Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Introduction To Winter Growing Succulents: Care & Propagation
2020-09-26 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
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
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.

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.

January CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2021-01-19 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.

Historic Sears Sunken Garden Series
2021-01-20 17:30 - 18:30 | Zoom, United States
This is the second of a three-part series on the history and architecture of the Sears Sunken Garden, and the project to restore its campus.

DIY Sustainable Seed Starting and Potting Mixes - Virtual Class
2021-01-23 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, January 23 from 11am-12pm
Join Greenhouse Coordinator Emilia Arellano and learn how to customize soil blends to start your own seeds and give your indoor container plants the growing conditions they need to keep them looking their best! Materials are available for purchase.
GPCA Member/Volunteer: $20
General Public: $25

Garden Planning Workshop
2021-01-23 13:00 - 14:30
Saturday, Jan. 23rd @1-2pm (maybe 2:30pm)
Have you been thinking of starting a garden in your yard but don’t know
where to start? Join us as we walk you through the first steps to vegetable
gardening in your own backyard and or community garden plot. We will
discuss best practices for placing plants in a small space, some companion
planting suggestions, and crop rotation from yr to yr. We will also give
you ideas of where to look for openings in community gardens and how to get
involved with existing gardens in the parks.
This is part of the Kilbourn Park’s Winter Gardening Zoom Classes seri

Historic Sears Sunken Garden Series
2021-01-27 17:30 - 18:30 | Zoom, United States
This is the last of a three-part lecture series on the history and architecture of the Sears Sunken Garden, and the project to restore its campus.

Virtual Intro to Air Plants
2021-01-30 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, January 30 from 11am – 12pm
Join us for a virtual class that demystifies air plants and their care! Greenhouse Coordinator Emilia Arellano will review the basics of air plants and demonstrate a few plant-friendly display options that do not rely on glue. Kits are available for purchase to follow along and practice your newly acquired skills.
GPCA Member/Volunteer: $20
General Public: $25

Water Access for Chicago Growers - Overview of 2021 Hydrant Permit Program & Resources
2021-02-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Do you use a hydrant to access water for your community garden? Join our partners Advocates for Urban Agriculture and Neighbor-Space to learn about the 2021 hydrant permit policy being developed and opportunities for technical support on Thursday, February 4th at 6:00 PM.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-water-access-for-chicago-urban-growers-tickets-135164724329

Soil Health Workshop
2021-02-06 13:00 - 14:30
Saturday, Feb. 6th @1-2pm (maybe 2:30pm)
If you have been gardening for a few seasons now and have noticed your
plants not looking as healthy, it may be the soil. Learn where to send in
soil tests and what to do with that information when it comes to amending
the soil and growing healthier plants. You can also read the soil health by
what weeds you see growing. We will discuss low-cost actions to amend your
soil to increase crop yield and help with plant vitality. We will also
discuss resources available locally so you can focus on supporting local
businesses and being intentional about the sourcing of your soil
amendments.
This is part of the Kilbourn Park’s Winter Gardening Zoom Classes series.

February CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2021-02-16 18:00 - 20:00

Indoor Composting Workshop
2021-02-20 13:00 - 14:30
Saturday, Feb. 20th @1-2pm (maybe 2:30pm)
Join in on the fun, and learn how you can start to recycle your food waste
and turn it into compost for your garden/indoor plants. It is not as hard
as it looks and we will walk you through the steps of doing this in the
comfort of your own home. We will provide a list of materials to purchase
ahead of time so that you can leave the class with a fully functioning
compost bin and start your composting right away!
This is part of the Kilbourn Park’s Winter Gardening Zoom Classes series.

16th Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit
2021-02-25 10:30 - 16:00
The Chicago Food Policy Action Council presents the 16th Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit
The event dates are February 25th, February 26th, March 5th, and March 6th.
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/16th-annual-chicago-food-justice-summit-tickets-132132216015
For schedule details, visit their website here:
https://www.chicagofoodpolicy.com/cfjs16
For full access to speaker profiles, session details, etc. please register
through the eventbrite linked above!

Seed Starting Workshop
2021-03-06 13:00 - 14:30
Saturday, Mar. 6th @1-2pm (maybe 2:30pm)
Have you ever thought about starting plants from seed? We will walk you
through the process and suggest items to make your life easier as you
venture into this process. With a list of locally sourced items you can
follow along and find out how you can start your own seedlings and keep
them happy until you can transplant them outside. You will also get a sneak
peak into this year’s plant list for our 2021 Plant Sale.
This is part of the Kilbourn Park’s Winter Gardening Zoom Classes series.

School and Community Garden Training
2021-03-13 09:00 - 13:00 | Zoom, United States
Registration is now open for Cook County Extension’s popular School and Community Garden Training: Saturday March 13, 9 am – 1 pm via Zoom.
Please feel free to share our Facebook Event with your networks https://fb.me/e/doeB30MGK
Delivered virtually this year, this training will offer an overview of the resources that Extension can offer your organization.
We ask that at least three representatives (may include staff, volunteers, parents, teachers, garden coordinators, administrators) from your garden attend Extension’s free garden training to jump-start planning, recruit helpers, schedule garden installations and develop programming.
During this program we will break out into smaller groups for tailored information to your specific needs. Please select two break out groups to attend. Each session will be repeated twice:

Vegetable Gardening
Ornamentals, Native Plants, and Conservation@Home for Communities
Donation Gardens and Nutrition Curriculum
Garden Management Problem Solving

For on demand information, please visit Cook County Extension’s School Garden Resources website.
For questions about this training, please email Margaret Burns-Westmeyer: mburnswe@illinois.edu
Pre-registration is required at https://go.illinois.edu/schoolgardentraining.

Ask a Master Gardener on Zoom
2021-03-15 17:30 - 18:30
Ask a Master Gardener on Zoom

March 15 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

REGISTER
Have your gardening questions answered by a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener, live on Zoom! These Monday evening sessions are a time to 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 your questions beforehand (not necessary but helpful if it is more in-depth). Registration closes at 6:00pm CST. Automated live captioning is available.

Loyola’s Virtual Climate Change Conference March 15-18, 2021
2021-03-15 18:00 - 20:00
Across the country, youth climate activists are mobilizing people to
protect the planet. In 2021, Loyola’s Virtual Climate Change Conference
will focus on how we can amplify the voices of these young activists.
Free Registration and conference agenda:
https://www.luc.edu/sustainability/initiatives/climatechangeconference/
This year, we will be delivering you our signature conference through a
week long series of evening events and programming. Each evening, you can
join us and participate in discussion around a variety of topics including:
– our first-ever Keynote Conversation with youth climate activists Vic
Barrett and Dejah Powell moderated by WBEZ’s Jerome McDonnell,
– an intergenerational conversation between our keynote climate
activists and their mentors,
– a panel discussion on how climate change is driving displacement, and
the climate migrant’s plight,
– a panel on climate advocacy through art featuring local artists, and
– a discussion with indigenous youth activists.
All events will occur at 6pm during March 15-18th, 2021.

March CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2021-03-16 18:00 - 20:00

Virtual Beginning Beekeeping Class
2021-03-16 18:00 - 20:30
Spend 2 days virtually connecting with our 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. Pre-registration is required. Automated live captioning is available.
*This class takes place over the course of 2 days
Class 1- Tuesday, March 16th 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Class 2 – Tuesday, March 23rd 6:00pm – 8:30pm
General Registration – $50
Volunteer/Member Registration – $40
Scholarships are available! Please complete the SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION to be considered.

CCGA 8th Annual Gardeners Conference
2021-03-20 09:00 - 16:00

Chicken Health Workshop
2021-04-05 18:30 - 21:00
What are the common health issues chickens face, and how can you treat
them? Better yet, how can you keep your flock healthy? This class addresses
chicken physiology, disease prevention and transmission, as well as chicken
first aid. $30 tickets.
Presented by: Home To Roost

April CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2021-04-20 18:00 - 20:00
