TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2023/2024
2024-03-15 09:30 - 11:15 (America/Chicago) | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Young learners (18 months – 5 years) will be delighted with stories, lessons, and crafts led by FOPCON’s education docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Each month is a different topic. Advanced registration for 9:30-10:15 or 10:30-11:15 is required. Limited to 30 children and their caregivers. FREE.
Themes:
Friday, September 22, 2023. Fall Fun. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, October 20, 2023. Creepy Crawlies. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, November 17, 2023. Who’s Eating Whooo? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, January 19, 2024. BRRR! Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, February 23, 2024. In the Desert. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, March 15, 2024. Whoosh. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.

Spring Plant and Tool Exchange & Plastic Pot Recycling
2024-05-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Plant swap at the Conservatory! Join other gardeners and share your favorite plants and extra tools at the annual spring exchange. Please bring at least one healthy plant from your garden or a house plant to participate in the swap. Be sure to label your plants. You can bring as many as you like!
Help keep plastic pots out of our landfills – save your garden plastic pots from the Annual Plant Sale and return them for reuse. Our volunteers will collect your empty pots that can be reused for next year’s sale and kept out of landfills. Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory.

Drop off: 9:30-10:30 AM
Pick up: 11:00-11:30 AM

Register HERE for this FREE event.

30th Annual Garden Walk: Sunday, June 23 10:00 - 4:00
2024-06-23 10:00 - 16:00 | IL
Join Us for the 30th annual Garden Walk in Oak Park and River Forest. Enjoy an exciting self-guided tour featuring unique private and public gardens. The walk will take place rain or shine. Advance tickets are available at gcoprf.org until 5:00 PM on June 22.
Members of FOPCON and GCOPRF are eligible for discounted tickets until 5:00 pm on June 22. FOPCON members should email director@fopcon.org to receive the code. Children 12 and under are free. Participants must provide their own transportation.
Online purchases will end at 5:00 pm on June 22. All tickets are $23 on the day of the event (cash, credit, debit or check). On Sunday, June 23 you may purchase tickets in person at the Oak Park Conservatory or the Cheney Mansion from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
This is a joint venture of the Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest (GCOPRF) and the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON) and benefits the missions of both groups.

Uncorked June 2024
2024-06-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
This year’s Uncorked planning committee has been busy pulling together a great summer lineup for our community. Lots of new musicians, artisans, and food, plus some of our favorites from the past. This is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks with friends outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Join us in the Rubinstein Garden under the night sky from 6:00-8:00PM. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer. Ages 21+
Tickets are $20. Please register in advance online at pdop.org to reserve your spot. FOPCON members receive a 10% discount. Contact director@fopcon.org for a discount code prior to registering.
June 28: Register HERE.
Music by Tim Coan. Local artisan: Olive and Well. Food by Happy Apple Pie Shop.
July 26: Register HERE.
Music by Szurko Trio. Local artisan: River Forest Chocolates. Food by Kribi Coffee/Buzz Cafe.
August 23: Register HERE.
Music by Tom Lowery Trio. Local artisan: Todd and Holland Tea. Food by Empanadus.
September 27: Register HERE.
Music by Victoria Storm. Local artisan: Bead In Hand. Food by Trattoria 225.

Uncorked July 2024
2024-07-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
This year’s Uncorked planning committee has been busy pulling together a great summer lineup for our community. Lots of new musicians, artisans, and food, plus some of our favorites from the past. This is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks with friends outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Join us in the Rubinstein Garden under the night sky from 6:00-8:00PM. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer. Ages 21+
Tickets are $20. Please register in advance online at pdop.org to reserve your spot. FOPCON members receive a 10% discount. Contact director@fopcon.org for a discount code prior to registering.
July 26: Register HERE.
Music by Szurko Trio. Local artisan: River Forest Chocolates. Food by Kribi Coffee/Buzz Cafe.
August 23: Register HERE.
Music by Tom Lowery Trio. Local artisan: Todd and Holland Tea. Food by Empanadus.
September 27: Register HERE.
Music by Victoria Storm. Local artisan: Bead In Hand. Food by Trattoria 225.

Lecture: How to Plant Bulbs for Spring Blooms
2024-08-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Thursday, Aug 22
7:00-8:00P
Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to learn about the basics of planting fall bulbs for spring blooms at this free, virtual event. Participants will learn when and how to plant bulbs, how to select bulbs for your garden, and how many you need for a full effect. Ask your questions on growing bulbs and how to get started. A Zoom link will be sent out to participants on the day of the lecture.
Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON)
This is a FREE, virtual event. A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the lecture.
Register HERE.

Uncorked August 2024
2024-08-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
This year’s Uncorked planning committee has been busy pulling together a great summer lineup for our community. Lots of new musicians, artisans, and food, plus some of our favorites from the past. This is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks with friends outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Join us in the Rubinstein Garden under the night sky from 6:00-8:00PM. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer. Ages 21+
Tickets are $20. Please register in advance online at pdop.org to reserve your spot. FOPCON members receive a 10% discount. Contact director@fopcon.org for a discount code prior to registering.
August 23: Register HERE.
Music by Tom Lowery Trio. Local artisan: Todd and Holland Tea. Food by Empanadus.
September 27: Register HERE.
Music by Victoria Storm. Local artisan: Bead In Hand. Food by Trattoria 225.

Fall Plant and Tool Exchange
2024-09-08 09:30 - 11:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Join other gardeners and share your favorite plants and tools at the Fall Plant and Tool Exchange, presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. Save your garden plastic pots and drop them off at our Garden Pot Return so they can be reused and kept out of landfills. Please bring at least one plant to participate in the plant exchange. Drop off, 9:30-10:30A. Pick up, 11:00-11:30A. Ages 18+
Register HERE.

Lecture: Native Shrubs Belong in Every Garden
2024-09-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Thursday, Sept 19
7:00-8:00P
Not only do native shrubs provide a great backdrop for other plants in your garden, but they can also stabilize the soil, help sequester carbon, and help create a habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies. Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory as we welcome Adrian Ayres Fisher from West Cook Wild Ones to learn about native shrubs and alternatives to those that are invasive.
About Adrian:
Adrian Ayres Fisher educates about and advocates for native-plant gardening, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity. With degrees in English and education and training in botany, horticulture and natural-area restoration, she has been gardening with native plants for over thirty years. She is a long-standing board member of West Cook Wild Ones, where she is co-chair of programs and advocacy. She also serves as volunteer site steward of the 75-acre National Grove Woods Forest Preserve in Riverside, Illinois, where she manages volunteer restoration projects. Formerly she was a sustainability coordinator at a community college.
This is a FREE, virtual event. A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the lecture.
Register HERE.

TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2024/2025
2024-09-20 09:30 - 11:15 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Young learners (18 months – 5 years) will be delighted with stories, lessons, and crafts led by FOPCON’s education docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Each month is a different topic. Advanced registration for 9:30-10:15 or 10:30-11:15 is required. Limited to 30 children and their caregivers. FREE.
Themes:
Friday, September 20, 2024. Apples. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, October 18, 2024. Nightlife. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, November 15, 2024. Harvest. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, January 17, 2025. Snowflakes. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, February 21, 2025. Who’s Up, Who’s Not? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, March 21, 2025. What’s Hatching? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.

Uncorked September 2024
2024-09-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
This year’s Uncorked planning committee has been busy pulling together a great summer lineup for our community. Lots of new musicians, artisans, and food, plus some of our favorites from the past. This is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks with friends outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Join us in the Rubinstein Garden under the night sky from 6:00-8:00PM. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer. Ages 21+
Tickets are $20. Please register in advance online at pdop.org to reserve your spot. FOPCON members receive a 10% discount. Contact director@fopcon.org for a discount code prior to registering.
September 27: Register HERE.
Music by Victoria Storm. Local artisan: Bead In Hand. Food by Trattoria 225.

Lecture: Winterizing Your Garden
2024-10-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Thursday, Oct 17
7:00-8:00P
Winterizing your garden is an integral part of preparing your vegetables, flowers, and shrubs for the next growing season. Prepping now means a flourishing garden come spring. Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory as we learn about tasks specific to the cold weather season.
Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON)
This is a FREE, virtual event. A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the lecture.
Register HERE.

TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2024/2025
2024-10-18 09:30 - 11:15 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Young learners (18 months – 5 years) will be delighted with stories, lessons, and crafts led by FOPCON’s education docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Each month is a different topic. Advanced registration for 9:30-10:15 or 10:30-11:15 is required. Limited to 30 children and their caregivers. FREE.
Themes:
Friday, October 18, 2024. Nightlife. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, November 15, 2024. Harvest. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, January 17, 2025. Snowflakes. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, February 21, 2025. Who’s Up, Who’s Not? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, March 21, 2025. What’s Hatching? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.

Docents in the Showrooms
2024-11-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-11-10 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-11-17 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-11-24 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-08 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-12-22 13:00 - 15:00 and 4 more dates | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Every Sunday from 1-3 pm: When you visit the Oak Park Conservatory, ask our volunteer for information about plants growing in our showrooms. Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory volunteer docents share their knowledge about our collection and welcome your inquiries. This is a new free service for the community. All ages. Free.

Lecture: Gardening with Grasses and Sedges
2024-11-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Other than “sedges have edges”, what’s the difference between grasses and sedges? Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory as we learn about these beneficial plants: how they’re used in landscaping, suggested plants for varying conditions of light and soil, and native grasses and sedges that grow well in our zone.
Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON)
This is a FREE, virtual event. A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the lecture.
Register HERE.

TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2024/2025
2024-11-15 09:30 - 11:15 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Young learners (18 months – 5 years) will be delighted with stories, lessons, and crafts led by FOPCON’s education docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Each month is a different topic. Advanced registration for 9:30-10:15 or 10:30-11:15 is required. Limited to 30 children and their caregivers. FREE.
Themes:
Friday, November 15, 2024. Harvest. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, January 17, 2025. Snowflakes. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, February 21, 2025. Who’s Up, Who’s Not? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, March 21, 2025. What’s Hatching? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, April 11, 2025. Leaving The Nest. Registration coming soon.
Friday, May 16, 2025. Blooming. Registration coming soon.

Winter Greens Open House
2024-11-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
On Saturday, Nov 16, join us for a winter greens open house! Live demos of creating holiday containers and wreaths will be going on throughout the day. Refreshments will be served. No registration required.
Nov 15-Dec 15, 2024 | 10:00 AM -4:00 PM

Shop the Oak Park Conservatory’s Winter Greens Market for a selection of winter greens for your home. An array of fresh greens including balsam, fir, boxwood, winter berries, magnolia tips, spruce tops, and more will be available along with many other natural items for your winter decoration needs.

TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2024/2025
2025-01-17 09:30 - 11:15 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Young learners (18 months – 5 years) will be delighted with stories, lessons, and crafts led by FOPCON’s education docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Each month is a different topic. Advanced registration for 9:30-10:15 or 10:30-11:15 is required. Limited to 30 children and their caregivers. FREE.
Themes:
Friday, January 17, 2025. Snowflakes. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, February 21, 2025. Who’s Up, Who’s Not? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, March 21, 2025. What’s Hatching? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, April 11, 2025. Leaving The Nest. Registration coming soon.
Friday, May 16, 2025. Blooming. Registration coming soon.

Lecture: Seed Starting/Winter Sowing
2025-01-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Did you know that you can actually start planting seeds for this year’s garden now? Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to learn how winter sowing will help you get a head start on a variety of healthy seedlings.
Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON)
This is a FREE, virtual event. A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the lecture.
Register HERE.
To get your garden started, join us at the Oak Park Conservatory on National Seed Swap Day to honor the great U.S. tradition of swapping seeds with neighbors. Details HERE.
