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220 plots for rent to Evanston residents from March through mid-November. Returning gardeners have option of renewing rentals; spring lottery for available plots.
2013 Fees
Half Plot (approx. 200 square feet): $42.50 for all sites, plus community garden service
Raised bed (McCormick, Twiggs): $38.00, plus community garden service
Raised bed (James Park): $25.00, plus community garden service
Garden sites:
James (South of Oakton between McCormick Blvd. and Dodge). This is a locked site. In addition to full and half plots, this site has 3 raised beds.
McCormick (Bridge & McCormick Blvd.). This site has full and half plots and only one raised bed.
Twiggs (Bridge & Simpson). In addition to full and half plots, this site has 8 raised beds.
Lighthouse (Sheridan Road, north of the Lighthouse). This is the smallest site, with only 9 plots (some half plots)
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Built on the grounds of the Ladd Arboretum, 17 acres of park land with a bird sanctuary and bicycle path, the Evanston Ecology Center serves as a focal point for environmental education and volunteerism in the community. Offers a wide range of programs to community members of all ages including School Programs, Community Gardening, and Summer Camps. Operated by the City of Evanston with support from the Evanston Environmental Association.
Hours: Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm year round
Open weekends for programs and rentals.
58 vendors of fruit, vegetables, meat, flowers, cheese and bakery items from local and regional farms. Free parking available in the Maple Street Parking Garage. Special events and performances by local musicians.
Downtown Farmers Market:
This market is held every Saturday, from early May through early November. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: Intersection of University Place and Oak Ave. (just east of East Railroad Ave.)
Ridgeville Market:
Wednesdays, early June through mid-October, 3:30 p.m.-7p.m., in the park by the field house at 908 Seward St. (at Ridge Ave.; Program Director Natalie Sallee, 847-869-5640. Pre-order/delivery boxes available weekly.
West End Market:
Saturdays, early June through late October; 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Intersection of Church St. and Dodge Ave. (ETHS parking lot)
Indoor Farmer & Artisan Food Market:
Located at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., on Saturdays from December through April from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 40 vendors include local farmers and artisans. Dennis Clarkson, Winter Market manager, 847-864-7328, dclarkson@aol.com.
McGaw YMCA Market
Dates: May 28 through mid-October
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 7am to 1pm
Location: McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove St.
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The Garden Council of Evanston was founded to coordinate the efforts of the member clubs with the City to beautify civic areas. The Garden Clubs that comprise the Garden Council primarily focus on the needs of the Evanston community, spending hours cultivating, planting and maintaining gardens in our parks and public places and providing educational forums for adults and students.
The council meets several times a year to exchange gardening information and club news, plan council fundraisers, formulate new projects and coordinate efforts with the City of Evanston.
All Evanston Garden Clubs are encouraged to join the Garden Council and help meet the challenges of the future. Current member clubs include the Four Seasons Garden Club, the Highland Garden Club, and the Lincolnwood Garden Club.
Group is committed to caring for Evanston's trees by raising awareness of the value of Evanston's urban forest and promoting best practices in tree care among residents, local businesses and organizations. Organizes work days, family events and activities; offers classes in tree care at the Levy Center.
Meet regularly on the third Wednesday of the month at the Evanston Ecology Center; welcomes anyone who's interested in getting involved.
Four Seasons Garden Club was started in the early 1950’s and was formally organized in 1957, the members have a wide range of interests in community beautification projects. The club meets every month usually in a member’s home for lunch and a program. The subjects include study of horticulture, flower arranging and planning of beautification or education projects for the community. The members work together to designing, plant and maintaining public gardens. They are active in the Garden Clubs of IL., the Central Region and the National Garden Clubs.
The ongoing Civic projects include the gardens in Patriots’ Park where they installed the Blue Star Marker helped to refurbish the DAR flag pole, installed two benches in memory of members and civic leaders and all the garden beds in the park as well as three trees and several evergreens. The McCulloch Wildflower Garden just had a sign installed to help all identify the special flowers there this has been a project for many years. The city parks are dear to the members they work closely with the city’s parks department.
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Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets (a 501c3 organization) educates the public
about the benefits of eating fresh, locally grown foods, and advocates greater access
to healthy food for all community members, regardless of means.
Founded in 1915, club members maintain the Shakespeare Garden on the Northwestern University campus, Butterfly Garden and Wildflower Garden at Grosse Pointe Lighthouse Park. Supports and participates in many other community projects.
Established in 1951, the club is one of the oldest in the area. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, September through June in members' homes. Members maintain several small gardens in Evanston. The only requirements for membership are enthusiasm and time to help with projects.
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The Evanston Ecology Center's Indoor Winter Farmers’ Market is held from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, December 3, 2016 through April 29, 2017, except for December 24 and 31.
Location: 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston (Intersection of McCormick Blvd. and Bridge St.)
Parking: Parking is available in the lot across the street from the Ecology Center, accessible via McCormick Blvd. Parking will not be permitted in the Ecology Center Circle Drive.
Established in 1929 by a group of mothers from Lincolnwood School, today's 30 club members come from all over Evanston and a few from nearby suburbs.
Sponsors Evanston Garden Fair, held annually in late May in Independence Park, 2000 Central St.(2 blocks west of Green Bay Road).
Fair offers a great selection of perennials and annuals, including shade-loving plants and native wildflowers, which grow very well in Evanston. Club members also will be available to answer plant and landscaping questions.
Proceeds from the Garden Fair are used to support the civic landscape and beautification projects that member garden clubs undertake throughout Evanston.
Questions about the Garden Fair? Call the Evanston Ecology Center at 847-448-8256
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SAGE (Schools are Gardening in Evanston) is an outgrowth of the Dawes School Edible Garden Project which began in 2004. The gardening program now exists at several District 65 schools giving students the opportunity to plant, grow, harvest and eat fresh foods. Surplus food is donated to local food pantries. SAGE is overseen by the Evanston Environmental Association and the SAGE Steering Committee.
There are now 16 gardens in the Evanston school system.
The Evanston Environmental Association is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the long-term success of the Evanston Ecology Center and its staff in their efforts to provide quality environmental education to the surrounding community. The EEA also works with other local green organizations and undertakes selected projects to produce environmental benefits for Evanston and its residents.
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The Talking Farm is 501(c)3 organization which operates the Howard Street Farm, an educational and production farm located at 3701 Howard Street, Skokie, IL (1/2 mile west of McCormick Blvd). The Howard Street Farm provides local, fresh food, educational and volunteering opportunities, and a place for community gatherings. Partners with the Evanston Food Council.