What we’re about
This is not your grandma’s garden club!
Welcome to The Modern Gardeners Collective. The Collective is a like-minded gardening community eager to share fresh ideas and experiences. We are garden enthusiasts local to DuPage county and excited about contemporary garden design and planting design; new and tried-and-true plant cultivars; learning advanced gardening techniques; practicing sustainability; and enhancing holistic well-being and health through connecting with plants and nature.
We’ll explore topics and enjoy demos and presentations ranging from…
Garden Design
• Contemporary garden design, inspiration and trends
• Contemporary planting design and designers
• Solutions for small spaces and privacy
• Creating structure and functionality in the garden with hardscapes and other architectural features
Garden Plants and Growing
• Plant propagation methods and advanced seed starting techniques
• Extending the growing season
• Raised garden beds
• Gardening in containers and seasonal containers
• Garden planning and time tables
• Essential time-saving (and back-saving!) tools and tips
• Cut flower gardening
Sustainability
• Gardening for wildlife in suburban and urban areas
• Natural and OMRI certified (Organic Materials Review Institute) solutions for plant diseases and other plant problems
• Tips on sustainable gardening practices and swapping out traditional materials and practices with more environmentally-conscious alternatives
Wellness, Mental Health, and Spiritual Growth
• Creating garden sanctuaries for mental, physical, and spiritual health
• Healthy recipes from the garden
• Garden remedies for healing and improving well-being
• Living in alignment with the seasons
• Seasonal arrangements and crafts from the garden.
• Simple ways to contribute to your community
Of course, there will be many more topics to explore!
As a regular attending member of the club, you’ll also have access to some exceptional perks you won’t find through other local garden clubs.
• Optional discounted plant purchases through a collective buying co-op
• Learn advanced plant propagation and seed starting techniques to save you money
• Trade plants, seeds and bulbs with other experienced gardeners
• Tips on where to source hard-to-find varieties
• Free demonstrations and hands-on workshops in designing flower arrangements and seasonal outdoor wreaths and containers (additional fees for materials and supplies apply)
• Club library full of modern gardening books to check out
• Optional tours of epic gardens and opportunity to attend Chicagoland area gardening events with the group (extra fees apply)
• No mandatory fundraising or volunteer events
(Please note, to be eligible for all club benefits you must first attend three meetings annually and be a member in good standing.)
We meet the third Thursday of every other month from 7-8 PM in-person or by Google Meet. RSVP required please.
Tentative club meeting dates:
• November 21, 2024
• January 16, 2025
• March 20, 2025
• May 29, 2025
• July 24, 2025
Dates subject to change based on interest. Event details to be announced soon, so please join to receive more information!
Cost: $10 club dues at each meeting for meeting space, tech, marketing and advertising costs, demonstration supplies, and snacks.
Share your passion about new and exciting happenings in horticulture, garden design and health and wellness in the garden. Come ready for some fun discussions, participate in hands-on activities, and connect with other gardening friends.
We look forward to meeting you!
Please note that The Collective is a politics-free, inclusive group accepting of all ages, races, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, and economic status. We are always accepting and respectful about how or why others garden or otherwise live their lives. We are not the morality police, nor political activists.