Rituals of Remembering - Austin
2025-03-22 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Mercy Garden of Peace and Healing, 4910 W Quincy Street, Chicago, IL, 60644, United States
Rituals of Remembering Event
Looking Towards Light March 22, 12-2 PMMercy Garden of Peace and Healing4910 W Quincy StChicago, IL 60644Rituals of Remembering is a creative workshop series in Mercy Garden of Peace & Healing designed and led by interdisciplinary artist Alyssa Martinez (aka A.Martinez) that aims to deepen our experience of remembering departed loved ones through group discussion and art activities. Join us for this beautiful event! RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/rituals-of-remembering..

MidFex Grafting Workshop
2025-03-23 13:00 - 16:30 | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
2025 Grafting Workshop Sunday March 23 – Midwest Fruit Explorers

Community Garden Kick Off and Seed Distribution - Blue Island
2025-03-29 10:00 - 11:30 | Blue Island Public Library, 2433 York Road, Blue Island, IL, 60406, United States

Seed Starting - Blue Island or Virtual
2025-03-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Hope Center, 2552 135th St, Blue Island, IL, 60406, United States
FREE Seed Starting Workshop
Sat March 29, 2 – 3:30 pm
@ Hope Center
2552 135th St, Blue Island, IL or attend virtually
RSVP now to grab your free kit & start your garden with confidence!

RSVP Here: https://forms.office.com/r/TDZf60xNMA

Volunteer Day & Seed Swap - Englewood
2025-03-30 10:00 - 14:00 | Cedillo’s Fresh Produce, 325 W 70th Place, Chicago, IL, United States
Sun March 30, 2025
Cedillo’s Fresh Produce, 325 W 70th Pl, Chicago, IL 60621
Volunteering on Farm 10 am – 12 noon.
(Please wear closed toed shoes, comfy + warm clothing, and bring sunblock + a water bottle.)
Seed Swap 12 noon – 2 pm
Below is a list of the seeds that will be provided to kick off the swapping:
🫘 VEGETABLES 🌽
– Bloody butcher corn
– Blue hopi corn
– Vermicelli squash
– Northern pinto beans
– Black beans
– Luffa
– Dwarf canton pak choi
– Thai hot pepper
– Purple pinger hot pepper
🌿 HERBS 🪴
– Triple moss curled parsley
– Italian giant parsley
– Greek oregano
– Dwarf greek basil
– Basil mix
– French thyme
– Broadleaf sage
🌻 FLOWERS🪻
– Radio calendula
– Calendula mix
– Cosmos mix
– Teddy bear sunflower

Native Shrub Give Away - Kenwood
2025-04-05 08:00 - 12:00 | Kenwood Academy, 5015 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Kenwood Academy High School Native Shrub Give Away
Saturday, April 5th from 8am – 12 noon
5015 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago
http://bit.ly/3Don3Be

Native Tree Give Away - Hegewisch
2025-04-05 12:00 - 15:00 | George Washington High School, 3535 E 114th Street, Chicago, IL, 60617, United States
Saturday April 5th from Noon – 3 PM
George Washington High School
3535 E 114th St.
Chicago
Select from Chestnut, Hazelnut, Pecan or American Plum
bit.ly/GWHSTrees25

April Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners
2025-04-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
April Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners

Chicago Grows Food is hosting a monthly event that will be a space to learn from an expert about what to focus on each month in your garden. Additionally, this is an opportunity to engage and grow with the gardening community. Come with questions or listen to others. Either way we will be here to chat.us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/whc9WmHzTCuwvXWyuhcXnQ

CCGA Spring Distribution
2025-04-12 09:00 - 10:30 | African Heritage Garden, 1245 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, United States
CCGA Spring Distribution
April 12th – 9am
Where: African Garden – 1245 S Central Park Ave
Who: Community Gardens Only (including school gardens & parkways)
What: Spring ornamentals, rosemary plants, seed potatoes (Yukon Gold), burlap, coffee chaff
Cost: $10 registration fee per community garden
Questions: email Mamie Grey at mamiegray2012@gmail.com
To register, click link: https://forms.gle/mgpi5xuruNZaXniP6

Seed Swap and Plant Sale - Back of the Yards
2025-04-12 11:00 - 15:00 | IL
Seed Swap and Plant Sale
Sat April 12th, 11-3pm
Plant Chicago’s farmers market at 4432 S. Ashland, Chicago
In addition to lots and lots of seeds, we’ll also have seedlings for sale:
Greens: Brussel Sprouts, Prizm Kale, Scarlet Kale, Broccoli Raab, Red Cabbage, Iceberg Lettuce
​Tomatoes: Rosso, Roma, Big Yummy, Sungold, Rainbow Heirloom mix
​Peppers: Banana, Violet Sparkle, Crimson Bell, Habanero, Nacho Jalapeno, Purple Pinger. Thai, Cayenne, Paper Lantern, Aji Sopa, Bulldog
​Flowers: Solar Flashback Calendula, Zinnia Mix, White Antique Strawflower, Figaro Dahlia, Sparky Marigold

Seed Swap - UIC
2025-04-12 12:00 - 14:00 | IL
Join the UIC Heritage Garden for the annual Spring Seed Swap! We invite gardeners, organizations, and community members interested in learning more about gardening, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Anyone can come to share knowledge, stories, and resources with others, and make new friends from around the city.
Admission is free! Masks are encouraged. Participants do not need to bring seeds to attend.
Date: Saturday April 12th, 2025
Time: 12 pm – 2 pm
Location: UIC Latino Cultural Center, Lecture Center B2, 803 S Morgan Street
To RSVP https://go.uic.edu/SeedSwap25
​​For access needs or questions, email heritagegarden.uic@gmail.com or call 312-996-3143. All audiences are welcome. Paid parking available. The space is wheelchair accessible.

April CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2025-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 | IL
Please join us for our monthly coordinating meeting. Representatives from all the working groups come together to coordinate our actions. All community gardeners and supporters are invited to attend.
The April 15, 2025 Meeting will be hybrid, you may attend:
in person at Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S Halsted, Chicago
virtually via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82680460687?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 826 8046 0687
Phone Call in number: 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 826 8046 0687
Passcode: [REDACTED]
If you want to attend the coordinating meeting and are not already a member of one of the CCGA working groups, please send an email to: communications@chicagocommunitygardens.org and request to join the monthly meetings.
NOTE: All CCGA coordinating meeting minutes are available for you to review on the website. Look under the menu tree at ‘Who We Are’ and then ‘CCGA Organization’ and you will see links here for the coordinating committee documents by year.

Earth Day Celebration & Seed Swap - Austin
2025-04-26 10:00 - 13:00 | BUILD Chicago, 5100 W Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, 60644, United States
Celebrate the Earth this year with BUILD Chicago. This FREE, family friendly event will feature a seed swap, resource fair, One Earth Collective film screening, DJ, Bike Raffle and fix it clinic, Cooking Demo, art projects and more!
The 11 am film screening of Cafeteria Man requires separate registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafeteria-man-build-chicago-tickets-1260018251509
Contact Kesiah Bascom at kesiahbascom@buildchciago.org for more information.

Norwood Park Backyard Plant Sale & Sustainable Garden Tour 🌱
2025-05-03 10:00 - 15:00 | My Clever Garden Chicago, 5837 N Newark Ave Chicago, IL, Chicago, IL, 60631-3142, United States
Discover a hidden gem in historic Norwood Park! This unique backyard plant sale offers vegetables, flowers, and herbs grown sustainably in a thriving urban garden with a passive solar greenhouse and perennial beds.
📍 Location: 5837 N Newark Ave, Chicago
💰 Payment: Cash, Venmo, or Zelle
Everything is grown sustainably and chemical-free right here in our backyard. This is more than just a plant sale, it’s a mini garden tour where you can explore how a small urban space can become a thriving backyard grocery store.
✨ Come for the plants, stay for the inspiration!

Garden-Ready Yard Plant Sale
2025-05-10 10:00 - 2025-05-11 15:00 | My Clever Garden Chicago, 5837 N Newark Ave Chicago, IL, Chicago, IL, 60631-3142, United States
Join us for a special backyard plant sale in the heart of historic Norwood Park! Not only can you pick up vibrant, homegrown plants, but you’ll also get a rare chance to explore a sustainable urban garden—including a passive solar greenhouse and lush perennial gardens.
📍 Location: Norwood Park, Chicago
📅 Date & Time: Saturday May 10th & Sunday May 11th from 10-3pm daily
💰 Payment: Cash, Venmo, Zelle
What’s Available?
🌿 Vegetable Seedlings – Strong, locally grown starts for your edible garden!
🌸 Flowering Plants – Bring beauty to your space with pollinator-friendly blooms!
🌱 Fresh Herbs – Perfect for your kitchen or container garden!
Everything is grown sustainably and chemical-free right here in my backyard. This is more than just a plant sale—it’s a mini garden tour where you can explore how a small urban space can become a thriving backyard grocery store.
Come for the plants, stay for the garden inspiration!

Black Farmer Lobby Day - Springfield
2025-05-14 08:00 - 14:00 | IL
Black Farmers Lobby Day
May 14th, 2025
8 am – 2 pm
in Springfield, State Capitol.
This is an important meeting day especially for Black Farmers, Growers and or in Food Space across Illinois, where they’ll be given opportunity to come meet and lobby in person, their own personal concerns and needs to Illinois State lawmakers themselves in regards to farming problems, issues that need fixing or help with.
CALL TO ACTION
Since Chicago Community Gardeners Association is an essential Farmer, Grower or Food Producer in the Agriculture food space of Illinois, inviting you and your vital network of Farmers, Growers and Food producers to Kindly do following:

Register for Black Farmers Lobby Day
Share Lobby Day Info within your own network of Farmers, Growers, Food Producer
Attend and be part of Black Farmers Lobby Day May 14th, 2025.
Transportation support may be available upon request.
For more info on Black Farmers Lobby Day event and happenings itself, feel free to Contact Rep. Harper’s own Office on; PH: 773-925-6580 or Email: repsonyaharper@gmail.com

May Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners
2025-05-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
May Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners

Chicago Grows Food is hosting a monthly event that will be a space to learn from an expert about what to focus on each month in your garden. Additionally, this is an opportunity to engage and grow with the gardening community. Come with questions or listen to others. Either way we will be here to chat.us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/whc9WmHzTCuwvXWyuhcXnQ

May CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2025-05-20 18:00 - 19:00 | IL
Please join us for our monthly coordinating meeting. Representatives from all the working groups come together to coordinate our actions. All community gardeners and supporters are invited to attend.
CCGA coordinating meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, except for July & August.
The May 20 Coordinating Meeting will be hybrid on Zoom and in person at Chicago Public Library – Richard M Daley branch, 733 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60612 from 6 – 7 pm.
To Join Virtually:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82680460687?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 826 8046 0687
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Dial in number: 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 826 8046 0687
Passcode: [REDACTED]
If you want to attend the coordinating meeting and are not already a member of one of the CCGA working groups, please send an email to: communications@chicagocommunitygardens.org and request to join the monthly meetings.
NOTE: All CCGA coordinating meeting minutes are available for you to review on the website. Look under the menu tree at ‘Who We Are’ and then ‘CCGA Organization’ and you will see links here for the coordinating committee documents by year.

NRCS Field Day - Lynwood
2025-05-20 18:00 - 20:00 | IL
Tuesday May 20, 6 – 8 pm
Location:
Willowthorne
2701 Glenwood Dyer Rd, Lynwood, IL 60411

Reimbursable conservation practices like Micro-Irrigation Water Management Planning, Forestry Management Planning, Conservation Cover Planting and High Tunnels are now available to small scale urban growers.

Extension educators, along with Farmers Gosia and Mike , will discuss the conservation practices implemented on Willowthorne’s U pick blueberry farm; and speak of their contract experience with the NRCS program. They’ll discuss

Blueberry Bush care/maintenance, pruning
the importance of Maintaining other people’s work with love and care
Soil pH and Fertility

We’re thrilled to welcome Joseph Bridges and Alicia Lozano, the USDA NRCS Soil Conservationists for Cook County who will be on site to meet farmers and answer your questions about applying for these reimbursement programs.
Please note that all attendees will need to sign a liability waiver upon arrival, and children under 5 are not permitted.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jesse Schaffer at jschaff@illinois.edu or 312-585-9128
NRCS Field Day Willowthorne Flyer 5.20.25

U of I Extension Community Forum - River Forest
2025-06-09 11:00 - 13:00 | Thatcher Woods Pavillion, 8030 Chicago Ave, River Forest, IL, 60305, United States
We’d love for you to join us for an upcoming Community Forum hosted by the University of Illinois Extension serving Cook County. As we plan our focus areas for the next three years, we want to hear directly from our residents—people who know the community best.
This forum is a space to share your experiences, highlight the issues you’re seeing, and explore how we can work together to serve our neighborhoods better. Your voice is essential in helping us understand what’s working, what’s needed, and how we can make a greater impact together.
Reserve your seat today!
Community Forum Details
Date: Monday June 9, 2025
Time: 11 AM to 1 PM
Location: Thatcher Woods Pavilion, 8030 Chicago Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305
Lunch will be served.
Register at: go.illinois.edu/communityforum1
We’d be honored to have you at the table. Let’s build something meaningful—together.
If you have any questions about this event, or to request a reasonable accommodation to attend, please contact nash@illinois.edu

June Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners
2025-06-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
June Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners

Chicago Grows Food is hosting a monthly event that will be a space to learn from an expert about what to focus on each month in your garden. Additionally, this is an opportunity to engage and grow with the gardening community. Come with questions or listen to others. Either way we will be here to chat.us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/whc9WmHzTCuwvXWyuhcXnQ

June CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2025-06-17 18:00 - 19:30 | IL
Please join us for our monthly coordinating meeting. Representatives from all the working groups come together to coordinate our actions. All community gardeners and supporters are invited to attend.
CCGA coordinating meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, except for July & August. Click on the link next to the bullet to download the document(s) listed below.
NOTE: Most CCGA Coordinating meetings are being held via Zoom. In-person meeting locations may switch between The Hatchery Chicago & the Chicago Center for Green Technology.
If you want to attend the coordinating meeting and are not already a member of one of the CCGA working groups, please send an email to: communications@chicagocommunitygardens.org and request to join the monthly meetings.
NOTE: All CCGA coordinating meeting minutes are available for you to review on the website. Look under the menu tree at ‘Who We Are’ and then ‘CCGA Organization’ and you will see links here for the coordinating committee documents by year.

Historic Pullman Garden Walk
2025-06-28 10:00 - 16:00 | IL
Historic Pullman Garden Walk
The Historic Pullman Garden Club invites everyone to its annual Walk on Saturday, June 28, 10 am – 4 pm featuring self-guided and guided tours, with a boutique and plant sale. This year’s Garden Walk will highlight the incredible work being done in Pullman’s public gardens and historic park spaces—including our community-tended beds in Arcade Park, Pullman Park, Gateway Garden, and more. We’re also excited to include one private garden as part of the tour, offering a glimpse into the personal touches that make our neighborhood so special. Tickets are $13 with advance reservation or $16 at the door. Tour begins at the Pullman Exhibit Hall, 11141 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago. For information email historicpullmangardens@gmail.com or purchase tickets online at www.hpgc.org
Co-sponsored by the Historic Pullman Foundation.
We hope you’ll join us for this celebration of community care, local history, and green beauty.

July Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners
2025-07-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
July Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners
Chicago Grows Food is hosting a monthly event that will be a space to learn from an expert about what to focus on each month in your garden. Additionally, this is an opportunity to engage and grow with the gardening community. Come with questions or listen to others. Either way we will be here to chat.
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/whc9WmHzTCuwvXWyuhcXnQ

CCGA+AUA Chicago Urban Agriculture Plan Listening Session 1
2025-07-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Whitney Young Magnet High School, 211 South Laflin Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
What matters to you most as a gardener in Chicago? Please join CCGA + AUA for a listening session on July 9 to share your thoughts and experiences, there’s still time to register! What challenges have you encountered and what opportunities you do envision? With your collaboration, we’re gathering ideas that should be included in Chicago’s urban agriculture plan to make growing food, medicine, habitat and ornamentals more accessible in our city. This is the first in a series of listening sessions!
Wednesday, July 9
6 to 7:30pm, doors open @ 5:30pm
Whitney Young Magnet High School
211 S. Laflin St., Chicago, IL 60607
Includes refreshments & food
Break out discussion topics will include land access, soil health and fertility, composting and waste management, licensing, educational programming, and workforce development.

Native Planting Day - Marquette Park
2025-07-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Marquette Park Field House, 6743 S Kedzie, Chicago, IL, 60629, United States
Where: Meet behind Marquette Park Field House
6743 S Kedzie, Chicago, IL
What: Planting 100 native plants to boost biodiversity and prevent any more erosion on the shoreline!
When: Saturday, July 12th, 10 AM-12PM

Edgewater Glen 52nd Annual Garden Walk
2025-07-13 12:00 - 17:00 | Edgewater Glen Neighborhood, Chicago, 60660, United States
Historic District Edgewater Glen will hold their 52nd annual Garden Walk on Sunday July 13, 2025 from noon to 5pm, rain or shine. This is a chance to see the talented creations of our gardeners in the 1400 & 1500 blocks in this easily-walkable route with plenty of street parking.
Starting point is 1354 W. Norwood (6034N) at Glenwood (1400W).
Suggested donation is $5 per adult payable by cash, check, or PayPal.

Garden Walk - Westchester
2025-07-19 09:00 - 14:00 | IL
The 7th annual Westchester Garden Walk, set for Saturday, July 19 from 9am – 2pm, features 11 beautiful gardens, including a prairie-style native garden at the public library, a flourishing native plant garden in the park next to the town fountain, and 9 lovely gardens at homes in Westchester. This year’s expanded garden walk coincides with the village’s centennial celebration. Proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the Westchester Food Pantry. For more information visit grassrootsgardengroup.org where advance tickets are on sale now.
Westchester Garden Walk Poster (003)

Buena Blooms for Brennemann
2025-07-20 12:00 - 17:00 | Brennemann Elementary School, 4251 N Clarendon, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
This self-guided tour invites you to view some of the most beautiful gardens in our historic community. Support Friends of Brennemann and enjoy a memorable day, strolling through the heart of Buena Park. All proceeds from Buena Blooms for Brennemann will benefit Friends of Brennemann, a 501C-3 dedicated to supporting our local Chicago public elementary school. Tickets are $30 each in advance, $40 at the door and include wine and refreshments afterwards at Haymarket House where there will be a silent auction with an incredible array of items. Gardens are open on Sunday, July 20th from 12-3pm. Refreshments and Silent Auction at Haymarket House (800 W Buena) from 2-5pm.

Bilingual Soil Health Field Day - Depaul College Prep
2025-07-23 16:30 - 18:30 | Depaul College Prep, 3333 N Rockwell, Chicago, IL, United States
Wednesday July 23, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
DePaul College Prep High School
3333 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618
Register at go.illinois.edu/FieldDayJuly23
As part of Illinois Extension’s Summer Technical Assistance Field Day Series, in partnership with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), we are hosting a field day focused on soil health. This event and program is part one of a two-part series focused on Bilingual Soil Health, with Spanish interpretation available.
Extension educators, along with Farmer David Toledo will discuss soil stewardship and conservation practices implemented by Contemporary Farmer, Inc. at DePaul College Prep. We’re thrilled to welcome Joseph Bridges and Alicia Lozano, the USDA NRCS Soil Conservationists for Cook County who will be on site to meet farmers and answer your questions about applying for reimbursement programs. Reimbursable conservation practices related to soil health that are available to small scale urban growers will also be discussed.
Please join us for the other field days in this series:
July 30: LaVillita 5 – 7 PM (Billingual Soil Health) Little Village Chicago
August 20: Growing Home 5-7 PM (Organic Certification Cost Share), Englewood, Chicago
Sept 16: The Talking Farm 5-7 PM (Navigating FSA & NRCS Programs) Skokie
October 14: We Sow We Grow 4:30-6:30 PM (Navigating FSA & NRCS Programs) West Pullman, Chicago

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jesse Schaffer at jschaff@illinois.edu or 312-585-9128
