Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Avondale Gardening Alliance Seed Swap
2020-02-23 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Metropolitan Brewery, 3057 North Rockwell, Chicago, Illinois, 60618
Seed swap! Come meet your neighbors and talk garden plans! Lots of seeds available, even if you don’t have your own to trade. Soup and bread available for small donation. Come enjoy the fantastic view of the Chicago River from Metropolitan Brewery.

Beginning Beekeeping Class at Garfield Park Conservatory
2020-02-29 09:00 - 14:00 | Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. , Chicago, IL, United States
Want to start your own hive or join a crew of volunteer beekeepers? Or just curious about bees and beekeeping? Spend the day with the Head Beekeeper at Garfield Park Conservatory, Marcin Matelski, to learn the basics: beekeeping equipment, hive design and construction, bee biology and behavior. This comprehensive class is a pre-requisite for joining our volunteer beekeeping program.

AUA's 8th Annual Urban Livestock Expo
2020-02-29 10:00 - 13:00 | Prosser Career Academy, 2148 N. Long Ave., Chicago, IL, 60639
The *Urban Livestock Expo* returns with FREE, family-friendly workshops on
raising bees, goats, chickens, ducks, quail and more in your yard!
Workshops will cover daily care, ideal breeds, how to troubleshoot common
problems, and professional tips for being a good neighbor with animals in
the city. Also get a chance to explore the amazing urban agriculture
program at our host site, Prosser Career Academy!
Spanish interpretation provided and all skill and experience levels
welcome. Additionally, area urban livestock groups and businesses will
staff resource tables with information on further learning opportunities,
support networks, sources of supplies, equipment, and more.
Further details on our Facebook event and to follow.

CCGA Vegetable Workshop & Tool Distribution
2020-03-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
We are delighted that vegetable growing expert Dan Gibbs will give a workshop on early season vegetables you can get started soon in your community garden (or on your window sill). Each attending community garden will receive packets of the appropriate seeds. Also, the Resources Committee has purchased brand new garden tools from Lowes (at a big discount). We will distribute a tool to each community garden attending Dan’s workshop.

Please pre-register and email your name and the name and address of your garden to mamiegray2012@gmail.com by Friday, March 6 at 4:00pm.

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
2020-03-07 09:00 - 13:30 | Washington Park Youth Farm, 555 East 51st Street, Chicago, United States
This hands-on class is for beginning to intermediate growers. The session will include an introduction to the different fruit tree pruning forms, when to prune, strategic pruning, and general fruit tree maintenance. We will also cover how to care for fruiting crops that thrive in Plant Hardiness Zones 5-7.

Little Village Gardeners Coalition Seed Swap / Coalicion de jardineros de la Villita Intercambio de Semillas
2020-03-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Iglesia Amor de Dios, 2356 N. Sawyer, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States

Extend Your Season With Alternative Income 2020
2020-03-13 10:00 - 14:00 | Prairie State College Matteson Area Center, 4821 Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL, 4821 Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL, 60443, United States
Curious about how you can extend your farming season and make your farm business more profitable? Join us at this panel discussion field day!

University of Illinois Extension Educator Zack Grant and Lovefood Farmer David Bachhuber will discuss ways in which you can extend your seasonal income. You will learn about microgreen production, high tunnels, and herb production. You’ll also learn about the financial elements and feasibility of extending your season, knowing your market, and the real question–do I really want to work that much all winter long?

Workshop - Cold Season Growing- March, April, May
2020-03-14 09:00 - 13:30 | Arturo Velasquez Institute Greenhouse, 2800 S Western Ave , Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
Get growing all year round! This is a technical training course intended for aspiring growers interested in learning best-practice season-extension techniques. It will combine classroom and hands-on work to prepare students to keep growing as the months get colder. It will involve farm work activities in all weather conditions. Students are expected to work indoors and outdoors.

Chicago Flower & Garden Show® - CANCELLED
2020-03-18 10:00 - 2020-03-22 19:00 | Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
Whether you are an accomplished gardener, just looking to learn how not to kill your houseplants or looking for a great family outing the 2020 Chicago Flower & Garden Show has it all. The 2020 theme “20/20 FOCUS ON FLOWERS” is in collaboration with The Get Growing Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating the next generation of gardeners.

Together small businesses, skilled-labor unions, industry professionals, authors, sponsors and talented friends of the Show (far too many to mention) have invested in this year’s theme, to bring the beauty of flowers (more than 800+ varieties – 80 varieties of tulips alone!), art and design together for an amazingly creative and unforgettable show. New gardens include American Quilter’s Society, I&M Canal, Perfect Parkways, Plant Truck Chicago, Focus on Spring, Zen Garden and Trail Marker Tree garden. Plus 75 education programs!

CCGA 8th Annual Conference - POSTPONED
2020-03-21 09:00 - 14:30 | Whitney Young Magnet High School, 211 South Laflin Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
This year’s theme, “Connections through Gardening: Plants, People and the Environment,” aims to explore and celebrate the interconnectedness of our shared garden work and to foster relationships and conversations that shape and support best practices for sustainable living and growing in Chicago.
Community gardens are increasingly seen as a viable means of promoting restoration, transformation, and conservation of often abandoned or under used property in the city. They have become a powerful tool for promoting good nutrition, physical activity, environmental stewardship, and social connections.
Join us on Saturday, March 21 for an exciting and informative gathering of Chicago’s amazing community gardeners!

Windy City Harvest Aquaponics Class
2020-03-21 10:30 - 15:00 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Participants will learn the fundamental principles of aquaponics productions as well as tips and tricks for building an at-home or small-scale aquaponics system. This course will include hands-on work with the nursery system and the 52,000 gallon aquaponics production system.

UIC Heritage Garden Spring Seed Swap
2020-04-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Jane Adams Hull House Museum Residents’s Dining Hall, 800 South Halsted St., Chicago, 60607, United States
What role do seeds play in advancing food sovereignty? How does community gardening cultivate cultural diversity? How does gardening heal a community?
Join the UIC Heritage Garden for our Sixth 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.
Note: The UIC Union for Puerto Rican Students (UPRS) will be seeking donations for relief efforts in Puerto Rico as they experience continuous climate disasters and a lack of aid.
Admission is free; you do not have to bring seeds to attend
Refreshments will be served.
When: Sunday, April 5, 2020, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Where: Jane Addams Hull-House Museum Resident’s Dining Hall, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago 60607
If you would like to bring seeds from your garden or organization please email us at heritagegarden.uic@gmail.com by Monday March 23, 2020. If you need any accommodations, please email us as well.

April CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2020-04-21 18:00 - 20:00
Please join us for our monthly coordinating meeting. Representatives from all the working groups come together to coordinate our actions. Meeting locations switch between The Hatchery & the Chicago Center for Green Technology. All community gardeners and supporters are invited to attend.
Check the CCGA website for location details and as agendas become available.
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.
Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT)
445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
The Hatchery
135 N. Kedzie.

May CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2020-05-19 18:00 - 20:00

June CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2020-06-16 18:00 - 20:00

Maxwell Street Community Garden Mural Dedication
2020-08-11 18:30 | Maxwell Garden, 1150 W 13th street, Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
You are invited to attend the Dedication Ceremony Tuesday, August 11, 6:30 PM for the new Maxwell Street Community Garden mural, designed by Chicago artist CONTINUOUS GROWTH Anne Farley Gaines produced by Anne and four dedicated students who live near the garden – Andrew Epps, Brianna Norwood, Marshanda Norwood, and Jade Shumpert. at the Maxwell Steet Community Garden on 13th Street between Racine and Blue Island Avenues

60 Second Garden Challenge
2020-08-31 08:00 - 17:00
Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards has been around for 4 years with a focus on environmentally friendly gardening practice in chicago only. This year, with Covid concerns it has been opened to any garden, anywhere, using a 60 second video format. please check out the website and share with your members.
https://chicagogardeningawards.org/.

September CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2020-09-15 18:00 - 20:00

Windy City Coop Tour
2020-09-19 10:00 - 16:00
The Windy City Coop Tour is back for its 10th year showcasing backyard
poultry, eco-yards and urban livestock across Chicago!
Saturday, September 19, 10:00am – Sunday, September 20, 4:00pm. RSVP
Here: https://www.addevent.com/event/Wj4977494
During this self-guided tour, hosts open their yards to visitors and share
their experience keeping backyard livestock in an urban setting. The Windy
City Coop Tour provides access to local examples of the broader nation-wide
movement toward sustainable yards. Hosted by Chicagoland Chicken Enthusiasts
& Angelic Organics Learning Center

CCGA Resources Perennial Distribution
2020-09-25 12:00 - 15:00 | New Horizons Community Garden, 401 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
CCGA Fall Perennial Distribution Flyer

CCGA Resources Perennial Distribution
Friday September 25th starting at Noon
New Horizons Community Garden, 425 S. Central Park Blvd. Chicago, IL 60624
Presented By: CCGA Resources Committee

Introduction To Winter Growing Succulents: Care & Propagation
2020-09-26 11:00 - 12:00
Join Emilia Arellano, GPCA’s Greenhouse Coordinator, for a virtual class on easy care succulents that grow actively in the winter! You will learn how to care for these winter growers throughout the year and how to expand your collection via three propagation techniques–leaf cuttings, stem cuttings and offsets.
When: September 26 from 11am – 12pm
Class Price:
$25 General Public
$20 Members/Volunteers
https://garfieldconservatory.org/event/intro-to-winter-growing-succulents-care-propagation-virtual-class/

October CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2020-10-20 18:00 - 20:00

CAC Virtual Tour of North Lawndale Gardens
2020-10-25 14:00 - 16:00
Chicago Architecture Center Tour Highlights 2 North Lawndale NeighborSpace Community Gardens!
Discover the stories behind empty North Lawndale lots that have become beautiful havens for residents to share gardening skills and gather outdoors for peace circles, storytelling, art and music events and outdoor recess. This discussion will highlight nine of the more than 50 community gardens in the neighborhood and examine how they are steering North Lawndale toward a safer, more sustainable future.
Community members will share their experiences working in the gardens as well as the impact of the gardens on the North Lawndale community.
Date: October 25, 2020
Time: 2:00 pm
Price: FREE
Where: Zoom Virtual Event
Register for this event on the CAC website HERE.

Pumpkin Smash 2020
2020-11-07 09:00 - 13:00 | Plant Chicago ‘Firehouse”, 4459 S Marshfield Ave, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
Green Your Halloween by composting your pumpkins!
Illinois is one of the top producers of pumpkins in the U.S., but when jack o’ lanterns are past their prime, many end up in the trash. In Cook County, 37% of landfill material is food waste, a major source of the greenhouse gas methane.
To divert pumpkins from landfills, Illinois Extension in Cook County is partnering with Plant Chicago to host a Pumpkin Smash from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 7 at 4459 S. Marshfield Ave., Chicago.
Participants must wear a face covering and maintain social distancing.

Indoor Herbs Virtual Workshop
2020-11-07 10:00 - 11:30
Want to savor the flavors of your favorite herbs all year long and add some life to your home with an indoor herb garden? Join Kasey Eaves, an experienced gardener with Montrose Metra Community Gardens and owner of Vivant Gardening Services, for an intro to the best practices and common pitfalls of growing indoors.
Learn which windows will provide the best light, how to supplement your plants’ needs in the winter, what pests and diseases to watch out for, and more. Start your indoor herb farm today and keep a little bit of summer alive in the weeks ahead.
No equipment or materials required. This is a virtual Zoom event.

November CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2020-11-17 18:00 - 20:00

December CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2020-12-15 18:00 - 20:00

Q&A - Ask a Master Gardener on Zoom
2020-12-21 17:30 - 18:30
Monday, December 21 from 5:30pm-6:30pm
Have your gardening questions answered by a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener! Chat live with a trained Master Gardener and find out what might be going on with your plant or what might help with your pest problems. Register to get the Zoom link and a way to submit any questions beforehand (not necessary).
Free; donations appreciated

Indoor Plants and Their Health
2021-01-09 13:00 - 14:00
Saturday, Jan. 9th @1-2pm (maybe 2:30pm)
Plants are a great addition to your at-home office, and by simply being in
your house, leave your air purified. It can be easy to forget that they
have needs. In this class you will learn all about taking care of your
plant babies. Find out tips on watering, fertilizing, and possible run-ins
with insects. We will talk through these issues, and provide time for
attendees to ask specifics about their plants and help them troubleshoot
solutions. The hope is to have you leave feeling more familiar with your
plants and their needs.
This is part of the Kilbourn Park’s Winter Gardening Zoom Classes series.

Historic Sears Sunken Garden Series
2021-01-13 17:30 - 18:30 | Zoom
Three-part lecture series on the history and architecture of the Sears Sunken Garden, and the project to restore its campus.
