Chicago Flower and Garden Show – worth a visit

 

2012

Brought back after years of non-existence, the Chicago Flower and Garden Show has spent several years creating a perfect combination of learning, experiments, commercial information and knowledge.  I have attended for several years starting out as a blogger in 2012 and moving to a speaker as well as reporter beginning in 2017.

  

                            2017

There are several ways to enjoy the Flower and Garden Show in Chicago March 20 to 24, 2019.  Held at Navy Pier, the event includes vendors  and show gardens of course. 

A display completion from the garden club members of the Illinois Garden Clubs as well as free (included in your ticket) garden seminars, garden related demonstrations and culinary demonstrations can be enjoyed throughout the venue.  

Along with kids’ activities and potting parties where you can sign up to create potted plant arrangements, there is so much to do you need to spend the whole day and the ticket price of $20 for a day is very reasonable.

The sponsor is Bernie's Book Bank - an organization that focuses on bring books to underserved communities, children and individuals.  Love them!  They sent me some swag last year! 

For details of all the programs and events check out their website: chicagoflower.com

Learn About Gardening

The informational portion of the event can be found in three presentation areas:

Seminar Series – everyday Learn from horticultural experts from a multitude of different professions during our free seminars every day of the show. With a wide range of interesting topics being offered, you’re sure to leave this year’s show excited, educated and inspired.

Gardening Live! stage -- Three times each day experience the biggest presentations of the show on the Gardening Live stage in the center of the venue. Watch and learn from the top professionals in horticulture as they present on exciting green topics, three times a day.

Garden Gourmet -- Four times each day you can watch Chicago’s culinary elite share their secrets on creating savory dishes from natural and home-grown ingredients during our Garden Gourmet presentations. Leave with plenty of fresh ideas for your own garden produce!

Backyard Patch Sharing about Herbs

I (Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh) will be presenting at the  Chicago Flower and Garden Show on two different days.  You can learn to make Herbal Infusions at 4:00 pm on Thursday March 21 on the Gardening Live! stage.  On Friday I will present a program on Edible flowers (at 12:15) followed by one entitled Unusual, Exotic and Medical Herbs (1:45pm). Local Radio gardening personality Mike Nowak will be broadcasting live on Sunday, March 24.

Single day tickets are $20 and evening tickets from 4 pm to closing are $10.00.  You can order tickets online.