Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator

Get ready, here it comes - the 18th Annual Gardeners' BIG Day! University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners in Fulton and Mason County sponsor this event, which is set for Saturday, April 29th, at Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown.

The days keynote address will be given by Ella Maxwell. Ella is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture, an Illinois Certified Professional through the Illinois Green Industry Association, and a Tazewell County Master Gardener. She is also member of several local garden clubs and plant societies. Her long career at Hoerr Nursery in Peoria adds the expertise and knowledge she needs when serving as a panelist on the popular MidAmerican Gardener television show. All this, along with her University of Illinois horticulture degree, make her an area horticulture expert.

Attendees will also choose from a variety of breakout sessions. They'll learn about xeriscaping, turf, herbs, moles, bulbs, plants of Costa Rica, and much more!

To receive notice about this and other local horticulture events, sign up to receive my Horticulture Happenings News updates. These are sent as eblasts every few months. Register for the E-blast Mailing List at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt. For more information, contact our Extension office at uiemg-mason@illinois.edu, or 309-543-3308.

MEET THE AUTHOR

As horticulture educator, Rhonda Ferree inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. She focused on high quality, impactful programs that taught homeowners how to create energy-efficient landscapes using sustainable practices that increase property values and help the environment.

After 30 years with University of Illinois Extension, Rhonda retired in 2018. She continues to share her passion for horticulture related topics as “Retro Rhonda” on social media.

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ILRiverHort is a blog that helps people connect to nature and grow.