CCGA July Perennial Distribution
2022-07-22 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | New Horizons Community Garden, 401 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
7-22-2022 July Perennial Distribution Flyer

Community Compost Collection - Homewood Farmer’s Market
2022-07-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Homewood Farmers Market, 18000 Martin Ave, Homewood, IL, 60430
University of Illinois Extension in Cook County, The Village of Homewood, and the Homewood Farmers’ Market have teamed up to keep food scraps out of landfills this summer.
Residents can drop off kitchen waste to be composted and pick up a bucket of finished compost. Please BYOB (bring your own bucket). Finished compost is first come, first served. At the event you can win a grow bag, pick up free plant starts donated by Gotham Greens, learn more about how to compost, see a worm bin in action, talk to an Illinois Extension Master Gardener or Compost Ambassador, and more.
Help us reach our goal of collecting 1 ton of compostable food scraps at this one-day-only event.
No yard waste will be accepted at this years’ event.
Location: Homewood Farmers Market on Martin Ave (behind Homewood Science Center)
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon
If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Sarah Batka, 217-300-8636.
Event details are HERE.
To learn more about Illinois Extension’s composting efforts visit the Cook County Composting Initiative webpage.

CCGA 10th Anniversary Celebration
2022-08-19 17:00 - 21:00 | Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. , Chicago, IL, United States
Details coming soon. Save the date now – all community gardeners and friends of the gardens are invited!
Date: Friday August 19th, 2022
Location: The Garfield Park Conservatory

Visioning the Future for Our Gardens
2022-09-17 10:00 - 12:00 | UIC Behavioral Sciences Building, 1007 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
Community gardens have the power to improve the lives of every Chicagoan, whether it’s a beautiful space to connect to nature for mental health, a pollinator garden to provide a food source for wildlife, an allotment garden where people can grow their own food, or its collective impact on improving climate change and building community.

ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP TO:
• Explore and learn innovative approaches to turn research into activism to drive urban planning and policies centered on improving both community and environmental health through community gardening.
• Provide your input to help create goals and policies to establish community gardens as an integral element in creating an equitable and resilient Chicago with the needed funding and support where Chicagoans in all neighborhoods have access to safe beautiful green spaces and gardens and the ability to grow healthy food through the We Will Chicago initiative.
This is a FREE workshop. Please register in advance. A light vegetarian lunch and refreshments will be provided. Attendees will also receive a We Will Chicago swag bag.

EVENT INFO:
When & Where
Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10am – Noon
UIC Behavioral Sciences Building, Room 2105
1007 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, IL 60607
Getting to the workshop
The easiest way to find the Behavioral Sciences Building (BSB) and classroom is to enter the UIC campus at Morgan and Harrison streets. We’ll have CCGA signs (and hopefully a few volunteers) posted at the BSB to help guide you to Room 2105, which is on the west side of the Behavioral Sciences Building on the 2nd floor in the Anthropology wing.
The easiest (and most accessible) way to find the classroom is to enter through the rear of the building (see map below). From Harrison and Morgan, continue walking west a half block and turn left at the large parking lot. Walk past the dumpsters and you’ll see a blue sign for the Behavioral Sciences Building and a ramped/accessible sidewalk to the entrance (see pic below). Once inside the building, go straight ahead and take the elevators to the 2nd floor. Turn right and the sign for the Anthropology wing should be visible. From there, Room 2105 is just ahead to the left.

Public transportation: The #60 Blue Island/26th and #7 Harrison CTA buses stop at Morgan and Harrison, right in front of the Behavioral Sciences Building. You can also take the Blue line to the UIC/Halsted stop, exit on Morgan St., and walk east past Congress to Harrison St. Cross the street and the Behavioral Sciences Building will be the brown brick building to the right.
Car Parking: The closest public parking lot is the Harrison Street Parking Structure, it’s just west of the UIC Theater at 1100 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607 and is $7-9 (for 2-3 hours). Please note that the surface lots closest to the BSB are card access only.
Bike info: There is a bike rack outside of the Harrison St. entrance to the Behavioral Sciences Building. The closest DIVVY bike station is located at the Student Services building at Racine and Harrison, which also has a rack for locking bikes.
Refreshments & Lunch
Coffee and tea will be available. Please bring your own beverage container if possible.
Lunch is being generously provided by Crave Kabob: https://www.cravekabob.com/ and is a falafel wrap with chips.

September CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2022-09-20 18:00 - 20:00
NOTE: Until further notice CCGA Coordinating meetings are being held via Zoom. If you want to attend the coordinating meeting and are not already a member of one of the CCGA working groups send an email to: communications@chicagocommunitygardens.org and request to join the meeting.
Please join us for our monthly coordinating meeting. Representatives from all the working groups come together to coordinate our actions. Meeting locations All community gardeners and supporters are invited to attend.
Check the CCGA website for location details and as agendas become available. In person meetings switch between The Hatchery & the Chicago Center for Green Technology:
Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT)
445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
The Hatchery
135 N. Kedzie
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.

October CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2022-10-18 18:00 - 20:00

November CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2022-11-15 18:00 - 20:00

Wreath Making Demo, Container Workshop & Holiday Plant Sale
2022-12-03 09:30 - 14:00 | The Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Austin community gardener and expert plant designer Juline McClinton will demonstrate festive wreath making. Bridget Schroeder of The Contained Garden will lead a hands-on workshop on creating a beautiful holiday container. Plant sale to follow at 11am. Be sure to register by December 1st. See the flyer below for more details.
Note the address of The Hatchery is located at 135 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60612 – right at the Kedzie Green Line stop.
12-3-2022 Holiday Workshop & Plant Sale Flyer

December CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2022-12-20 18:00 - 20:00

2 Part Virtual Beginning Beekeeping Class
2023-01-12 18:00 - 20:30
Spend 2 days virtually connecting with Garfield Park Conservatory’s Head Beekeeper, Marcin Matelski, to learn the basics of beekeeping: equipment, hive design and construction, bee biology and behavior, bee management, and bee products. This lecture based class has been adapted for a virtual experience and is limited in capacity to encourage questions and group interaction.
Thursday, January 12 & 19; 6pm-8:30pm
$50 | $40 Members & Volunteers

GPC Beekeeping Class Flyer – Jan 2023

January CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-01-17 18:00 - 19:30

CCGA Houseplant Distribution Saturday February 4th
2023-02-04 10:00 - 14:00 | The Hatchery Chicago, 135 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
The CCGA Resources working group is hosting a houseplant distribution on Saturday February 4th. The event is open to the public and will begin at 10am until we run out of plants.
At 11:00am Eve Venable will present a workshop on houseplant identification, propagation, health benefits and creating combination containers.
A $5.00 donation is suggested.
Don’t forget to bring a box or container for your plants to protect them from the cold!
The event is at The Hatchery, 135 S. Kedzie 60612.

Questions: Email Mamie Gray at mamiegray2012@gmail.com

Houseplant Event Flyer Feb 2023

February CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-02-21 18:00 - 19:30

Join CCGA to discuss the safety of biosolids and PFAS from a soil and plant perspective
2023-02-25 10:30 - 12:30 | The Hatchery Chicago, 135 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States

Intro to Pruning Fruit Trees (online)
2023-03-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, Online, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us for this virtual class on dormant fruit tree pruning. We will demonstrate shaping cuts for higher quality fruit set, tree health, and disease management. We will also show you how to use preferred pruning tools to remove water sprouts, suckers, and dead/diseased/damaged branches. Finally, we will explain the process of thinning fruit, including how to use a handy tool for determining how much full-sized fruit a branch may support without breaking. This class will include a thorough look at flowering buds and leaf buds so you can confidently make decisions for stimulating growth and encouraging development of delicious fruit. Registration required – see link to sign up.

CCGA Let's Get Growing Workshop
2023-03-11 09:30 - 11:30 | The Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Garden Prep Workshop Flier March 11, 2023community gardenscwork

Intro to Pruning Fruit Trees at Triangle Park
2023-03-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Triangle Park, 1750 W. Juneway Terrace, Chicago, IL, 60626, United States
It’s time for dormant tree pruning at the Triangle Park Community Orchard. Join us while demonstrate shaping cuts for higher quality fruit set, tree health, and disease management. We will also show you how to use preferred pruning tools to remove water sprouts, suckers, and dead/diseased/damaged branches. Finally, we will explain the process of thinning fruit, including how to use a handy tool for determining how much full-sized fruit a branch may support without breaking.

Getting Started with Fruit Trees (online)
2023-03-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, Online, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us for this virtual class! Interested in growing fruit trees, but unsure where to start? Join us as we guide you through tree selection – not just for a hardy tree that will survive our winters, but also one that has natural disease resistance, so you can use fewer sprays. We will discuss selection of pollinizers, as well as self-pollinating varieties for gardeners low on space. We will also review typical pests and organic treatments, so you can decide what you have time (and the patience!) to grow. Finally, we will review planting bare root and containerized trees, as well as first- and second-year pruning techniques. Registration required – see link to sign up.

March CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-03-21 18:00 - 19:30

April CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-04-18 18:00 - 19:30

Lurie Garden Spring Bulb Lecture
2023-05-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60603, United States
Join us for a conversation with renowned landscape designer and plant specialist, Jacqueline van der Kloet, as she takes us on a trip around the world.
Jacqueline, who is best known for her expert use of flowering bulbs in stunning combinations, will share insights from five international garden projects she has worked on in the past five years. Highlights include Expo Floriade, a 150-acre ‘garden city’ created once every ten years in Holland; Shinko Central Square, a park in the center of Yokohama, Japan, celebrating the National Urban Greenery Fair; and Chicago’s very own Lurie Garden in Millennium Park.
Through stunning photographs and illustrations, Jacqueline will showcase these exciting projects and share their creation stories. Her vibrant, whimsical, and innovative work will inspire you to create your own unique and beautiful garden space or at least stroll through the exquisite spring flowering bulb display next door in Lurie Garden.

How Does Your Garden Grow? @ Monarch Community Garden
2023-05-06 12:00 - 16:00 | monarch community garden, 1050 N. California Ave., Chicago, 60622, United States
Saturday, May 6 from 12-4pmMonarch Community Garden in Humboldt Park1050 North California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

On Saturday, May 6, stop by the beautiful Monarch Community Garden from 12-4pm and tour the 100-plus plots where Monarch members will take visitors to various stations to learn about how they make their garden grow.
Established in 2011, the Monarch Community Garden is situated in Chicago’s vibrant Humboldt Park on land owned by Humboldt Park Health. Over the years, the garden has grown to include a beehive, extensive watering system, herb garden, perennial plot and other community spaces, such as a pergola where gardeners find respite during Chicago’s hot summer months.
During the tour, visitors can ask questions about their bees, composting efforts, and the trials and tribulations of providing water to such a large group of gardeners. They’ll also discuss their commitment to donating fresh produce to local community groups and will touch on other aspects of the community that make their urban green space special.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ccga-how-does-your-garden-grow-2023-event-series-2124809

Rainbow over Monarch Community Garden by Robin Russo.

Chicago – Garden and Compost Bin tour @ Maxwell Street Community Garden
2023-05-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Maxwell Garden, 1150 W 13th street, Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
Beautiful garden next door to University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) campus. Garden has bins and composts all of their trimmings. Information will be shared on processes used to compost community garden trimmings. Bins set up and you can see compost at various stages.

How Does Your Garden Grow? @ The Land
2023-05-07 12:00 - 16:00 | The Land, 2888 E. 94th St., Chicago, 60617, United States
Sunday, May 7 from 12 to 3 or 4pm
The Land in South Chicago
2888 East 94th St, Chicago IL 60617

What could be better than spending time in nature and tamales? Come visit The Land in South Chicago this Sunday, May 7th, from 12pm to 3 or 4ish, where Elijah and fellow gardeners will be giving away a few seedlings (lettuce, basil, tomatoes, tree saplings) and will lead us on a walk to learn about some of the natural medicinal gifts growing on The Land.
Learn about how this green space is cared for, from cutting overgrowth to mulching, to prepping the soil for growing vegetables. Stick around and enjoy homemade tamales, and network with like minded peeps! A few speakers may roll thru (bee keeper, herbalist, Tree Ambassador, chicken keeper) Feel free to bring a snack to share!!

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ccga-how-does-your-garden-grow-2023-event-series-2124809

Compost 'Appy Hour
2023-05-12 16:00 - 17:30 | UIC Forum, 1213 S Halsted, Chicago, IL, 60607
Join composting professionals for networking, appetizers and the opportunity to win compost related prizes. Learn what was discussed at the Building a Culture of Composting in Greater Chicagoland Summit held earlier in the day. Celebrate International Compost Awareness week with compost enthusiasts from around the region on Friday May 12 at the UIC Forum 1213 S. Halstead St, Chicago. FREE but RSVP required at go.illinois.edu/CompostMay12

May CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-05-16 18:00 - 19:30

CCGA Resources May Distribution
2023-05-20 09:30 - 13:00 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
This is the May Distribution which includes vegetables, summer annual and seeds. There will also be some cannas, delphiniums, dahlias and hanging baskets for modest prices.
This is for community gardens only.
Where: Center for Green Technology (CCGT) 445 N. Sacramento Blvd
Time: 9:30am
Register: RSVP the name and address of your community garden to: mamiegray2012@gmail.com
Cost: $10 registration donation (remit at check-in, cash only)

CCGA May Distribution Flyer 2023

June CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-06-20 18:00 - 19:30

Resources June Perennial Distribution
2023-06-23 10:00 - 14:00 | New Horizons Community Garden, 401 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
This is the June distribution which includes a variety of perennials from Elite Growers.
This is for community gardens only.
Where: New Horizons Garden 401 S. Central Park
Time: 10am
Register: RSVP the name and address of your community garden by June 22 to: mamiegray2012@gmail.com
Cost: $10 registration donation (remit at check-in, cash only).

CCGA June Perennial Distribution Flye

CEGA 2023 Entry Deadline
2023-06-30 17:00 - 17:30
The Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards (CEGA), Chicago’s only citywide gardening awards program, is now accepting entries for its 7th year of honoring city gardeners. Once again, CEGA judges will visit all kinds of Chicago gardens, this year with an increased emphasis on sustainability and earth-friendly practices.
CEGA is open to Chicago residents. Only one entry per garden will be accepted.
Entry deadline: May 1 through June 30
Cost: Free
Categories: Residential, parkways, containers, schools, community garden, other organizations (businesses, churches, fire departments, etc.), urban farms and more
Schedule: Judging begins in July, winners notified late summer, awards on September 24 at Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery on Chicago’s South Side
To enter online: https://chicagogardeningawards.org/entry-form/
Website: chicagogardeningawards.org
Questions: Send an email to chicagogardeningawards@gmailcom.
