It seems we blinked and 2015 is behind us and 2016 burns bright with opportunity and chances to garden, enjoy plants, learn and grow in a new year. One of the things I love about horticulture and gardening is that there is always something new to discover, to learn about and to experience. The early months of the New Year are always filled with opportunities for learning and I wanted to let you know about some of upcoming events.
Lunch & Learn – Strawberries and Blueberries
Nothing compares to the taste and sweetness of just picked, juicy strawberries and blueberries! There just isn't a comparison between these authentic jewels and those you buy in the store. It also doesn't take a large amount of space or care to allow you to grow your own plants. learn about varieties, planting, growing, caring and harvesting these tasty treats from University of Illinois Extension Small Farms and Local Foods Educator Mike Roegge.
Join us from 12:00-1:00 pm on the following dates and locations, bring your lunch or for $5.00 you will be provided with a sandwich, veggies, fruit and a drink.
- January 19 – Brown County Office
- January 20 – Pike County Office
- January 27 – Hancock County Office
- January 28 – Schuyler County Office
- February 8 – Adams County Office
First Detector Training
The University of Illinois Extension invites you to aworkshop focused on early detection of and responses to invasive pests in Illinois.
- Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2016
- Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
- Location: University of Illinois Extension - Adams County, 330 South 36th Street, Quincy, IL 62301 (217)-223-8380
- Cost: $40 Registration Fee covers instruction, onsite lunch, and training materials
Early detection and response is key to managing invasive pests. The Illinois First Detector Workshops are aimed at improving first detector training and invasive species awareness. Topics in 2016 will cover insect invaders of forests, boxwood blight, and jumping worms. Learn more about your role as a first detector and what's new with the Illinois Exotic Weed Act. These in-depth training sessions will cover: identification/detection, life cycle/biology, sampling, management, and commonly confused look-a-likes. Participants can take part in hands-on activities.
Continuing Education Credits applied for: IAA Certified Arborists, Society of American Foresters, Master Naturalists, and Master Gardeners.
21st Annual Gardener's Palette
March 1, 2016
John Wood Community College
9 am – 4 pm
$40 registration includes sessions, handouts, lunch and access to vendor area.
Join us once again for our popular annual Gardener's Palette event and chose from a selection of topics that range from vegetable gardening to pollinators to the changing face of our landscapes. Visit our website to view the full registration brochure.
Four Seasons Gardening Series
Join Extension Educators in this distance learning opportunity on the following topics in our Winter Four Seasons Gardening Series hosted from our local Extension offices.
- How to Kill a Tree - February 23 at 1:30 p.m. in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler Counties
- Unique Terrariums - March 8 at 1:30 p.m. in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler Counties
- Naughty, Nasty, and Annoying Plants - March 22 at 1:30 p.m. in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike and Schuyler Counties
To register for any of these upcoming programs, contact your local Extension office or register online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/abhps.
For questions or more information contact Kari Houle, Extension Educator Horticulture, at khoule@illinois.edu or 217-322-3381.