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Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

McLean County Master Gardeners put on 12th Annual Home, Lawn and Garden Day Show

Home, Lawn and Garden Day 2015

Home, Lawn and Garden Day is the ideal place to get inspiration for future garden projects, fall in love with a must-have plant or learn the basics of everyday Gardening. University of Illinois Extension's McLean County Master Gardeners host their 12th annual Home, Lawn and Garden Day just in time to beat the winter blahs. Online registration begins January 12, 2015 and ends February 20, 2015 or when registration is full. Please register at the University of Illinois Extension website at web.extension.illinois.edu/lmw or call 309-663-8306. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact us.

Home, Lawn and Garden Day is an event packed full of gardening speakers and workshops including Keynote speaker, Mark Dwyer, of Rotary Botanical Garden. Mark has been the Director of Horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, WI) for the past 16 years. Along with a talented grounds staff and many dedicated volunteers, Mark manages the continued development, improvement and maintenance of this 20-acre botanical garden which just celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Mark has degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois - Champaign-Urbana and Urban Forestry from the University of Wisconsin. Mark's true passion is obtaining, growing, observing and photographing a wide range of plant material.

"All of our gardens offer situations where growing plants vertically can be both functional and beautiful. Gardening in three dimensions by maximizing vertical space is a goal that makes sense with our limited time, resources and sometimes lack of space," states Mark. Learn how proper plant selection, paired with creative vertical structures, can maximize the beauty in your garden, while minimizing the "footprint" of these plants in limited spaces. Mark will also discuss vertical gardening ideas that use no traditional growing space and are perfect for the steps, deck, patio, balcony or general tight spots.

The fee for this day long program is $50 and includes, in addition to our keynote speaker, choice of three additional classes, morning refreshments, a buffet lunch, and dessert session with McLean County Master Gardeners. Hands-on workshops may have additional costs in order to cover materials that may be used.

Classes offered include: making palette furniture, growing new plants, miniature gardening, straw bale gardening, rain gardening, caring for hostas, conifers, tropical plants, orchids, and Sarah's Garden heirlooms, preserving a salsa garden, growing vegetables and herbs, creating a habitat for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, as well as, making a teacup bird feeder and much more.

There will be plenty of time to visit and shop with the many vendors. It's an excellent opportunity to meet and talk with local garden center representatives about new products or to purchase a garden treasure. There will also be a silent auction this year.

Check out the in-depth brochure HERE

Register HERE Today!