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July Botanical Events Calendar
Taken in the Bolz Conservatory, which is soon to be filled with butterflies.
Community is the key to building identity and good habits. Are you someone who has a garden or a gardener? This week I thought I’d round up a list of notable events in July for various Midwest gardens, arboretums, conservatories, and clubs. The goal is to help you get out there and connect with likeminded people! This is a working list, so if you have an event to add just reply to this email and I will update the web version through July. See below, get outside, and let’s touch grass together!
I’ll be giving a garden tour at the home & garden tour for Olbrich Botanic Gardens on Friday July 11th in Middleton, WI. Come say hello and learn about native plants!
Date | Event | Location |
July 6 | Fernwood Botanical Garden, MI | |
July 11-12 | Olbrich Botanical Gardens, WI | |
July 14 | Rotary Botanical Gardens, WI | |
July 16 | Olbrich Botanical Gardens, WI | |
July 16 | Chicago Botanic Garden, IL | |
July 18 | Morton Arboretum, IL | |
July 19-20 | Chicago Botanic Garden, IL | |
July 25 | Morton Arboretum, IL | |
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | Missouri Botanical Garden, MO | |
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | Olbrich Botanical Gardens, WI |
This Weekend in the Midwest Garden
1. Harvest Fast-Growing Veggies Daily
Heat speeds ripening—check for ready beans, zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Picking promptly keeps plants productive and prevents overripening or splitting after rain.
2. Secure Tall or Top-Heavy Plants Before Storms
Stake or tie up floppy perennials (like coneflowers or phlox) and veggies (like tomatoes and peppers). Heavy rain and wind can snap stems or topple plants.
3. Mulch & Water Smart
Apply mulch around thirsty plants to hold moisture through the heat. If storms are spotty or late, give new or shallow-rooted plants a morning soak—dry soil can actually repel rainwater.
The Plot Thickens
I’m getting closer to a design for our patio. Thinking a stamped concrete pad with an organic shape, the firepit on the lawn, and a screening of tall shrubs. I’d really love to host some dinner parties this summer in the garden, which means I need to get some quotes for a concrete pad. Then it will be time to plant some shrubs for both privacy and wildlife.
Left side would be a new concrete pad along garage, firepit and lawn are in middle, and herbaceous screen on the right side for privacy. Our vegetable garden would be in the further back part of the yard that is not part of this design.
What I Loved This Week
Read: The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden - Just ordered 👀
Watch: Inside a Woodland Home Built Over Water to Become One With Nature
Listen: Native Plants Feed Ecosystems
Connect: Matthew Gaston - He’s gorgeous and educates about plants.
Written for 11 beautiful readers. 💌
Until next Thursday,
Ken Welch
Ken Welch is a horticulturist and research professional at UW–Madison. He’s drawn to native ecosystems, community gardens, and helping others grow confidence in their craft.
There was a short time when my native plants were Californian, but don’t worry, your author is Midwest born and raised.