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2023 McHenry County Gardenfest

Gardenfest ready, set, grow with purple and green flowers on top
Event Date(s)
Location
McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60012
Event Fee
$45.00
County
McHenry

Who should attend Gardenfest?

If you're looking to improve your "green" thumb, or you're a seasoned gardener, you'll benefit from Gardenfest workshops.

Please register HERE

PRESENTERS AND INFORMATION FOR GARDENFEST 2023

7:30–8 a.m. | Registration, Exhibits, and Tool Sharpening Drop Off

8–8:15 a.m. | Welcome Leucht Auditorium

8:15–9:15 a.m. | Morning Keynote Speaker
Kim Hartmann—Adding Color with Annuals

9:30–10:30 a.m. | Session #1

  • MCC Greenhouse Tour—Mandy Hood (limit 20)
  • Making Native Plants A Part of Your Landscape—Garrett Beier
  • Growing Epic Tomatoes in Northern Illinois—Jerry Gudauskas
  • The Backyard Orchard—Grant McCarty
  • Gardening in Comfort—Patricia Donald and Betty Lawlor

10:45 a.m.–11:45 p.m. | Session #2

  • The Culinary Garden—Joyce Lande and Raechal Maat (limit 20)
  • Growing and Caring for Grapes—Rich Tobiasz
  • MCC Greenhouse Tour—Mandy Hood (limit 20)
  • A Crash Course in Tree and Shrub Selection—Garrett Beier
  • The Shape of Design—Dana Garretson

12:15–1:15 p.m. | Lunch and Exhibits

1:30–2:30 p.m. | Session #3

  • The Culinary Garden—Joyce Lande and Raechal Maat (limit 20)
  • Basic Pruning—Rich Tobiasz
  • Common Backyard Weeds: Identification and Management Strategies—Sarah Farley
  • Your First Vegetable Garden? Let’s Plan for Success—Doug Moore
  • Midwest Pollinators—The Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation—Carol Elkins

2:45–3:45 p.m. | Session #4

  • Tool Maintenance and Sharpening—Rich Tobiasz (limit 24)
  • Common Backyard Weeds: Identification and Management Strategies—Sarah Farley
  • All About Tea Gardens—Christina Rank
  • Native Bees: Attracting Them To Your Garden—Nate Szkil