April in Chicago is a time of hope. You can feel it rising like a tide in your chest. Unlike some other cities, the change of the seasons here is dramatic.

Historically, the temperature rises nearly every day in April and the heavy gray skies of winter give way to the endless blue of summer. Flowers begin to bloom and there’s no better time to renew commitments to old friends and resolutions.

For many, that sense of renewal includes a recommitment to the earth. A time for raking, hoeing and planting. A time to break open the tool shed. Whether you’re an old green thumb or you’re digging into gardening for the first time, Chicago’s many conservatories are ripe with resources that will get you on your way. Or, if you just can’t wait for spring to pop and you need to get a head start, the city’s conservatories are a great way to get back into green.

Kilbourn Greenhouse

Established in the 1930s, Kilbourn Park’s Organic Greenhouse has been a fixture of Chicago life for nearly a century. By the 1970s it had fallen into disrepair and was listed to be demolished. The community rallied in the park to save it and, in the 90s, Kilbourn Park became the city’s only teaching greenhouse. With year-round educational programming, the greenhouse welcomes volunteers in spring, summer and fall.

The Kilbourn Greenhouse plant sale, marking 30 years, is the place to buy affordable ($4 each), organic plants and varieties not sold in big box store garden centers. This year’s in-person sale is Sunday, May 10, through Monday, May 11.

Sunday is Kids Day with fun activities being held in the Nature Play Area, according to the website.

Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre “living plant museum” featuring 28 distinct gardens and four natural areas. Opened to the public in 1972, the facility is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society, accredited by the American Association of Museums and a member of the American Public Gardens Association.

The facility offers onsite and online classes taught by experts on topics ranging from gardening fundamentals to yoga and photography. Be sure to explore the garden's various tours that are featured on its website.

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Lincoln Park Conservatory

The Lincoln Park Conservatory, built between 1890 and 1895, is a wonderful winter escape for cold-weary Chicagoans. The conservatory is designed to showcase exotic plants as well as grow the thousands of plants found in the parks, offering a tropical experience across its four display houses: Palm House, Fern Room, Orchid House and Show House. Visit on the weekend for a free guided tour.

The conservatory’s spring flower show theme this year, “Jewels of Spring,” is open now through Sunday, May 10.

"It’s so great to be able to walk around all the different houses at the conservatory and breathe the fresh air and perfume from the vast collection of flowering trees and shrubs year-round,” said Mary Eysenbach, Chicago Park District Director of Conservatories.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a natural history museum operated by the Chicago Academy of Sciences. For 165 years, the Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has served a unique role in the city connecting children of all ages to nature and science through immersive exhibits, fun family events, important conservation research and in-depth education programs. The museum offers a variety of free and paid learning programs for children and adults.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest botanical conservatories in the nation. The site showcases thousands of plant species from around the world across eight indoor display gardens. Visitors can enjoy lush flora and tropical temperatures indoors year-round or more than ten acres of outdoor gardens and natural play spaces for children.

Upcoming programs include “Spring Flower Show: Showers of Flowers,” featuring 80 hanging baskets. The Garfield Park Conservatory’s website also features urban horticulture resources including a compilation of ideas and best practices for home gardeners and composters for growing healthy plants at home.

Originally published March 30, 2022