Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Gardeners Exchange: Stewards of the Earth
2024-04-13 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | morgan park presbyterian church, 2017 W 110th Place, Chicago, 60643, United States
This is a free event to help you get your garden started, learn about the environment and sustainability, and an opportunity to become a steward of the earth.
Join us for a great day featuring:
Seed swap BYOB (bring your own bag)
Garden tool/supply exchange
Gardener Workshops
Family activities
Naturalist activities
and more!

April CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2024-04-16 18:00 - 19:30 | IL
Please join us for our monthly coordinating meeting. Representatives from all the working groups come together to coordinate our actions. All community gardeners and supporters are invited to attend.
CCGA coordinating meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, except for July & August. Click on the link next to the bullet to download the document(s) listed below.
NOTE: Most CCGA Coordinating meetings are being held via Zoom. In-person meeting locations may switch between The Hatchery Chicago & the Chicago Center for Green Technology.
If you want to attend the coordinating meeting and are not already a member of one of the CCGA working groups, please send an email to: communications@chicagocommunitygardens.org and request to join the monthly meetings.
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.

Resources Spring Distribution
2024-04-20 08:30 - 11:00 | African Heritage Garden, 1245 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, United States
For Chicago community gardens only. RSVP by Thursday, April 18, 4pm to mamiegray2012@gmail. $10 Donation.
Spring Distribution Flyer 2024

Native Sapling Distribution
2024-04-20 13:00 - 16:00 | U of I Extension Chicago office, 8753 S Greenwood #100, Chicago, IL, 60619, United States
To celebrate Earth Day, Cook County Extension is sponsoring a sapling distribution.
This distribution is only for residents of Cook County, Illinois.
The trees and shrubs are young bareroot saplings and should be planted as soon as possible after pick up.
We are offering 4 kinds of saplings: American Plum, Chickasaw Plum, Pecan, and Persimmon. (Hazelnut and Nannyberry all Claimed)
To learn more about each type visit Sapling Descriptions and Planting Instructions
NOTE: The saplings must be picked up in person!
Saturday April 20 from 1 to 4 pm
8753 South Greenwood Ave, Suite 100, Chicago IL 60619.
Reserve your saplings at https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2024-04-20-native-sapling-distribution

Chicago Bird Alliance Online Native Plant Sale Last Day
2024-04-26 00:00 - 23:30 | IL
Help the birds and the environment, and enjoy a beautiful blooming native garden!

Chicago Bird Alliance Online Native Plant Sale is held every spring, offering a wide variety of perennials. Order form is here – order before April 26.

Pick up will be at North Park Village Nature Center on the afternoon of May 26, 2024.

Proceeds of the sale help to fund CAS’s successful bird conservation programs such as the push for a bird- friendly buildings ordinance.

Celebrate the Earth Festival
2024-04-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Cultivate Collective, 4942 W. 44th Street, Chicago, 60638, United States
Cultivate Collective & Academy for Global Citizenship are throwing an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 27th from 10am-1pm to honor and raise awareness about actions we can take to protect and respect our Earth! Event features will include workshops, a seed swap, a resource fair, cooking demos and dynamic, family friendly activities.

Lecture: Tree Pruning 101
2024-04-28 14:00 - 15:00 | IL, United States
“Tree Pruning 101”
Sunday, April 28th at 2:00 PM.
A lecture with Certified Arborist Jerome Scott of the Chicago Park District will be hosted by the Historic Pullman Garden Club and National Park Service at
the Pullman National Historical Park Visitor Center (610 E. 111th Street) Chicago.
No reservations required.
Refreshments will be served.
Everyone is welcome.
Please share widely and invite friends.

Seedling and Compost Sale - Palos Park
2024-05-10 10:00 - 14:00 | the Children’s Farm at The Center, 12700 S. Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL, 60464, United States
Organic and Heirloom Herbs, Vegetables, Flowers and bagged Compost Sale
May 10th-12th from 10am-2pm
The Children’s Farm
12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park

Windy City Harvest Plant Sale & Celebration
2024-05-11 11:00 - 16:00 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Windy City Harvest is excited to announce our upcoming community event,
Spring Sprout, which will be held on May 11, 2024, 11am – 4pm, at the Farm
on Ogden in North Lawndale (3555 W Ogden Ave Chicago IL 60623) in
conjunction with our annual Plant Sale.
We will have annual vegetable and flower starts for sale, free food (while
supplies last), a community resources fair, live music, and tours of Farm
on Ogden. We would love to see you all there!
If you have any questions you can reach out to: bcalendo@chicagobtoanic.org.
Windy City Harvest Spring Sprouts Flyer 2024

Plant and Tool Exchange - Oak Park
2024-05-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304
Plant swap at the Oak Park Conservatory! Join other gardeners and share your favorite plants and extra tools at the annual spring exchange. Please bring at least one healthy plant from your garden or a house plant to participate in the swap. Be sure to label your plants. You can bring as many as you like!
Help keep plastic pots out of our landfills – save your garden plastic pots from the Annual Plant Sale and return them for reuse. Our volunteers will collect your empty pots that can be reused for next year’s sale and kept out of landfills. Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory.
Drop off: 9:30-10:30 AM
Pick up: 11:00-11:30 AM

AGA Seedling Swap and Sale - Avondale
2024-05-19 13:00 - 15:00 | revolution brewery, 3340 N Kedzie, Chicago, IL, 60618, United States
Browse a selection of natives, veggies, herbs and annuals grown by Avondale neighbors just for this event. Rare and unusual varieties you wont find anywhere else. Pay what you can Donations go right back into community programming. Very beginner friendly with kind and helpful info table.
Here’s the Facebook Event

May CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2024-05-21 18:00 - 19:30 | IL

Chicago Urban Farm Solutions Farm Tour and Resource Open House - Lynwood
2024-05-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Chicago Urban Farm Solutions, 2685 East Lincoln Highway, Lynwood, IL
Come join The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago Metro Farms Fund, University of Illinois Extension and Chicago Urban Farm Solutions farm team for a fun and informative event where you can explore various food resources available in our community. **Discover** farmer resources, pantry resources and nutrition education. **Learn** about sustainable practices and ways to support local farmers.
**Connect** with like-minded individuals who are passionate about food and community building. **Farm Tour** learn about the farm with the Farmers.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of **nurturing** our community through food. See you there!

Legacy Gardener Film Project Premiere
2024-05-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. , Chicago, IL, United States
See link below for details.

Tool Library Community Celebration - Pilsen
2024-05-23 18:00 - 21:00 | National Museum of Mexican Arts, 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
Join the Chicago Tool Library community at the National Museum of Mexican Art for a fun-filled event celebrating our incredible members, donors, staff, and volunteers. There will be tacos, drinks, art, crafts, and wonderful people! Everyone is welcome so don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow DIYers and have a great time. See you there!
$20 incl Dinner Drinks and activities.
https://givebutter.com/toollibraryparty

Garden Swap - Morgan Park
2024-06-01 12:00 - 14:00 | The Prairie Park, 11625 S Oakley, Chicago, IL, United States
Everyone is invited to a Meet & Greet Picnic at the Prairie Park in the Morgan Park neighborhood.
A Garden Swap is part of that event. Neighbors are welcome to come and trade perennials, annuals, veggie starts, herbs, houseplants, tools: Whatever you have.
The garden is at the South end of the park at 11800 S Oakley, Chicago. Donations are welcome to support PAC programming.

Diversey Harbor Community Celebration
2024-06-08 10:30 | Diversey Harbor Community Garden, 2601 N Cannon Drive, Chicago, United States
Please RSVP by June 3 at diverseyharborgarden@gmail.com

Soil and Compost Management Field Day - Matteson
2024-06-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Prairie State College Matteson Area Center, 4821 Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL, 4821 Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL, 60443, United States
Extension educator Zack Grant will show how he’s designed the soil health management system used on our .25 acre diversified vegetable farm.
You will learn about
Composting Facility ( Small Pad/Bin)
Conservation Plans
Rotation
Cover Crops
Mulch
Nutrient Management
Residue/Till/No-Till
Raised beds
Soil Carbon Amassing
Soil Health Testing
Base Soil Health Suite
PFAS test in Water/Soil

Invited: Joseph Bridges, the USDA NRCS Conservationist for Cook County, if available, will tell attendees about cost share programs available to urban farmers.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Batka at 217-300-8636 or sbatka@illinois.eduSoil and Compost Management Field Day 6.12.24

It Takes a Village Farm Kick Off - Saulk Village
2024-06-15 09:00 - 12:00 | It Takes a Village Community Farm, 2500 223rd Street, Saulk Village, IL, 60411, United States
Come celebrate the growing season with us at the Annual Farm Kick Off Event at the It Takes a Village Community Farm!
The event is a great way to get connected with the farm, whether you’re returning for the season or joining for the first time.
It includes a variety of family-friendly activities and is a great experience for all ages.
You can expect:

Seedlings for giveaway
Chef cooking demonstrations and farm fresh food
Art therapy and other creative projects
Community conversations and connections
And more!

You can come for 30 minutes or stay the whole time.
The event is free with a suggested donation. Please register for a ticket.
Your donation will support our youth education programming. We partner with neighborhood schools and youth community groups for field trips, workshops, and volunteer days on the farm.
Suggested Donation Tiers:

$5 covers one packet of seeds for the youth education beds
$10 covers one hand tool for student learners
$25 covers one starter grow kit
$50 covers supplies needed for a school field trip

Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you soon!

June CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2024-06-18 18:00 - 19:30 | IL

2024 National Children and Youth Gardening Symposium
2024-07-08 - 2024-07-11 | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
The American Horticultural Society’s 32nd annual National Children and Youth Garden Symposium will be held on Chicago’s North Shore from Monday, July 8 to Thursday, July 11, 2024, in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden. Registration for this event will open in mid-March.
Reinvigorate your passion to educate a new generation about the importance of gardening. Network, engage, collaborate, and learn from like-minded peers across the country. Explore the vibrant Chicago North Shore with its numerous green spaces and innovative, citizen-driven gardening projects. Find out why NCYGS is one of the country’s longest-running, most prestigious gardening conferences for youth educators!

Edgewater Glen Garden Walk
2024-07-14 12:00 - 17:00 | Edgewater Glen Garden Walk, Starting PointMapRegistration at 1354 W. Norwood St. (6034N) & Glenwood (1400W), Chicago, 60660, United States
Your chance to see beautiful outdoor spaces created by our talented gardeners! Held rain-or-shine, this compact, easily-walkable event features the gardens of East Edgewater Glen this year in the 1200 & 1300 blocks of Edgewater Glen. Plenty of street parking available.

Garden Walk: Buena Blooms for Brennemann
2024-07-21 13:00 - 17:00 | Buena Elementary School, 4251 N Clarendon, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
This self-guided tour invites you to view some of the most beautiful gardens in our historic community. Support Friends of Brennemann and enjoy a memorable day, strolling through the heart of Buena Park. All proceeds from Buena Blooms for Brennemann will benefit Friends of Brennemann, a 501C-3 dedicated to supporting our local Chicago public elementary school.
This event is held rain or shine. You may visit gardens in any order. Check in and tour start at
Brennemann Elementary School, 4251 N Clarendon.
Tickets are $30 each in advance, $35 at the door and include refreshments afterwards at Haymarket House.
Gardens are open on Sunday, July 21st from 1-3pm. Refreshments and Silent Auction at Haymarket House (800 W Buena) from 3-5pm.

Break It Down: Decomposer Exploration
2024-07-26 09:00 - 12:00 | IL
Join the Green Teacher Network (GTN) to explore the transformative magic of decomposition! Particpants will take part in 3 workshops and learn about how to grow mushrooms in the classroom, how to build and maintain a classroom worm bin, and take a walk in the forest to find the small animals and organisims that help break down organic materials.

3 CPDU’s will be provided
Childcare is available for children 3 years and up (register your child here)
Tiered ticket pricing
All participants will take home a mini-worm bin and other resources for their classrooms.
A light breakfast will also be provided.

The event begins at 9:00 am and ends at 12:00 pm. Reserve your tickets now!
About the Green Teacher Network (GTN)
Since 2005, the GTN has supported teachers’ efforts to create school gardens and use green spaces as multidisciplinary teaching tools, enhancing the curriculum of all students. Members of the network have access to educator workshops and special events that champion nature-based learning in Chicago-area schools. The GTN is a coalition made up of Chicago Botanic Garden, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Garfield Park Conservatory, and Openlands.

Garden Walk: Ravenswood Manor
2024-07-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Ravenswood Manor Park, 4626 N Manor Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for the 68th annual Ravenswood Manor Garden Walk. Pick up your map at Ravenswood Manor Park (4626 N Manor Ave, Chicago IL 60625). $5 suggested donation. Stay for our FREE LIVE CONCERT 4:30-5:30 at Ravenswood Manor Park!

NRCS Conservation Practices Field Day - Back of the Yards
2024-07-31 17:30 - 19:30 | Star Farm, 5156 S Carpenter, Chicago, IL, United States
Join the U of I Extension Local Foods Small Farms team, NRCS field agents and Star Farmers to learn how you can implement conservation practices at your urban ag site. NRCS offers cost share programs for raised beds, mulching, compost facilities, high tunnels, pollinator strips and more. The minimum farm size to participate is 1/100 acre.
NRCS Conservation Practices Field Day

Wednesday July 31, 2024, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Star Farm, 5156 S. Carpenter, Chicago

go.illinois.edu/NRCSFieldDay
This program is free to attend, but pre-registration is required. If you have any questions, or need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Sarah Batka at 217-300-8636.

NRCS Cost Share Program Field Day - Saulk Village
2024-08-20 17:00 - 19:00 | It Takes a Village Community Farm, 2500 223rd Street, Saulk Village, IL, 60411, United States
Extension educator Zack Grant and farmer Paul Krysik will explain the conservation practices implemented on It Takes a Village‘s diversified vegetable farm; and speak of their contract experience with the NRCS program.
Joseph Bridges, Alicia Lozano, and Jacey Fears, reps from the USDA Chicago Urban Ag offices will be on site to meet farmers and answer your questions about applying for these reimbursement programs.
You will learn about
Conservation Plans
EQIP high tunnel program
Cover Crops
Mulch
Raised beds
Pollinator Strips

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Batka at 217-300-8636 or sbatka@illinois.edu

Cook County Farm Crawl
2024-08-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Prairie State College Matteson Area Center, 4821 Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL, 4821 Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL, 60443, United States
The U of I Extension Demonstration and Research Farm will be open for informal tours
on Friday August 23, 10 am – 2 pm as part of the Cook County Farm Crawl
See examples of different methods of growing: berm beds, structured raised beds, hoop house. Taste and vote for your favorite cherry tomato in our tomato trials.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Sarah at 217-300-8636 or sbatka@illinois.edu

Garfield Park Garden Network Community Gardens Tour
2024-08-24 09:00 - 14:00 | Garfield Park Gold Dome, 100 N Central Park Ave,, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
Join us for a tour of community gardens in Garfield Park from 9am-2pm on Saturday, August 24!
Board the bus at Garfield Park Gold Dome and visit 6 community gardens and an urban farm. Then, we’ll head over to The Hatchery Chicago for a tour. After that, enjoy some lunch with your fellow tour mates and explore the Garfield Park Neighborhood Market. The tour bus can then take you back to the Gold Dome, or you can depart from the Hatchery (the Kedzie Green Line station is right at the corner.
The garden tour is FREE! Boxed lunches are a suggested donation of $10 and include a sandwich, salad, drink and dessert. Space is limited on the bus, so reserve your seat and register here!

Open Gardens - Oak Park
2024-09-08 12:00 - 15:00 | IL
Congregations Fighting Hunger
Open Gardens
Sunday Sept 8, Noon – 3 pm
A self- paced tour of Four Locations in Oak Park/River Forest Oak Park Open Gardens Sun 9.8.24
