2022 Ready...Set...Grow...Gardening Workshop, on Saturday, March 19 from 9 AM to Noon at Loveland Community House in Dixon (513 W. 2nd Street, Dixon).  Join the Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties for this half-day event offering participants information about various aspects of home gardening.  For the health and safety of everyone, we will be following CDC guidelines.  All participants will be required to wear a facemask.

Keynote Presentation:  The Lore and Lure of Spring Wildflowers

Carroll County Master Gardener Nancy Gmitro will take you on a tour of her favorite spring wildflowers.  Spring wildflowers produce a dramatic show from late March through late May.  Few things in nature beautify the woods more than the wildflowers.  They are more than just décor, for wildflowers feed insects, birds, animals and even humans. 

The workshop includes:

• Keynote Presentation
• Two breakout sessions
• Master Gardener Q & A Desk
• Door Prizes

The fee for this program is $25.  The hands-on session has an additional fee. 
Registration deadline is March 9.

SCHEDULE

8:30 AM – Registration 

9:00 AM to 9:50 AM – Welcome & Keynote Presentation
The Lore and Lure of Spring Wildflowers
by Nancy Gmitro, Carroll County Master Gardener
 

SESSION ONE – 10:00 AM to 10:50 AM – CHOOSE ONE

Don’t Kill Your Tomatoes
by Bruce Black, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator
Tomatoes are garden favorites, but sometimes things just go wrong.  Join Bruce as he discusses the most trouble making disease and insect pests and how best to control them in the home garden.

Success with Succulents
by Allison Stingley, Whiteside County Master Gardener
Discover the secret to succulents; learn the basics of caring for succulents – sun, soil, water requirements and containers.  Hear and see the different varieties available, after all, succulents are not just for Cacti anymore.

Eastern Bluebirds: Little Blue Gem in Your Garden 
by Peggy Doty, University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment & Energy Educator 
Eastern bluebird populations fell dramatically in the early 20th century thanks to the human introduction of invasive species. Today, with the help of human efforts, and the bluebird’s tenacity, we can enjoy this garden visitor and take full advantage of the ecological service they provide. 

SESSION TWO – 11:00 AM to 11:50 AM – CHOOSE ONE

Contained Compositions (Hands-On) 
by Jim Brown, Woodlawn Landscapes and Design
Create a spring-themed, nature-inspired scene under glass to give as a gift or to keep for yourself. The perfect harbinger of Spring! An additional fee of $35.00 cost includes container, base, miniatures, and miscellaneous materials. Limited to 12 participants.

Hardy Perennial Vegetable Crops For The Midwest (Asparagus, Rhubarb, Horseradish)
by Phil Bratta, Ogle County Master Gardener, Master Naturalist
Join Phil Bratta, retired educator and Master Gardener for springs most luxurious vegetables, Asparagus and Rhubarb.  Learn to grow and harvest your own crops and how to prepare several nutritional dishes. 

“Are My Trees and Plants in Trouble?”  New Invaders Update
by Tricia Bethke, Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator, The Morton Arboretum
New and emerging pests can be troublesome to trees and plants, join this presentation to learn how to identify, report and manage new and potentially threatening insects and diseases like European pepper moth, boxwood blight, Sudden Oak Death, Ramorum Blight, spotted lanternfly and other pests of concern.

11:50 AM to Noon – Evaluation & Door Prizes Announced

Loveland Community House is home to the Loveland History Museum which is located on the third floor of the building.  Admission is free.  You are invited to tour the museum at Noon when the conference is over.

For more information about Ready…Set…Grow… and other Master Gardener programs, please call any Extension office in Carroll, Lee, Ogle or Whiteside counties.  If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact your local Extension office.  Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

Carroll County Extension:  815-244-9444
Lee County Extension:  815-835-2070
Ogle County Extension: 815-732-2191
Whiteside County Extension: 815-772-4075