Calling all gardening enthusiasts! Don't miss out on a day filled with learning, inspiration, and community at the 27th Annual Gardener's Day, sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension and McDonough County Master Gardeners. This event will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Spoon River College Outreach Center in Macomb, Illinois. 

 Cost:

• $40 Early-bird Registration (by March 8th) - Lunch included
• $50 Regular Registration (after March 8th) - Lunch included
• $30 Half-day Registration - Attend 2 sessions in AM OR 2 sessions in PM - Lunch NOT included

What’s Included:

• Four educational sessions
• Lunch
• Morning and afternoon refreshments
• Access to vendor displays
• A chance to win a door prize

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

SESSION ONE - 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Conservation @ Home with Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle
The Conservation @ Home program, offered by the Conservation Foundation and University of Illinois Extension, helps central Illinois homeowners make their yards more eco-friendly. The program guides residents in planting native plants, reducing water usage and chemical use, creating beautiful yards that benefit the environment. Join Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator, Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle to learn more about the program and how conservation practices made by homeowners have an impact on the environment.

The Giving Gardens: Some of Our Secrets of Success with John Curtis
There is an amazing amount of gardening misinformation available in books and online. John Curtis, director of the Giving Gardens, will help you cut through the noise with some basic steps, tools, and practices to help you make your garden the best ever.

Nature Impressions Tile Workshop with Natalie Shelly -$15 fee will be charged to cover the cost of materials.
Make your love of nature permanent during this fun hands-on clay workshop! Naturalist educator, Natalie Shelly, guides you through the design process by selecting natural items to arrange and impress into your clay tile. Participants are highly encouraged to bring a small collection of found natural items (grasses, nuts, twigs) from their own garden to make the piece more meaningful.

SESSION TWO - 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. 

New Plants for the 2025 Growing Season with Jeff Johnson
Join the owner and Head Grower at Sunnyfield Greenhouse and Garden Center, Jeff Johnson, as he covers cultural information on new annuals, perennials, and nursery stock for the 2025 growing season.

Shade Gardening with Color with Jeff Vancil
Description coming soon.

Nature Impressions Tile Workshop with Natalie Shelly -$15 fee will be charged to cover the cost of materials.
Make your love of nature permanent during this fun hands-on clay workshop! Naturalist educator, Natalie Shelly, guides you through the design process by selecting natural items to arrange and impress into your clay tile. Participants are highly encouraged to bring a small collection of found natural items (grasses, nuts, twigs) from their own garden to make the piece more meaningful.

LUNCH - 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

SESSION THREE - 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. 

Fruit Tree Basics with Ken Johnson
Join Ken Johnson, a horticulture educator with Illinois Extension, for an informative session on growing tree fruits. In this class, you'll learn the essentials of backyard tree fruit cultivation, including side and cultivar selection, planting techniques, and important maintenance practices.

Layer Your Landscape: Native Plants for Birds, Butterflies, and You with Carey Boehm-Corrie
Join Carey Boehm-Corrie, owner of Boehm's Garden Center, for an engaging journey through the world of native plants. Discover the perfect plant for every spot in your garden, from ground covers and perennials to grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees. Each native plant not only enhances your landscape but also provides essential larval food sources, nectar, and seeds for the birds and butterflies. Transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem with native plants!

Hardscaping Basics with Chris Enroth
Do you have a vision of a retaining wall or patio in your yard, but aren't quite sure where to start. Hardscape installation can cost thousands of dollars and many homeowners are turning to DIY to save money. However, there is a lot to know about proper hardscape installation methods. Join University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, Chris Enroth, as he talks about the basics of modular patio paver and retaining wall installation.

SESSION FOUR - 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Tree Pruning and Care with Tim Howe
Join us for an insightful class on tree pruning and care, led by Tim Howe, Macomb's retired arborist with decades of experience. This session will cover essential techniques for maintaining healthy trees, including proper pruning methods on young and mature trees. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge to enhance the beauty and longevity of your trees.

Pollinator Habitat with Ken Johnson
Get ready for an enlightening session on the often misunderstood beneficial insects in our landscapes. While bees, butterflies, and lady beetles are celebrated, other beneficial insects like wasps and flies are frequently vilified. In this class, you'll learn about the important roles these insects play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, including, understanding beneficial insects, the role of wasps and flies, and promoting a balanced ecosystem.

Nature's Calendar: Perfecting your garden through seasonal awareness with Amy Lefringhouse
Have you heard, "When the redbud starts to bloom, it's time to plant cool season crops"? The seasonal cycles of nature can be helpful for you as a gardener. In this session, learn what to look for as you spend time outside. You'll discover which wildlife signs and plant cues align with gardening tasks like frost-free dates, pest emergence, and native planting. Come away with an Illinois phenology guide and activities for you to do at home to take a closer look at natural events. 

Note: Seating is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration deadline is March 15th.

Check-in starts at 8 a.m., with the first sessions beginning at 9 a.m. Secure your spot and get ready for a blooming good time! 🌸


Late Registration - register after March 15th; accepted only on a space-available basis.
Contact Kate Budde at 309-342-5108 or kbudde@illinois.edu for space availability.