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 or DVD for $3.  View our current lecture schedule below.

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 at 847.256.0561 x225 or x 200 is required for workshops only.

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LECTURE & WORKSHOP SERIES

FALL LECTURE SERIES 2010

Held Fridays at 10:00 to 11:30 A.M. and Saturdays at 10:00 to 11:30 A.M.
(Note special times for November demos and December workshops)
at Chalet's Education Center, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette, Illinois

Lectures are free, but workshops have a materials fee and pre-registration is required. To register for workshops, please call Jennifer Brennan at 847.256.0561 x225, or email at jenniferb@chaletnursery.com.

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Lecture and Workshop Series 2010September 3 & 4, 2010: FALL LAWN CARE - Jennifer Brennan and Bill Leuenberger
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 Soil & Turf Management Department Manager.

September 10, 2010:
NO LECTURES - HONORING ROSH HASHANAH

September 11, 2010 "CHALET'S LANDSCAPE EXPERIENCE" WITH LOU MANFREDINI

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010September 17 & 18, 2010: BULBS FOR BEGINNERS - Jennifer Brennan
Most people forget about the gorgeous spring flowering bulbs until March when the first snowdrops appear. The magic about these bulbs is that they need the cold winter temperatures buried in the ground to grant them permission to bloom when the temperatures rise in the spring. Let Jennifer Brennan introduce you to the beautiful variety that is available.

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010September 24 & 25, 2010: FREE THE BUTTERFLIES - Freya Wellin, Chalet's Perennial Buyer
Freya Wellin, Chalet's Perennial Buyer has been busy raising butterflies all summer. She will teach you about the life cycles and the host plants that are needed. There is still time to add some to your garden. This lecture is timed to co-ordinate with the peak migration dates of Monarchs for this latitude and longitude.

 

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010October 1 & 2, 2010: FALL CONTAINER WORKSHOP
$54.99 FEE + Tax and pre-registration required.  Please call 847.256.0561 x225 or x230.
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 + tax fee and pre-registration required.  Please call 847-256-0561 x225 or x230.

 

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010October 8 & 9, 2010: WELCOME THE BIRDS TO YOUR GARDEN - Jennifer Brennan
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.

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010October 15 & 16, 2010: TOOL TIME WITH SAM DARIN
Sam Darin is back from 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.

 

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010October 22 & 23, 2010: DEANA NOONAN - OBEDIENCE TRAINING FOR DOGS
Deana Noonan, certified dog trainer and owner of Paws For Companions, will lecture on basic obedience training with an added bonus of fun tricks that create mental "recess" for your dogs.  September is not just back to school time for children.  This is a lecture for dog owners.  Please leave "Fido" at home for this one.

 

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010October 29 & 30, 2010: GET THE GARDEN READY FOR WINTER - Tony Fulmer
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.

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010November 5 & 6, 2010: RETURN OF THE SPICE HOUSE - Patty & Tom Erd
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.

November 12 & 13, 2010:  NO LECTURES

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**** CHALET HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WEEKEND ****
November 20 & 21, 2010 

Lecture and Workshop Series 2010Demonstrations on Saturday & Sunday in Education Center
11:00 AM - Evergreen Outdoor Winter Containers
11:30 AM - Gift Basket Secrets by Gayle Smith
12 NOON - Newest Fragrant Gifts for the holidays
12:30 PM - Poinsettias & other holiday plants 
1:00 PM - Evergreen Outdoor Winter Containers
1:30 PM - Hands-on Custom Bow Making with Gayle Smith
2:00 PM - Quick & Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas

 

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November 26 & 27, 2010:  NO LECTURES
HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND


Lecture and Workshop Series 2010EVERGREEN WINTER CONTAINER WORKHOP
Nov. 30th (10-11:30AM)
Dec.1st (10-11:30AM)
Dec. 2nd (6:30-8EV),
Dec. 3rd (1-2:30PM),
Dec. 4th (10-11:30AM)

$54.99 + tax and pre-registration required. 
Please call 847-256-0561 x225 or x230. 
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. 

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