Indoors & Out: Parade of Coops, Homes by Architects, garden workshops and more

Now is the time to divide and move your peony plants. Swenson Gardens will demonstrate the steps to digging, dividing and planting peonies, 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Sept. 16 and 17, Swenson Gardens, 10958 70th St. SW., Howard Lake, Minn. You can bring your own prewashed peony plant for hands-on help at the free workshops. Need some new varieties for your garden? Swenson Gardens will also hold a Peony Barn Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. For details, go to swensongardens.com or call 763-350-2015.

Chicken keepers will show off a wide variety of coops at the 11th Twin Cities Coop Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17. Chicken enthusiasts also can trade ideas and share experiences with raising hens at the free self-guided event. Pick up a map of more than 20 coops at Egg Plant Urban Farm Supply, 1771 Selby Av., St. Paul. Go to https://sites.google.com/site/twincitiescooptour.

What do you get when you hire an architect? The Homes by Architects Tour is a chance to talk to homeowners and experts from local architectural firms, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 and 18. The 17 projects, which include four remodels and 13 new residences, span the Twin Cities metro area. Designed by members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Minnesota), the homes feature a range of sizes, solutions and styles. Get an inside look at an updated 1960s Mediterranean-style house and a Lake Minnetonka mansion with a replica of a Nova Scotia lighthouse. Design teams will be in the homes to answer questions. Tickets are $15 online before noon Sept. 16 at homesbyarchitects.org; $20 at the door for both days; $10 for one home.

Get a taste of downtown Minneapolis' sights, housing and amenities at the Explore Downtown Living apartment tour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17. You can visit up to 30 residential buildings in five downtown neighborhoods, ranging from the North Loop to Loring Park. Area businesses will offer discounts and giveaways. Print a property guide at exploredtliving.com.

Have you seen furniture or accessories you loved at International Market Square, but that didn't fit your budget? Check out the IMS Sample Sale, where dozens of showrooms offer discounted designer furniture, rugs, lighting, art and other home decor. The Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designer event is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 17, IMS, 275 Market St., Mpls. Go to asidmn.org.

Learn the right way to plant bulbs in the fall for spring color at Gertens Bulb Planting seminar, 1 p.m. Sept. 17, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights. Get tips on tools to make planting easy, fertilization, placement and care of tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, allium, crocus and other spring bloomers. The seminar is free. Register at gertens.com/events or call 651-450-1501.

Herberger's has opened a new 12,000-square-foot homes department offering housewares, small electrics, bath, bedding, luggage and home decor in Southdale Center, 66th St. and France Av. S., Edina.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is offering "Appreciating a Chinese Garden," a talk by Hong Zhang, one of five featured artists in the gallery show, "A Brush With Beauty, Painting in the Chinese Tradition," 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 15. Free with gate admission ($12); light refreshments will be served. To reserve a seat, RSVP to Wendy DePaolis at Depao008@umn.edu or call 612-301-7587.

Want to add plants that attract birds and other beneficial creatures? Wild Ones Prairie Edge Chapter is offering a free presentation, "A Non-Gardener's Wildlife Garden Journey." Master Naturalist Liz Stanley will document her evolution from tending a traditionally landscaped yard to one that provides a haven for birds and other wildlife. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 with a 15-minute social, followed by the program. Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka.

The Twin Cities are home to more than 600 community gardens and urban agriculture projects. Tour 28 of them on Sept. 17 during Community Garden Day. Featured gardens will include a community herb circle, a hydroponic salad table, composting, an underground walipini greenhouse, plus treats and activities. For a directory and interactive map showing featured gardens, visit gardeningmatters.org/community-garden-day.

Do you have a trinket or family heirloom you'd like to learn more about? The "Antiquified Street Show" is coming to Minneapolis from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 17. A panel of experts will appraise items on the spot to assess their value and evaluate whether they're worth insuring. The cost is $3 per item appraised. Antiquified, 2430 NE. California St., Mpls.

Room & Board is hosting an in-store event with a theatrical twist — a special performance of the Guthrie Theater's upcoming production of "The Parchman Hour," a musical about the 1961 Freedom Riders and their impact on the civil rights movement. Guests will mingle with cast members while sampling hors d'oeuvres and refreshments and shopping Room & Board's new collection of handcrafted American-made accessories. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12. 7010 France Av. S., Edina. RSVP to roomandboard.com.