adult education classes
Horticulture and Gardening Classes
These courses cover a wide range of gardening topics, including hands-on gardening, container gardening, vegetable gardening, backyard chicken raising, pruning, shade gardening, perennial gardening, composting, lawn care, bonsai, beekeeping, edible plants, herb gardening, organic gardening, orchids, and houseplants. Daytime classes, evening classes, and weekend classes make school available for all interested Chicago-area residents.
horticulture classes
The Emerald Ash Borer: What You Need To Know
2013 Emerald Ash Borer Management Partnership
Friday, May 10, Saturday, May 11, Friday, August 16 or Saturday, August 17
10 a.m. - noon
Linnaeus Room
Registration is free; register in advance to reserve your space
Distinctive Annuals
May 9
Thursday
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Linnaeus Room
Made-for-the-Shade Container Workshop: Morning Session
May 15
Wednesday
10 a.m. – noon
Annex 1
Made-for-the-Shade Container Workshop: Evening Session
May 15
Wednesday
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Annex 1
Growing Tomatoes and Peppers
New!
May 30
Thursday
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Fruit & Vegetable Learning Center
Early Morning Garden Stroll
June 4
Tuesday
7 – 8:30 a.m.
Meet at Visitor Center
Gorgeous Container Gardens
June 4
Tuesday
7 – 9 p.m.
or
June 5
Wednesday
10 a.m. – noon
Annex 2
Hanging Basket Workshop
June 5
Wednesday
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Annex 2
The Thorny Side of Roses
New!
June 6
Thursday
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Linnaeus Room
Summer Containers at the Garden
June 18
Tuesday
10 a.m. – noon or 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Annex 2
June 20
Thursday
10 a.m. – noon
(6:30 – 8:30 p.m. no longer available)
Annex 2
Perennial Garden Care and Maintenance
June 25
Tuesday
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Annex 2
Herbs: Foliage and Flowers
New!
July 16
Tuesday
10 a.m. – noon
Annex 2
Hands-on Gardening: Summer Pruning
July 20
Saturday
8 – 10 a.m.
Annex 1
Bucktown Fiesta in Rick Bayless’s Garden and Restaurant
July 31
Wednesday
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Meet at Visitor Center
Hands-On Gardening: Mulching and Edging
August 10
Saturday
8 – 10 a.m.
Annex 1
Tomato Canning Workshop
August 28
Wednesday
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fruit & Vegetable Garden Kitchen
Earth’s Bounty: Organic Farm and Lunch Experience
August 29
Thursday
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Meet at Loyola University Ecological Center in Woodstock, IL
Herbs, From Outside In
September 3
Tuesday
1 – 3 p.m.
Fruit and Vegetable Learning Center
The Gardens of Alcatraz: Punishment and Reward on the Rock
September 3
Saturday
3 – 4:30 p.m.
Fairchild Room
Back to Basics: Jelly and Jam
September 24
Tuesday
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fruit & Vegetable Garden Kitchen
Autumn Containers at the Garden
September 10
Tuesday
10 a.m. – noon or 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Annex 2
September 12
Thursday
10 a.m. – noon or 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Annex 2
Winter Containers at the Garden
December 3
Tuesday
10 a.m. – noon or 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Annex 2
December 5
Thursday
10 a.m. – noon or 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Annex 2
Bonsai Workshops
Bonsai: Beginner – Basics and Fundamentals
Session 1: July 7 – August 11
Session 2: August 25 – September 29
6 Sundays
1 – 4 p.m.
Production Headhouse
Bonsai: Novice – Development Techniques
Session 1: July 10 – August 14
Session 2: August 21 – October 2
(no class September 4)
6 Wednesdays
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Production Headhouse
Bonsai: Intermediate – Refinement Techniques
Session 1: July 6 – August 10
Session 2: August 24 – October 5
(no class September 14)
6 Saturdays
9 a.m. – noon
Production Headhouse
Bonsai: Advanced – Presentation-Quality Efforts
Session 1: July 7 – August 11
Session 2: August 25 – September 29
6 Sundays
9 a.m. – noon
Production Headhouse
Weekend Gardener Series
Get Started With Roses
May 11
Saturday
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Linnaeus Room
Get Started with Annuals
May 19
Sunday
1 – 3 p.m.
Design Studio
Bonsai Basics
June 1
Saturday
1 – 3 p.m.
Design Studio
Mulches and Compost
July 20
Saturday
1 – 3 p.m.
Annex 2
Watering Techniques
New!
July 27
Saturday
1 – 3 p.m.
Annex 2
Wild World of Weeds
August 10
Saturday
9 – 11 a.m.
Linnaeus Room
Fall Garden Care
August 25
Sunday
1 – 3 p.m.
Annex 2
Fall Lawn Care
September 7
Saturday
10 a.m. – noon
Seminar Room, Plant Science Center