PONTIAC, Ill. – After five undoubtedly successful "A Day in the Garden Patch' events hosted by the Livingston County Master Gardeners, we present a new opportunity for the gardening community around Pontiac: Fall Garden Patch because after all, gardening is a yearlong endeavor. This brand new Fall Garden Patch event will feature a program on spring bulbs; fall gardening tasks and a terrarium make-and-take demonstration.
Join us on October 13 for a Saturday morning filled with fall gardening fun. University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator will offer a presentation entitled "Spring Bulbs-Basics, Myths, and Bees," just in time to get all the training you need to plant bulbs in your own garden for a welcoming spring display. Kelly will bust some of the myths with new research and focus on those early bloomers that are needed by Illinois bees. Bumblebee queens, honeybees, and solitary bees start emerging from their winter homes ready to feast on the landscape as early as March. Feed them from your garden by planting a mix of crocus, snowdrops, Siberian squill, grape hyacinth, winter aconites and glory of the snow to ensure many sources of nectar when little else is in bloom. The time to plant these spring bulbs is in the fall. Master Gardeners will be selling some of the hard to find bulbs that will be featured in the program so that you can take them home and plant them right away.
Livingston County Master Gardeners have compiled a list of tried and true fall garden tips for gardeners that are sure to make your garden better than ever. Master Gardeners will spotlight tips for lawns, trees, tools, perennial beds and soil testing.
To conclude the event, Master Gardeners will lead the attendees in a terrarium make-and-take party. They will share tips on selecting plants, planting techniques and caring for your new terrarium all while assisting you in creating your own terrarium garden that you can take home to brighten any spot in the home.
A $25 registration fee includes morning refreshments, three workshops, and supplies for the terrarium garden. Check-in and light refreshments will be available at 8:30 a.m., with the workshops, beginning at 9 a.m. The program will be at the University of Illinois Extension Livingston County Office at 1412 South Locust Street, Pontiac, IL 61764. Pre-registration is required online at go.illinois.edu/RegisterLMW or by contacting the Livingston County Extension Office at (815) 842-1776 by October 10. Space is limited, start your fall plans today!