Chicago Community Gardeners Association

January CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-01-17 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
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.

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.

Edgewater Glen Garden Walk
2023-07-09 12:00 - 17:00 | Edgewater Glen Neighborhood, Chicago, 60660, United States
50th Anniversary Garden Walk in the easily walkable route of the 1400 & 1500 blocks of Edgewater Glen in Chicago’s far north side. All of the gardens are beautiful and many of them are also ‘Poison Free’ where no pesticides or herbicides have been used.

Ravenswood Manor Garden Walk
2023-07-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Ravenswood Manor Park, 4626 N Manor Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for the 67th annual Ravenswood Manor Garden Walk. Pick up your map at Ravenswood Manor Park. $5 suggested donation. Stay for our FREE LIVE CONERT 4:30-5:30 featuring Neptune’s Core at Ravenswood Manor Park!

North Rogers Park Community Garden Walk
2023-07-29 09:30 - 13:00
The Howard Area Community Garden will be hosting a tour of community and public gardens in the north Rogers Park neighborhood. The event is scheduled fro Saturday, July 29th, starting at 9:30am at Jarvis Square Pottery Garden. We will walk to Dubkin Garden, Hello Howard, Howard Area, the Community Orchard in Triangle Park, and to Anthony’s Garden at Gale School. We anticipate ending by 1pm. This is a 2-mile walk. Bicycles and cars can be accommodated. We hope many of you will join us.
Please see the attached poster and eventbrite link, below, for more details.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rogers-park-community-gardening-tour-tickets-670325029207
Molly Doane, Coordinator
Howard Area Community Garden
Juneway and Hermitage, Chicago
Mail: 7648 N. Paulina St., Chicago, IL 60626
Phone: Molly: (414) 899-2204
Phone: Scott: (773) 540-8328
email: howardgarden@gmail.com
Blog: howardareacommunitygarden.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HowardAreaCommunityGarden

Garden Club at McKiernan Park
2023-09-07 11:00 - 12:00 | McKiernan Park, 10714 S. Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL, 60655, United States
Join with neighbors in the upkeep of your local park’s garden area. General gardening education will be part of this outdoor learning experience.
We will meet every Thursday from 11am-12pm from September 7th- October 12th at McKiernan Park. For more information, call the park at (312) 747-2883 or sign up here: Activity detail | CPD Transaction Portal (activecommunities.com)

Protected Culture Field Day
2023-09-08 16:30 - 18:30 | Growing home, 5814 S Wood, Chicago, IL, 60636, United States
Field Day Friday – Protected Culture
Friday September 8, 2023, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Growing Home Urban Farm
5814 S Wood, Chicago
Please register at https://go.illinois.edu/protectedculture
Extension Educator Zack Grant and Growing Home Farm Manager Ezra Lee will discuss
High Tunnel Management
Vendors and Equipment
Structures like High tunnels, caterpillar tunnels
Planting Dates for Season Extension
DIY solutions
We’re thrilled to welcome Joseph Bridges, the USDA NRCS Conservationist for Cook County who will tell attendees about cost share programs available to urban farmers.

September CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-09-19 18:00 - 19:30

September Perennial Distribution
2023-09-29 10:00 - 14:00 | New Horizons Community Garden, 401 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
September Perennial Distribution Flyer 2023

October CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2023-10-17 18:00 - 19:30

Thinking Like a Rat Workshop (Part 1): Rats 101
2023-11-14 18:30 - 19:30 | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
If you are concerned about rats in your community garden, consider joining this 2-Part workshop, “Thinking like a rat: develop a strategy to send rats packing from your garden”. Created by Lincoln Park Zoo’s Chicago Rat Project in partnership with Chicago Park District and NeighborSpace, and supported by CCGA, this two-part workshop will provide gardeners with the tools and knowledge to prevent, deter, and control rats in a community garden space.
Part 1 will provide information on the brown rat: Why they may be attracted to gardens, and measures you can take to deal with rats.
Part 2 will be a hands-on demonstration visiting a community garden, identifying rat signs, and learning how to apply the strategies shared in Part 1. See the flyer for more information and to register!
Thinking Like a Rat Workshop (Part 1): Rats 101
Tuesday, November 14 6:30pm -7:30 pm
Chicago Center For Green Technology and on Zoom
445 North Sacramento Boulevard Chicago, IL 60612
Register by November 12 at tinyurl.com/ChiRatWorkshop1
Thinking Like a Rat Workshop (Part 2): Garden Demo
Saturday, November 18 · 10 – 11:30am
Community Roots Garden at Skinner Park
1331 West Adams Street Corner of Throop St/Adams St Chicago, IL 60607
Register by November 16 at tinyurl.com/ChiRatWorkshop2

Thinking Like a Rat Workshop (Part 2): Garden Demo
2023-11-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Community Roots Demonstration Garden at Skinner Park, 1331 W Adams St, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
If you are concerned about rats in your community garden, consider joining this 2-Part workshop, “Thinking like a rat: develop a strategy to send rats packing from your garden.” Created by Lincoln Park Zoo’s Chicago Rat Project in partnership with Chicago Park District and NeighborSpace, and supported by CCGA, this two-part workshop will provide gardeners with the tools and knowledge to prevent, deter, and control rats in a community garden space.
Part 1 will provide information on the brown rat: Why they may be attracted to gardens, and measures you can take to deal with rats.
Part 2 will be a hands-on demonstration visiting a community garden, identifying rat signs, and learning how to apply the strategies shared in Part 1. See the flyer for more information and to register!
Thinking Like a Rat Workshop (Part 1): Rats 101
Tuesday, November 14 6:30pm -7:30 pm
Chicago Center For Green Technology and on Zoom
445 North Sacramento Boulevard Chicago, IL 60612
Register by November 12 at tinyurl.com/ChiRatWorkshop1
Thinking Like a Rat Workshop (Part 2): Garden Demo
Saturday, November 18 · 10 – 11:30am
Community Roots Garden at Skinner Park
1331 West Adams Street Corner of Throop St/Adams St Chicago, IL 60607
Register by November 16 at tinyurl.com/ChiRatWorkshop2
