Gardening For Food, Flowers & Fun 2023 - Saturday, March 11, 2023 9:00 a.m.- Noon
Presented by University of Illinois Extension and Winnebago County Master Gardeners at NIU Rockford, 8500 East State Street, Rockford, Illinois.
University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce that Gardening for Food, Flowers & Fun returns as an in-person event to offer you gardening tips for the growing season. Join us for this early rite of spring - an educational venture presenting fresh horticultural ideas, insights and techniques. $20 cost includes admission to keynote and two breakout sessions.
8:30 a.m. Registration and Check-in
9:00 - 9:50 a.m. KEYNOTE: "Top Gardens to Visit!" by Martha Smith, Extension Horticulture Educator (retired)
Martha Smith, retired horticulture educator will share her travels with you. Get ready to travel across North America and across the pond to Europe. We are sure you will be adding to your bucket list of must see gardens!
Martha Smith was a Horticulture educator with both Cornell and University of Illinois Extension for 32 years. She earned a bachelor degree from University of Illinois in Ornamental Horticulture and a Master’s degree in adult education from Western Illinois University. Martha served as the central regional director for the Perennial Plant Association, served as a regional officer with the American Conifer Society and is a certified arborist. Since retiring in 2021 Martha now has more time to work in her garden and expand her plant collections.
10:00 - 10:50 a.m. BREAKOUT SESSION 1
"This Isn't Your Grandparents Garden Weather" by Duane Friend, State Master Naturalist and Climate Change Specialist - University of Illinois Extension
Duane will discuss weather trends such as: seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation, including a caution note on potential late frosts that may still occur, along with a few other weather topics related to gardening. He will also share information about the Illinois Climate Stewards program.
“Honey, I Cloned the Plants!” - Make and Take by Bruce Black, Horticulture Educator - University of Illinois Extension $5.00 additional fee Limit to 20 participants
Houseplants are a class of plants that make a house feel cozy. Join Bruce to learn about houseplants, their care, and how to propagate or clone your plants. Participants will be able to propagate plants hands-on in this make and take session.
"Perennial Garden Maintenance" by Martha Smith, Horticulture Educator(retired) - University of Illinois Extension
Cutting back, deadheading, pinching, layering bloom and dividing are common chores when maintaining a perennial garden. But which plant gets which treatment? Learn the basics of perennial garden maintenance based on common plant needs.
11:00-11:50 A.M. – BREAKOUT SESSION II
"Growing Great Grapes" by Grant McCarty, Small Foods & Local Farms Educator - University of Illinois Extension
Wine vs table? Cordon vs Cane? Growing grapes can be intimidating. Since the plant can live for decades, early decisions will ensure you have greater success for years to come. This presentation will provide you with an introduction of the opportunities that await and the challenge you might face in grape production. Varieties, setup, disease management, and pruning will also be discussed.
“Myth-Busting Nature” by Connie McIntosh, Master Naturalist – University of Illinois Extension
We've all heard misconceptions about our local wildlife that we may believe as fact. During this program, we are going to bust those myths and gain a better understanding of the natural world. Join us to clear up the most common myths, uncover lesser known facts, and have fun playing Fact or Fiction as we learn about nature right here in the Rockford region
"Monarch Butterlies" by Bruce Black, Horticulture Educator - University of Illinois Extension
A recent strategy for Monarch butterfly conservation is a "all hands-on deck" approach to helping restore the population to a more sustainable level. Learn more about the biology and reproduction of the Illinois' State insect, habitat requirements and educational outreach. How you can be an important citizen scientist helping with conservation efforts in your own backyard.
