It’s the end of January, and yet I can feel the excitement of the approaching growing season. As the weather teases us with thoughts of the warmth to come with temperatures creeping into the 50s it is important to note we still have more winter ahead.
Even though we still have time before being out in the garden with the warm sun on our backs, there are plenty of opportunities to enhance your gardening knowledge. University of Illinois Extension is always busy with opportunities for gardeners of all experiences in the springtime with weekend garden events, webinars, and more. All of our garden events and classes are sure to get you in the gardening frame of mind with a wide variety of sessions to share ideas for implementing in your landscape this year.
In 2025, the authors of Good Growing Ken, Emily, and I are organizers of local garden events in our respective areas and will be guest speakers at others across Illinois. Here are some garden events you will find us at:
- Emily Swihart is the keynote at Nursery School in Rock Island, Illinois presenting on Perfectly Paired: Plants, Pollinators, & You. Nursery School is on February 22. REGISTER
- What plants would you never plant again? That’s my topic at this year’s Gardener’s Palette in Quincy, Illinois on March 15. REGISTER
- Also on March 15, Ken will be in Jacksonville, Illinois talking about managing pests without pesticides. REGISTER
- Come see Ken and me at Gardener’s Day in Macomb, Illinois, on March 22. We will host classes on topics ranging from caring for fruit trees to installing retaining walls and patios. Registration is Coming Soon!
We love meeting and learning with gardeners in person, but learning online from your home is so convenient and you can stay in your pajamas. This spring Illinois Extension has some great upcoming gardening webinars you can attend from home:
- Community Tree Care Series – We have already started this series, but you can still sign up for the remaining four classes. If you have any interest in caring for trees as a professional, volunteer, or homeowner, this series is for you. REGISTER
- Tips and Tricks for Winter Sowing on February 11 at 1:30 PM – Let Mother Nature do the seed-starting work with winter sowing! REGISTER
- Growing Great Vegetables Series kicks off on March 4 at 6 PM – This series takes beginner gardeners through the steps of starting a vegetable garden. REGISTER
- Root Awakening: Spring Tree Tips on March 4 at 1:30 PM – This class will teach you how to check for winter damage, boost tree health, and promote strong growth for the summer. REGISTER
Sometimes, attending a live presentation, whether in person or via webinar, is tough. I get it! I probably get most of my information from recorded presentations, videos, or online articles. We have a weekly Good Growing Podcast you can check out on YouTube, our website, or your favorite podcast app. You can also type go.Illinois.edu/GoodGrowingPodcast into your web browser.
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