Chicago Botanic Garden

Education

training OPTION 1 — Six-Month Outdoor Gardening Program

Cost: $4,000
If preference is for all 20 sessions to be staffed by the Garden, add $1,500 to the cost of the program.

20 weeks* (20 sessions, 10 staffed by the Garden)
Approximately May 15 – October 15
Contract must be signed by March 1
Activities with program participants begin with outdoor garden planting approximately May 15
Cost covers consumable materials (soil, pots, plants, etc.) for 15 participants per session, and outdoor garden installation (labor and materials)

*The program extends over six months, factoring in planning time.

TYPICAL PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Planning, Development, Construction (April 1 – May 15)

Chicago Botanic Garden staff will work with your staff to locate and design an outdoor garden area. The physical abilities of the client population determine whether an in-ground garden or a raised container garden is needed; for example, at a residence for older adults where ground-level gardening is too challenging, an existing patio or other paved area will be transformed into a container garden that is barrier-free. If physical abilities are not a consideration, a site on your grounds will be selected for ground-level vegetable and flower gardens.

Garden staff will arrange for delivery of containers and soil. Your staff will assist in placing and filling containers so the program can begin by May 15.

Program Sessions with Participants (approximately May 15 – October 15)

During this time, participants are directly involved in outdoor gardening activities. Weekly sessions last about 45 minutes for a maximum of 15 participants per session. Your group members and staff participate directly in planting, watering, fertilizing, and grooming the outdoor gardens. Many of the flowers, vegetables, and herbs grown during the season are harvested and used later to make arrangements and other craft items.

For more information about this program, call (847) 835-8247. To register online, click here.