PONTIAC, Ill. – Livingston County Master Gardeners will be demonstrating how to make yummy, spicy, garden fresh pesto at the Catherine V. Yost House Museum from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 18. In addition, Master Gardener, Cathy Montgomery will give an informal presentation on how to grow and use a harvest from your edible landscape.

"These days we no longer designate the backyard for the vegetables and the front yard for the ornamentals," states University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, Kelly Allsup, "Now many of our vegetables have become extremely decorative and some of our ornamentals have become edible. Placing a tomato or cabbage plant in the front yard might be breaking the social norms of the past but may be the future of landscaping."

Cathy will highlight some of the cultivars of Swiss chard, okra and other vegetables that are just as beautiful as they are tasty. She may also reveal that some of those flowers you grow every year, like daylilies, can add a garden fresh taste to your summer meals. "

Please join Cathy and the Livingston Master Gardeners for an exploratory program on what you should be eating from your landscape. You do not want to miss this exclusive program at the Yost House Museum (298 W. Water Street, Pontiac, IL 61764). There is no cost or registration to attend this event, just join us there!

For more information on this program or other Extension programming, please contact us at your local Extension office. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Kelly Allsup at

(309) 663-8306 or kallsup@illinois.edu.