Programs & Events 2025-2026

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This program includes the use, growing and care of herbs with information on using your herbal harvest.  If you are curious about herbs but do not know where to start this is for you.  Presenter Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh began growing herbs in 1992 in a small kitchen garden which has expanded to a ¾-acre garden.  She is a former museum curator, and has presented at the Morton Arboretum, Chicago Flower & Garden Show, and various libraries and garden clubs. Marcy resides in Lombard IL and is proprietor of Backyard Patch Herbs.  

Email us if you would like to attend:

info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

 Robert C. Boyce, horticulturist and Registered Landscape Architect, will share his experience and knowledge.  He is a pioneer in wetland, prairie and shoreline restoration, and an avid environmentalist.  He also has an abundance of knowledge in plant cultivation and propagation.  

Email us if you would like to attend:

info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

 Learn techniques to extend the growing season using cold weather crops. The focus will be on where to build  your beds, which cool weather plant varieties to use,  how to water the garden once the temperatures drop,  and methods of frost protection. You may be able to  start growing cold weather crops outdoors as early as  March with frost protection.  

Email us if you would like to attend:

info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

Details to follow :) for members only

 “Welcome to Road Scholar” - Educational Travel. Merrill Medansky  is a Northbrook resident that many of you may know from Friends of the Northbrook Public Library.  She will share some of her many travel adventures.  We’ll also hear about favorite outdoor adventures and garden destinations of fellow members.  

Email us if you would like to attend:

info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

 “Northbrook Trees” Terry Cichocki, Village Arborist. Terry has been the Village arborist for Northbrook for 25 years.  Her topics will include how to identify trees, best replacement trees, how to diversity for a better impact on the environment, the best time to plant, tips on pruning, and Village issues.  A ‘Tree Walk’ will be scheduled to  take place in 2026. 

Email us if you would like to attend:

info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

Garden Clubs of Illinois - District IX

Members will be invited to join this event - please see the members' newsletter for updates.

Kim Hartmann, Landscape Designer & Horticultural Educator, a popular speaker at club meetings, will highlight the best new annuals, perennials, roses, vegetables, shrubs, and trees for 2026. Only those plants with unique new features that are successful in our region will make that list. Kim may have samples on display in addition to reference handouts. 

Email us if you would like to attend:

info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

“Dragonflies & Damselflies” presented by Cindy Crosby, Author, Photographer, and Master Gardener. Discover the fascinating and bizarre lives of these fliers – with plenty of group fun and lively interaction. From their unusual life cycle of transformation, mystifying migratory habits, and their struggle for survival. Hear their cultural history, including some of the myths and superstitions that surround them. Discover how you can garden to attract these remarkable creatures. 

Email us if you would like to attend:

info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

We will have 1000's of plants in Spring 2026 carefully selected home-grown and nursery-grown, beautiful and well-behaved NATIVE plants along with loved cultivars and favorites from our gardens to yours. EXACT DATE & VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED.

Experienced and master gardeners will be on hand throughout this 2-day event with friendly tips and advice. Sun or shade, dry or damp soil - there will be plants we love in our gardens that will be perfect for yours.

Join our non-member mailing list for notifications: info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

Each summer a number of members volunteer to open their gardens for a tour (for members only). We share our successes and failures, and projects we are working on. We get advice from others and share ideas. These are fun, social, and educational events. It's a joy to see the wide range of gardens -  large and small, newly planted and mature, gardens with native plants and ornamentals - lots of variety - and always inspirational!

Please email us if you would like to become a member info@northbrookgardenclub.org 

Each summer our VP of Programs organizes several field trips related to horticulture or the natural environment. Open to members only, details will be shared in the member newsletter.

If you are a member and have ideas of interesting or educational places worth visiting, please let us know:

Please email us if you would like to become a member info@northbrookgardenclub.org