Here’s a really good reason for Road Trips Gardeners who live within a reasonable drive of Chicagoland to head there between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. either May 14 or 15, 2011. “A Bloomin’ Festival”, held at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois, includes gardening tools sharpening — so they’re ready to face the work of the new season.

This 45th annual event is sponsored by the Woman’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society, and includes “A Bloomin’ Sale” and a springtime market with live music and various vendors selling hand-made pottery, baked goods, honey, mushrooms, gardening tools, fresh produce and much more. More than 30,000 annuals, ferns, fruit and vegetable plants, herbs, native wildflowers, ornamental grasses, perennials, roses, shade perennials, shrubs and vines will be available.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden is free, but parking is $20 per car.

(Photo courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden)