2025 Meetings & Programs
Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month, January through November, at 7 pm, unless otherwise indicated.
| January 13 | Winter Sowing, Il Master Gardener Bob Hermann. A presentation as well as a hands-on workshop on a topic that is dear to many devoted gardeners’ heart…winter sowing. A way to get a jump start on the season. Be ready to get those hands dirty! |
| February 10 | The Xerces Society and Invertebrates in the Ecosystem, Linda Seyler. A discussion about the Xerces Society as well as the importance that invertebrates play in a balanced ecosystem. Things that individuals and gardeners can do to help, promote and preserve them as they face today’s challenges and threats. |
| March 10 | Worm Farming, Jerry Callison. Our own FVGC member, Jerry will speak to his experiences of owning and operating a worm farm, what it takes to keep a resilient population, as well as what species are beneficial for the endeavor. |
| April 14 | Insect Hotels, U of I Extension Master Gardener. Did you know there are many insects that help control pests? In fact, they outnumber damaging insects, especially in the right habitat. We can greatly increase the number of beneficial insects in our gardens by providing a place for them to live and thrive. Insect hotels promote populations of the “good guys,” including pollinators. |
| May 12 | MEETING BEFORE PLANT SALE |
| May 17 | ANNUAL PLANT SALE |
| June 9 | MEMBER POTLUCK |
| July 14 | Edible Flowers, Marcia Lautenan-Raleigh. A photo-based presentation that discusses the edible nature of a wide variety of flowers. Explore tasty flora like Daylilies, Anise Hyssop, and flowerings herbs as well as the useful properties of purslane and mustard. More than 20 flowering plants will be discussed and shown with harvesting, preserving, and preparing information for enjoying the edible bounty of flowers. Plant lists will be included with a few recipes. Samples of some recipes will be shared. |
| August 11 | Landscaping for Dogs. You can have a dog and a beautiful yard at the same time. A U of I Master Gardener will present ideas on how to share your outdoor living space with your four-legged friends. The presentation will include tips for choosing plants, strategic plant placement, and dog-tolerant plants to create a place for both two and four-legged members of the family to play and relax. |
| September 8 | Planting Trees Properly. Research has revealed that incorrect planting is the leading cause of premature death in trees. Let a Master Gardener explain the latest methods of planting and provide information about tree selection and after-planting care. |
| October 13 | Plants and Habitat of the Fox River Valley, a Hickory Knowls Discovery Center Speaker. A discussion of the native flora and fauna, the impact of environmental changes and introduction of foreign species as well as hope for the future. |
| November 10 | Cool and Interesting Facts about the Horticulture Industry (Where Plants Come From), Daine Blazek. Diane Blazek has been involved in the horticulture industry since 1993 and is ready to share some behind-the-scenes facts and figures about how plants get from breeding fields and greenhouses to your garden. Along the way, a few fun facts are thrown in for an even more interesting evening. |
Previous Years Meetings & Programs
| 2024 Meetings & Programs | |
| January 8 | Brock and Ruth Ann Seney will present gardens across America and beyond |
| February 12 | Seed Starting, Pearl Carpenter of Farmacy Farmstand |
| March 11 | Houseplants: Common and Unusual, Nancy Christian of Redbud Creek Farm. An overview of houseplants and tips on how to keep them healthy and thriving. |
| April 8 | Tree Care and Bartlett Tree Experts, M.D. Skeet. Best practices in tree care as spring unfolds |
| May 13 | Finalize details for Plant Sale |
| May 18 | Join us at the Aurora Gardeners Plant Sale, 1870 W. Galena Blvd, Aurora. Parking lot of West Aurora Learning Center 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| June | Join us for Members Potluck |
| July 8 | Botany’s Bad Boys: Defense, Offense, Deception, Parasitism, and Carnivory. Our own member, Dayle Saar, Ph.D, will present some rather interesting and unique plant survival features that evolved out of necessity. This is not for the faint of heart. |
| August 12 | Heirloom plants and Loss of Genetic Diversity in Domestic Cultivars. Jerome Johnson of the Garfield Farm Museum. |
| September 9 | Prairiescapes Go Native, Illinois Master Gardener. Discover the advantage of using prairie plants in the home landscape. Learn how to incorporate prairie plants into an existing garden, starting a new prairie bed, how they survived 8500 years. |
| September | Member Plant Exchange |
| October 14 | Native Pollinators. Insects make up the vast majority of animals that pollinate plants. Find out how you can support natives in your backyard by an Illinois Master Gardener |
| November 11 | Winter Prairie Wonders, Cindy Crosby. Discover the delights of the tallgrass prairie in winter though this quite, reflective program. Lovely photography of snow-covered native plants as you hear stories of how animals, pollinators, and birds use these plants for overwintering. |
| 2023 Meetings & Programs | |
| January 9 | Garden History in England and Wales– A Kane County Master Gardener, University of Illinois Extension, will present the history of gardening in England and Wales. |
| February 13 | Surprising Things You Can Grow in Zone 5– Pearl Carpenter, Farmacy Farmstand in Newark, will discuss varieties that not only survive but thrive in Zone 5…who knew? |
| March 13 | Planning and Planting a Vegetable Garden– A Kane County Master Gardener, University of Illinois Extension, will present critical ideas to consider and review when starting and maintaining a vegetable garden. |
| April 10 | Body Smart Gardening– Learn several strategies and solutions to avoid common injuries and pain while working in the garden. Presented by a Kane County Master Gardener, University of Illinois Extension. |
| May 8 | Add Tropicals, Cactus, and Succulents to Your Containers– Ken Benson, Landscape Architect and former Board Member of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, will focus on using non-traditional plant materials for your summer containers. |
| May 20 | Aurora Gardeners Plant Sale |
| June 12 | Flowers in Flight– Creating Backyard Pollinator Habitats. David Brooks, Spring Valley Nature Center & Heritage Farm in Schaumburg, will discuss how to create landscapes that are friendly and inviting to butterflies and other pollinators. |
| June | Member Potluck |
| July 10 | The Butterfly Project at Charity Blooms– Robert Vaughn, Charity Blooms and FVGC member, will discuss successfully raising the Monarch butterfly at Charity Blooms for release into the wild. |
| August 14 | Native American Herbways– Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh, Backyard Patch Herbs, will discuss Native American tribal uses of plants linked with her experience focusing on Midwestern plants that participants can grow in their own gardens. |
| September 11 | Bulbs: Basics, Myths, and Truths– Learn about the proper planting, care and maintenance of spring flower bulbs from resident bulb expert within the Kane County Master Gardener, University of Illinois Extension. |
| September | Member Plant Exchange |
| October 9 | Indoor Gadening: Extending the Season Indoors– Veronica Porter, Ask Aunt V, will help us extend the garden season by building a miniature garden that one lucky member will take home. |
| November 13 | What is Shinrin-Yoku? The Practice of Forest Bathing/Nature Therapy– Jan Grillo certified by the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides, will explain how slow walks in woodlands has become a component of preventative therapy in Japan to maintain and retain good health and well being. |
| 2022 Meetings & Programs | |
| February March April May June July August September October November |
Seed Starting Seed Saving and Seed Swap Foraging for Wild Edibles Growing Your First Orchid How Are the Bees Doing? Vermicomposting Home Remedies–DO They Work? Preparing Your Garden for Winter Unusual, Exotic, and Medicinal Plants Seasonal Arrangements |
| 2020 Meetings & Programs | |
| January February March September November |
Potluck with door prizes Global Garden Refugee Training Farm Roses: Grand and Glorious Member Plant Exchange Forcing Bulbs—Make & Take |
| 2019 Meetings & Programs | |
|
January April |
Winter Sowing Bingo and Potluck Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to Your Garden Organic Kitchen Garden Dahlias Members’ Annual Potluck Dinner Stuffed Topiaries Sensory and Enabling Gardening Essential Oils Amazing Alternatives to the Traditional Lawn Member Plant Exchange Animal-resistant Gardening Holiday Make & Take |
| 2018 Meetings & Programs | |
|
January September |
Micro Climates: Pushing the Zone Envelope Bingo and Potluck Micro Edible Wild Plants Field Trip to Lizzie’s Garden Center Beyond NPK… it’s Sex in the Soil New Gardening Trends Annual Plant Sale Members’ Annual Potluck Dinner Sensory and Enabling Gardening A Tuesday Field Trip to John Richter’s Garden Lyme Disease Epidemic and What Gardeners Need to Know Our Climate Crisis Member Plant Exchange Art & Architecture in the Garden Lizzie’s Garden—create a macramé plant holder |
| 2017 Meetings & Programs | |
|
January August September |
Tips for the Lazy Gardener Indoor Gardening Field Trip to Lizzie’s Garden Center Grow a Cook’s Garden Great Gardens of Chicago Land Annual Member Potluck Dinner Your Home Landscape: From Glum to Gorgeous with Ground Cover Improving Your Soil the Natural Way What now? Refreshing the Tired Garden and Gardener Member Plant Exchange Amazing Birds Crazy for Containers—For Winter |
| 2016 Meetings & Programs | |
| January February April May June July August September October |
Shade Gardening Beyond Hosta Bingo and Potluck Dinner Wildflower Gardens—Nature’s Jewel Box Saving Seeds Members’ Annual Potluck Dinner Curb Appeal Illinois State Insect: Monarch Member Plant Exchange Entertaining Spaces/Garden Rooms |
| 2015 Meetings & Programs | |
|
January April |
Language of Flowers Tussy Mussy Bouquet Workshop What’s New and Upcoming in Plants and Flowers from Ball Seed Monarch Magic Belfry Bees and Honey Members’ Annual Potluck Dinner Vegetative Propagation Landscape Design Bulbs through the Seasons Member Plant Exchange Scale and Pruning: what-to-do and how-to Holiday table arrangement |
| 2014 Meetings & Programs | |
|
January August |
Mike Nowak, WCPT Radio Host
Lazy Gardeners Guide to Green Landscaping Fairy Gardens Beaded Suncatcher Craft Incredible Bats Members’ Annual Potluck Dinner To Eat or Not to Eat? That is the question —Edibles in the Landscape Growing Vertical—Annual and Perennial Vines Members’ Annual Plant Exchange Rooftop Gardening Hands-on Creation of Outdoor Holiday Planter |
| 2013 Meetings & Programs | |
|
January April October |
All About Orchids
All About Hydrangeas Attracting Butterflies & Hummingbirds to the Garden Backyard Birds Where on Earth Did You Find That? Members’ Annual Pot Luck Dinner Field Trip: Garfield Farm & Museum Field Trip: Blumen Gardens Mum is Not Always the Word Members’ Annual Plant exchange All Things Native Hands-on Creation of Outdoor Holiday Planter |
| 2012 Meetings & Programs | |
|
January February April October |
What’s Hot and What’s Not—Annuals & Perennials
The Herb Garden Doorstep Gardening—Creating the Entrance Garden What’s the Buzz on Honeybees? Vegetable Gardening Members’Annual Potluck Dinner Field Trip: Gardens of John Richter Falcon Demonstration Field Trip: Heritage Prairie Farm Members’ Annual Plant Exchange Garden Snatchers Companion Plants, Prairie Style |