Crafty (& Handy)

The Chicago Garden Party

Over the weekend, I hosted the The Chicago Garden Party brought to you by The Home Depot Garden Club. The weather was fully cooperating, and we hosted several hundred people throughout the day!

#SpringMadeSimple Home Depot Garden Party

I was there welcoming people and inviting them to participate in the hands-on projects at the party. Meghan Swint of The Tasty Fork was there grilling up carrots, and everyone went nuts for her Farmer’s Market Salad (recipe below). Gardeniere Gina Iliopoulus helped people transfer their choice of oregano, basil, or cilantro into terra cotta pots, and she was also able to help answer gardening questions for people. Even a sweet Home Depot mascot dog showed up with his own customized apron.

#SpringMadeSimple Home Depot Garden Party

Home Depot Dog

The food that day was so good, thanks in large part to Meghan’s recipe for the event. You could grab tomatoes, jalapeno, and basil directly out of a backyard garden to use! Even if you only have a little outdoor space, you could plant something like the Raised Salsa Bed below, and there was a Tower Container Garden at the party too, with room for 8 herbs. The party had plenty of garden-to-table inspiration and ideas.

Farmer's Market Salad, by Meghan Swint for The Home Depot #SpringMadeSimple Garden Party

Raised Salsa Bed

The kids couldn’t be there with me, but I did tell them that I would decorate a plant pot for each of them. Eleanor requested eight flowers (very specific on the number there, kid), and August wanted a zombie on his. I did my best to come through with their requests.

Flowerpot Flowers and a Zombie

I made a third pot too, with a quick diamond and dot pattern, and now we have fresh oregano, basil, and cilantro growing in the kitchen. I thought about planting the herbs outside, but I like the easy access of having them on hand for cooking.

Herbs in the Kitchen Window

The Home Depot holds events throughout the year, all over the country, and the best way to keep up with them is through their Facebook events page. You can also join the Garden Club and get simple tips, resources, and discounts, or follow The Home Depot on Pinterest for home and garden inspiration.

Thank you to The Home Depot for having me, and a big thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday! It was so good to spend some time outdoors, chatting, picking up gardening tips, and getting crafty with you.

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  • Heidi
    May 14, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    Looks like a great time! I need to get my hands on one or two of those giant barrel planters.

  • Rita
    May 14, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    We just sold our house in the suburbs for an apartment in the city so really looking for ideas to have our little garden. Those pots are just put kind of thing! There’s nothing better than having your own fresh herbs or veggies at hand!

    • Making it Lovely
      May 15, 2014 at 1:10 pm

      We use plenty of dried herbs, but my favorite to have on hand is fresh basil. We have a great farmer’s market in Oak Park that always has the best tomatoes, so I love throwing together a Caprese salad all the time in summer.

  • Lesley | Artsy Forager
    May 14, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    What fun! We’re looking forward to growing our own herbs when we finally settle down in a few years. I make a similar corn salad ( minus the bacon ) with a creamy avocado dressing but will have to try out the lighter Basil Lime Dressing!

  • Sarah
    May 14, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    You look great!

  • lsaspacey
    May 15, 2014 at 8:42 am

    Aww, i thought we were going to get a “bump” pic, but no.

    • Making it Lovely
      May 15, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      I should have stood sideways and rested the pots on my tummy! Ha. The bump is definitely getting more pronounced — I’m just about too big for all of my non-maternity clothes by now.

    • Making it Lovely
      May 15, 2014 at 1:29 pm

      Oh wait, there’s this shot! The bump is not the star or anything, but it’s visible.

  • 100 decors
    May 16, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    oh, I love this Chemex coffee maker :)

  • Lynn Coulter
    May 19, 2014 at 7:34 am

    Love the raised salsa bed, so we’re pinning it to The Home Depot Garden Club Pinterest board to share!