Visit With the Conservatory's Hard-Working Gardeners!   Stop by the Conservatory's outside Demonstration Garden to visit with our hard-working gardeners. They might be planting, weeding or if you’re lucky, they’ll be harvesting something you can taste! Many of our garden volunteers are Master Gardeners who would be happy to answer your questions and talk with you about their work. Staffed garden is dependent on weather ─ please call 773-638-1766 ext 24 for additional information.
			Organic Gardening Series 2nd Thursday May-September Hours: 6 pm - 7:30 pm Where: In the Demonstration Garden Cost: $5.00 per session. Pre-registration is suggested.   Sign up now for our upcoming Organic Gardening Class Series, starting May 8th. Learn how to grow great organic vegetables through this series of six hands-on workshops led by a variety of Chicago’s urban garden experts. The monthly series begins this spring and will continue through summer into October. Classes are $5 per session and pre-registration is required.  For more information or to register please contact Harmony Picciuca at 773-638-1766 x.24 or hpicciuca@garfieldpark.org.   June 12 - Square Foot Gardening with Warm Season Crops Join us for this workshop with Chicago Master Gardeners, Rev. Linda Wygant and Ellen Caffrey Garza to learn this space saving vegetable gardening technique. Learn the vertical gardening techniques to plant warm season crops, (like tomatoes, cucumbers, melons) to get the most out of you garden. July 10 - Water Smart! Learn how to keep your garden hydrated using irrigation techniques, proper mulching and rain water collection to help your vegetable plants make it through the dog days of the summer heat! Learn about the City of Chicago Rain Barrel Program too! August 14 - Planning the Fall Vegetable Garden It's not too late to plan a second or even third harvest, the fall is a perfect time for cool season favorites like cabbage, radishes, beets, lettuces, and kales. Learn what you can plant in August to have your harvest in October! September 11 - Saving Seeds for Next Year's Garden Sustain your garden into the next year by learning proper techniques for collecting and storing seeds for next years growing season. Join us in this hands-on demo, we will be collecting seeds for the demonstration garden, or bring your favorite ripe veggies or dried flowers to learn how to save and share seeds with others. October 11 Saturday 10-noon -Fall Garden Clean-up and Winterizing the Garden. Learn the proper methods for cleaning up your garden for the winter; learn about what to do in fall that will make your garden grow even better next year.
			Bees at Work Tuesdays and Saturdays Hours: 10 am – 11 am Where: In the Demonstration Garden Cost: Free! Just drop by!   Starting in May, our volunteer beekeepers check the working beehive in the Demo Garden. Stop in to see what all the buzz is about! An education Beekeeper will be stationed at the demonstration garden hive on the east side of the garden.
			University of Illinois Extension's Master Composting Series Once a month on Saturdays Hours: 1 pm - 3 pm Where: Meet in the south end of the Demonstration Garden Cost: Free! Just drop by!   June 21 - Building up that Heat in a Compost Bin Learn how to activate your compost pile and build up some heat! July 12 - Harvesting and Using Your Compost Start harvesting that finished compost from spring. Learn how to use your compost as mulch and potting mix. Compost sifting will be demonstrated. August 16 - Brew a Batch of Compost Tea Join us in the shade for a spot of tea. Compost tea works wonders on your plants and applying it is a cinch. The process of brewing the tea is slightly more complex. September 20 - Basics of Composting - County Fair* Learn passive composting systems, such as, add- as- you- go, leaf composting and leaving cut grass behind. Compost Basics all day - bring you fruit and veggie scraps.   *Special Event - On-going demonstrations demonstrations from 11 am - 3 pm. October 11 - Compost Bins and Winter Preparation Get those bins ready for winter. Harvest your remaining compost and use it in the fall. Remember to shred or cut large stems and branches into small pieces.
			Tree ID Walks 2008 Summer Tree ID Walk July 18 Fall Tree ID Walk October 17 Hours: 10 am – Noon Where: Meet in the Conservatory Lobby Cost: Free   Learn how to identify city trees through the seasons with Treekeeper Jim DeHorn of Openlands Project. We will explore the trees of the beautiful and historic Garfield Park. Dress appropriately for weather. These walks take place rain or shine!
	More Information    For more information on the Demonstration Garden contact Harmony Picciuca at hpicciuca@garfieldpark.org or call (773) 638-1766 ext. 24.