Ahead of the growing season, learn to protect your vegetable garden from pests without using harmful chemicals by supporting insect species that prey on common pests, known as beneficial insects.
Horticulturist Allison Glovak-Webb will introduce participants to a variety of beneficial insects found throughout the Chicago region that can help support a healthy vegetable garden.
Students will learn how to:
- Identify insects commonly seen in vegetable gardens
- Benefit from natural insect relationships for eco-friendly pest management
- Use techniques to attract and help beneficial insects thrive year-round
Bring your gardening and bug questions and get ready to cultivate a healthy garden ecosystem this year by attracting and supporting beneficial insects.
This program meets in person at the Arboretum.
Instructor: Allison Glovak-Webb, farm director, Uncommon Ground
Age: 16 and older
Course number: H070
Instructor
Allison Glovak-Webb, farm director, Uncommon Ground
Allison Glovak-Webb has been working in urban agriculture in Chicago since 2011. After four years in the hydroponics industry, she became farm director of the first certified organic rooftop farm in the country, which used to sit atop Uncommon Ground in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Prior to entering urban agriculture professionally, she’s been vegetable gardening since she grew up in Detroit, Michigan. Entirely self taught, her focus is on edible crops, insects in the garden, and finding creative ways to use plants in both art and in the kitchen. In addition to her urban agriculture career, she also holds a BA in photography from Columbia College Chicago.
What to Know
This program meets indoors.
Please bring a notebook and something to write with.
Program Schedule
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Arbor Room, Thornhill Education Center (Parking Lot 21), West Side
