Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Illinois Farm to School Policy Workshop
2015-06-29 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | University of Illinois Chicago, Jane Addams Hull House 800 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
With farm to school programs kids win, farmers win and communities win!
Join Illinois Stewardship Alliance, in partnership with the Illinois Farm to School Network, for one of two exciting workshops highlighting successful local farm to school projects, the U.S. Farm to School Act of 2015 and what you can do to support more farm to school efforts throughout Illinois!
Do you want to support more farm to school programs but don’t know where to start? Want to grow a garden with students but don’t know where to find the money? Learn from the experts and hear about how you can advocate for and support this important work! You will leave feeling inspired, empowered and ready to help make farm to school a reality in Illinois. These workshops are open to the public and geared to all walks of life not just food system professionals. Come learn, think and take action!
Jane Addams Hull House Museum on the UIC Campus, Monday June 29th at 6pm
For More Information
Email Wes King at wesATilstewards.org

Summer Solstice Potluck
2015-06-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Christy Webber Landscapes, 2900 W Ferdinand, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
We would love to have CCGA members join Chicago Honey Co-op and Slow Food Chicago for our annual Sweet Summer Solstice potluck.

The most affordable fundraiser in Chicago is happening on June 20 at Rancho Verde (headquarters of Christy Webber Landscaping), just East of the Center for Green Technology at Sacramento and Ferdinand. Besides our tours of the beehives on the green roof, you can take a peak at Christy’s sheep, goats, chickens and donkey (yes, donkey).

There will be beer from Revolution Brewing, wine from Candid wines, bread from Baker Miller and fish from Fortune Fish and Gourmet.

All you have to do is buy a ticket for $15.00 bring a blanket or chairs to sit on and a potluck dish for sharing (salad, side dish or dessert).

Proceeds will benefit Slow Food Chicago and our new partner organization, Chicago Honey Co-op Training Center

CCGA Resources Committee Mini Plant Distribution
2015-06-20 08:00 | New Horizons Community Garden, 401 S Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
This Saturday, June 20, the CCGA Resources Committee will offer more free vegetable, herb and flower seedlings, as well as seeds, to community gardens. Here are the details:

WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. til the plants and seeds are gone
WHERE: New Horizons community garden, 401 S. Central Park, Chicago (this garden is at the corner of Van Buren and Central Park, just a block north of the Eisenhower Expressway on the east side of the street)
WHAT: the plants include: curly parsley, flat parsley, winter savory, Greek oregano, French thyme, sweet marjoram, basil verde a piccole, rosemary, cauliflower romanesco, Kaitlin cabbage, ‘Gypsy’ broccoli, nicotiana ‘fragrant cloud’ and cactus flowering zinnias. Seeds: Rattlesnake Master beans and miscellaneous sunflowers. If you have any seedlings or seeds to share, please bring them!
COST: there is no charge.
This is a small (less than 400 plants) distribution; we will limit each garden to 20-25 plants and it is first come, first serve.
Questions? Call Ellen Newcomer 224 522 1255. Hope to see you!

Talleres GardenKeepers 2015
2015-06-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Biblioteca / Toman Library, 2708 S Pulaski, Chicago, IL, United States
South Lawndale/ La Villita: En Español (in Spanish)
Donde: Biblioteca / Toman Library 2708 S Pulaski.
Cuándo: 27 de Junio de 10:00 am a 12:00 pm/June 27- 10:00 am to 12 noon
Los múltiples usos de las hierbas / Herbs Workshop.
Venga a aprender sobre cultivar hierbas para cocinar, comer y beber/learn about growing herbs for eating, drinking and cooking.
La cuota es de $15 por taller si se registra para ellos por separado o $15 para su primer taller con cada taller adicional de $10 si se registra para ellos juntos.
Para más información contacte con nosotros en 312-863-6255 o gardens@openlands.org

Hideout Veggie Bingo
2015-06-10 17:30 - 20:00 | The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia, Chicago, IL, 60642, United States
Every Wednesday through August join the Hideout and NeighborSpace for bingo, beer, and free hot dogs*–still courtesy of our friends at Hot Doug’s–plus veggie dogs!
Hideout Veggie Bingo games raise money each week for Chicago-area community gardens. We have a bounty of prizes from local growers and food producers, including Metropolis Coffee, Peasants’ Plot, Local Foods Grocer & Distributor, Crumb Bread, Co-Op Sauce, Central Pickling, Green Grocer, Urban Accents, and Agate Publishing. Plus our Grand Prize: a giant bag of organic vegetables and fruit from IRV & SHELLY’S FRESH PICKS (freshpicks.com).
Bingo cards are $4 each, 3 for $10. Kids are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult; your dogs can hang on the patio, but please don’t bring them into the bar.
Doors open at 5:30. Bingo starts at 6.

Let's Build! Hermitage St Community Garden Workday
2015-06-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Hermitage St Community Garden, 5643 S Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
Come celebrate our community and veterans and help us build food gardens.
PLEASE REPLY BY JUNE 1st to Cordia Pugh at cordia.pugh@att.net
Hosted by Cordia Pugh, Lawrence Bass, Paula Sneed, and Courtney Bass.
Event Schedule

10am: Building Begins
11am: Welcome Ceremony
1pm: Lunch
4pm: Building Ends

The event will take place rain or shine (but lets all hope for shine!)
This will be the even of the summer! A DJ will spin upbeat tunes and there will be face-painting for the kids! RSVP and let us know if you will bring additional guests. Feel free to bring a towel or mat to sit on during breaks.

Xochiquetzal Peace Garden and Whittier School - Spring Fundraising Gala
2015-05-30 18:30 - 20:30 | National Museum of Mexican Arts, 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
A Celebration of Whittier School with Music, Art, Short Stories, and Vegetables Starts from Xochiquetzal Peace Garden.
Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art’s display, ‘The House on Mango Street,’ by Mexican-American author Susan Cisneros from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Hear Whittier choristers and violinists, meet short story writers from Whittier’s community, purchase vegetable and flower plants from Xochiquetzal Community Gardeners , and enjoy appetizers, drinks, and music for dancing.
Bring friends and make new ones! Funds raised support Whittier’s three school choirs and the Xochiquetzal Peace Garden, where all Whittier’s children do spring planting.

Garage Sale Fundraiser for Mozart’s Community Garden
2015-05-30 10:00 - 15:00 | The Parkway at Sacramento Blvd and Augusta St, Sacramento Blvd and Augusta St, Chicago, IL, United States
The Mozart Gardeners are seeking donations for the 3rd Annual Garage Sale Fundraiser. Donate your old, toys, tools, clothing —anything that isn’t broken—to our garage sale and all proceeds will go directly to fund the cost of lumber, landscaping cloth, paint, soil, seeds, tools, and more.
To arrange your donation, please contact Jess at jrbader43@yahoo.com.
Thanks for having pride in your community and helping us grow!

Montrose Metra Community Gardens - Spring Plant Exchange
2015-05-30 10:00 | Montrose Metra Community Gardens, 4400 N Ravenswood, Chicago, IL, United States
(rain or shine – we are gardeners, after-all)
Bring a Plant – Take a Plant – and leave happy! Exchange as many plants as you like.
Please note the name of the plant and whether it does best in sun or shade; trade extra seedlings, too.
Clean out your garage! Bring tools or garden accessories, or whatever else you think someone would benefit from.
Come out to see the creation of our new community gardens.
Too many native plants in your garden? Bring a piece of your garden to this new space.
MMCG will gladly plant them in the gardens.

Chicago Youth Centers ABC Polk Bros. Garden Peace Party
2015-05-28 18:00 - 19:30 | Chicago Youth Centers ABC Polk Bros., 3415 W. 13th Place, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
“Peace”
End of School Year Garden Party
RSVP 773-762-5655
-CYC Sunshine Youth Garden Tours
-Poster Exhibit
-2nd Annual Garden Hat Contest
-Lawn Games
-Safe Summer Resources
-Summer Program Sign Up

11th Annual Seeds of Service
2015-05-16 22:00 | Humboldt Park Field House, 1440 N. Sacramento Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60622, United States
Join AmeriCorps Project YES! for our 11th Annual Seeds of Service community garden project! Seeds of Service is a day of service to support local community gardens in Humboldt Park. The purpose of Seeds of Service is to raise awareness about community gardening and to mobilize community members in volunteerism. Through this day of service, we hope to support the important work that gardens and organizations in Humboldt Park are doing to build community and fight hunger.
Over the past 10 years, Seeds of Service has organized over 500 volunteers. This year we have established partnerships with 9 community gardens and hope to work with over 100 volunteers. We welcome members of the Humboldt Park community and beyond to support this day of service.
We are looking for adult volunteers (18 years or older) to prepare community gardens for the spring and summer. Tasks may include constructing garden beds, planting, weeding, and more. No experience is necessary to participate.
The event will take place from 9:30am-2:30pm on Saturday, May 16th. Registration will begin promptly at 9:30am at the Humboldt Park Fieldhouse (1440 N Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL 60622). Participants will then attend a 30-minute educational gardening workshop before heading out to the gardens. To register online, please visit http://goo.gl/Fc8SDc.
Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. We will be gardening rain or shine!
If you have any questions, please contact Claire Unger at cunger@nush.org or (773) 969-5539.

Windy City Harvest: Pest & Disease Control
2015-05-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
Arturo Velasquez Institute Greenhouse
Rosario Maldonado, Sales Coordinator, WCH Apprenticeship & Corps
$39
Have you had troubles with pests getting to your crops before you can? Learn how to take preventative measures to make sure you do not invite pests or disease in the first place. This workshop will also cover: common vegetable pests in Chicago, their life cycle and how to use sustainable sprays or barriers to control. Common diseases will also be identified. Everyone will do a “scouting” pest and disease walk of the AVI farm site.

CCGA Seedling Distribution
2015-05-16 09:00 - 10:30 | Embassy Church, 5848 S. Princeton, Chicago, IL, 60621, United States
The CCGA Resources Committee has grown hundreds of vegetable and flower seedlings for community gardeners, and we will have two plant distribution days this month. For a $5 donation, you will receive tomato/basil/kale/pepper plants and summer annual flowers, as well as participation in the raffle for beautiful house plants and miscellaneous donated garden stuff.
If you have a sheltered location to acclimate these seedlings (they will be fresh out of the greenhouse), please come to 445 N. Sacramento at 9:00 next Saturday, May 9. We will check everyone in starting at nine, and will distribute the plants at 9:30. Bring a box to carry your plants home, please!
On Saturday May 16, we will distribute the rest of the seedlings at Embassy Church, 5848 S. Princeton (go to the parking lot on the southwest side of the church). Same time, same donation.
Please register here so we know how many gardeners to expect.
Questions? Call Ellen Newcomer at 224 522 1255. See you soon!

Seeds of Service: A Day of Service to Support Community Gardens in Humboldt Park
2015-05-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Humboldt Park Field House, 1440 N. Sacramento Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60622, United States
Registration: 9:30am-10:00am
Event: 10:00am – 2:30pm
Breakfast and Lunch Provided
We will garden rain or shine!
Garden opportunities include: Composting, Planting Seedlings and Perennials, Participating in an Educational Workshop
REGISTER HERE
BILINGUAL FLYER

Paseo Prairie Garden's Annual Mother's Day Plant Sale
2015-05-09 10:00 - 15:00 | IL
All proceeds go for maintenance and support of the Paseo Prairie Garden
Sponsored by Friends of the Paseo Prairie Garden

Native Illinois Perennials
Other Perennials
Annual Flowers
Montalbano Farms
Organic Vegetables and Herbs

CCGA Seedling Distribution
2015-05-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States

Hermitage Street Community Garden Workday
2015-05-09 08:30 - 17:00, 2015-05-06 10:30 - 13:30, 2015-04-29 10:30 - 13:30 | Hermitage St Community Garden, 5643 S Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
Please contact Garden Leader Cordia Pugh (773-480-9188, cordia.pugh@att.net) if you are planning to come to a work day. Work days are contingent upon weather, and Cordia will inform you of any changes as soon as they are known.
Full schedule of planned Hermitage work days:

29-Apr 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
06-May 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
09-May 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
16-May 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

South Merrill Community Garden - Work Day
2015-05-09 08:00 - 11:00 | South Merrill Community Garden, 7302 S Merrill, Chicago, IL, United States
We look forward to another successful planting season at the South Merrill Community Garden and collaborating with our neighbors that want to see the garden grow and thrive.
Join us Saturday, May 9th for a Garden Clean Up Day as we work alongside Genesis Co-op members and the South Shore United Methodist Church.
If you’d like to attend, please contact Iyonna Rivers (iyonnarivers8@gmail.com) or Dianne Hodges (dnetsahodges@gmail.com) by Friday, May 8th.

Windy City Harvest: Edible Container Gardening
2015-05-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
Arturo Velasquez Institute Greenhouse
Darius Jones, McCormick Place Rooftop Farm Coordinator, WCH Apprenticeship & Corps
$39
Grow vegetables and herbs on your patio, roof, balcony or porch! This workshop covers: picking your site, types of containers, crops and varieties that do well, troubleshooting and harvest. Everyone will plant and take home a small, yet bountiful, herb and vegetable container.

South Merrill Community Garden - Work Day
2015-05-02 08:00 - 11:00 | South Merrill Community Garden, 7302 S Merrill, Chicago, IL, United States
NOTE: This garden day has been rescheduled from 4/25 to 5/2.
We look forward to another successful planting season at the South Merrill Community Garden and collaborating with our neighbors that want to see the garden grow and thrive. Join us this Saturday, May 2nd alongside Genesis Co-op members and the South Shore United Methodist Church.

South Merrill Community Garden - Season Planning Meeting
2015-04-30 19:00 - 21:00 | South Shore United Methodist Church, 7350 S Jeffrey Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60649, United States
We look forward to another successful planting season at the South Merrill Community Garden and collaborating with our neighbors and interested organizations that want to see the garden grow and thrive. Please come to this community meeting as we plan our season.

GardenKeepers Workshop – “Planting for Success”
2015-04-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan, Chicago, IL, 60660, United States
Ever feel confused as to what veggies you should plant when you have limited space? Want to grow more than just tomatoes? Adrienne Detanico, staff member from The Organic Gardener will provide us with information on choosing what to plant and taking care of our plants for a successful garden.

Spring Grafting Workshop - Midwest Fruit Explorers
2015-04-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
Want Fruit Trees in Your Garden? Attend the Mid-West Fruit Explorers spring grafting workshop where you can graft fruit trees for your garden.
The only cost to attendees is a nominal charge for grafting material. However, there is a minimum 25 dollar parking fee for non-members of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Jardincito - Children's Tree Planting / SIEMBRA DE ÁRBOLES PARA LOS NIÑOS
2015-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | IL
Jardincito Advisory Council invites you and your young children to a CHILDREN’S TREE PLANTING
Please join us for a very special ceremonial tree planting to celebrate the launch of Jardincito Community Play Garden!
Bring your shovel! Bring a spoon! Bring your hands!
Light snacks and drinks will be provided, as well as some children’s shovels and buckets.
A new community-created play and exploration garden is coming!
The future garden at 23rd and Whipple is a place where young children can play and explore nature right in there own neighborhood. Rather than traditional swings and slides, this garden’s features are borrowed from the natural world. Earthen mounds, balancing logs, imaginative decks, boulder spirals and play huts are all planned for this garden. Jardincito is a special place where children can connect with both nature and their community. This tree planting is just the beginning of wonderful things happening in this special garden!

El Consejo Asesor Jardincito los invitan a una ¡SIEMBRA DE ÁRBOLES PARA LOS NIÑOS!
Por favor, únase a nosotros para una ceremonia muy especial. Vamos a sembrar el primer árbol para celebrar el lanzamiento de el Jardín de Juego Comunitario – Jardincito!
¡Traiga su pala! ¡Traiga una cuchara! ¡Traiga sus manos!
Aperitivos y bebidas serán provistos. Tambien tendremos palas y cubetas para niños.
¡Próximamente un nuevo jardín comunitario de juego y exploració El futuro Jardin localizado en la 23 y la Whipple será un lugar donde los niños podran jugar y explorer la naturaleza en su propio vecindario. En lugar de columpios y tobogánes tradicionales, habrá características tomadas del mundo natural como montículos de tierra, troncos para equilibrar, plataformas, espirales de roca y chositas para jugar. Jardincito sera un lugar especial donde los niños pueden conectarse con la naturaleza y su comunidad. La siembre de este árbole es sólo el principio de las cosas maravillosas que estan por venir en este jardín especial!

Stir the Pot - Spring Workday
2015-04-18 10:00 - 14:30 | IL
Help us move wood chips for a good cause. Starting our 2nd garden aimed at feeding the homeless & seniors in Chicago.
Make a difference in the lives of others. Come out and support. Water and snacks will be provided. Friends welcome. If you have a shovel or wheelbarrow, please bring to use!

GardenKeepers Workshop - "Insect Identification and Pest Control"
2015-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL, 60628, United States
Tired of having pests enjoy your garden more than you do? Join us as Carol Lerner teaches us how to identify different insects as friend or foe and what we can do to help our plants survive without pesticides

Chicken Keeping Classes at the Garfield Park Conservatory
2015-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | IL
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance is hosting a series of chicken care classes taught by Jennifer Murtoff of Home to Roost LLC at Garfield Park Conservatory this spring, summer and fall. The series goes through the basics of keeping chickens in the city and into the details of keeping your flock healthy and happy during the summer and winter. You can sign up for classes individually; each class is $35 or $28 for GPCA volunteers and members. Please visit our website to register:www.garfieldconservatory.org/programs/growing-and-green-living.html.

Annual CDOT Placemaking and Landscape Maintenance Seminar
2015-04-18 09:15 - 12:30 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
On behalf of the City of Chicago, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be hosting the Annual Placemaking and Landscape Maintenance Seminar on Saturday, April 18th at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. Throughout Chicago, the City’s greening and placemaking initiatives including streetscapes, medians, people spots, people plazas, and traffic-calming, help improve the quality of life and add value to our neighborhoods. The key to the success of these green spaces is the partnership between the City and the Community. This seminar is for those currently wanting to learn more about Chicago’s placemaking efforts, are maintaining neighborhood improvements in the public way, or those who love gardening and want to hear the latest news on plants, planting techniques, and best practices. Simultaneous presentations will allow attendees a choice of focus. For more detailed information, read the current agenda.
While this seminar is free and open to the public, there is limited seating and pre-registration is recommended. Please direct any questions or RSVP your attendance by April 16th using the contact form.
