Chicago Master Gardeners

03/10/2026

Seed Swap and Plant Exchange on Saturday March 28 at Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, 10 am - 2 pm. We will be there!

03/09/2026

Still time to register for our School and Community Garden Series starting tonight at 6 pm!

Monday, March 9, from 6 to 8 PM – Introduction to Extension, Getting Started, and Volunteer Engagement
Monday, March 16, from 6 to 8 PM - Vegetable Gardening
Monday, March 23, from 6 to 8 PM - Ornamental Gardens and Curriculum

This free program is delivered via Zoom. All audiences are welcome and encouraged to attend, but on-site technical assistance is available only to garden sites

01/12/2026

The 2026 Chicagoland Seed Swap Map is up!
go.illinois.edu/SeedSwaps
if you have a swap to add, please email our program coordinator [email protected]

To have your event added, please email [email protected] (with thanks to Sustain DuPage and Natural Awakenings magazine for their contributions)

11/19/2025

Nonprofit Business Structure Basics
Tues December 9, 6 - 7 pm CT

A farm's setup can significantly impact its daily operation and profitability. Farmers don't just grow food because they enjoy it; they farm to provide their community

10/15/2025

Find a list of Pumpkin Smash events on Nov 8 at https://www.scarce.org/pumpkins/

Pumpkins are popping up everywhere these days, but once Halloween is over, don't just pitch your pumpkins. You can put them to good use instead.

09/24/2025

Sept. 30 at 1:30 p.m.
https://extension.illinois.edu/plants/four-seasons-gardening

Fall is a time to enjoy nature and learn when to harvest seeds for next season's blooms.

In the next Four Seasons Gardening webinar on Sept. 30, learn how to harvest those zinnia seeds after the butterflies have fluttered away for the season. Get tips for seed saving and build up excitement for the next growing season before this one even ends.

Monthly webinars begin at 1:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays and are free to attend. The series focuses on home gardening, environmental stewardship, and backyard food production and is led by Extension horticulture experts. Registration is required at the link below.

🔗 Register for each Four Seasons fall webinar at https://go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons

09/24/2025

Webinar: Cultivating and Collecting Native Seeds
Oct 16 @ 12 Noon

Ready to start collecting native seeds from your garden, but aren't sure where to begin? Join experts from the Forest Preserves of Cook County and Illinois Extension

09/04/2025

Navigating NRCS and FSA Programs Field Day
Sept 16, 5 - 7 pm
The Talking Farm, 3669 Howard St, Skokie, IL 60076
go.illinois.edu/FieldDaySept16
Free to attend and open to the public.

08/06/2025

Organic Certification Field Day
August 20: 5-7 PM
Growing Home, 5814 S Wood, Chicago
go.illinois.edu/FieldDayAug20

08/06/2025

Applications are open now through Aug 14 for the Master Urban Farmer Training Program:
Mondays Sept 22 - Dec 8, 6 - 8 pm on Zoom
In person Field Day Sat. Sept 27 in Matteson, IL
$150
Apply Now - Aug 14
More Info go.illinois.edu/MUFTP
Link to the Application go.illinois.edu/UrbanFarmer

07/15/2025

The 7th annual Westchester Garden Walk, set for Saturday, July 19 from 9am - 2pm, features 11 beautiful gardens, including a prairie-style native garden at the public library, a flourishing native plant garden in the park next to the town fountain, and 9 lovely gardens at homes in Westchester. This year's expanded garden walk coincides with the village's centennial celebration. Proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the Westchester Food Pantry. For more information https://secure.givelively.org/event/grassroots-garden-group/7th-annual-westchester-garden-walk