The Winter series of University of Illinois Extension's Four Seasons Gardening program, which focuses on environmental stewardship, home gardening, and backyard food production, gets underway this month. The first session of the series is titled, The Green Pathway to Invasion: Ornamental Invasive Plants. The program is offered twice – on February 27 at 1:30 p.m. and again on March 1 at 6:30 p.m. for home viewing.

Many of our worst invasive plants started as ornamental plants. Join Chris Evans, Forestry Extension and Research Specialist, as he explores why some plants end up becoming invasive, discusses some invaders that are still in the ornamental trade, and gives recommendations on how landowners can influence the surrounding natural landscapes through their planning decisions.

This webinar may be viewed from home by pre-registering atgo.illinois.edu/4seasons_webinars. Recorded videos of these sessions can be viewed following the program atgo.illinois.edu/fourseasonsrecordings.

The second program in the winter series isTree Care in Urban Soilson March 13 at 1:30 p.m. and again on March 15 at 6:30 p.m. Extension Horticulture Educator, Ryan Pankau will discuss tree care and urban soils by exploring the attributes of urban soils in contrast to undisturbed forest soils. Many common impacts to tree health can be related back to the level of disturbance in our urban soils. Ryan will discuss practical ways to diagnose tree symptoms related to soil issues and current tree care techniques that address soils.

The final winter program,Keep on Growing: Tips for Extending the Gardening Season, is offered on March 27 at 1:30 p.m. and again on March 29 at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to keep on growing beyond summer and have fresh vegetables any time of the year. Join Extension Horticulture Educator, Chris Enroth as he details season extension techniques such as using cold frames and low tunnels to grow fresh produce all year long.

For more details, contact your local Extension office by visitingwww.extension.illinois.edu.