Learn new skills to help make dream gardening projects a reality. 

To be successful, a gardener needs to manage a range of factors and elements that make up the art of gardening. Extension helps bring all the pieces together in a one-day, nine-session webinar, Gardening in the Air, led by horticulture experts from across the Midwest. Tune in to the virtual presentations from indoors, outdoors, or sitting near a favorite view because any morning spent with gardening is a great way to start the day.

The 2024 fall edition is on Saturday, Oct. 19, and features presentations from three tracks, including Gardening in a Changing Environment, Edible Vegetables, and Nature Critters.

Online symposium attendees can mix and match sessions to pick three different programs to create an individualized experience. One from each track happens at 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. Central Time. All sessions will be offered via Zoom, requiring participants to have internet access and a valid email address. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required by Oct. 16. 

Tracks and Sessions:

Gardening in a Changing Environment

• 9 a.m. | Pick Me: Decision Points of How New Plants Are Chosen: Learn the crucial points and traits looked for by garden staff for sales selection. Participants will explore the decision-making process. Presenter: Joan Mazat, business manager, Cut Flowers, Geraniums, and Poinsettias at Ball Horticultural Company.
• 10:15 a.m. | Gravel Gardens and Other Water Wise Gardening Techniques: Climate change, human modifications that present challenges in the modern home landscape, global water availability issues, or geographic location are all reasons conscientious homeowners are looking at water-wise gardening. Every homeowner can incorporate water-saving measures from simple solutions starting with plant selection to more complex considerations of new garden styles such as gravel gardening. Hear how every gardener should consider practical approaches to water conservation, as well as new garden styles and methods, focused specifically on water-wise gardening. Presenter: Ed Lyon, owner of Spellbound Garden Writing and Consultation and Retired professional horticulturist and gardener with 25 years of experience in the public garden field.
• 11:30 a.m. | Urban Forestry for the 21st Century: A Climate Tool for All: Explore urban forestry through the session, focusing on modern approaches, techniques, and best practices. Participants will learn how urban forests can be designed and managed to reduce pest and disease outbreaks and how they can both mitigate and help us adapt to changing climate conditions. Discover ways everyone can contribute to the urban forest system, no matter the role in the community. Presenter: Justin Vosso, Illinois Extension specialist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Forestry.

Edible Vegetables

• 9 a.m. | History and Culture of Vegetables: Learn more about major vegetables grown around the country and the world, their center of origin, and production aspects. Participants will learn about their relevance in international markets, production statistics, and culinary uses. Presenter: Ajay Nair Professor, Iowa Extension vegetable specialist, Iowa State University.
• 10:15 a.m. | Colorful Vegetables: Learn more about vegetables by getting in on the discussion around plant characteristics that cause changes in popular and new cultivars of unique vegetables. Presenter: Bruce Black, horticulture educator, University of Illinois Extension.
• 11:30 a.m. | Vegetable Gardening Methods for Small Spaces: The popularity of vegetable gardening has grown considerably in recent years. Growing fresh vegetables is a source of family fun, exercise, and fresh produce. But what about small spaces? Participants will learn through ways of tying vegetable gardens into the landscape, gardening where there is space, raised beds, container gardens, gardening with an Earthbox® and salad table gardens™. Presenter: Jennifer Fishburn, horticulture educator, University of Illinois Extension- History and Culture of Vegetables.

Nature Critters

• 9 a.m. | If You Plant It, They Will Come: A Plan to Attract Birds: Our relationship to birds runs through generations. People often find flight and the many color variations of birds intriguing and often wish they could stay year-round. Participants will learn ways to attract and enjoy birds in their yards, along with a few key ideas and a good gardening plan. Presenter: Peggy Anesi, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy educator, University of Illinois Extension.
• 10:15 a.m. | What to Expect When You're Expecting the Spotted Lanternfly to Arrive: The spotted lanternfly was confirmed in Illinois in September 2023. Learn how to identify, report, and manage spotted lanternflies. The session will highlight how they got here, how to stop them from moving around, and how to prepare a property and community. Additionally, the session will review Illinois monitoring and pest assessments and discuss what's next for this hungry pest. Presenter: Tricia Bethke, forest pest outreach coordinator, Morton Arboretum.
• 11:30 a.m. | Better Flower and Garden Photography: Discover how to transform flower and garden photos from blah to wow in this informative presentation. While capturing the beauty of nature can be challenging, learning how to become equipped with simple yet effective techniques can elevate imagery. Information includes shooting with a DSLR mirrorless camera or cellphone. Presenter: Mark Stoltenberg, an award-winning fine art nature photographer, instructor, speaker, and owner of Mark Stoltenberg Photography.

About Gardening in the Air

University of Illinois Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have teamed up for another day filled with exclusive online sessions exploring today’s popular horticulture topics. A selection of programs will be recorded and made available to only registered participants following the event date.