12 Classes & Keynote Speaker

Sign up by February 19

It's never too early to start thinking about gardening.  Join the Macon County Master Gardeners for a day of horticulture classes, hands-on activities, and an opportunity to shop vendors.  There is something of interest for all gardeners-beginner to experienced.

Items will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors during the event. Lunch is included in admission.

Event Schedule

• Registration & Shopping: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
• Welcome and Keynote: 9:00 - 10:20 a.m.
• Session 1: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Lunch & Vendor Shopping: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Session 2: 12:40 - 1:40 p.m.
• Session 3: 1:50 - 2:50 p.m.

Lunch choices:

• Turkey Sandwich
• Ham Sandwich
• Veggie Wrap

Key Note Speaker 9 -10:20 a.m.
Chris Benda is a botanist and past president of the Illinois Native Plant Society (2015-2016).  Currently, he works as a researcher at Southern Illinois University, where he coordinates the Plants of Concern Southern Illinois Program and teaches Flora of Southern Illinois.  Besides working at SIU, he conducts botanical fieldwork around the world, teaches a variety of classes at The Morton Arboretum, and leads nature tours for Camp Ondessonk.  He has research appointments with the University of Illinois and Argonne National Laboratory, and is an accomplished photographer and author of several publications about natural areas in Illinois.  He is also known as Illinois Botanizer and can be reached by email at botanizer@gmail.com.

Botanical Humor: You Never Knew Plants Were so Funny

Join Chris Benda (Illinois Botanizer) for a delightful presentation about plants.   Chris has been teaching about plants for over 10 years, and during that time has developed a unique teaching style that includes lots of puns, jokes, and whimsical pop culture references. This presentation will be sure to keep you entertained and equipped with fun ways to teach others about plants.

Class Descriptions

Session 1 10:30-11:30 a.m.

THE HIDDEN HEROES OF THE GARDEN
Pollinators, Natural Enemies, and Spiders
Kacie Athey, Assistant Professor & Faculty Extension Specialist
Explore the beneficial insects and spiders you will find in and around your gardens. The focus will be on lesser-known pollinators and natural enemies. Increase awareness and appreciation for some of the rarer pollinators and natural enemies like parasitoids and spiders.

MAKING THE MOST OF SMALL SPACES
with Raised Bed Gardening
Chelsea Schmid, Macon County Master Gardener
Learn why raised beds can be beneficial, as well as how to choose a location and layout. Chelsea will ‘dig in’ to topics of plant selection, spacing, and succession planting. Discussion will include methods for healthy soils, composting, and fertilizing.

SICKLY SPRUCE
Common Spruce Diseases in Illinois
Travis Cleveland, Illinois Extension Specialist
Diseased and declining spruce trees continue to be among the most common residential plant concerns. Spruce, as a genus, is native to cooler regions of the northern hemisphere. They are adapted to areas with cold conditions, dry climates, and acidic, well-drained soils. Many spruce species, mainly the blue Colorado spruce, become stressed when planted in Illinois’ humid climate and poorly drained soils. These conditions predispose our spruce trees to a variety of common diseases. This presentation will cover some common spruce diseases and management recommendations.

INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING
Chris Enroth, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator
Discover several different techniques to incorporate sustainable practices into the lawn and garden. Discuss sustainable lawns, how to handle stormwater, building healthy soils, and more fundamental methods to reduce your eco-footprint.

Session 2 12:40 to 1:40 p.m. 

PAWPAWS: OUR NATIVE 'TROPICAL' FRUIT
Doug Gucker, Illinois Extension Local Foods & Small Farms Educator
Learn about the largest native North American fruit that is currently enjoying a renaissance due to its fantastic tropical fruit taste. Discover the new improved varieties of pawpaw, how and where it grows best, its pests and, of course, the fruit. In addition, the issues of this fruit will be reviewed: its pollination, fruit shelf life, and processing. Pawpaw is a wonderful fruit that you might want to consider adding to your orchard or yard.

WHEN YOUR O-A-K IS NOT A-OK
Oak Diseases in Illinois
Travis Cleveland, Illinois Extension Specialist
While many of the oak species we use within the landscape are native, they are not problem-free. Even native oaks are vulnerable to insects, pathogens, and abiotic problems. Learn about common and emerging diseases threatening Illinois oak trees.

SMART LAWN CARE
Chris Enroth, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator
Pop Quiz: Who typically applies more chemicals to their land: farmers or homeowners? The answer may surprise you. With or without the use of chemicals, proper lawn care starts with good cultural practices and integrated pest management (IPM). Learn the fundamental practices of keeping a healthy lawn without excessive chemicals.

BIOLOGY OF THE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Travis Wilcoxen, Professor of Biology at Millikin University
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a common bird species in Central Illinois, and it is the smallest of our common birds. Hummingbirds have unique traits that fit their way of life, including metabolic processes and behaviors that differ greatly from most other birds. In this presentation, we will discuss hummingbird adaptations, habitat preferences, food preferences, and nesting behavior. This will also include tips for how to best support hummingbird populations.

Session 3 1:50 to 2:50 p.m.

MAKE EVERY DROP COUNT - XERISCAPING
Chris Enroth, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator
Tired of dragging the hose around and hauling buckets of water to parched plants? Then learn how you can incorporate xeriscaping into your home garden. Whether you desire a minimalist landscape approach or crave a lush garden; learn design strategies and proper plant selection to minimize your water usage and make every drop count.

GARDENING WITH NATIVE PERENNIALS
Add to New or Existing Gardens
Linda Spence, Certified Horticulturist & Accredited Nurseryman
Having a border of native plants is wonderful, but natives deserve to be highlighted too! How can you use native species in the front yard, around the patio, or incorporated into a more formal garden? Linda will answer these questions and more so you can maintain native plants to always look their best.

MAKING PLANT PATHOLOGISTS SAD
Reducing Plant Diseases in Your Garden
Diane Plewa, Director of University of Illinois Plant Clinic
Discuss ways to reduce plant disease in the home garden. In many cases, the best way to manage plant disease is before the pathogen infects. Proper installation and maintenance is critical to overall plant health. Diane goes over integrated pest management techniques to keep your garden green and disease-free!

WHEN PERENNIALS GROW UP AND MOVE OUT
Perennial Division and Care
Christina Lueking, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator
Life as a plant parent can be rough, but learning the importance of dividing perennials can make it easier. Explore steps to increase vigor, and generate low-cost plants while giving them room to grow. Learn types of root systems before dividing, as well as proper after care for your perennial.

4-H
Adult attendees are welcome to bring youth (ages 5-18) for craft, STEM, cooking, and gardening activities. Plus a DIY pizza party! Lead by 4-H in a separate area. Please include children on the registration form of their guardian. Limited number of spots available!

Please email or call Whitney Allison at 217.877.6042 with questions. 

We look forward to spending the day with you at Gardening Insights 2023!

By attending, you consent to your image being used in university marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer if you don’t want your photograph taken.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the event coordinator or call 217.877.6042. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs, when possible.