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WE’RE HAPPY TO SHARE OUR TRADE SECRETS.
We've been doing what we do for 90 years. Along the way we've learned some pretty amazing things we'd like to share with you.
LECTURES
Our free lectures are hosted in Chalet's Education Center. In the ten years since Horticultural Information Specialist Jennifer Brennan started the program we've hosted over 900 lectures reaching over 3,000 attendees. We are the only garden center whose lectures can be used for credits toward Illinois Master Gardener certification. Lectures are given by Jennifer Brennan unless otherwise noted. If you miss one, you can rent a video for $3.
WORKSHOPS
In a typical workshop Jennifer Brennan provides an overview, demonstrates how to make the finished product and assists you with your project. A small materials fee and pre-registration is required for workshops only.
FALL LECTURE SERIES 2008
Fridays at 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and Saturdays at 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Sept. 5 & Sept. 6: FALL LAWN CARE. Early fall (September) is the best time to work on your lawn. Due to the growth pattern of the cool-season turf grasses; fertilization, core-aeration and re-seeding are most effective when done at this time of year. Learn the details from Chalet horticulturist, Jennifer Brennan, and Bill Leuenberger, Chalet Lawn Care Division Manager.
Sept. 12 & Sept. 13: FALL PERENNIAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE (INCLUDING “WHAT DO I DO WITH THE BULBS?”) Planting starts again in the fall as the cooler weather approaches. And now is the time to divide and transplant spring- and summer-flowering perennials. Learn specific plant details, pruning techniques and general maintenance from Jennifer Brennan, Chalet’s horticulture information specialist.
Sept. 19 & Sept. 20: SECRETS TO PET HEALTH: Beth Taylor, co-author of SEE SPOT LIVE LONGER and Real Foods for Dogs, will share her knowledge about nutrition and healthier living for companion animals. Learn what to do to prevent problems and what to do to improve existing problems by taking charge of your pet’s health care. Please leave your pets at home and share this information with them afterward.
Sept. 26 & Sept. 27: BRINGING PLANTS BACK INDOORS FROM SUMMER VACATION: Learn the correct time to bring the houseplants, tropical patio plants and cuttings of the tender annuals back indoors. Jennifer Brennan, Chalet’s horticulture information specialist, will show you how to prevent insects, prune to down-size and propagate your favorites to add to your collection.
Oct. 3 & Oct. 4: FALL CONTAINER WORKSHOP, $54.99 FEE: Create a container that will look great until the temperatures fall into the 20s. This workshop will include the container, soil, time- release fertilizer, fall blooming plants, instruction and we do the cleanup! Perk up your displays with a fresh fall container. $54.99 fee and pre-registration required. Please call Jennifer Brennan at 847-256-0561 x225.
Oct. 10 & Oct. 11: CREATING A FALL BIRD SANCTUARY: Fall is the perfect time to set up bird feeders. It allows the winter dwellers to get familiar with them before bad weather, and gives the migratory birds much needed nutrition for their travels. Let Jennifer Brennan, Horticulture Information Specialist, tell you about plants that provide shelter,berries and other food sources; and, how to keep a consistent source of water for our feathered friends.
Oct. 17 & Oct. 18: TOOL TIME WITH SAM – TOOL CARE AND SHARPENING: Sam Darin is back from Chalet’s Felco Pruner workshop and Chalet’s Garden Faire with a 1 ½ hour lecture about what tools gardeners “really” need; how to select them, how to use them AND how to take care of them. Enjoy Sam’s relaxed, understandable, down-to-earth style and bring any “problem – tools” for Sam to diagnose.
Oct. 24 & Oct. 25: HOW TO "WINTERIZE" YOUR GARDEN. The goal of preparing the garden for winter is to protect the plants from the drying effects of the cold winds and to keep the plants cold to prevent them from breaking dormancy. Tony Fulmer, Chalet Retail Manager, will explain the best techniques and the best timing for success with roses, perennials, broad-leaved evergreens and woody plants.
Oct. 31 & Nov. 1: RETURN OF THE SPICE HOUSE: Back by popular demand, Patty Erd and Tom Erd, owners of The Spice House in Evanston, Illinois, will detail the history of the spice trade, revealing fascinating tales of piracy, adventures and wars battled to control it. They will share interesting historical facts and anecdotes about the elusive spices that were coveted by nobility and royalty. Learn more about the same spices we love today
Nov. 7 & Nov. 8: MYTHS & FABLES OF HORTICULTURE: Tony Fulmer, Chalet’s retail manager, and Jennifer Brennan, Chalet’s horticulturist, will dispel the major myths and fables of horticulture. If you have any that have baffled you, bring them to the lecture for clarification.
Nov. 14 & Nov. 15: NO LECTURES
Nov. 21 & Nov. 22: CHALET HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WEEKEND: Demonstrations
- 11:00 AM Outdoor Winter Containers
- 11:30 AM Gift Baskets
- 12 NOON Fragrant Gifts
- 12:30 PM Holiday bulb forcing & Holiday gift plants
- 1:00 PM Outdoor Winter Containers
- 1:30 PM Custom Bow Making
- 2:00 PM Holiday Decorating
Nov. 28 & Nov. 29: NO LECTURES – HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
Dec. 2 (10-11:30AM); Dec 3 (10-11:30AM); Dec 4 (6:30-8PM); Dec 5 (10-11:30AM); Dec 6 (10-11:30AM): EVERGREEN WINTER CONTAINER WORKSHOP, $54.99: Jennifer Brennan will show you how to make a beautiful winter container using spruce tops, other mixed evergreens, redtwig dogwood, pine cones and berries. Have a great time dressing your containers for winter. A $54.99 materials fee and pre-registration are required. Please 847-256-0561 x225.