Join us for the 2024 University of Illinois Extension Garden Learning Series!!
This year we have a fantastic variety of topics being presented by The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners and Educators along with Educators and Ecologists from the Lake County Forest Preserve District and the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO).
Presentations are scheduled the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00pm-7:30pm Starting in February of 2024. This year we have 11 sessions. All sessions are free, virtual on Zoom, and are NOT recorded.
Registration closes the Tuesday before each session at 11:59pm. Zoom link, slides and handouts will be emailed to registrants by 2pm the day of the presentation (Check ALL your email folders including SPAM).
We cannot wait to see you at the 2024 Extension Garden Learning Series!
Register for individual programs below. You cannot register for all programs at once.
Session 1 - Seed Starting
When: Wednesday February 14th 2024
Presenter: Extension Master Gardeners
Topic:
Description: Master Gardeners will deliver timely tips on how to start seeds to grow your own seedlings for your garden. Basic requirements, including time, light, growing medium, water and attention, will be shared as well as suggested plants to start from seed. Seed starting is not limited to vegetables. Annuals and perennials can also be started to get a jump on the growing season.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024SeedStarting
Session 2 - Vegetable Gardening
When: Wednesday March 13th 2024
Presenter: Extension Master Gardeners
Description: Imagine tasting your own vegetables picked fresh from your garden... Build your success with research-based methods that promote healthy, productive plants. To get the most out of your garden, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will give you steps to plan and tend your garden. This will include tips on garden location/layout, preparation, recommended varieties, proper planting, pest control, watering, and harvesting tips.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024VegetableGardening
Session 3- Landscaping with Native Plants
When: Wednesday April 10th 2024
Presenter: Lake County Forest Preserve District
Description: Discover the benefits of designing native habitats such as butterfly gardens and rain gardens. Native plant selection and identification, habitat requirements and maintenance will be discussed.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024Landscaping-nativeplants
Session 4 - Adding Color With Annuals
When: Wednesday May 8 2024
Presenter: Extension Master Gardeners
Description: Learn more about the wide array of annuals available for your containers and gardens. Learn how to create beautiful combinations of color, texture and form to add a long season of bloom. Change your color scheme and approach each year to keep your outdoor spaces fresh and fun.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024Annuals
Session 5 - Edible landscaping
When: Wednesday June 12th 2024
Presenter: Extension Master Gardeners
Topic:
Description: By combining trees, vegetables, herbs, edible flowers or small fruits and berries in aesthetically pleasing ways, edible landscapes can be just as attractive as ornamental ones. Learn how to eat your yard by creating a tasteful home landscape using edible plants. We will cover both simple suggestions to ease into integration and more ambitious designs. Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/EdibleLandscaping
Session 6 - Northern Illinois Trees
When: Wednesday July 10th 2024
Presenter: Extension Master Gardeners
Description: Learn more about the value of various types of trees and planting a diverse set of trees in your landscape. We will review alternatives to invasive or non-native trees and shrubs suitable to our northern Illinois conditions. We will share best practices about how to care for and maintain your trees so they thrive.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024NorthernILTrees
Session 7 - Healthy Yard, Healthy Home, Healthy Planet
When: Wednesday August 14th 2024
Presenter: SWALCO
Description: Merleanne Rampale from SWALCO will share resources, tips and how-to information on ways to create a healthy yard, including information on the importance of healthy soil/compost/composting.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024HealthyYard
Session 8 - Soil Health Check-up
When: Wednesday September 11th 2024
Presenter: U of I Extension Educators
Description: Gear up for autumn by joining our session where the Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator, Sarah Farley will guide you through key strategies to nurture healthy soils. Explore topics like soil basics, fertility, and effective management strategies applicable to both home and community gardeners.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024Soil
Session 9 - Healthy Hedges (buckthorn Eradication)
When: Wednesday October 9th 2024
Presenter: Lake County Forest Preserve District
Description: Matt Ueltzen is the Manager of Restoration Ecology for the Lake County Forest Preserves. He has been with the Forest Preserves for 24 years and manages the District’s prescribed burn and reforestation programs. He also works on various habitat restoration projects including wetland restoration, farmland conversion, and invasive species management such as the eradication of buckthorn which we will talk about today.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024Buckthorn
Session 10 - Starting Native Plants from Seed
When: Wednesday November 13th 2024
Presenter: Lake County Forest Preserve District
Description: Starting native plants from seed can be challenging until you know the tricks to sparking germination. Discover what it means to stratify and scarify seeds and which species need which treatment.
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024NativeSeedStarting
Session 11 - Houseplant Propagation
When: Wednesday December 11th 2024
Presenter: Extension Master Gardeners
Description: Propagation is easy, fun, and addicting! This presentation will primarily focus on the various vegetative options to propagate your houseplants. We will cover tools, techniques, and methods to get you motivated to create new houseplants from your existing houseplants!
Registration: https://go.illinois.edu/2024Propagation