The Niles-Maine District Library has four free gardening programs on tap between Sept. 23 and Oct. 7, including a photo contest with a $50 prize.
Residents who grew plants from the library's spring Seed Library can submit harvest photos by Wednesday, Sept. 30, for a chance at one of two $50 gift cards to Lurvey Garden Center. Photos can be emailed to [email protected] or posted to the library's Facebook page. Two winners will be chosen at random, according to the library.
The series begins Wednesday, Sept. 23, with Seed Saving 101, a hands-on session from 6 to 7 p.m. Katie Shamis, a sustainability and garden consultant with Park Ridge-based VK Gardens, will cover which plants are easiest to save seeds from and how to store them for next year's garden.
The library said Shamis is a returning presenter.
Shamis leads a second workshop, Houseplants 101: Right Plant, Right Place, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. That session covers choosing plants that fit a home's light and space, along with watering, repotting and pest control. The library described it as beginner-friendly.
The library's plant swap returns Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. Gardeners can bring indoor or outdoor plants, tools, supplies and books to share. No donation is required, and all items are free to take home.
All four programs are free. They take place at the library, 6960 W. Oakton St. in Niles. Registration links are available on the library's event pages.
What's coming up
- Wednesday, Sept. 23: Seed Saving 101, 6–7 p.m., Niles-Maine District Library
- Wednesday, Sept. 30: Deadline to submit Seed Library Harvest photos
- Sunday, Oct. 4: Plant Swap, 1–5 p.m., Niles-Maine District Library
- Wednesday, Oct. 7: Houseplants 101, 10–11 a.m., Niles-Maine District Library
