim Hartmann
Time: 6:30 doors open 7:00 meeting
Place: Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church
285 E Washington Grayslake Illinois
Give your garden that tropical look and feel. Tropical plants with their bold colors and unique forms create impact, add style and brighten the mood of any garden.
• Community plantings sign ups
• Election and installation of officers
• Garden Walk/Social plans
• Finalize Plant Sale details
• National Garden Week plans for June 2-8
• Scholarship winner announcement (if applicable)
• Horticulture tip
Make a Donation
We appreciate your donation and here is what these funds provide. We provide Scholarships for the next generation of horticulturalist, environmentalist, landscapers, biologists and others in the field. There are beautification projects in our community and much more.